Booking Air Through Disney

[Rore]

We put a deposit on a package for the 7 day Eastern Caribbean that allows Disney to book our air. Has anyone done that and if so, good results?

 

[cristit14]

We had Disney book our air last time and I don't think I will do it again. We didn't have any problems, but I just like having more control. We didn't know until we got our docs when our flight was and we didn't get our docs until 10 days out. You also don't have any control over which airlines or number of connections. I think next time we will book our own so I will know well in advance when we are leaving.
I think though that one advantage of having Disney do your air is that if you are flying in on same day and there is a flight problem they will do everything in their power to get you to the ship on time.

 

[Rore]

Thanks Cristit14. I am worried about the same things. However, we are taking our cruise in April, and at this point it would be a fortune to try to book separately. At least you didn't have any problems!!!

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

We've done both. I like the DCL air package for the one-stop shopping aspect. Also, since we fly in from the west coast, we fly the day before the cruise and the air package includes a night at the Hyatt in the Orlando airport. The price has gone up considerable since our first cruise, so lately we've been booking our own flight and hotel. We still use the DCL transfers most of the time, though.

I think it's best to price it both ways. Remember to factor in the price of the transfers ($49/person?) when comparing the two. The transfers are included in the DCL air package.

Also, you can get your flight info from DCL 30 days before you leave. You can then contact the airline and get seat assignments. While you still don't have control over flight times and connections, you can at least get seats together.

To further what cristit14 said regarding delays, if you do encounter a flight delay and have booked air through DCL, they are responsible for getting you to the ship. If this means holding the ship's departure for a little while, they'll do it. If (worst-case) it means flying you to the first port to meet the ship, they do that, too. If you've booked your air separately, they'll still try to help, but you're on your own as far as paying for the worst-case scenario. For this reason, many people who book their own air fly in the day before, especially in the winter months, just to be safe.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Also, you can get your flight info from DCL 30 days before you leave. You can then contact the airline and get seat assignments. While you still don't have control over flight times and connections, you can at least get seats together.

QUOTE]


Oh boy. It never occurred to me that I might be separated from my children on the flight. Hmm. I'm going to have to check on that.

 

[cristit14]

Oh yeah, I guess that I forgot that I was able to call about seat assignments. It didn't really help us though because for the flights home they had us in 4 different rows. I did manage to get two people to move so that the kids and I would be together. DH sat by himself several rows back... Lucky guy!