Anyone book land/sea seperate

[markm0926]

Just wondering if any one has expierence with booking the land / sea packages themselves seperately.

On land we'd just assume stay at The All Stars, but on the ship we'd like a Veranda.

Anything special I should know about booking this way?

How would you work you transfers?

Any info would be great!
Thanks!!!

 

[firsttimemom]

We did it ourselves and it worked out great. We used a bunch of codes I found at Mousesavers for National rental- $138 for 8 days for a fullsize car. We were able to do our WDW stuff, drive to the port when we wanted to, and hop in our car when we got back. We were also able to leave carseats in the rental and not have to deal with storing them in our cabin.

HTH!

Liz

 

[ivanova]

we prefer booking them separate - more choices in where you stay on land as well as on the ship (cheap resort, upgraded stateroom) - we didn't bother with DCL transfers, we prefer the freedom of a rental car

 

[ClarabelleCow]

we did, we own DVC, so I booked what we wanted and set up our rooms and air on our own. We just havent decided how we want to get from the port to the resort, and back to the hotel. But I still have time!

 

[zippeedee]

I just booked my cruise and hotel separately, both through DU, for April 14, 2005. I got cabin 7620, one of the obstructed verandahs. I booked my airfare on Song myself, and still need to figure out the best way to get from MCO to CR. Using all the great advice I've picked up from this board, I booked DCL transfers and I chose the Contemporary with the plan in mind of getting the bus to the port from Animal Kingdom. I don't love the idea of dragging all of our luggage on the resort bus to AK, but I really wanted the convenience of CR since we are only staying 2 nights. Anyone see a flaw in my plan? I've been to WDW many times, but the cruise part is all new to me. Thanks!

 

[Memaw2Wm]

I plan to next time ... for the same reason ... I want a veranda on the ship, but would prefer a less expensive room at WDW

 

[rcdisneyfam]

We want a verandah room and like the moderate hotels at WDW. Also, do our air on our own because it is less expensive. AAA seems to be a big help with discounts on hotel too.

 

[kathymike]

We are going the last week in August and I have booked the whole thing seperately....I have had fun doing the research for the different aspects...

transporation, hotels, cruise etc

 

[videogal1]

Originally posted by markm0926
Just wondering if any one has expierence with booking the land / sea packages themselves seperately.

Cash and I just spent a month hopping from resort to cruise and back again on our land/land/land/sea/land vacation...I did it the messy way, though...different TAs made some reservations and not others...Then I had to knit it all together with transfers... Worked out great...well, maybe I could have used one more cruise at the end.....

 

[Reenieny18]

I am going on the Aug 28 Western and I did book seperate.
The prices were much better, esp since I need 2 rooms. So we booked Pop Century . I figured the money I save can go on shopping or excursions.

The only thing I think we will miss out on is the one time check-in. If we book it together, you do one time check in at the hotel and use the same room key on boards. We also, are doing our own transprot to the port and dropping the car of at the rental near Cape Canaveral. The cruise bus leaves Animal Kingdom close to 1245pm and than the hour drive to the port. This way we avoid the rush...

hopes this helps....

Reenie

 

[kcashner]

On 10 cruises, I believe we've booked land separately 8 times. You do need to check prices, but booking separately is usually cheaper and always gives you more options.

The first big place for savings is in the type of park access you purchase. Do you really need/want length of stay (ultimate park hopper) passes? These are a standard part of the land/sea packages. Will you go to the park on the day of arrival and on the day of cruise boarding? If not, consider a park hopper plus. Those days never expire, so if you don't go to parks every day, you have ticket media for your next trip. The second big savings is if you are a DVC member or want a "lower" hotel category than is normally part of your cruise cabin category...you can save a bundle on sleeping.

Any cruise package can have transfers added....you just call DCL or your TA and tell them when you want the transfers. You do need to be aware that there is DCL bus transfer available only from designated "cruise" hotels. Thus, if you stay at the All Star, you will need to get to a "cruise" hotel (the closest would be Animal Kingdom Lodge). The bus man will arrange this for you (a tip is appropriate). Alternatively, you could do private limo. The break even point for cost on a private limo is 3 people--if there are 3 of you, cost will be about the same, and the limo will run on YOUR schedule. Fewer than 3, DCL transfers are cheaper.

 

[Goofy4Pluto]

I've done all the planning myself
for our November trip!

I did get the cruise and REAS
thru the TA... but that was only
because of the special rate we
got as a group...

but other than that... I always
do everything myself! ofcourse
I do Super 8, Comfort Inn, or
some totally NOT Disney hotel
and do the limo service!