considering land/sea 4/05

[tink98]

thinking of planning 4 night land 3 night cruise for end of 04/2005 with 2 adults 2 children, where do I begin? Any experts out there who can guide me through this process? Also considering tacking on 1 or 2 extra resort nights up front. How do we go about this?

thanks for any help

 

[wdwmom2]

In July of 2002 I knew that I wanted to do a land/sea vacation. I researched different TA's. I went with Mouseearvacations. My TA is VERY helpful. They must attend a special school for Disney. I think that they also go to Disney at least once a year. They have alot of experience. I know that you can probably do it cheaper by planning everything on your own, but I really like my TA, she has alot of good advice. The website is www.mouseearvacations.com.
I also starting saving money right away. With 4 children, 1 just out of college, one now in college, 1 a year away from college, and a 12 year old, we don't have money to just throw around. When we are on vacation we want to be able to do what we want and not have to worry about money. Well, I hope that this helps!!!! Good luck with the planning, it is alot of fun!!!!!!!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Well, you sure found the right place on these boards because you can search a topic or just ask a question and someone will help you.

We did the land/sea two years ago. It was our first cruise experience. We planned everything ourselves and it really is not that difficult.

I booked the land/sea through DCL. The category on the ship will determine where you stay. Not all resorts are available to choose from. There are no value resorts. We were in cat. 11 (loved it by the way) and we got to choose between the POR and CR at the time. Of course, the higher the cat., the higher valued resort you get to pick from. You can easily get a quote from the disney site.

We used the buses for all of our transportation needs on that trip because it was easier overall. Now, I book my own towncar (we use Tiffany Towncar). at the top of the board, there is a section on transportation. The main reasons are the crowds, waiting for buses to fill up and not being able to be picked up at the resort until 11:00 at the earliest I believe. We were at POR and the bus comes around 12:15 and now they are letting passengers on the ship around 11:45. We didn't get there until well after 1. With a shorter cruise, the time really makes a big difference to me. Plus, if you want spa or Palo (adult dining) reservations you will want to be there early.

If you want to add on days before or after your trip (beyond the land/sea) you will have to make those reservations separately.

Don't use DCL airlines. It way to expensive and sometimes the times are not very good.

Those are just some basics. Ask away and have a great time!

 

[musicgirl]

Also, if you are going to add extra days on land, go for the 4 night cruise and the 3 day land. Although we've never done a 4 night, you'll want to be on the ship as long as possible.

We couldn't get enough after the first time. We did a second 3-night and now we have a 7-night scheduled.

 

[rae519]

Our first cruise was a land/sea combination that I used Disney Travel for. I think I could probably do it just as well and cheaper by myself. It would be worth your time to plan it out then check it out with different agents.

I prefer using Bill at cruisetraveloutlet.com - he gives a 7% rebate off the cost of the trip (minus taxes).

I do like the land/sea vacation though - but my son (now 8) and DH (53) prefer just the cruising so now we just sail on the Magic.

I have done two Wonder cruises combined with the land/sea - 3/4 and 4/3 - 3 days is NOT long enough on the ship and our 4 nighter was a Freeport stop - I prefer more time on the ocean.

Maybe I can talk them into going to WDW either before or after our next cruise - it's just so much fun there!!!

Rae