Comparing A Disney Cruise vs Disney World

When considering a Disney vacation, you’ll have many options. There are theme parks, both in the United States and abroad, as well as Disney Cruises (offering itineraries around the world), and Adventures by Disney (worldwide guided tours). If you want to base your trip in Florida, you can consider either a Disney Cruise or a trip to Walt Disney World.

Trying to compare a Disney Cruise vs Walt Disney World? After 19 Disney Cruises and dozens of Walt Disney World trips, I’ve had to make this decision many times. There are several factors to consider; here’s how they compare.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and a purchase made through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us. We’ve been on several complimentary/media trips but have also paid our own way. All opinions are my own.

Comparing A Disney Cruise vs Disney World

For this post, note that we are specifically comparing Caribbean Disney Cruises rather than other destinations such as Europe or Alaska. Those destinations are so different from a theme park vacation that the comparisons would be very different.

In addition, it’s good to know that if you can’t decide, there’s always the option to do a Disney Land and Sea vacation. With a land and sea vacation, you’ll combine the excitement of the theme parks with the relaxation of a cruise. It’s best to choose a cruise that departs from Port Canaveral, which is about an hour from Walt Disney World.

Comparing Rides and Attractions

Rides and attractions at Walt Disney World are a considerable part of the vacation, and a Disney Cruise cannot compare. If the rides are a critical factor for you, you’ll absolutely want to visit Walt Disney World rather than take a cruise.

There are, however, many fun activities that your family can participate on a cruise. These include the following:

• The AquaMouse and AquaDuck (on select ships)
• Waterslides
• Splash areas
• Game shows
• Animation classes
• Pools
• Movies (including first-run movies in the theaters)
• Interactive games (including the Mid-ship Detective Agency)
• Pirate Night with fireworks
• Adult activities, including game shows, the spa (including the Rainforest Room), and beverage seminars

The majority of these activities are included in your cruise price, and most do not need to be pre-booked. Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for the schedule.

Kids’ Clubs

The kids’ clubs on the Disney Cruise Line are unparalleled. The youth club team is comprised of an energetic crew of staff members who love working with kids. While the clubs on the ships vary significantly, they offer themed experiences including Star Wars, Disney Princesses, and Marvel. Check the details about your specific ship before booking.

Except for the it’s a small world Nursery, the youth clubs on the Disney Cruise Line are free and included in your cruise fare. Because the kids’ clubs are so nice, you’ll probably find yourself with a lot of free time to explore the adult-only sections of the ship.

Book Your Vacation

Get the Best Rates

Whether you are booking a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, we recommend booking through our affiliate Get Away Today.

Pre-Planning

The planning process for a Disney Cruise and a Walt Disney World vacation varies significantly, with a cruise generally being easier to plan.

When you book a cruise, your ports of call, meal times, and lodging will be set for you. You won’t need to worry about adding these things on, unless you want to eat at Palo or one of the other adult-only restaurants. You will need to research and plan excursions and add-ons, and research them when booking windows open.

For a Disney World vacation, you’ll need to research everything, including your hotel, how many days you want to visit, what types of park tickets you’ll want, what restaurant reservations you’d like to make, and what add-ons (like Lightning Lane) you want to add.

Intensity of the Vacation

Going hand in hand with the pre-planning is the general intensity level of the vacation. A Disney vacation can be so much fun. Still, it’s typically an intense day, especially if you are trying to do lots of rides, and are coordinating Lightning Lanes, dining reservations, etc.

A cruise, however, can be as relaxing as you want it to be. Even if you are on an excursion, you just really have to show up and follow the tour guide. For days at sea, you can just sit on the pool deck and spend all of your time there if you’d like. You don’t have to plan dinners, and if your kids go to the youth clubs, you’ll have some free time.

Character Interactions

You’ll find your favorite Disney characters both at Walt Disney World and on your Disney Cruise. In general, I find that the lines on the cruise ships are a little shorter, and since you are waiting indoors, it can be more enjoyable than standing in the sun. You won’t find the character meal options on a cruise ship, but your kids will still enjoy meeting their favorite Disney characters while on board.

Excursions and Experiences

One of the most significant differences between a theme park and a cruise vacation is the experiences you can have. On a cruise, you can book excursions in foreign countries, with options to explore the local culture. While cruising, we’ve enjoyed touring ancient ruins, exploring small communities, and tasting local delicacies.

If your cruise includes a visit to Castaway Cay, you’ll be able to enjoy turquoise water, white sand, and fantastic activities. While there are some excursions on Castaway Cay, you can also choose to

Rooms

Generally, staterooms on a cruise ship are smaller than traditional hotel rooms. This is just the nature of being on a floating ship rather than on land. On the Disney Cruise Line, staterooms have bunk beds that are set up in the evenings, giving you more space during the day.

While the rooms are small, it’s never been an issue for my family. We typically don’t spend much time in our stateroom during the day.

Food Comparisons

On the Disney Cruise Line, almost all of the food onboard is included. There are some specialty items and adult-only dining, but otherwise, you won’t pay extra. The food is good too – there are lots of options, especially at the buffet.

When you visit a Walt Disney World park, all of the food is extra (unless you’ve purchased a dining plan). The cost of this can add up, and it isn’t quite as convenient to stop and eat. In terms of quality, I would say they are about the same, depending on where you choose to eat.

Cost

Cost is a significant factor to consider when deciding on the type of vacation to take. NerdWallet has a great article that you can review to compare everything.

A cruise is also typically easier to budget for. You know how much you’ll pay for your sailing, including food and most onboard activities. So, the excursions are the big thing you’ll need to consider (in addition to transportation to and from the ship).

Disney Cruise vs Disney World for Families With Young Kids

This can be a tough decision, because both have their benefits. Keep in mind that swim diapers aren’t allowed in the pools on the Disney Cruise Line, so it’s usually best to wait to travel with the very youngest kids.

Disney Cruise Line can be a great option with little ones, because you don’t have to do nearly as much walking, won’t always be out in the hot sun, and won’t need to wait in many lines. You can do a very relaxing trip, and still see fun shows and characters. If your kids still take naps, it’s very easy to return to your cabin on days at sea, and you are never required to get off the ship at ports.

However, for kids who love rides, Walt Disney World offers a nice selection of rides for toddlers. The Magic Kingdom is especially toddler-friendly. The sense of wonder on their faces always makes it worthwhile.

How to Choose a Disney Cruise Over a Walt Disney World Vacation

Choose a Disney Cruise If:

• You want a more relaxing vacation
• You don’t want to stress or do too much planning
• You enjoy all-inclusive-style travel
• You want included dining
• You want to visit multiple destinations beyond Florida

Choose Disney World If:

• Rides are your top priority
• It’s your first Disney vacation
• You want maximum Disney immersion – characters, scenes, etc
• You enjoy planning

Have you been on a Disney Cruise and a Walt Disney World vacation? Which do you prefer?