Our Disney World and Disney Cruise Family Vacation: What Worked, What We’d Do Again
- Elevated Travel
- 16 hours ago
- 5 min read
Planning a Disney World and Disney Cruise family vacation combo can feel overwhelming — but when structured intentionally, it can be one of the most balanced and memorable family trips you’ll ever take.
This year, our family combined Walt Disney World with a Disney Cruise Line sailing, choosing to do the parks first and the cruise second. That order made all the difference.
If you’re considering a Disney park and cruise vacation, here’s what worked, what surprised us, and what we would absolutely do again.
Why a Disney World and Disney Cruise Family Vacation Combo Works So Well
A Disney World vacation and a Disney cruise are both incredible experiences — but they feel very different.
Walt Disney World is immersive, exciting, nostalgic, and high energy. It’s early mornings, Lightning Lane planning, rope drop strategy, dining reservations, and transportation timing.
A Disney cruise, on the other hand, is structured relaxation. Your dining is handled. Entertainment is built in. Kids clubs are immersive. There’s no bus schedule to manage or park map to analyze.
Combining the two creates something unique:
High-energy magic first
True relaxation second
That rhythm is what made this trip feel special instead of exhausting
Why We Recommend Doing Disney World Before Your Disney Cruise
If you’re planning a Disney World and Disney Cruise combo, I strongly recommend doing the parks first and the cruise second.
After several full park days, stepping onto the ship felt like exhaling.
Instead of waking up to plan the day, we woke up knowing:
Breakfast was handled
Entertainment was scheduled
The kids had dedicated spaces just for them
We didn’t need to go anywhere
The cruise felt like a reward after the parks.
If we had reversed the order, I think the transition from total relaxation back into park logistics would have been harder.
Our Walt Disney World Strategy
The park portion of a Disney World and cruise combo requires intentional planning.
Instead of winging it, we:
Adjusted flights to maximize our arrival day
Pre-planned Lightning Lane selections
Scheduled park days strategically
Built in flexibility and recovery time
That preparation made a noticeable difference.
We rode the attractions that mattered most, minimized standby waits, and avoided the feeling of chasing the day.
The biggest takeaway?
Disney World is significantly more enjoyable when you approach it with a clear plan instead of reacting in the moment.
(I’ll share our detailed Lightning Lane strategy in a separate post.)
The Transportation Detail That Made Our Disney Cruise Embarkation Seamless
One of the most underrated decisions we made was logistical.
The Disney Cruise we liked best based on timing, ship, and itinerary left out of Fort Lauderdale which meant we had around a 3 hour drive from Disney World the morning of our cruise. We chose to return our rental car at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and used Disney-arranged ground transportation to Port Everglades instead of returning it to one of the cruise port locations and taking a shuttle or Uber to the port.
That one choice completely streamlined embarkation day.
Disney assigns higher boarding priority to guests using Disney Transportation to ensure they have a streamlined experience once they arrive at the port. Before adding Disney transfers, we had been assigned Boarding Group 12. After purchasing Disney transportation, we were placed in Boarding Group 3 — and we were able to board almost immediately upon arrival.
Instead of waiting in the terminal, we moved quickly through check-in and were onboard enjoying lunch while later groups were still waiting to be called.
It was a small planning adjustment, but it removed friction and made the transition from land to sea feel effortless — exactly how embarkation day should feel.
The Disney Cruise Kids Club Experience
The onboard youth spaces were one of the biggest highlights of our Disney Cruise.
The Oceaneer Club isn’t babysitting — it’s immersive storytelling. Themed rooms, supervised activities, character interactions, and age-specific programming. Compared to other cruise lines, it truly feels in a league of its own.
Our kids loved it — and not in a “let’s check it out for an hour” way. They consistently chose to spend five or more hours there each day. That level of enthusiasm made a real difference for us as parents.
For my wife and me, that meant meaningful time to:
Enjoy a quiet dinner
Relax on deck
Read a book
Or simply sit and recharge
That balance of family time and independent kid excitement is something Disney Cruise Line executes exceptionally well — and it’s one of the biggest reasons the cruise portion felt restorative rather than busy.
(I’ll share a full breakdown of the kids club experience separately.)
Is a Disney World and Disney Cruise Combo Worth It?
A Disney park and cruise vacation isn’t the lowest-cost way to do Disney.
But when structured well, it can be one of the most memorable.
This combination works especially well for:
Families who want both excitement and downtime
Parents who value structured planning
Milestone celebrations
Multi-generational trips
Families who want a “big” Disney experience without burnout
The parks give you the magic.The cruise gives you plenty of additional magic, but also time to relax and recover.
Together, they create a vacation that feels both exciting and restorative.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Disney World and Disney Cruise Combo
Is it better to do Disney World before or after a Disney cruise?
In our experience, doing Disney World first and the cruise second creates a better pacing rhythm. The cruise becomes the relaxing finale instead of transitioning from relaxation back into high-energy park days.
How many days do you need for a Disney park and cruise vacation?
We recommend at least 2 - 3park days followed by a 4 - 6 night cruise. That balance prevents burnout while still maximizing the experience. Shorter cruises will fly by, so I recommend 5 or 6 nights if your schedule allows.
Is a Disney World and cruise combo too exhausting?
It can be if not structured properly. Flight timing, park strategy, transportation logistics, and embarkation planning all matter. When those details are handled well, the trip feels smooth rather than rushed.
Final Thoughts
Combining Walt Disney World with a Disney Cruise Line sailing isn’t just adding more days to a trip — it’s creating two distinct experiences in one vacation.
The key is thoughtful planning.
If you’re considering a Disney World and Disney Cruise combo and want help structuring the logistics, booking strategy, and timing, I love helping families design these trips in a way that reduces stress and maximizes the experience.
Because Disney is magical — but smart planning makes it even better.