Disney vacation question

[coolerifyoudid]

Thinking of taking the wife and 6 year old on a Disney-ish trip this year and really have not put any thought into it yet (pretty stupid given the cost of flights) but I'm wanting some opinions.

I realize that the Disney World vacation is kind of the high water mark for Disney vacations, but how comparable are the experiences of that versus Disney Land (plus a jaunt to San Diego - Sea World/Wild Animal Kingdom etc) or a Disney Cruise somewhere? I'm more concerned with the experiences that a 6 year old would get.

I've never been to either park or on a cruise of any kind, but I've traveled to basically every part of the country outside of the Montana to Washington. I'm relatively sure that I can find something to do wherever I go.

I'm not as concerned about cutting out one option to save money. I tend to be a lot more frivolous on vacations than normal. I would really like to hear from someone that's done the Disney Land option recently or the Disney cruise.

Last year, we just drove to Colorado. Did the Pike's Peak thing, alpine slide, Denver Aquarium, Garden of the Gods, 7 Falls and my daughter had a blast. I want something to best combine some "play" and "new experience".

 

[3TrueFans]

We went to DisneyLand several years ago and it was great. Only thing I'd do differently is pay the extra to stay on the grounds when we were there. We headed down to San Diego for a few days and did Sea World and saw the USS Midway, also the zoo is incredible, probably my favorite thing we did. My son was I think 5 at the time and it was a great vacation.

 

[MNCyGuy]

I know it sounds cheapskatey, but I don't have any fonder memories of Disney World than I do of the other less expensive vacations my family took as a kid. It was fun, don't get me wrong, but we got just as many good stories out of the Dells, San Antonio, the Black Hills, and camping trips around MN.

 

[carvers4math]

Been to both, although it has been a long time since Disney Land. I would pick one that has other things more suited to your daughter's interests, whatever they may be. A side trip is a fun break from Disney. In Florida, my boys loved seeing a shuttle launch at Kennedy Space Center, in California, La Brea Tar Pits and the Jet Propulsion Lab. Beach is warmer in Florida. Weather less oppressive in general in California. Kids really like Epcot at WDW. Went and saw sequoias in California.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

We went to DisneyLand several years ago and it was great. Only thing I'd do differently is pay the extra to stay on the grounds when we were there. We headed down to San Diego for a few days and did Sea World and saw the USS Midway, also the zoo is incredible, probably my favorite thing we did. My son was I think 5 at the time and it was a great vacation.

My sister lives in San Diego, so the Disney Land option presents an extra bonus for us. I just wasn't sure how the whole "Disney experience" was in general. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how long the princess thing will last with her. What time of year did you go? We are debating between June or over New Years. I know San Diego is pretty temperate year round, but I wasn't sure about crowds.

 

[Cycsk]

Disney sells these trips as magical experiences for young kids, but do 6 year olds really remember them? I would think 8 is a better age if you are trying to build a memory.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I know it sounds cheapskatey, but I don't have any fonder memories of Disney World than I do of the other less expensive vacations my family took as a kid. It was fun, don't get me wrong, but we got just as many good stories out of the Dells, San Antonio, the Black Hills, and camping trips around MN.

Not at all cheapskatey. I recently asked my daughter to describe her perfect day complete with perfect meals. She said she'd have a cinnamon roll for breakfast, mac and cheese for lunch, go to the pool with her cousins during the afternoon, having shrimp and noodles for dinner and then watching a movie for the evening. I was like, "Ok, we can do that on Sunday." smh

 

[3TrueFans]

My sister lives in San Diego, so the Disney Land option presents an extra bonus for us. I just wasn't sure how the whole "Disney experience" was in general. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how long the princess thing will last with her. What time of year did you go? We are debating between June or over New Years. I know San Diego is pretty temperate year round, but I wasn't sure about crowds.

We went in the summer, it was busy of course, but I don't think anyone goes to Disney not expecting it to be busy, it was never really a problem.. The one thing that Disney does really well is to have a lot of stuff for people of all ages to do, a lot of amusement parks are basically worthless for small kids, but Disney had a ton of stuff that even my 5 year old could do. And then they have the California Adventure park across the way that has a bunch of stuff also.

 

[3TrueFans]

Not at all cheapskatey. I recently asked my daughter to describe her perfect day complete with perfect meals. She said she'd have a cinnamon roll for breakfast, mac and cheese for lunch, go to the pool with her cousins during the afternoon, having shrimp and noodles for dinner and then watching a movie for the evening. I was like, "Ok, we can do that on Sunday." smh

Shrimp!? Does she think you're made of money??

 

[carvers4math]

My sister lives in San Diego, so the Disney Land option presents an extra bonus for us. I just wasn't sure how the whole "Disney experience" was in general. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how long the princess thing will last with her. What time of year did you go? We are debating between June or over New Years. I know San Diego is pretty temperate year round, but I wasn't sure about crowds.

I would think Disney Land over New Years might be more crowded than you would expect because of the Rose Bowl. We went to the Rose Bowl a few years ago and it got fairly chilly in the evening, but probably balmy by Iowa standards, I think maybe it got down to 38 or so when we camping on the parade route. If you do go New Years, daughter would probably love the Rose Bowl parade.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Disney sells these trips as magical experiences for young kids, but do 6 year olds really remember them? I would think 8 is a better age if you are trying to build a memory.

I've had the same thoughts. My daughter will nearly be or will be seven by the time we make the trip. She still remembers last year's trip to CO vividly. She's got a memory like her mother. I feel sorry for her future husband already.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Shrimp!? Does she think you're made of money??

Yes, yes she does.

 

[NenoFone]

My two cents: Wait until your child is ready for roller coasters, a few trial runs at Worlds of Fun, then do Cedar Point instead. Best park I've ever been to and I've been to several.

 

[Cycsk]

San Diego is great. Stay near Mission Bay, not in the Hotel Circle or near the Sports Arena, even though they will say it is close to Sea World. Also, go to the Wild Animal Farm outside San Diego.

 

[MNCyGuy]

Not at all cheapskatey. I recently asked my daughter to describe her perfect day complete with perfect meals. She said she'd have a cinnamon roll for breakfast, mac and cheese for lunch, go to the pool with her cousins during the afternoon, having shrimp and noodles for dinner and then watching a movie for the evening. I was like, "Ok, we can do that on Sunday." smh

To be fair, that does sound like a kick-*** day.

 

[ruxCYtable]

We hit all the Disney Orlando parks a few years ago. It was great and we'll definitely go back. IMO, the only one worth a whole day is Magic Kingdom. The others all have a couple can't-miss attractions but I really don't think you need a whole day at Animal Kingdom, Epcot or Disney Studios. I'd recommend ending the day at Epcot though, for the fireworks. If you don't want to get into the park you can see them from the Disney Boardwalk.

Another advantage to Orlando is there is a Sea World right across town but you probably already knew that.

We went back a couple years later and went to Universal, which was incredible. The Harry Potter park is amazing. I'd probably take that over Animal Kingdom, Disney Studios and Epcot combined.

Just one man's opinion.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I would think Disney Land over New Years might be more crowded than you would expect because of the Rose Bowl. We went to the Rose Bowl a few years ago and it got fairly chilly in the evening, but probably balmy by Iowa standards, I think maybe it got down to 38 or so when we camping on the parade route. If you do go New Years, daughter would probably love the Rose Bowl parade.

I hadn't thought about the Rose Bowl. I realize that New Years would be a mad house, but it would probably be pretty cool as well. I've heard that New Years in Disney World is pretty outstanding. I haven't heard anything about Disney World. I try not to let the crowds dictate my decisions too much, but I also don't want them to take away from the overall experience.

 

[carvers4math]

My two cents: Wait until your child is ready for roller coasters, a few trial runs at Worlds of Fun, then do Cedar Point instead. Best park I've ever been to and I've been to several.

Yep, my kids are old enough that they prefer Cedar Point to all the rest, but I think a 6 year old girl may still prefer a princess place.

 

[MNCyGuy]

We hit all the Disney Orlando parks a few years ago. It was great and we'll definitely go back. IMO, the only one worth a whole day is Magic Kingdom. The others all have a couple can't-miss attractions but I really don't think you need a whole day at Animal Kingdom, Epcot or Disney Studios. I'd recommend ending the day at Epcot though, for the fireworks. If you don't want to get into the park you can see them from the Disney Boardwalk.

Another advantage to Orlando is there is a Sea World right across town but you probably already knew that.

We went back a couple years later and went to Universal, which was incredible. The Harry Potter park is amazing. I'd probably take that over Animal Kingdom, Disney Studios and Epcot combined.

Just one man's opinion.

Man, I remember Animal Kingdom being awesome as a kid, like a solid 1B in the park rankings with Magic Kingdom. Of course I was 11...

 

[coolerifyoudid]

My two cents: Wait until your child is ready for roller coasters, a few trial runs at Worlds of Fun, then do Cedar Point instead. Best park I've ever been to and I've been to several.

Unfortunately, roller coasters are my nemesis. I love them, but they hate hate hate me. I'm good for one and only one a day. I have resigned myself to going on the biggest gnarliest coaster at the beginning of the trip and then being the fairly miserable dude holding a purse while my wife and daughter ride.