I know, I know, where've I been? :p

Those of you who know me know that I've been talking about a trip to WDW for years...literally. I still don't have a concrete date, but now that the babies are no longer babies, I want to start thinking seriously about a trip to Florida.

I'd really like to try the Cruise, but I'd also like to make sure I have time for WDW (and maybe a side trip to Universal if possible).

Is it better to do the package, or can I get a better deal planning it separately? I'm guessing that it'll probably be easier to do a package since they'll handle luggage transfers and transportation between the ship and the resort for you.

And, tentatively, I'm looking at May of 2007 or 2008...I have no clue yet if this will happen, but I do so enjoy the planning! ;)

I have done land and sea packages both ways. It is somewhat less expensive if you book them seperately. At the same time, you can still purchase transfers to/from port and (certain?) resorts as well as still use DME and have your luggage taken care of.

For example, my last trip we went from MCO to Port. They took care of the luggage and we hopped on a DCL bus. After the cruise, we took a DCL bus to BWV and when we arrived at BWV, bell services took our bags. We went to the parks then called bell services for them to bring them back up. (They did within 20 mins.) After our stay at BWV, DME took us back to MCO. All of this was done under two seperate arrangements.

When we did the land and sea package through DCL, it was our first cruise. We let them handle the whole thing and at that time we thought we got a good value. However, we had DCL add an extra day at the end for us. It was after we looked around a bit where we saw that the extra day cost us somewhat more than normal.

In essence, you can get a lot of flexibility in booking the land and sea portions seperately. Additionally, sometimes, you can get land "packages" where if you booked the land part via DCL, you may not get them.

Hope that helps.

Splitting or package depends on resort, time you are going, if you want dining, and how long you are staying. Sometimes it is less money and sometimes it is more. If you're choosing a cruise with the Animal Kingdom Lodge as your resort, then usually it's less money to book a package, reason being that you are given a Savannah view room, which is a premium to the standard view rooms that you are offered at the other resorts.

I would suggest looking at it both ways, but book sooner, rather than later. The last listed cruise for May 2007 is for May 5th (at this time). We are awaiting information on the remaining summer cruises at this time. The cruises from September through the end of the year are also published as well. Basically, the lowest pricing you will see are when the rates are first published. When you see group cruise rates later in the year, it is from this first publication of rates as a general rule.

As for luggage transfers as GusMan indicates, where there is a will, there is a way. :D Make the commitment to going, and everything else will fall into place.

Well, I guess I should wade in on this as I have just booked my package deal.

Originally we were looking at the 4 nights on land 3 nights at sea package and then adding a few more nights after the cruise.

We have now decided to do 8 nights on land then do a 4 night cruise and fly home after we disembark. We found that doing it this way was actually cheaper in the long run for us. Not to mention we had read on here from several people that doing the cruise at the end of the vacation allows you some time to slow down and relax before heading back home to the rat race.

After several consultations with people on this board we decided to stay at a moderate resort (Caribbean Beach) for our "on land" version.

Right now I have put all the deposits down and am simply trying to work out ticket options and then start in on all the reservations and such we need for both the land part and the sea section.

But because we are on the West coast we felt we won't get to WDW very often so we decided we would extend our stay there and make sure we do it right.

Thanks...I probably will have to price everything out when the time comes, but I was just curious what your experiences were.

2007 isn't looking that great right now (gonna travel for my bro's wedding!), so I'll have to shoot for 2008 cuz I really don't want to have to nickel and dime everything.

Mickeymac, thanks for bringing that up. It hadn't even crossed my mind that there wouldn't be cruises in May.

My thought was to start at Universal for 2 nights, maybe, cruise for 3/4 nights, then WDW for 3/4 nights. I'm not sure how that'll work out though. I'll have a 4 and 8 year old then, so I'm not sure I can make them wait that long to get to WDW!

I was hoping we could do Animal Kingdom Lodge, but we'll have to see what the prices are in 2008.

Yep, I sure do love planning, but geez, sounds like there's still a lot I don't know yet. :)

Thanks for the ideas...keep them coming...please! :)

Just a suggestion, why not a long weekend at AKL during Value season with the kids? Just focus on one or two parks and the resort? Then, when you decide to cruise, you won't feel as pressured to pack everything in to that one visit, and the kids won't be on sensory overload? It might be nice to have something small for them to look forward to during all the wedding activities.

LOL, Mickeymac, that's an excellent suggestion, but one that probably won't happen this time. Oh, and the wedding we're going to is in Hawaii in 2007, which is why WDW will more likely be in 2008...I doubt we'll be taking 2 5-hour "flying" trips in one year. I know, I'm a wimpy mom...I'm nervous about long travel with kids...I bow down to other moms and dads who do this regularly! ;)

I've been talking about WDW for at least 5 years now, since right after my 1st kid was born. We're in California, so the chances of our getting out to Florida are pretty rare these days. In fact, I've never been, and we won't talk about how old I am! Just like MouseFan, I want to give this lots of time for one big trip. My kids are Disneyland veterans, but I know there'll be way more to see and do in WDW.

If anything, I might not do Universal this trip and maybe do 3 nights at WDW, cruise, then 3/4 more nights at WDW again.

The more I can stretch my dollar, the longer I'll stay. However, I'm a hotel snob...I can't stand noisy hotel neighbors if I'm on vacation. I want to relax and not be stressed (the kids will already make enough noise as it is). Plus, I don't want to worry about my kids being too loud and annoying someone on the other side of a paper thin wall. I can't afford the Floridian, but I can probably afford a few nights at AKL so long as it's not during peak season! ;)

Finally, since we don't do "big" vacations every year (basically, the last "vacation" we took was for my best friend's wedding in Hawaii, and that was in 2001), we can afford to splurge a little! I chose May because my daughter's in year round school...she's off in September, January and May.

I know that after this trip, it'll be at least a few years before we even think about another trip anywhere. So, I'm starting to plan again (yeah, for the 5th year in a row). :D I want to do this trip right...well, as "right" as I can. :)

LOLOlOL!!! Hawaii?? Disneyland veterans at the tender ages? Geez, and here I was trying to make you feel guilty since I felt sorry for the little 'uns! LOLOL!! :D :D :D Sounds like you've got some great plans in the works, and will eventually get there. :D