DCL Transfers for CA cruises

[Mboothby]

Did anyone purchase the the ground transfers when they booked their CA cruises? I'm on the repositioning from CA to FL. The booking all happened so fast that first day, I didn't even know they'd added them. When I pulled up my ressies the next day online, I discovered they'd added the transfers. I have two questions. Has anyone else been told that they are NOT using the DCL buses in CA? If this is indeed true, I'd just as soon NOT pay for their transfers. That said, does anyone know if I can have this taken off my ressie. It's not paid for (just deposit) Thanx.

 

[Hygiene99]

yes u can have it taken off no problem

But u have to get there some how...??

 

[ivanova]

They are NOT bringing the DCL buses to CA from FL. I'm sure they are making arrangements with a local bus/shuttle company to do the job temporarily out here in 2005.

Hygiene99 is correct - you do need to get around somehow. It depends on where you're staying & what airport you're flying into, as far as what options you'll have available to you in CA.

 

[Mboothby]

Well, at $50 a pop, with a large group like we have, I think I might just prefer a cab. I can control when I go and it'll be cheaper. I love the DCL buses, but usually do not like shuttles, because you spend all your time stopping to get other people and are subject to their schedules and whims. We've not had the best of luck w/ shuttles overall (can ya tell ) and what I liked best about DCL's buses, is the special luggage handling, which, according to a CM at DCL, we certainly won't get with another shuttle service...so...anyway..something to consider.
It's a way off yet...so...just thinkin' out loud.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I firstly booked without the transfers, but after looking at rental car options in LA, and locations I decided I will make my own way to Disneyland, but after that have a one way DCL transfer to the Port, and also one way from Port Canaveral to MCO Orlando.

I have read also they would not bring DCL coaches over, but have put out the tranfers to 'tender'.

It is possible they might bring over some supervisory staff to ensure standards.

I have read we will be responsible for our own luggage in the LA part.

 

[kshabare]

I don't know how large your group is but we traveled with 15. That's alot of luggage, you know? That's alot of people to keep happy, you know?
IMHO, it'd be worth the $50.00 up front to just hand the luggage in at the baggage terminal (we use curbside checkout with E-tickets) and just wait for them to end up in our stateroom. Although we book our air seperately, we always purchase DCL transfers.

Kim

 

[Regina]

It doesn't hurt anything to leave them on for the time being. With the way that fuel costs are escalating, the price may be protected. (Customarily, they don't apply the increase to existing transfers, but this is an unprecedented time.)

You can remove them further down the road without penalty when you have a better idea about the arrangements.

 

[Mboothby]

Kim, I couldn't agree with you more about the DCL transfers being totally worth it, if nothing else, but for the luggage handling. However, DCL told me that there will be no special luggage handling with these transfers, as DCL is not the company transfering us. I am paying for a standard, run of the mill, shuttle service. Our bags will be in our posession the entire time..all the way onto the ship, from what I'm told.
In fact, when I was told this, I then began to wonder about the entire embarkation process, as Disney really only has limited control over this, being they are using someone elses' terminal. I'm hoping they are somehow able to take over some of the ticketing area in LA, put their own people there and make embarkation as smooth as it always is with Disney, otherwise, the entire processes is likely to be that of the other cruise lines...which for me, doesn't say much, since the first time I cruised (w/ Carnival), the entire thing was such a horrible experience, from Embarkation to Deparkation, that we swore off cruises entirely. When I heard Disney was to build a ship, I gave it another shot and am so glad I did. I LOVE the ocean, LOVE ships and THIS is how cruising SHOULD be. It's the little things, like that special luggage handling that set them apart from the other lines. So, I sure hope they find a way to maintain some control over these CA cruises, given they are guests in someone elses' "home".

 

[ivanova]

My guess is if they PERMAMENTLY put a ship in CA, then the CA transfers and terminals (and customary service) will be identical to that in FL. But since summer 2005 is TEMPORARY, they will do what they can with what they have to offer. I'm guessing embarkation won't be an issue, but the transfers will be run-of-the-mill shuttles (nothing like the DCL buses in FL).

If you are going straight from the airport to the cruise terminal, I don't think it'll be any different if you arrange your own transportation or use a DCL transfer.

But if you are flying in early, to visit the DLR parks, then you might want to consider your options. You can arrange a taxi (get pricing though before you dump the DCL transfer option), you can stick with the DCL transfer, you can arrange your own shuttle, you can rent a car.

What I am recommending for folks doing the Aug 2005 repo cruise - consider staying in the block of rooms we have at the Holiday Inn San Pedro. They say they run a shuttle to DLR for a nominal fee ... so you take a short shuttle (or taxi) from the airport to the hotel, have a shuttle to DLR available to you, and a shuttle (for $3 per person) to the cruise terminal the morning of the cruise. For folks not wanting to drive in LA area traffic (it can suck big time) this might be a better option.

 

[happyrebster]

FYI, a taxi from Anaheim to San Pedro could get VERY pricey if you hit traffic. Based on my experience in getting around southern Cal, you would likely do better to hire a towncar than to take a taxi. At least you would be guarenteed a flat rate. Just a suggestion. I haven't figured out our transfers yet, but since we will be taking transport from San Pedro to home (we are travelling Florida to CA and live in CA), we will likely hire a towncar. I was just thinking today, however, that I will miss the fact that DCL won't have its own terminal here in CA. It's a shame. Still: I know that they want this cruise to be a big beautiful media event for them (I'm sure they will make some effort to celebrate the ship's arrival for the big birthday bash), so I feel certain that something nice will be arranged. I'm not terribly worried about it.

 

[invaderzim]

We nixed the transfers because we are flying in a few days early and visiting DL -- so it would be more beneficial for us to control our own transportation. I understand that Super Shuttle has some reasonable rates. But you can always take the transfers off all the way up until final payment without penalty.

 

[Mboothby]

Yeah, we live in CA, so there's no need for us to stay overnight before the cruise, since we don't plan on doing DL and the plane ride is about an hour. So...since I've got plenty of time...I'm gonna start pricing different options and then go from there. My TA said I can drop it anytime before final payment, so...lots of time to think about it.