Help! What to do in 2025?!

[twilightraine]

Hello!

My family has a Feb 2025 trip booked, but my husband made an excellent point that is changing my mind on that.

Sept 2025 I level up to stage 4...so I'll be turning 40. My hubby suggested we do our trip (2 adults, 2 teens, 1 preschooler) then, but now I have more options:

1. Full WDW Trip with park tickets - we are dvc owners but haven't been on a WDW trip since July 2023.
2. A week at Aulani - Sept. is good for Hawaii travel but ocean can be too strong.
3. A 4 night Disney Cruise (Wish) - have never been on a cruise in my life and am slightly claustrophobic so we're worried I would hate it.

We would plan to use a travel agent because I'll be damned if I have to plan my entire bday trip lol. But honestly any suggestion or tips would be super appreciated. Thanks DisFamily.

 

[sponica]

I did option 3 as a delayed 40th trip

I too am claustrophobic, but we stay in the family verandah staterooms. The downside to September is that it is peak hurricane season, so the itinerary might shift or the seas might be rockier than normal.

I'd also consider HOW you vacation. Do the teens go off and do their own thing? Will your preschooler be comfortable going to the kids club so you can have some child free time? Is your preschooler fully potty trained?

 

[TinkAgainU]

...
We would plan to use a travel agent because I'll be damned if I have to plan my entire bday trip lol. ...

Just giving you BIG points for this. Sometimes planning your own celebration is less fun than people think

As to Aulani, the beach area is a huge lagoon with a ton of nice sand, short of a hurricane, should be calm enough for a preschooler to enjoy!

 

[twilightraine]

I'd also consider HOW you vacation. Do the teens go off and do their own thing? Will your preschooler be comfortable going to the kids club so you can have some child free time? Is your preschooler fully potty trained?

You made very valid points about the rough waters for the cruise. I hadn't considered that nor the amenities for the teens. We've never separated on a trip, but I am open to that.

Do you think the verandah is safe for a 5 year old?

 

[Specter]

A cruise is similar to a Disney trip in that you really will only spend as much time in your room as you want. There are plenty of open spaces on every cruise ship I have ever been on and plenty of things to do. And, like a previous poster indicated, if it's within your budget you can opt for a larger room, too. But as long as your kids will be happy and willing to engage with the activities there for them so that you actually get to have some you/couple time on the cruise I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how open most ships can actually feel.

We have no experience with DCL ships but our DD, now 5, has been on two cruises when she was 4 and newly 5, and did great. That said, like most kids, she is a climber and I would not trust her on the verandah unsupervised. She wouldn't be able to slip through or anything but if she took a mind to climb up on the rail I am confident that she could make it.

Now this part is just how my family and I feel, but when we go on a big vacation like that (as opposed to a weekend/long weekend road trip) we want to be gone for a week or more so I would probably not consider the cruise. We have never really cared for short cruises, or trips in general, as it always feels like it is time to go home so quickly after you get unpacked and really get your bearings. And if it is anywhere in the Caribbean, again as someone already pointed out, hurricane season. I have been on a cruise ship that got rerouted due to a hurricane once and it is the only time I ever got seasick as we skirted around the storm.

No experience with Aulani/Hawaii but it is on our list of trips to take. If it were my family I am confident that, all things being relatively equal in terms of cost, we would do WDW or Aulani but none of them are bad choices, it is just more the way we would like to travel. We actually did a cruise for DWs 40th birthday this summer but on a different line and she was very happy with the experience. Whatever you pick, enjoy!

 

[sponica]

You made very valid points about the rough waters for the cruise. I hadn't considered that nor the amenities for the teens. We've never separated on a trip, but I am open to that.

Do you think the verandah is safe for a 5 year old?

I wouldn't let one on the verandah unsupervised (my 4 year old has no sense of fear) but my older one would have been fine at that age. We went with a 4 night because my then 3.5 year old DOES NOT travel well and we weren't 100 percent sure she'd be potty trained by the time of our cruise.

 

[twilightraine]

A cruise is similar to a Disney trip in that you really will only spend as much time in your room as you want. There are plenty of open spaces on every cruise ship I have ever been on and plenty of things to do. And, like a previous poster indicated, if it's within your budget you can opt for a larger room, too. But as long as your kids will be happy and willing to engage with the activities there for them so that you actually get to have some you/couple time on the cruise I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how open most ships can actually feel.

We have no experience with DCL ships but our DD, now 5, has been on two cruises when she was 4 and newly 5, and did great. That said, like most kids, she is a climber and I would not trust her on the verandah unsupervised. She wouldn't be able to slip through or anything but if she took a mind to climb up on the rail I am confident that she could make it.

Now this part is just how my family and I feel, but when we go on a big vacation like that (as opposed to a weekend/long weekend road trip) we want to be gone for a week or more so I would probably not consider the cruise. We have never really cared for short cruises, or trips in general, as it always feels like it is time to go home so quickly after you get unpacked and really get your bearings. And if it is anywhere in the Caribbean, again as someone already pointed out, hurricane season. I have been on a cruise ship that got rerouted due to a hurricane once and it is the only time I ever got seasick as we skirted around the storm.

No experience with Aulani/Hawaii but it is on our list of trips to take. If it were my family I am confident that, all things being relatively equal in terms of cost, we would do WDW or Aulani but none of them are bad choices, it is just more the way we would like to travel. We actually did a cruise for DWs 40th birthday this summer but on a different line and she was very happy with the experience. Whatever you pick, enjoy!

I think you've helped me make my decision...as well as the other contributors, I think I am ready for a DCL trip just not for THIS trip. The special occasion is a fixed date and the fact that hurricane season can affect Orlando and the Caribbean, I am going to go with Aulani.
My hubby and I honeymooned in Hawaii, and it would be nice to go this time with the kids and some Disney magic! Thanks, everyone!

 

[RedDrumJay]

We didn’t do a cruise until all our kids were teens and we all absolutely LOVED it. Get a cabin with a balcony and you won’t feel claustrophobic. We went during hurricane season and got diverted, but honestly, I’d rather stay on the ship anyway! lol

 

[tinkerjo]

Well February is one of my favorite times to visit WDW. We are here now and let me tell you it is soooo hot and way busier than I imagined. I do love cruising and never felt closed in or anything. Older kids really enjoyed it, littles were hit and miss. Never been to Hawaii but definitely a bucket list. No matter what you will have a blast

 

[rlk]

I would pick Aulani for the week. If you can add more days to your vacation, I'd consider doing Disneyland for 2 nights before flying to Aulani.