When people think "travel agent who specializes in Disney", they usually think Walt Disney World. Did you know Disney also has parks around the world, including Anaheim, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Paris? Not to mention Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii, and beach resorts in Vero Beach, FL and Hilton Head, SC. You can also see the world with Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions, and my favorite of all, Disney Cruise Line! I'm leaving tomorrow on a cruise with my 7 year old, and I thought I'd share all the reasons this is my favorite, stress-free vacation.
Unpack once and sleep while your hotel moves from port to port! Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada/New England, and soon even Australia are all places you can visit on a Disney Cruise.
Your cruise fare includes almost all your food (exceptions are a couple specialty restaurants, specialty drinks and ice cream, and alcohol). Disney is the only cruise line to include unlimited soda, tea, and coffee at their beverage stations.
Sailing out of Port Canaveral in particular is so simple. Most major airports have nonstop flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO), there is a Hyatt Regency INSIDE the airport, Disney Cruise Line transfers will pick you up right from that hotel entrance and take you to the port, and you'll be on the ship before you know it!
Your kids will LOVE Youth Activities. Oceaneer Club for ages 3-12, Edge for tweens , Vibe for teens, and the new Hideaway for older teens and young adults exclusively on the Disney Wish. You can be sure they are having supervised fun and making friends, giving you the opportunity to go to the spa, an adults-only dinner, catch a movie, or go to the adults only pool area! Whether you are a single parent or traveling with a partner, this is like a vacation with a built in babysitter!
There is still plenty of family time available! Trivia, bingo, crafts, a huge family pool area, movie theater, nighttime Broadway-caliber shows, themed dining, and more! Our Wish cruise is my 9th Disney Cruise, ranging from 3-7 days, on all 5 ships, and I have never once gotten to every activity I would have liked to get to.
Meet characters without standing in long lines! You usually have multiple opportunities to meet each character on board, often in a variety of outfits, and some you won't even find in the Parks. On this Halloween on the High Seas cruise we're looking forward to meeting Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle as the Sanderson Sisters!
Disney Cruises have all kinds of extra Disney fun, from Pirate Night to Halloween on the High Seas, plus fireworks at sea! Fans have also come up with all kinds of extra unofficial fun, like fish extender gift exchanges (more on this next week!), meetup groups, decorating stateroom doors with magnets, and more. The best part is that you can participate as much or as little as you choose.
The food and service are EXCELLENT. I dream about the Chilean Sea Bass and couscous paella (which I found ONCE on the Wonder), and I love that rotational dining gives your servers a chance to get to know you. Have you been on a Disney Cruise? What was your favorite part?