Can I still add flights?

[Night Owl]

I have a KSF deal on hold until tomorrow. When I placed the hold I turned down flight options through Disney, as I thought we would drive, however after looking up flight prices and the distance to TX from MI, it would be about the same to fly (providing Disney offers the same prices for airline travel, that I've found).

When I go to pay for the hold, will I have the option (again) to add flight arrangements?
Thanks!
Cheryl

[jdb in AZ]

Since you've done your homework and know what airfare would cost if you booked it yourself, I wouldn't book through Disney unless it's cheaper.

[Namsupak]

For whatever reason disney tends to be higher priced, likely they choose a different fare class. Also you will have less options with disney air, they will pick the flights for you generally.

[kcashner]

My experiences in doing air thru DCL have been a general disaster on domestic flights. They are always more costly than booking on our own + adding transfers. They pick flights that no sane person would. For instance, we had a direct flight to Orlando that departed at 8:30. But DCL wouldn't use that direct flight--they would book us on a connector thru Atlanta that departed at 6 or 7 (there were 2 of them) and arriving hours later than the direct flight.

The other thing is that I feel very strongly about flying in the day before if at all possible--even if that means a late flight after work/school. DCL will only do that if you stay at one of the hotels they choose at their price; even if I want to stay at the Hyatt MCO, I can usually book it cheaper on my own than thru Disney! And I can always choose other hotels cheaper.

The only good things about DCL air are that if you book your insurance thru Disney, it will cover the air also AND if their air arrangements don't get you to the port on time, they are responsible for getting you to the next port of call or whatever to salvage as much of your vacation as possible. Yes, they have held the ship for a SHORT time for someone who had a flight disaster, but there is no promise that this will happen.

[Night Owl]

Interesting, good info to know. I haven't been able to look at flights that Disney may offer, as I haven't paid yet.

So what it boils down to is, if I book the flight myself, I have more control over the flight options and costs, but I would have to handle all the luggage transfers as well as our ground transportation from the hotel to the dock?

I definately plan to fly in the day before, no way I am going to trust airlines to get us to TX on sail date! Too many chances something could go wrong and we miss our boat, due to airline delays.

Originally Posted by kcashner

My experiences in doing air thru DCL have been a general disaster on domestic flights. They are always more costly than booking on our own + adding transfers. They pick flights that no sane person would. For instance, we had a direct flight to Orlando that departed at 8:30. But DCL wouldn't use that direct flight--they would book us on a connector thru Atlanta that departed at 6 or 7 (there were 2 of them) and arriving hours later than the direct flight.

The other thing is that I feel very strongly about flying in the day before if at all possible--even if that means a late flight after work/school. DCL will only do that if you stay at one of the hotels they choose at their price; even if I want to stay at the Hyatt MCO, I can usually book it cheaper on my own than thru Disney! And I can always choose other hotels cheaper.

The only good things about DCL air are that if you book your insurance thru Disney, it will cover the air also AND if their air arrangements don't get you to the port on time, they are responsible for getting you to the next port of call or whatever to salvage as much of your vacation as possible. Yes, they have held the ship for a SHORT time for someone who had a flight disaster, but there is no promise that this will happen.

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by Night Owl

Interesting, good info to know. I haven't been able to look at flights that Disney may offer, as I haven't paid yet.

So what it boils down to is, if I book the flight myself, I have more control over the flight options and costs, but I would have to handle all the luggage transfers as well as our ground transportation from the hotel to the dock?

I definately plan to fly in the day before, no way I am going to trust airlines to get us to TX on sail date! Too many chances something could go wrong and we miss our boat, due to airline delays.

No, not at all. You can purchase DCL transfers without purchasing their air package. At Port Canaveral, these are $35 per person each way, at Galveston they are $30 from the Houston airports. If you purchase transfers, you will get the same luggage and transportation services as if you had done DCL air.

Examples--PC, stay at Hyatt MCO, you will have to get your luggage TO the hotel the day before or pay the hotel's $10 fee for them to claim bags for you. But the next morning, your bags will be taken from your hotel room to the ship and you will check in at the Welcome Center and hop on the bus. If you stay at a hotel other than the Hyatt MCO, you will need to take your bags to your hotel and back to the welcome center in the morning to catch the transfer bus. Most of the hotels have complimentary shuttles to/from MCO.

I don't know exactly what the luggage arrangements are at Galveston. At most airports other than MCO, we have had to claim our own bags and take them to the Disney area--there are CMs around to direct us.

[Night Owl]

Thank you - with 3 kids in tow and first time cruisers, it would be a relief to not have to deal with luggage for 5 people. Thank you!

Originally Posted by kcashner

No, not at all. You can purchase DCL transfers without purchasing their air package. At Port Canaveral, these are $35 per person each way, at Galveston they are $30 from the Houston airports. If you purchase transfers, you will get the same luggage and transportation services as if you had done DCL air.

Examples--PC, stay at Hyatt MCO, you will have to get your luggage TO the hotel the day before or pay the hotel's $10 fee for them to claim bags for you. But the next morning, your bags will be taken from your hotel room to the ship and you will check in at the Welcome Center and hop on the bus. If you stay at a hotel other than the Hyatt MCO, you will need to take your bags to your hotel and back to the welcome center in the morning to catch the transfer bus. Most of the hotels have complimentary shuttles to/from MCO.

I don't know exactly what the luggage arrangements are at Galveston. At most airports other than MCO, we have had to claim our own bags and take them to the Disney area--there are CMs around to direct us.

[kcashner]

OK, another thought. If your kids are each 3 or older, you'll pay for transfers for them. In most locations, it would be less costly to book a private limo/towncar service to take you to the cruise terminal. This does have the negative piece that you'd have to claim your luggage at baggage claim (but you'd have to do this no matter what with flying in the night before). The drier would then pick you up at the hotel of your choice, loading your baggage into the vehicle. He would then unload the luggage into the hands of the porters at the terminal and you'd next see it outside your cabin door on the ship.

Which port are you cruising from? This info would help to guide you as to how things will work on your cruise.

[Night Owl]

Originally Posted by kcashner

OK, another thought. If your kids are each 3 or older, you'll pay for transfers for them. In most locations, it would be less costly to book a private limo/towncar service to take you to the cruise terminal. This does have the negative piece that you'd have to claim your luggage at baggage claim (but you'd have to do this no matter what with flying in the night before). The drier would then pick you up at the hotel of your choice, loading your baggage into the vehicle. He would then unload the luggage into the hands of the porters at the terminal and you'd next see it outside your cabin door on the ship.

Which port are you cruising from? This info would help to guide you as to how things will work on your cruise.

Galvinson, TX