Trying to decide between a trip to Disney World or a Disney Cruise can be challenging if you haven’t experienced either. While many expect these two Disney vacations to be similar, the reality is quite different.

Walt Disney World consists of four unique theme parks and water parks. In addition, events and spectacles happen at various times throughout the day. You’ll likely have a long list of rides, shows, and experiences your family is eager to enjoy. However, the exhaustive itinerary may leave you fatigued.

Conversely, a Disney Cruise offers plenty of Disney magic, shows, and characters, all in one place. While your vacation may feel more laid-back, will your kids get to enjoy everything they desire for their Disney experience? With more information, you can gather your family, assess everyone’s wishes, and make a decision about visiting Disney World or embarking on a Disney Cruise.

1. Combine Land and Sea Disney Experiences

Covering an impressive 43 square miles in the Orlando area, Disney World features four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios), two major water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon), over two dozen Disney resort hotels, as well as approximately a dozen non-Disney hotels, a campground, four golf courses, and the shopping and dining at Disney Springs.

In contrast, with the Disney Cruise Line, the world is your oyster. Disney’s four ships sail from various U.S. ports to destinations including the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Europe. For travel enthusiasts, a cruise may satisfy both the wanderlust and the desire for Disney entertainment.

Nevertheless, if your kids are eager to ride their favorite attractions at Disney World and watch the spectacular fireworks, there’s a straightforward solution. The close proximity of Orlando and Port Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line’s busiest port, allows families to combine a theme park and cruise vacation seamlessly. Disney offers land-and-sea packages, which usually include three days at Disney World and four days on a Caribbean cruise, or vice versa.

2. Getting Some Disney Downtime

Considering the giant scale of Disney World, there is an unending variety of rides, attractions, restaurants, water parks, parades, fireworks, shows, shops, and character meet-and-greets. It’s advisable to carve out some downtime during your visit to relax by your hotel pool. However, you’ll want to maximize your fun, leading to constant activities. Ensure you wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll likely return home exhausted, with kids excitedly recounting their rides and displaying their selfies with beloved Disney characters.

If you envision a Disney Cruise as similar to a floating theme park, you may be surprised. The nearest thing to a ride on a Disney ship is the AquaDunk water slide on the Disney Magic and the AquaDuck water coaster on the Disney Dream and Fantasy. While there are numerous ways to enjoy yourself on the ship—between the pool deck, kids’ clubs, workshops, live shows, games, movies, and parties—the children must be interested in non-ride experiences.

In any case, the pace on a Disney Cruise is significantly more relaxed compared to a theme park schedule, which many find appealing. Therefore, if you choose a land-and-sea package, consider doing the cruise after your theme park visit.

3. Pricing and Value

Typically, a vacation package at Disney World includes hotel accommodations and theme park tickets, which can potentially reduce costs by selecting a value property. With over two dozen Disney-operated resorts, there are numerous options for every family budget, ranging from campsites to budget-friendly hotels and deluxe villas with separate living and sleeping areas as well as kitchens. A family of four can enjoy a six-night, seven-day vacation package at Disney’s All-Star Resort with tickets valid at all four theme parks for just $98 per person, per day.

On the contrary, Disney Cruise Line offers a premium experience that is undeniably luxurious. The ships are stunning, featuring exquisite Art Deco or Art Nouveau lobbies, fantastic themed restaurants, and wonderful kids’ clubs, activities, and pool decks; however, it is not the same as Disney World.

Disney Cruise Line rates come much closer to all-inclusive pricing compared to the majority of mainstream cruise lines. The food served in the three main restaurants rivals that of the finest dining establishments found at Disney World, meaning passengers tend to pay more than competitors but receive considerable value in return.

4. Best Time to Go

To discover the best time to visit Disney World, consider a combination of weather, crowds, and pricing. While theme park ticket prices remain steady throughout the year, hotel rates can vary significantly depending on the season, usually being lower when children are in school and more expensive during summer vacations and school holidays.

Similarly, prices for a Disney Cruise typically increase during school breaks and holidays and drop when children return to classes. This fluctuation allows for last-minute bookings—between two to six months in advance—for cruises running from January to early February, May, late August through October, and non-holiday weeks in November and December.

If there’s an advantage for Disney’s cruise ships compared to Disney parks, it lies in their natural crowd control. Even during peak seasons such as spring break or Christmas, the ships can accommodate only a limited number of guests, resulting in consistently manageable crowds.

5. Before-You-Go Planning

To optimize your Disney World visit, you can plan a significant portion of your trip ahead of time using a system called MyMagic+, which integrates nearly every component of your vacation. Instead of a traditional ticket, guests receive a MagicBand, a wristband embedded with a computer chip that manages all your vacation elements—theme park tickets, hotel room key, dining reservations, PhotoPass, and it also functions as a resort charge card.

The FastPass system has transitioned to FastPass+, a digital line-skipping solution managed via your smartphone using the My Disney Experience app. You can reserve the most sought-after dining experiences six months beforehand and FastPasses 60 days prior (or 30 days if you are not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort).

Conversely, with a Disney Cruise, there are fewer variables to manage. Meals and the majority of activities are included in your fare. Once you secure your stateroom and book your cruise, you may want to pre-arrange experiences such as shore excursions, spa treatments, and optional adult-exclusive dining reservations. Even after onboarding the ship, you can often book additional experiences at the guest services desk.

6. Meeting Characters

The consensus on character interactions is somewhat mixed. Disney World provides a far wider assortment of characters in shows, meet-and-greets, and dining experiences. However, while there are fewer characters on a Disney Cruise, the interactions are often more approachable and relaxed. In addition to scheduled character meet-and-greets aboard the ship, your family might casually encounter a character or two on the pool deck, in kids’ clubs, or even on Castaway Cay, Disney’s private Bahamian island.