8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 15

[kaceyisme]

I just priced the Disneyland Hotel for 4 nights before the cruise.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get a room on our DVC points. We've never been to Disneyland, so we'd like to stay at one of the DL hotels. But if we can't get a room on points, then we'll check out one of the nearby offsite hotels instead.

I think my kids will like the Neverland pool at the Disneyland Hotel, but DW and I would really like GC. I'm looking forward to hearing about other people's experiences at the hotels to help us decide which one suits us best.

We love the Disneyland Hotel, and have stayed there many times. We've never stayed at the Grand Californian, but I did get to check out the rooms there. The rooms at the Disneyland Hotel are much bigger and brighter. We find the DH is much more magical, with the pools and the Tinkerbell wallpaper border that glows in the dark as you go to sleep. You actually get a bigger room for less money at the DH.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

edited to add: nevermind- ignore post below. I dug out my original rebooking paperwork and it states $200 per stateroom for 7 days or more.

totallly off topic really but I'm curious if anyone can remind me how much the stateroom credits were from DCL if you rebooked onboard?

I can't remember.
I know when we rebooked onboard (and then later our TA switched the "fake date" we'd rebooked for to this cruise) there was 10% off plus stateroom credits but I can't remember what those were. (for one cat 6 stateroom and for one cat 11 stateroom) Can anyone remind me? I'm trying to see what our total stateroom credits will be- from TA and from DCL.

thanks!

 

[DisneyVegas1]

I just priced the Disneyland Hotel for 4 nights before the cruise.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get a room on our DVC points. We've never been to Disneyland, so we'd like to stay at one of the DL hotels. But if we can't get a room on points, then we'll check out one of the nearby offsite hotels instead.

I think my kids will like the Neverland pool at the Disneyland Hotel, but DW and I would really like GC. I'm looking forward to hearing about other people's experiences at the hotels to help us decide which one suits us best.

Thats what we are waiting for is to be able to book through DVC but we cant do it till next month ...errrrrr and the Points went up for 2008 ....alot too ....

 

[Sarah's Dad]

I just priced the Disneyland Hotel for 4 nights before the cruise.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get a room on our DVC points. We've never been to Disneyland, so we'd like to stay at one of the DL hotels. But if we can't get a room on points, then we'll check out one of the nearby offsite hotels instead.

I think my kids will like the Neverland pool at the Disneyland Hotel, but DW and I would really like GC. I'm looking forward to hearing about other people's experiences at the hotels to help us decide which one suits us best.

We already looked into it since we plan to do the same. We are checking in on the Thursday before and checking out that Sunday morning. Staying at DLH for those 3 days was supposed to be around 100 points.

Since this vacation will emcompass almost 3 weeks we probably won't be going anywhere else in 2008 to use DVC points so whatever it winds up being we will use our points to pay for it.

 

[Sarah's Dad]

I wrote to John at Dreams Unlimited to find out if the onboard credit was being extended and if it applied to transfers from other agencies or just DCL. His reponse is below:

Hi Jeffrey

Thank you for the kind words about the DIS.

The Dreams Unlimited Travel increased shipboard credit offer is in effect through the end of August. This shipboard credit is valid on all Panama Canal Cruises transferred to Dreams Unlimited Travel between now and the end of the month.

As a professional courtesy, Dreams Unlimited Travel does not accept transferred reservations from other travel agencies. We will only process cruise reservations booked directly through Disney Cruise Line

If your cruise was booked through Disney Cruise Line directly we would be happy to help you transfer that reservation to Dreams Unlimited Travel to take advantage of our current shipboard credit offer

When you transfer your existing cruise to Dreams Unlimited Travel it will come over to us exactly how it was booked – same stateroom, price, dining, party size, etc. The only difference will be that Dreams Unlimited Travel will have our named listed on the reservation with Disney Cruise Line. In addition you will be eligible for our current Shipboard Credit promotion.

You can transfer your existing cruise reservation to Dreams Unlimited Travel by filling out the appropriate form on this page of our site http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/reservations/transfers.htm - someone will contact you shortly afterwards to complete the process.

Please note that in order to process your transfer the deposit has to be paid with Disney Cruise Line. This must be done prior to you initiating the transfer process with us. Also, the reservation can not be paid in full prior to transfer as per Disney policy.

Sincerely,

John

Dreams Unlimited Travel

 

[got2travel]

Yes most defiantly ...We just need to decide if people want to do it in the Park at the Blue Bayou or in DTD so some people dont have to pay to get in the Park ??

So lets take a show of Hands --Blue Bayou say Aye


Aye

AYE

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Yes most defiantly ...We just need to decide if people want to do it in the Park at the Blue Bayou or in DTD so some people dont have to pay to get in the Park ??

So lets take a show of Hands --Blue Bayou say Aye


Aye

Aye, Captain

 

[got2travel]

Here's my 2 cents on DL hotels.

For us, there is no need to stay onsite. That's because we are there 3-5 times per year. Except this year, we let our AP's expire due to this year's and next year's cruises.

Staying onsite at DL is not as beneficial as it is in WDW. Plus many offsite hotels are a closer walk to the parks than the Disney hotels. And often much cheaper.

We have stayed at each of the Disney hotels though so here's my thoughts.

Grand Californian - you absolutely cannot get closer to the parks. In fact much of it is in California Adventure. I love to lounge next to the grand fireplace in the lobby, even if I'm not staying here. The rooms are the smallest of the 3 onsite hotels. They seem quite dark too, probably because of the earth tones in the decorating. The pool is nice and does have a slide but not whimsical like the others. In fact, the entire hotel doesn't have much of a Disney feel to it in my opinion. There is a character breakfast with Chip n Dale at Storyteller's Cafe. Haven't done this one, but it gets great reviews.

Paradise Pier - this is the 'budget' hotel, not that it's really a budget, but it's usually the least expensive. The rooms are good sized and have lots of Disney touches. I haven't experienced the renovations to the pool, but they did add a slide and it looks like a lot of fun. This is the farthest hotel from the parks. I personally would not stay here again. I'd rather save my money and stay closer offsite. The character breakfast here is Lilo and Stitch. We didn't like this one. It was poorly organized and didn't have much variety in the food.

Disneyland Hotel - my favorite of the 3. It's the original after all. The rooms are good sized. I've heard reports of small rooms, but we've never had one that seemed cramped. There is a border around the top of the rooms. If you leave the lights on all day, you will have glowing pixie dust at night. The Neverland Pool is a lot of fun. Perfect setting for pirates of all ages. Goofy's Kitchen is here and has brunch and dinner character meals. This is our favorite character meal. We prefer brunch instead of dinner. The food and character interaction seemed better, plus it's less expensive. We usually get a late seating, depending on park opening, usually about 11:30 or 12:30. Grab a light breakfast, hit the park at rope drop, then when everyone else starts waking up and coming in the park, we're leaving for a break at Goofy's.

For offsite hotels, our favorite is Carousel Inn, right across the street from the entrance. Decent sized rooms, great service, and free breakfast. Their suites are also nice. Other options we consider if Carousel is full or higher priced are: BW Park Place Inn, Camelot Inn, Tropicana Inn, Dessert Inn & Suites, Howard Johnsons and Candy Cane Inn. Actually haven't stayed at Candy Cane but do consider it for each trip, it just always ends up being more expensive than my other choices.

 

[m&m's mom]

Can anyone give me a simple explanation on the postcard thread "Pay if Forward" thing?
Do I buy postcards and have the characters sign them and then mail them? I would be happy to do this on my 4 day cruise the 1st of Sept. for a few people.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I've wrote my TA to see if they will also match what DU (and other TA's, as I've found out thru PMs that other TA's are also increasing their stateroom credits to match DU's as well).

I hope they will. My fingers are crossed. I've always been happy with this travel agency and not only have I used them in the past plus this cruise but fully intended that any future bookings (including rebooking onboard this cruise) would be transferred to them. I know this isn't the TA's fault in any way but it is nice that some TA's are helping the customer offset some of this cost and I hope my TA follows suit in the same extremely nice way that others have. Otherwise I may have to reconsider who I want to give my business to (by transferring my rebooking onboard ressies to them) in the future.

I still hope we get a clear answer from DCL on how this charge came to be and why we're being charged the entire amount even though it appears to be an "instead" type fee instead of in "addition to". has anyone got any useful response from anyone with DCL?

 

[Sarah's Dad]

I've wrote my TA to see if they will also match what DU (and other TA's, as I've found out thru PMs that other TA's are also increasing their stateroom credits to match DU's as well).

Initially I was thinking why would Dreams take money out of their pocket to off-set something that was clearly a DCL issue?

Good Will? Yes, perhaps. Those that are Dreams' clients (I am not one) will remember this generous offer.

I also thought that if Dreams took transfers from other TAs then this was a brilliant move on their part, but as the letter from John that I posted earlier clearly states based on "professional courtesy" they will not only bookings held with DCL.

Since there may be some future converts this is still a good move, but the bottom line is there is no immediate financial benefit to Dreams so I have to say Kudos Dreams

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Initially I was thinking why would Dreams take money out of their pocket to off-set something that was clearly a DCL issue?

Good Will? Yes, perhaps. Those that are Dreams' clients (I am not one) will remember this generous offer.

I also thought that if Dreams took transfers from other TAs then this was a brilliant move on their part, but as the letter from John that I posted earlier clearly states based on "professional courtesy" they will not only bookings held with DCL.

Since there may be some future converts this is still a good move, but the bottom line is there is no immediate financial benefit to Dreams so I have to say that Kudos Dreams

The only immediate financial benefit to them is possiby to keep some people from cancelling their reservations with DU and ofcourse perhaps prompting others to book with them for other cruises in the immediature future.

It is true you cannot transfer from one TA to another because of their professional courtesy to one another that they won't do it. So you're right that it's mostly good will and good advertising for future/other business- they can't offer this in hopes of others transferring from another TA to them. But now no matter what happens with DCL on these fees- which I highly doubt will be removed or changed/etc, DU and the other TA's that offered this to their clients will be remembered for it. Who could forget that?

 

[Sarah's Dad]

I do have to wonder though that if you booked onboard with DCL, transferred it to a TA (therefore it wasn't originally booked with TA) -then the TA transferred it to THIS cruise ressie from the one it was before- if is possible to transfer back to DCL and then transfer to another TA. Probably wouldn't work. LOL

Actually transferring back to DCL should be an option, but that sounds like too much work for me.

Good luck with your TA and reservation.

 

[Sarangel]

Since there may be some future converts this is still a good move, but the bottom line is there is no immediate financial benefit to Dreams so I have to say that Kudos Dreams

IIRC, Pete got into the travel biz because he's one of us (a fan), so he understands. Dreams will probably lose money over this (at least in the short term), but word will get out about how they care about their clients (us). Understanding *why* this is so important to those involved with it is one of the reasons Dreams Unlimited is so very good at what they do.

 

[captaincrash]

Just a quick "drive by" posting - my connection is sort of "spotty" and mildly fustrating here... but ...

... in todays' emails I noted my TA just matched the DU deal! So our cabin credit is just like them AND I have her superior (expert) personalized service too!

Thanks Barb!!!

Cheers!!!!

 

[msaseifert]

When we booked the TOAL we booked while onboard the Magic. We have sailed with DCL twice before and always booked directly with them and had them make all our airfare and hotel arrangements. This time was no different and we opted to fly in a day early (arriving on the 16th) and stay at the LAX Marriott. I know we also have transfers included as well. We were thinking of going to CA a few days earlier - my SPT will actually become a ST on August 14 so we thought we would fly in a couple of days early and stay at Hojos (already have the room reserved).
SO.........my question is....
Do you think DCL would fly us in a few days earlier like on the 14th - skip the Marriot, we would get a taxi to Hojos from the airport and back to catch our transfer to the port on the 17th. This way we can do 2 days at the parks for my ST birthday. Did DCL offer anything like this before on the last canal crossing? Anyone know? THANKS!

 

[radioclash2]

No worries, kids are on the menu.

Uh, shirts, kid's shirts are on the menu.

 

[Grandma x3]

Hi Everyone -

Does anyone know where I can get Disney themed name tags?

On the med repo I've orgnaized 2 Laides' Brunches at Palo and and a Ladies afternoon tea. Many of the ladies haven't met before so I thought name tags might be a good idea.

And since the dis'ers always have the answers - Help!!!

Thanks!!!

 

[arlenesp]

Probably have to print them yourself? I don't remember seeing any. Hopefully we can count on you to help organize this on our TOAL as well.

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Everyone -

Does anyone know where I can get Disney themed name tags?

On the med repo I've orgnaized 2 Laides' Brunches at Palo and and a Ladies afternoon tea. Many of the ladies haven't met before so I thought name tags might be a good idea.

And since the dis'ers always have the answers - Help!!!

Thanks!!!

I have always made my own for DS's birthday parties (I'm bad at names and it helps to know which kid is which!). I usually just print on large address/shipping labels (I think they are 2"x3"). Since that is a very standard size, they are available as cheaper "house brands" at office depot or office max or anywhere like that. I usually copy some clipart from the internet and put on the labels on one side and leave the rest blank. Then each person fills out their own as they arrive.

Pamela (pdarrah)