It’s not a secret I’m a big Disney fan. I’ve written about my love for The Happiest Place on Earth more than once. It simply makes me really happy, even as an adult. Now that I’ve been to Disney World and taken a Disney Cruise, I’ve been asked by several people which I would recommend. I can’t give an answer to that, because I can’t choose one over the other. Both have great benefits, and I think your family and timing make all the difference. But no matter which you choose, you can be guaranteed to have a trip sprinkled with Disney magic from start to finish!

Food

Disney World

The possibilities are endless, and there are some meals and snacks here that can’t be beat. There are literally hundreds of different restaurant options at the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. The types of meals you can enjoy are endless, too — from quick service to buffets to theme and character meals to fine dining. Price points vary, as does the quality of food. There are a variety of meal plans, or you can pay out of pocket as you go along. One con is that many restaurants require reservations, which can be tricky to get!

Disney Cruise

You could eat all day long if you really wanted to (and enjoy all the soft serve your heart desires). There are a few restaurants on board, and you have an opportunity to try them all. There is room service available at all times, plus buffet options and places to grab quick snacks. Almost all your food is included in your cruise price, and the stress of figuring out when and where to eat is a non-issue. The quality and selection available were great, and everything was delicious.

Fun

Disney World

You could be busy and entertained from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. From rides to entertainment and character meetups to dining, there is so much to see and do. With a little planning, you can enjoy all the parks and many of the resorts and other amenities on your trip. You can pack in as much or as little entertainment as you like! Don’t expect a lot of downtime, unless you schedule it. You can experience magic from the second you wake up (literally, with a character wake up call) until you fall asleep after the fireworks.

Disney Cruise

The pace is much slower if you want it to be — or nonstop if that’s what you choose. You don’t need to plan your schedule ahead of time, and you can sit back and relax a lot more. Or, take advantage of the endless activities for everyone. You could spend the day at the pool or on the beach when you stop at a port. Once on an island, you can explore or do any of the many activities available to you, or you could do nothing at all! There are shows every night to enjoy, and the opportunities to meet characters are plentiful. Or you could enjoy the spa, sit back, and relax all day. You can enjoy Disney magic without all the craziness.

Family

Disney World

Except for the nights my husband and I hired a local sitter and enjoyed a date night, my family is together from morning until night. The family time is endless at Disney World, and it’s pretty awesome. We don’t spend time on our screens except for checking the My Disney Experience app. We make a lot of decisions together, eat every meal as a family, and have our favorite attractions that we can’t miss. There’s a certain family nostalgia to Disney for us at this point. We take full advantage of the photographers all over Disney and get tons of family photos and pictures of just the kids. In addition to so many souvenirs, we have built in memories!

Disney Cruise

Disney Cruise Lines offers Youth Clubs for all ages. Your kids can be occupied all day and all night with activities and fun. I know people who barely saw their kids on the cruise, except for meals! It’s lovely to have some adult-only time and know the kids are safe and busy. We spent a lot of time together, which I am grateful for!

So, Disney Cruise or Disney World? There is no right or wrong answer. Disney is for everyone, whether you enjoy the parks or choose to take the high seas. There’s magic around every corner and something for everyone. So, which would you choose?