Holiday season choice - Orlando WDW or Cruise

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Not sure if it's the right place to ask. I am struggling where to go for Christmas (or maybe Thanksgiving so I put holiday in the title).
I want thoughts from you on how you compares a Disney World trip (stay on DVC points + cash on park) vs. a cruise trip (cash)?
We have a young toddler. Both are supposed to be warm and have enough activities. One consideration is cost. While we need to spend more points on stay during the holiday, the Caribbean cruise is also more expensive. Assuming we can go other time of the year, which should we choose?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Mle8308]

Do you own DVC or are you looking to rent points?

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

As someone who vacations at WDW every Christmas/NYE week, most years I would not characterize it as warm. Some days you may get lucky and it’s low 70’s but that’s honestly not our usual experience. Just calling that out if you’re expecting consistent pool weather

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Do you own DVC or are you looking to rent points?

Own but not home resort booking window.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

As someone who vacations at WDW every Christmas/NYE week, most years I would not characterize it as warm. Some days you may get lucky and it’s low 70’s but that’s honestly not our usual experience. Just calling that out if you’re expecting consistent pool weather

That must have been a nice tradition!! I've been there for Christmas and I wore a down jacket haha. Noon-ish is still warm. Only spent one half relatively warm day at the pool.
I guess the same applies to cruise when you are on the way.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

As someone who vacations at WDW every Christmas/NYE week, most years I would not characterize it as warm. Some days you may get lucky and it’s low 70’s but that’s honestly not our usual experience. Just calling that out if you’re expecting consistent pool weather

BTW, do you stay at CCV or VGF or the HS/Epcot resorts during that time?

 

[Mle8308]

Own but not home resort booking window.

Gotcha. The beginning of December is a very popular time for DVC. The weather is usually good (but can be cold) and crowds are lower, but not low anymore. It is nice to see all the resorts and parks decorated for Christmas. If you are going Christmas or Thanksgiving week, pack your patience. It's very crowded and for me, not an ideal vacation. They do have holiday cruises, but depending on the weather, it can be a hit or miss, and it could be a little chilly for the pools or the water at CC or Lighthouse Point. Disney cruises are great. And all your food is included, something to consider when looking at price. I don't think you can go wrong with either. For Christmas week, I think I'd do a cruise and maybe the night before or after at a resort to see the decorations. It's too crowded at Christmas in the parks for me, especially since you're paying a premium price to be in one.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Gotcha. The beginning of December is a very popular time for DVC. The weather is usually good (but can be cold) and crowds are lower, but not low anymore. It is nice to see all the resorts and parks decorated for Christmas. If you are going Christmas or Thanksgiving week, pack your patience. It's very crowded and for me, not an ideal vacation. They do have holiday cruises, but depending on the weather, it can be a hit or miss, and it could be a little chilly for the pools or the water at CC or Lighthouse Point. Disney cruises are great. And all your food is included, something to consider when looking at price. I don't think you can go wrong with either. For Christmas week, I think I'd do a cruise and maybe the night before or after at a resort to see the decorations. It's too crowded at Christmas in the parks for me, especially since you're paying a premium price to be in one.

Thank you! Yes all-inclusive is definitely appealing. Park tickets are not too different but the point charts make me wanna go the weekend before Christmas (and we did it before, 25th is a lot more crowded). So, now we are thinking about holiday cruise. Again, thanks for your input!

 

[Mle8308]

Thank you! Yes all-inclusive is definitely appealing. Park tickets are not too different but the point charts make me wanna go the weekend before Christmas (and we did it before, 25th is a lot more crowded). So, now we are thinking about holiday cruise. Again, thanks for your input!

Have a great trip, whatever you decide! There is no bad choice!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

BTW, do you stay at CCV or VGF or the HS/Epcot resorts during that time?

We usually stay at Crescent Lake but did do VGF this year. I’m biased to BWV but we did love our stay at VGF too. If you are there for NYE, I would pick the resort within walking distance of the park where you’ll be - especially with a young kiddo.

 

[Skippyboo]

I have done Thanksgiving day at WDW and done a cruise afterwards. The prices for Christmas week and New Year’s are super high on DCL . Last year did a 3 night Wish cruise leaving on Black Friday. Year before 7 night Fantasy Eastern Caribbean the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Both were Merry Time Christmas cruises so had a tree, Santa , gingerbread houses.

 

[Aussie RJ]

We vacation Christmas week every year. We changed up and sailed the Wish for Christmas 2023. While we liked the experience and don’t have any regrets, I don’t think the Christmas week spend was worth the additional costs. This year we sailed first week of January for half the price and enjoyed the cruise just as much. I’d pick WDW for the parks benefits like fireworks, parade and Epcot festival.

 

[Karalee402]

We did both during the week right before NYE and a few days after, and we had tricky weather both in the Caribbean and at Disney. I wouldn't necessarily plan on super warm weather for either one. The cruise was absolutely packed, and while WDW was, too, it was much more manageable because there are always little nooks and crannies you can find with fewer people. The holiday decor at WDW is one of my very favorite things, so I think I'd do WDW and then cruise a different time.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

We usually stay at Crescent Lake but did do VGF this year. I’m biased to BWV but we did love our stay at VGF too. If you are there for NYE, I would pick the resort within walking distance of the park where you’ll be - especially with a young kiddo.

I know! Stayed at BLT and can't forget the feeling of "I am walking back"

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

I have done Thanksgiving day at WDW and done a cruise afterwards. The prices for Christmas week and New Year’s are super high on DCL . Last year did a 3 night Wish cruise leaving on Black Friday. Year before 7 night Fantasy Eastern Caribbean the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Both were Merry Time Christmas cruises so had a tree, Santa , gingerbread houses.

Oh, that's nice. Do you happen to have any ball park number that they are how many percent higher than usual?

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

We vacation Christmas week every year. We changed up and sailed the Wish for Christmas 2023. While we liked the experience and don’t have any regrets, I don’t think the Christmas week spend was worth the additional costs. This year we sailed first week of January for half the price and enjoyed the cruise just as much. I’d pick WDW for the parks benefits like fireworks, parade and Epcot festival.

Good idea! Maybe can do park for Christmas then cruise early Jan while kid is not going to school and don't think about Disney for a year lol

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

We did both during the week right before NYE and a few days after, and we had tricky weather both in the Caribbean and at Disney. I wouldn't necessarily plan on super warm weather for either one. The cruise was absolutely packed, and while WDW was, too, it was much more manageable because there are always little nooks and crannies you can find with fewer people. The holiday decor at WDW is one of my very favorite things, so I think I'd do WDW and then cruise a different time.

Very helpful! That's true there is not much wiggle room once you are on the boat.

 

[Skippyboo]

Oh, that's nice. Do you happen to have any ball park number that they are how many percent higher than usual?

You can look at the DCL website and compare the prices. Dec 1-5 2025 -4 night Bahamas on Wish for 2 people Verandah starts $3299

Same cruise Dec 22-26 $ 6051 starting price for verandah.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

You can look at the DCL website and compare the prices. Dec 1-5 2025 -4 night Bahamas on Wish for 2 people Verandah starts $3299

Same cruise Dec 22-26 $ 6051 starting price for verandah.

Appreciate you checking the numbers for me! I kinda feel the answer is clear for now