You know how sometimes after vacation you feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? Well, Disney’s Land and Sea Vacation experience gives you just that!

disneyfamilyphoto2017_landseavacationWe did 2 and a 1/2 days at Walt Disney World and the three-day cruise aboard Disney’s Wonder. Full disclaimer – My family experienced this as part of Disney’s Social Media Moms Celebration. Because we have visited the parks before, 2.5 days allowed us enough time to hit our favorite things at each park. If this is your first time doing Walt Disney World, I would suggest at least 4 days for the parks.

Now for more on our land and sea experience.

Disney World’s magic inspires us to get the most out of our time there, every time we go. Days are jam packed with rides, character experiences, shopping, and all of the fun that pixie dust has to offer.

disneyfamilyvacationsevendwarfs

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

There was not one night my girls weren’t exhausted… and blissfully happy.

This time we stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, which is in Disney’s Moderate Resort Hotels category.

disney port orleans resort

photo courtesy of WDW Media

Port Orleans – Riverside comfortably fit our family of 5, and the room set-up made it easy for us to get ready for our days in the morning and to relax at night. Plus, Princess and the Frog touches made it feel extra nice, kind of like we were down in the bayou, :-).

To date we’ve stayed at All Star Sports Resort in the Value category and the Yacht Club Resort in the Deluxe category. At each price point you get what you pay for, but all of the rooms are comfortable. Choose what’s best for your budget, but stay on property. It’s the easiest way to get the most out of your time (They have extra hours and free transportation for guests staying on property!). And it’s great if you need to take a break in the middle of the day.

More than that, staying on the property makes it seamless to go from the parks to the cruise ship. Disney will transport you and your things to and from your resort, airport, whatever you need.

After you book your Disney World vacation, remember to schedule your fast passes around three months before your visit. Everyone has their favorite rides in each park, but here is my family’s must-do list:

  • Magic Kingdom – Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Mad Tea Party
  • Hollywood Studios – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster,  Star Tours, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Epcot – Soarin’, Mission: SPACE
  • Animal Kingdom – Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Maharajah Jungle Trek

I also recommend the fireworks shows at Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Right now Hollywood Studios’ show is based on Star Wars. Be sure to check out the spectacular night show at Magic Kingdom, too.

After the excitement and go-go-go days of Walt Disney World, it feels good to board a cruise ship and RELAX! Yep, a vacation from our vacation, :-).

From the time we boarded Disney Wonder until the time we disembarked, there was no shortage of things to do, food, dining experiences or spaces to relax.  The kids’ clubs made it easy for us to chill while the kids enjoyed the club activities. I mean, it’s Disney. If there was ever a place that you could feel comfortable leaving your kids with counselors, this is it.

disneycruiseoceaneerkidsclub_familyvacationreviewMy girls had a blast at Oceaneer Lab! At one point I went to pick them up and they asked for more time, so I felt it was only right to oblige. Me getting a little more relax time was just a bonus.

Our room was a deluxe family oceanview stateroom with veranda. This room is AWESOME! Disney truly does think of everything and I am here for it. From the bathroom layout (one bathroom with toilet and sink, another with shower and sink) to the privacy curtain separating the room, to the fabulous veranda offering amazing views, it perfectly fit my family of five.

My favorite feature of the room? Bunkbeds!

disneywonder_familyverandaroombunkbedsMost of our travels require at least two of my girls sharing a bed. This also means I hear, “she’s on my side!” or “she’s touching me!” or “I don’t want to sleep with her, she snores!”. To have each princess in her own bed was priceless. They were so happy that they easily agreed to switch beds each night, allowing everyone a chance to sleep on the top bunk.

Other little details made a big difference, too. Space under our bed was perfect for storing suitcases. Each day we could pull it out, get what we need, and move it back out of sight. This, coupled with the spacious closet made it easier for us to keep the room organized, and prevented me from falling over shoes and bags.

As y’all know I judge my vacations by food, and Disney Wonder did not disappoint.

disneycruisefamilyvacationreview_tianasplacebeignets

Beignets with dipping sauce at Tiana’s Place!

Tiana’s Place, Triton’s and Animator’s Palette were all great. Even the buffets and easy-access foods were good. I had a gyro from Pete’s Boiler Bites and it became one of my favorite quick things to eat.

Disney’s Land and Sea Vacation Experience, has definitely become one of our favorite family vacations so far. Of course spending a day at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, helped, :-).

disneylandseacruiseprivateislandcastawaycay_familyvacationreview

Entry to Castaway Cay

Here are a couple of additional pointers for your vacation:

  • Download Disney’s apps. This will make your vacation SO. MUCH. BETTER.
  • Disney is all about experience and ensuring guests have a memorable experience. Do not be afraid to ask for anything you need. This is one of the few places where great customer service is the norm.

Enjoy your family vacation! Towanda

p.s. If you need a packing list, here’s mine.

Disneypackinglistlandseaparkscruises

Similar Posts: