12 Reasons Taking a Disney Cruise Is More Magical Than Going to the Parks

The obvious reason a Disney cruise is even better than the parks is because you get to experience Disney magic while also seeing exotic places all over the world (that only happens at Disney World if you count Epcot's World Showcase).

Disney Cruise Line sails to places like the Caribbean, Alaska, Canada, and the Mediterranean (which includes stops in Barcelona, Rome, Cannes, and Naples). And after a day of sightseeing, it's back on board the ship for more Disney fun.

Want some couple time? Or maybe some much-needed alone time? The cruise is the best place to do it. While Walt Disney World and Disneyland mean you have to shepherd the kids around all day, the ships have on-board kids clubs and teen clubs where you can drop the young ones off before a day of excursions or relaxing.

If your Disney vacation isn't complete without snapping pics with Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang, rest assured: Disney characters are found all over the ships (and in adorable and constantly changing themed outfits, depending on your cruise destination). Lines tend to be shorter than in the park, and the ship's daily newsletter will tell you when and where to find them.

Whether you're eating in a restaurant themed around Tangled or Disney animation in general, the whole family will be charmed not only by the atmosphere and creativity (including some dinner shows), but also by the quality and variety of the menus. Perhaps the best dining experience, though, is Palo or Remy (depending on your ship), which is an elegant, adults-only eatery with impeccable service, food, and views.

The ships offer Broadway-quality shows nearly every night, including productions that are unique to the Disney Cruise Line. Check out Tangled: The Musical, The Golden Mickeys, or Twice Charmed in a plush theater that's a short walk from your stateroom. Additionally, you'll have plenty of opportunities to see other shows, from magicians and comedians to talented musicians playing all over the ship.

The views alone are reason enough to pick a ship over a park. Watching the land slowly disappear as you sail away from a port at the end of the day is one of the prettiest sights you can see. Even better? You'll never have to fight for a good seat — there's plenty of room all over the ship. It's nothing like elbowing for a good spot to watch the fireworks in the Disney parks (speaking of which, there are fireworks on board, too!).

No kids, no problem. Though you might think the Disney cruise is best for families with kids, think again! You'll find tons of fantastic adult-only activities (and lots of childless couples on board!) from trivia games to beer and wine tastings. Plus, Disney's ships include an adults-only pool, spa, restaurant, coffee shop, and bars.

OK, hear me out: Disney cruises are way more relaxing than time at the parks. Sure, a day at Disney World or Disneyland is great fun, but it's also miles of walking and hours of waiting in line for food and rides. It's not the relaxing vacation some have in mind, and you often leave feeling like you need a vacation from the one you just took. On a Disney cruise, there's simply less space to cover, but there's still so much to see and do.

You don't have to worry about retallying your vacation bill every time you eat dinner or attend a show or movie. A good portion of the trip — the room, the food, and the activities — is already covered in the package purchase. Though there are things you can pay for aboard the ship — excursions, fancy dinners, and alcohol, for example — it's a lot simpler to budget for a cruise than a parks vacation.

Planning for a Disney parks vacation takes significant time and work. From booking FastPasses to reserving dining to getting up early and staying up late to take advantage of extra magic hours, there's a lot to take on both before and during your vacation. But a cruise is much simpler. Your dining rotations are planned for you (you just choose if you prefer an earlier or later dinner seating), your show times are set, and there are many other activities throughout the day.

Are you a Disney movie buff? There's a chance you won't want to leave your stateroom. The ship's in-room TV service includes tons of new and classic Disney and Pixar films on demand, plus other recent holiday hits. Even better, Disney Cruise Line premieres new Disney films on board at the same time (and even sooner in some cases) than they are released on land. So if you're on board when the new Pixar or Star Wars flick comes out, you can see it on board the ship (and not pay the crazy theater admission prices).

You'll have amazing dining experiences every night at the ship's three sit-down restaurants, but there's also a plethora of food available at any time you want it around the ship. So if your toddler is crying for an ice cream cone or you're in the mood for a sandwich or fresh fruit, you can get it (and it's all included!).