Bummer info re transfers in LA

[Mboothby]

SERIOUS BUMMER!!!!
I just talked to DCL and the transfers you purchase through them are for ANOTHER COMPANY. They are not bringing the nice Disney buses out here. As for luggage, it will NOT be handled as it is now handled. You will be responsible for it all! I wonder how this will go over with repeat cruisers who are used to the wonderful Disney service. Especially when they are paying for it.
I sure hope Disney changes their mind on this.

 

[mostyn17]

What does that mean.... the lugage will not be handled like before??

Does that mean it will not be on the bus with us or does that mean it will be transfered with us but once off the bus, we have to check it in at the port?

That is a bummer! After all, what are we paying for??

Ok everyone....START COMPLAINING!!!!!! lol

Travis

 

[Mboothby]

According to the DCL CM I just talked to, that exactly what it means. You get your luggage at the airport, you haul it on the bus, you haul it off the bus, you haul it to the ship. I agree..we need to start complaining, because this is part of the service we pay for. I mean, what would it cost for them to charter a bus and handle this themselves as always. It's bad enough we're not getting the nice DCL buses. And I don't get that. If you have one less ship sailing in and out of Port Canaveral, can't you spare a bus or two for the West Coast? I'm SO hoping the CM just didn't know what she was talking about.

 

[HumphreytheBear]

Originally posted by Mboothby
SERIOUS BUMMER!!!!
I just talked to DCL and the transfers you purchase through them are for ANOTHER COMPANY. They are not bringing the nice Disney buses out here.

Unfortunatley the "Nice Disney Buses" are not owned by Disney. They are owned by Mears Transportation. Mears and Disney have a contract for the buses. They are the posession of the mears corporations but on Sailing days they are only allowed to be used for Disney transfers. That is why you see the Disney buses out all the time. On none sailing days Mears uses them for other things. Being that they are a part of the Mears fleet they would not be able to spare them for an extended period of time (they would be in LA for to long of a time).

As far as the luggage I am assuming that the luggage issue is in regards to the terminal and not really an option that Disney has made. It will more than likely be just like any other cruise line... Instead of being able to get off whenever you want you will have to wait for your color to be called as most terminals are not set up to accomodate ALL the luggage at once (remember the port canaveral terminal was built for Disney to meet their specifications). And upon arrival you will collect your bags from the transportation you choose to get there and check it in with the porters... also on the way out I doubt there will be airlines at the terminal like Port Canaveral thus making you have to check your bags at the airport...

Keep in mind this terminal in LA is not a "Disney terminal" like the one in Port Canaveral so there are things that are out of Disney's control. If they do decide to send a ship out there permanently I would bet money they will have a terminal built to meet their requirements.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

There are Disney Buses - I have seen them loads of time at LAX when I am picking up family - I am sure they are used for people visiting Disneyland -

Like the above poster said, they are not owned by Disney, but by a transporation company - I know they are used for Disney, because they have Mickey, Minnie, and the gang splashed all over the bus!

Not sure how the transportation works though

 

[LibertyBelle]

Originally posted by Mboothby
It's bad enough we're not getting the nice DCL buses. And I don't get that. If you have one less ship sailing in and out of Port Canaveral, can't you spare a bus or two for the West Coast?

As Humphrey posted those buses while they are nice and fancy Disney Cruise Line buses they are not owned by Disney they are a part of the Mears transportation fleet. Disney and Mears have a contract that on sailing days the buses are for Disney Cruise Line transfers only but every other day of the week they are mears buses to be used however mears needs them to be. It is not Disney's decision... they don't own them.

I also agree with the luggage issue. The Port Canaveral terminal was built for the Disney Cruise Line to their specifications, the LA terminal is being "borrowed" for a few months. Disney has to make due with what they have avalaible. If they decide to bring a ship to LA permenatly I am sure they will build another termianl (or modify an existing one) to meet their needs. Let's keep in mind that this is a trial run per say and that not everything you encounter is Disney's fault. It will not be the exact same Port Canaveral experience simply because it is not a permenant operation, they have to make due with what they have for now.

 

[Amberle3]

Every time I've flown into LAX - at least since 9/11, and frankly I didn't notice what was happening before - the luggage carousel area has been completely off-limits to non-flight people. Only airport personnel and those coming in on flights are supposed to have access to that area. I believe that once you have your luggage and depart the area you're not even supposed to be allowed access back in. They have guards stationed at the exits. Every time I've taken a shuttle at LAX I've had to haul my luggage out to the shuttle pick up area and then hand it to the driver.

Haven't flown in to MCO, so I don't know if it's the same there or not.

As for the buses, even if Disney owned their own buses in FL, they would still need the there for the Wonder and wouldn' t be able to move them to CA.

I'm guessing that they'll probably be using Airport Bus, or chartering with another bus company. I charter buses all the time, and every one I've had has been the large 47-56 passenger motorcoach with comfy seats and TVs. So if that's what Disney is using in FL, my guess is that's what they'll have in CA.

 

[tezb]

I'm surprised Disney is doing this...This will "set the stage" for future DCL cruises for many west coasters who haven't cruised w/ them before. Without the extra little Disney perks first time cruisers may not choose DCL again. A lot depends on the experience and what sets them apart from other cruise lines.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Just wanted to correct something -

The baggage carousel is not just for flight people - that is where all non-flight people pick up their friends/family, etc. So, it is not off limits - Except if you are flying in internationally -

There are guards at the gate - Sometimes they match your luggage tags with your paperwork, but unfortunately, most of the time they do not -

 

[mostyn17]

I think Disney should build a terminal just for the 12 weeks test try! I have no problem with that!

Well, I guess disney just has us all spoiled in Port Canaveral....If they do eventually do a ship in CA....I sure hope they made changes to that.

I'm thinking the transfers are more...??? Am I right? They CM told me it was 47 each way.....is this right? Isn't 25 each way in florida?

Once they start this cruise.....I bet this is going to be the #1 complaint!

Travis

 

[ThreeCircles]

I think it's very important to keep in mind that these sailings are 12 MONTHS away! Info on how things are going to be done, such as who will handle the transfers and how luggage is going to be moved around, is going to change considerably.

 

[jrabbit]

ThreeCircles has a very good point. DCL will probably change a lot of things before the first repo cruise AND during the 12 week stint in CA. I expect that the experience on the Aug. repo cruise will be significantly different than the first one. DCL will be learning as they go, just as they did when they first started sailing the Magic.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Also, you need to understand how much "red-tape" Disney had to go through to get the things the way they are in Port Canaveral. There may be other security factors in play at LAX that aren't the same at MCO. I'm sure there are those that recall, right after September 11, 2001 you could not check in at the Port with your airline. That did come back, but again hoops had to be jumped through to get it that way.

 

[ivanova]

1. I'm glad we're going from CA to FL - don't have to deal with the non-Disney way of disembarking (waiting for your color to be called).

2. supposedly the vast majority of the folks booking these cruises (so far) are return cruisers. So I don't think there will be a lot of first time cruisers that will be adversely affected (opinon-wise) about DCL.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Hey Three Circles - I just wanted to say I LOVE YOUR NEW PICTURE!!!!!!

Looks like a good time!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Unfortunately I am not going on the transitional cruise, but my parents are so I am reading everything to keep them informed. I just wanted to tell ThreeCircles that I love your new pic - very cool.