Planning first cruises - questions

[DisneyCrazyX5]

We are planning a land and sea trip with our 3 (age 13, 13, 17 will be 14, 14 and 18 at cruise time) sons in June 2013. We would like 4-5 days at Disney and then a 4 day cruise. I asked for a quote, but only received information on the cruise. Do we book this as a land/sea package or each part by itself. I was looking at the Swan or Dolphin since a teacher discount may be available, but think we should stay at a WDW hotel so we can get Disney's Magical Express.
I am working on the passport forms for us now, should I get the books or cards? I thought I would just get the books.
Any advise would be great.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are planning a land and sea trip with our 3 (age 13, 13, 17 will be 14, 14 and 18 at cruise time) sons in June 2013. We would like 4-5 days at Disney and then a 4 day cruise. I asked for a quote, but only received information on the cruise. Do we book this as a land/sea package or each part by itself. I was looking at the Swan or Dolphin since a teacher discount may be available, but think we should stay at a WDW hotel so we can get Disney's Magical Express.
I am working on the passport forms for us now, should I get the books or cards? I thought I would just get the books.
Any advise would be great.

The all-in-one land/sea packages are no more. However, I believe you can add some WDW time on a cruise package. But you'll find it's less costly to book each portion separately.

IMO, passports is best. But many people do travel (on closed-loop cruises) with just their passport and photo ID (for those 16 and over). If you are going to pay for cards, I'd suggest just go ahead and pay for the books.

One note, the (at the time) 18 year old will not be in the teen club onboard, if that matters.

 

[Gilland18]

You have to book the two parts separately; they are two different companies. I think the passport books are what you should get, as well. The card doesn't do anything for you that your birth certificate won't do. The only people who really benefit from the card are those who live in border states and cross into Canada or Mexico regularly. I like staying in Disney resorts but that is more of a personal choice. Have fun planning your trip!

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

The all-in-one land/sea packages are no more. However, I believe you can add some WDW time on a cruise package. But you'll find it's less costly to book each portion separately.

IMO, passports is best. But many people do travel (on closed-loop cruises) with just their passport and photo ID (for those 16 and over). If you are going to pay for cards, I'd suggest just go ahead and pay for the books.

One note, the (at the time) 18 year old will not be in the teen club onboard, if that matters.

Will he be a bad age? We are going after he graduates, so we have to wait until schools our. It is also are 25 wedding anniversary so it will be a big trip for us. We have been to WDW since 2007.

I kinda thought passport books would be best.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

You have to book the two parts separately; they are two different companies. I think the passport books are what you should get, as well. The card doesn't do anything for you that your birth certificate won't do. The only people who really benefit from the card are those who live in border states and cross into Canada or Mexico regularly. I like staying in Disney resorts but that is more of a personal choice. Have fun planning your trip!

Can we still get transportation from a WDW resort to the cruise ship?

I love Disney resorts too. I would love to stay at the Polynesian again. I like the extra room the deluxe resorts give us, but if we want to fly this time we may need to try something else.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Will he be a bad age? We are going after he graduates, so we have to wait until schools our. It is also are 25 wedding anniversary so it will be a big trip for us. We have been to WDW since 2007.

I kinda thought passport books would be best.

Sorry, I don't understand the question. I was just pointing out that an 18 year old isn't allowed in the teen club (ages 14-17). There is a 18*21 group that meets the first night that's sort of a loose "club". But many cruises don't have particularly large response to it. It's not as organized (with a specific spot just for them) as the other clubs.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Can we still get transportation from a WDW resort to the cruise ship?

I love Disney resorts too. I would love to stay at the Polynesian again. I like the extra room the deluxe resorts give us, but if we want to fly this time we may need to try something else.

Yes. Anyone on the cruise can book DCL transfers, from a WDW resort, or MCO.

 

[lanejudy]

The teen club -- VIBE -- is ages 14-17. As soon as the passenger turns 18 (even if onboard) he/she is considered an adult and not allowed into the teen club. The upside is that person is now allowed into any "adult only" areas -- the spa, night clubs, adult dining. You could celebrate his graduation at Palo or Remy - but it would be minus the younger boys.

As a PP indicated, you're best off doing separate land and sea reservations. That way you can take advantage of whatever special offers are available at WDW (such as the teacher discount at Swan/Dolphin). That hotel will not include the free Magical Express service between MCO and the resort. DCL transfers from any WDW resort to port or back is not free, it costs $35 per person each way ($70 round trip).

Don't get a Passport Card if your main reason is to use it for cruising -- either spend more for the full Passport or save the money and cruise with driver's license and birth certificates. The card will do you no good in emergency, and that really is the only reason to need a passport for a closed loop cruise -- an emergency that requires you to fly home (or to meet the ship). We have Passport Cards, but got them because we live near the Canadian border and cross frequently; I would not purchase it simply to cruise.

Enjoy your land/sea vacation!

 

[starousse]

We just did the same, but booked separately. Four nights in WDW and then 4 nights on the Dream.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

May I suggest staying at art of animation resort. That would give all your boys their own beds and it has a nice living room and kitchen area. We haven't stayed there yet but are booked in June before our Fantasy cruise and are looking forward to it. You are going to love the cruise. Have fun

 

[islandtimect]

We are planning a land and sea trip with our 3 (age 13, 13, 17 will be 14, 14 and 18 at cruise time) sons in June 2013. We would like 4-5 days at Disney and then a 4 day cruise. I asked for a quote, but only received information on the cruise. Do we book this as a land/sea package or each part by itself. I was looking at the Swan or Dolphin since a teacher discount may be available, but think we should stay at a WDW hotel so we can get Disney's Magical Express.
I am working on the passport forms for us now, should I get the books or cards? I thought I would just get the books.
Any advise would be great.

Your travel agent should have quoted you everything you asked for, even though the 2 parts of your vacation are essentially separate bookings from an agent's standpoint. I would try someone else. To figure out which hotel to stay at, I'd compare the price difference btw the hotels you are interested in vs free DME. You will save more at the Dolphin vs a deluxe hotel even though you would pay for airport transfers. That might not be the case for a value or mod, but keep in mind that values and mods would be tight for a family with 3 teen boys. FW cabins might be more comfy for your family, but they are expensive mods. AoA's theming might be a bit "childish" for your boys.

I agree with other posters regarding the passbook vs passcards. If you don't think you'll need them again in the next 10 years, maybe forgo them and use your existing id's.

 

[islandtimect]

Can we still get transportation from a WDW resort to the cruise ship?

I love Disney resorts too. I would love to stay at the Polynesian again. I like the extra room the deluxe resorts give us, but if we want to fly this time we may need to try something else.

For your size family, it will likely be less expensive to rent a car each way rather than taking Disney transfers to Port Canaveral.

FYI JetBlue just released airfares to June, and SW will release the rest of May and parts of June on Oct 14.