Air Transportation by dcl

[martel-luv-wdw]

Flying same day from portland maine. Worried about getting bus/boat on time. If there is a delay during travel, does DCL arrange other transportation or meeting the boat in Key West.
Should I ask to fly in the day before to relieve pressure and unneed worry.

 

[Talky_Tina]

After reading these boards, we have decided to fly in a day early. Air booked thru DCL gave us that option. Now we are really looking forward to seeing palm trees a day earlier and no worries about missing the boat.

TT

 

[moocow35]

From what I understand, if you use Disney Air, they will get you to the next port no matter what. That is why I always use Disney Air.

However, after our experience this February, I choose to from now on pay the extra to fly in the day before. They had us on a 6:00am flight, which means checking in at the airport at 4:00. It is an hour drive for us to the airport, so we had to leave the house at 2:30. I was so worried about not getting up, I barely slept the entire night! My entire first day I was a walking zombie.

I am so looking forward to sleeping at the Hyatt, and being all refreshed for my first day! It is only a $50.00 air deviation fee, plus the hotel charges.


Robin

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

We also book our air through Disney - for many of the reasons noted. On previous land/sea trips we did the same day. But for our upcoming 7 day cruise we opted for flying in the day before. There is a hotel fee but the air remained the same. The DCL CM did advise that if we wanted specific flights there would be a deviation fee but not if we let them make the choice. After inquiring as to what they "usually" book for our area we decided to leave it up to them. Hey for 4 of us it is $200! If we happen to have an early flight we can sleep when we arrive!

Deb

 

[ennazus]

Hello fellow Mainer!

We have decided to fly in the day before after talking with a couple travel agents & reading these boards. There are so many different factors that could cause a snafu (weather, security, strikes, mechanics etc.)

 

[bjspalding]

Martel-luv-WDW
We booked our air thru DCL twice before and never had problems getting to the ship on time. But our flights were very early-6:00 am. We live 2 hours from the airport, so we stayed at a motel near the airport the night before. One nice thing, the motel had a shuttle to the airport, so we could leave our car there all week. For our cruise 11/9/02 we have decided to fly in the day before so we don't have to get up so early and be tired all day. I feel more relaxed this way-I was always very anxious until we were on the bus heading for the port!

 

[moocow35]

Deviation fee is exactly what my travel agent called it. Sorry if I am wrong. The total extra charge to arrive the day before is going to be $180.00 for 2 of us. I apologize if I used the wrong terminology!

Robin

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

The $180 is the cost of the overnight at the hotel - that is the same whether you have 1 or more in the room. I was hoping they weren't charging you something extra!

Sounds like they aren't just used different terminology than the CM at DCL we booked with! Have a great trip!

Deb

 

[Talky_Tina]

Hi, I don't want to sound like a total dummy here, but when I checked out the flight thru DCL online, they had the box checked to fly out the night before the cruise (as if I had no choice). When I called to book, I was happy to fly the day before and paid no deviation fee because it was "their idea" so to speak. Let me get this straight though, I am the one who has to book the room at the Hyatt and pay for it separately, right? The room fee for the night is not included in anything DCL is providing, is that correct? I got a little confused after reading about that $180 charge.

TT

 

[kramer_clan]

If you booked prior day air with Disney, the hotel should be included in the pricing given to you.

Vicki

 

[bjspalding]

Talky_Tina,
We are flying in the day before, and DCL took care of booking a room at the Hyatt MCO. We had originally planned to fly in the day of, but changed it to the day before. When I spoke to the CM, they never mentioned a deviation fee, but we are paying $115.00 for the night at the motel. Maybe you should call them and make sure they are booking a room for you for the night before.
Bonnie

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Whether or not there is an additional fee depends on where you are coming in from. West Coast, as I understand it, always comes in the day/night before and that is factored in. Since we are in Michigan we could theoretically come in same day and make the embarkation on time (right without any unforeseen circumstances!) so choosing to come in the day before means we pay for our room. The $115-$180 difference probably depends on the season. My guess anyway...

Deb

 

[Señor Ferrari]

If you fly from the west coast, they usually give you the option of arriving the day before, or taking the red-eye and arriving the morning of the cruise. From some places, the day before is mandatory in order to get you to the ship on time. When given the option, the price is the same, and if you choose the day before, they put you up at the Hyatt. We usually go with this option, arriving at MCO at about 5:00pm on Friday.

Staying at the Hyatt is very convenient. They collect your luggage from outside the hotel room door and deliver it to the ship, and you meet the DCL bus people right in the lobby of the hotel.

 

[Talky_Tina]

Thanks, everyone. I better check this out. It sure pays to read this board!

TT