All Things Galveston (Updated parking - 4/7) - Page 3 - The DIS Discussion Forums

dolphingirl47 · 09-07-2012, 02:56 AM

We had originally planned to stay in Houston near the airport. However, there just did not seem anything that interested us in Houston. So now we are heading straight to Galveston and will have the whole of Friday there. We
Are planning to visit Moody Gardens and if we can squeeze it in have a ride on the ferry. We are currently booked at the Holiday Inn on the Beach, but I am second-guessing this decision at the moment.

Corinna

sissy_ib · 09-07-2012, 03:47 AM

This is just my opinion on Moody Gardens, but if you have a nice zoo and aquarium in your city, skip Moody Gardens. The Discovery Pyramid is a total waste of space IMO. The aquarium is the best part but like I said, if you have one where you live no need to go to one here.

We visited the new Pleasure Pier over Fourth of July and it is fun. Small but fun. We don't have kids and spent less than 2 hours there. With kids it is probably a half day thing. There is a Bubba Gumps seafood restaurant there. We ate there only because family wanted to. Skip it and find a local seafood place instead.

RodNicPena · 09-07-2012, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrame

Looking for one way car rental are there any options from Houston to galveston?

Enterprise will but the one way fee alone is like $250! I checked because we thought about a rental instead of driving our cars but too much $$$ sad but true...gas is cheaper!

2 weeks till cruise!

RodNicPena · 09-07-2012, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmcford

I'm looking for which hotels offer free parking for the length of the cruise. Also of those which of those offers a shuttle.

There are various threads that have some info but all in one would be awesome!

Holiday Inn Resort...free parking and shuttle. A friend of mine stayed last month and said it was great. We are staying 20-22.

disneydad123 · 09-07-2012, 08:46 AM

Thank you!

NancyIL · 09-07-2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodNicPena

Enterprise will but the one way fee alone is like $250! I checked because we thought about a rental instead of driving our cars but too much $$$ sad but true...gas is cheaper!

2 weeks till cruise!

I called Enterprise and reserved a 2-day, one-way rental from Houston Hobby to Galveston for May. There is no drop fee, and the total charge for 2 days will be $120.99 for an economy car.

mikehn · 09-07-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmcford

I'm looking for which hotels offer free parking for the length of the cruise. Also of those which of those offers a shuttle.

There are various threads that have some info but all in one would be awesome!

The Hilton on Seawall Blvd. has both free parking for the duration of the cruise and free shuttle to/from the cruise terminal. Lastminutetravel has good rates for the hilton, which is one of the mystery hotels.

Chee Chick · 09-07-2012, 09:30 AM

Someone posted on our cruise meet thread this week that Galveston Park N' Cruise cancelled their reservation that was booked months before. They were told that they were not taking reservations for certain Disney cruises. I don't understand why they would do this if they already have a paying customer.

Gina · 09-07-2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chee Chick

Someone posted on our cruise meet thread this week that Galveston Park N' Cruise cancelled their reservation that was booked months before. They were told that they were not taking reservations for certain Disney cruises. I don't understand why they would do this if they already have a paying customer.

I would guess that's because of all the sudden itinerary changes.

Thanks to all for the hotel info, and which ones offer free parking and shuttles -- I'll update the main post in just a bit when I get a chance to add links!

Gina · 09-07-2012, 09:57 AM

Oh, and I just have to comment on the Moody Gardens thing... DS & I have passes to both and to Palm Beach at Moody Gardens (going tomorrow, in fact!) and we never, ever get tired of either place. Between the monkeys frolicking all around you in the incredible (and now 2-story) Rainforest pyramid, watching the penguins have fun in the Aquarium pyramid, all the science-y stuff in the Discovery pyramid that we love, the 3D IMAX theater, the 4D motion theater, riding the Colonel paddlewheel boat, or just walking the grounds outside and gawking at the azalea gardens and the view over the water, we just can't get enough. We never run out of things to do.

Atomic · 09-07-2012, 10:09 AM

As far as location, both of are good choices. I've never been inside either.

Adjacent to lots of restaurants & activities. Close to Walmart for last minute supplies & Spec's on 61st street, great liquor store.

Moody Gardens Rain Forest & aquarium pyramids are worth the effort, in my opinion. A 1st rate aircraft museum near by too.

Riding the ferry across the bay is fun, we do it for grins, but you won't see anything that can't be see from the Magic. The lines can be a real bear if you drive on. Parking & walking is the best bet. UNLESS you want to drive to Fort Travis, I haven't been in years, but it was really cool & free.

Gina · 09-07-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodNicPena

Holiday Inn Resort...free parking and shuttle. A friend of mine stayed last month and said it was great. We are staying 20-22.

Hi, quick question: Do you mean the Holiday Inn - On the Beach, or the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort? So I can link the correct one. Thanks!

Pocahantas · 09-07-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chee Chick

Someone posted on our cruise meet thread this week that Galveston Park N' Cruise cancelled their reservation that was booked months before. They were told that they were not taking reservations for certain Disney cruises. I don't understand why they would do this if they already have a paying customer.

I just tried booking Galveston Park N' Cruise for our March 23rd cruise on the Disney Magic and it says they are sold out but when I changed to the RCCL Mariner sailing on March 24th it was available

RodNicPena · 09-07-2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina

Hi, quick question: Do you mean the Holiday Inn - On the Beach, or the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort? So I can link the correct one. Thanks!

On the Beach...5002 Seawall

RodNicPena · 09-07-2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikehn

The Hilton on Seawall Blvd. has both free parking for the duration of the cruise and free shuttle to/from the cruise terminal. Lastminutetravel has good rates for the hilton, which is one of the mystery hotels.

Are you sure about this? I could have sworn I called Hilton and they declined offering shuttle service even though their site offers it.

09-07-2012, 02:56 AM	#31
dolphingirl47 I will post my goodies once I am back I have always been too worried to use the pillowcase Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 24,417	We had originally planned to stay in Houston near the airport. However, there just did not seem anything that interested us in Houston. So now we are heading straight to Galveston and will have the whole of Friday there. We Are planning to visit Moody Gardens and if we can squeeze it in have a ride on the ferry. We are currently booked at the Holiday Inn on the Beach, but I am second-guessing this decision at the moment. Corinna __________________ Two Trips to Paradise Staying at Mouse House Central Cheating on the Mouse Boats Of Mice, Dolphins and Other Wildlife Sun, Sea, Sand and Camels Magical Mystery Tour Transatlantic Adventures East Meets West Pirates, Princesses and Pumpkins Taking Stitch to Hawaii and NOT Leaving Him There Christmas Has Come Early

09-07-2012, 03:47 AM	#32
sissy_ib DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 5,675	This is just my opinion on Moody Gardens, but if you have a nice zoo and aquarium in your city, skip Moody Gardens. The Discovery Pyramid is a total waste of space IMO. The aquarium is the best part but like I said, if you have one where you live no need to go to one here. We visited the new Pleasure Pier over Fourth of July and it is fun. Small but fun. We don't have kids and spent less than 2 hours there. With kids it is probably a half day thing. There is a Bubba Gumps seafood restaurant there. We ate there only because family wanted to. Skip it and find a local seafood place instead. __________________

09-07-2012, 08:46 AM	#35
disneydad123 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 120	Thank you! __________________ Mark, Emily, Madison and McKenna

09-07-2012, 09:30 AM	#38
Chee Chick DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 668	Someone posted on our cruise meet thread this week that Galveston Park N' Cruise cancelled their reservation that was booked months before. They were told that they were not taking reservations for certain Disney cruises. I don't understand why they would do this if they already have a paying customer. __________________ DH, Me, DS(7), DD(3) Summer 1981, July 1988, Dec 1993, Oct 1994, Aug 1996 - WDW offsite Sept 2008 - Beach Club April 2009 - Wilderness Lodge Nov 2012 - DCL Magic

09-07-2012, 09:57 AM	#40
Gina Remembers the Great DIS Board Crash of '99 The planning is half the fun Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Pearland/Friendswood, TX Posts: 4,613	Oh, and I just have to comment on the Moody Gardens thing... DS & I have passes to both and to Palm Beach at Moody Gardens (going tomorrow, in fact!) and we never, ever get tired of either place. Between the monkeys frolicking all around you in the incredible (and now 2-story) Rainforest pyramid, watching the penguins have fun in the Aquarium pyramid, all the science-y stuff in the Discovery pyramid that we love, the 3D IMAX theater, the 4D motion theater, riding the Colonel paddlewheel boat, or just walking the grounds outside and gawking at the azalea gardens and the view over the water, we just can't get enough. We never run out of things to do. __________________ WDW many times Disney Magic ~ '02, '03, '04, '08, '13 - Grand Princess ~ '06 - Voyager of the Seas ~ '10- Mariner of the Seas ~ '12 Next up: Navigator of the Seas ~ 2/16/14 Find me on... Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Blog Gina (Me) ~ DS (17)

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09-07-2012, 10:09 AM	#41
Atomic Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Houston & Galveston Posts: 14	Hilton & Holiday Inn As far as location, both of are good choices. I've never been inside either. Adjacent to lots of restaurants & activities. Close to Walmart for last minute supplies & Spec's on 61st street, great liquor store. Moody Gardens Rain Forest & aquarium pyramids are worth the effort, in my opinion. A 1st rate aircraft museum near by too. Riding the ferry across the bay is fun, we do it for grins, but you won't see anything that can't be see from the Magic. The lines can be a real bear if you drive on. Parking & walking is the best bet. UNLESS you want to drive to Fort Travis, I haven't been in years, but it was really cool & free. Last edited by Atomic; 09-07-2012 at 11:04 AM.

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