Do it yourself Land/Sea, need your opinions!

[dislvr75]

OK, we just finished an AMAZING land/sea vacation just a few weeks ago on the May 15th Wonder. We are already planning to go back, but don't wish to spend the time (kids will be in higher grades Oct. 2006) nor the money for the complete 7 day land/sea vacation.

SO, if we decide to just do 2 nites at a MK resort (either the Poly or the Contemporary) how do we decide which one is worth it?

We are only going to spend one day at the MK so we definitely want a MK resort. The Contemporary is nice, close by and LESS expensive than the Poly.

However, the Poly is Cruiseline hotel. The bus for our transfers will leave from the Poly, the baggage handling is included (if we stay at the Contemporary, we will forfeit this service) There is a DCL desk to check our documents to see if they are in order but we cannot SUBMIT them to them to bypass check-in at the port because we are not "land/sea". With either resort choice we will have to check-in at the port.

I am trying to decide if it is worth it to spend more money (a couple hundred dollars) to stay at the Poly so that our luggage can be picked up that morning, and to have breakfast there and board the bus OR spend less money to stay at the Contemporary, have the same MK access, but have to take our own bags by Disney bus to the Poly (by 8am) to be transported to the Port.

I guess its really a matter of convenience, I wonder how many of you out there who put your own land/sea vacation together, CHOOSE to stay at a DCL resort for the convenience, or stay elsewhere for the price?

I would very much appreciate your opinions!

 

[hawaii5o]

This is what we are doing. I already had my disney hopper passes so I didnt need the land/sea. Although I checked into pricing for the land/sea compared to doing it myself. I saved $ doing it myself and am staying at pop century rather than the carribean beach or port orleans and declined the bus transportation to the port. It would have been to much of a hassle to get to carribean beach resort or back to the airport, so we are renting a car for less $ than we would have paid for the disney transportation to the port. We will also have the convenience of leaving pop century earlier than the disney transportation and after our cruise, our flight does not leave to 5:00 pm so we have a car to do whatever we would like to do. Don't know if this helps in your decision. I hope what I wrote makes sense.

 

[linco711]

I'd go for the contemporary. It's right on the monorail, so taking luggage over to Poly is not such a big deal. Also as you say contemporary is close to MK. JUst my opinion, but why spend the extra money. Keep if for the Spa ob the ship!

 

[linco711]

Sorry, I forgot to say we put together our own land/sea. Driving to OKW, staying the night before boarding. Then staying one night at OKW again before we drive home.....

 

[dislvr75]

Linco711,

Would you believe I called DCL to ask how the transfers would work if I stayed at a non-DCL resort. She said that my luggage would NOT be allowed on the Disney resort bus nor the monorail so I'd have to take a CAB with our luggage from the Contemporary to the Poly. I was like... what??? Makes sense though, they want room for all of those people who are using the buses and the monorail to get from place to place.... still though, I'm gonna feel silly taking a cab........ perhaps NOT so silly, I've decided to spend less money for two nites at the Contemporary!

 

[linco711]

That's just crazy! They allow those large strollers. I love Disney, but have to say a lot of the rules and regulations don't make much sense. That said I'm sure you will be happy with your Contempory stay. Smart choice. Have a great time!

 

[dislvr75]

Guess what, I called Disney back today to ask more questions about the hotel rates, I mentioned about taking a taxi..... the CM on the line said oh no, you don't have to do that.... there is a van that will take you and your luggage when you are transfering from resort to resort. She said I'd have to arrange it 24 hours prior, but I wouldn't have to pay for a cab!! Now THIS sounds more reasonable. Surely there are other families that travel from resort to resort during their stay... I'm glad I spoke with someone who knew. Seems like the more I call Disney, each time I call, I learn something knew that the CM before didn't know. For example, they used to be able to book YEARS in advance when you called for vacation reservations... as of January 2005, the computer will only show the next 500 days. So even though the room rates for 2006 have been released, I have to wait until June 1st for the computer to allow a reservation for October 14th 2006. The CM I spoke to knew nothing about this, I had to tell her. She even called guest services and was surprised that after being there for 4 years, no one told her about the change. Go figure.

Anyway, thanks again for your replies.

 

[hawaii5o]

wow... they told me I could get a cab. They didnt mention anything about a shuttle from resort to resort!!!! I guess it depends on who you talk to. Thanks!!!!

 

[BethC1952]

We stayed at Pop Century in December. On the morning we left for the cruise, we (and our luggage) took a cab (less than $15.00 including tip, but I don't remember exactly how much) to the Beach Club, where we met our DCL bus. We left our luggage in a designated area, and waited in the solarium at the Beach Club. We were told that we could take our luggage on the bus to the Beach Club if we really wanted to, but that was just too much trouble for us on vacation! I never heard of a shuttle which would move you (unless it's only for deluxe resorts), and we move around frequently while on vacation at WDW.

Beth