Dream special rooms - now that we see the pictures! ** Index now in Post 7 **

[disneymagicgirl]

I just posted this on another thread....might give some insight as to the prices going up:




I just got an email from my TA telling me that DCL is pulling all of the inside and oceanview rooms that are usually available for the TA's to book, and taking them back into DCL's own inventory...in two days.
That means that all the hype about the Dream is working, and Disney doesn't want to share the profits, and has also proven this by raising the prices, probably sooner than they normally would.

Forgot to mention....all the rooms that are being pulled are for cruises starting July 10, and ending with Sept 29.

I don't understand how this works...so one would only be able to book directly thru Disney?

 

[justmestace]

I don't understand how this works...so one would only be able to book directly thru Disney?

Exactly.
Normally, travel agents will have "blocks" of rooms held back for them, to sell to their clients. Disney is pulling all of the "blocks" away from the travel agents so that people will only be able to book through DCL.
So far, it's inside staterooms and oceanview.

 

[dismom73]

I wish they were doing it just one week further than Sept 29! We are sailing on Oct 2 and there are NO inside or oceanview rooms left, only veranda.

 

[Kanga1]

Exactly.
Normally, travel agents will have "blocks" of rooms held back for them, to sell to their clients. Disney is pulling all of the "blocks" away from the travel agents so that people will only be able to book through DCL.
So far, it's inside staterooms and oceanview.

Does this affect CURRENT bookings or just NEW ones?

 

[Kurby]

soooooo does that mean that we will no longer be able to book through Dreams Unlimited?

i don't mind booking right through DCL but we booked our past cruise through Dreams and it worked out just fine for us.

 

[jdybnsn]

So what happens to existing bookings

 

[disneymagicgirl]

So what happens to existing bookings

I don't think anything will happen. Just big price increases for those who have not already booked.

 

[HallsofVA]

The Passporter folks just posted various pictures on facebook of rooms 8504 (Corner 9A room) and 8500 (Forward facing 9A room). I feel better about room 8006 now, but don't see where a 4th person would sleep, and my family of 4 has that room booked for our August Dream cruise.

Room 8504, corner 9A room (8006 should look the same, in reverse):

Room 8500, accessible 9A room:

 

[dsnydaddy]

fascinating

 

[HallsofVA]

The person who stayed in 8504 (seaulator) confirmed that there is a 4th bed in room 8504. Here's what she wrote in answer to some of the questions:

"Answers to questions: no ceiling was not too low and the bunk bed is to the right of the master bed coming out of the ceiling where you can see the picture of the ship on the wall."

So it sounds like there is a bunk bed closer to the door, then the main bed, and the sofa bed is separate over by the window. So now I'm really not liking the layout, since it sounds like the kids will be in two separate places, and no easy way at all to block off their beds at night or during nap time.

But there is a lot of space in the room!

 

[ibouncetoo]

The person who stayed in 8504 (seaulator) confirmed that there is a 4th bed in room 8504. Here's what she wrote in answer to some of the questions:

"Answers to questions: no ceiling was not too low and the bunk bed is to the right of the master bed coming out of the ceiling where you can see the picture of the ship on the wall."

So it sounds like there is a bunk bed closer to the door, then the main bed, and the sofa bed is separate over by the window. So now I'm really not liking the layout, since it sounds like the kids will be in two separate places, and no easy way at all to block off their beds at night or during nap time.

But there is a lot of space in the room!

Where's the desk/vanity/drawers/refridgerator and TV? (I can't belive Linda didn't take photos of them...she should know better...)

.

 

[justmestace]

I wish they were doing it just one week further than Sept 29! We are sailing on Oct 2 and there are NO inside or oceanview rooms left, only veranda.

If Disney takes the rooms from the travel agents, they will probably have some inside and oceanview available on their website, if not on Friday, then at least over the weekend or by Monday.

 

[justmestace]

Does this affect CURRENT bookings or just NEW ones?

Just new bookings.....and only (so far) the dates that I listed. No changes if you're already booked.

 

[justmestace]

soooooo does that mean that we will no longer be able to book through Dreams Unlimited?

I don't mind booking right through DCL but we booked our past cruise through Dreams and it worked out just fine for us.

I can't say 100% for sure. I'm having trouble believing that DCL would pull all of Dreams' rooms....but the TA that I use is also another huge agency for Disney bookings....so that being said, it's possible.

I don't mind handling my own booking. It's easier for making payments and seeing what my balance is, etc. But if you really wanted to use Dreams and want to book during those dates, I'd go ahead and contact them first, just to see if they have something.

 

[HallsofVA]

I can't say 100% for sure. I'm having trouble believing that DCL would pull all of Dreams' rooms....but the TA that I use is also another huge agency for Disney bookings....so that being said, it's possible.

I don't mind handling my own booking. It's easier for making payments and seeing what my balance is, etc. But if you really wanted to use Dreams and want to book during those dates, I'd go ahead and contact them first, just to see if they have something.

I'm late to this discussion, but assumed it related only to the situations where a TA (such as one that can't be mentioned here) has a bunch of rooms reserved usually at opening day prices, and then continues to offer them to customers after prices have risen or availability has waned. Is that what this is referring to? I wouldn't think it would impact our ability to book through a TA, just further impacting the ability to book something through a TA at a lower price than can be booked through DCL.

Our first cruise in 2005, we hooked up with a AAA group from IL who had blocked out a bunch of rooms at tier 1 prices. It saved us about $1000 for the 3 rooms that we booked by booking through them than through DCL or DU. I'd heard that DCL had made it much more difficult for agencies to do that, and I hadn't really seen similiar offers available until I noticed a certain TA's website listing inventory of rooms available on otherwise sold out cruises recently. Same agency posted this week that they were about to lose their remaining rooms, so I assumed this was all related to what you were referring to.

But if they do that, it doesn't seem like it would impact my ability to book through an agency, though it could influence which agency I book through if I can't get a discount or something that one agency offers (like a room in a sold out category) that another agency or DCL does not.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Exactly.
Normally, travel agents will have "blocks" of rooms held back for them, to sell to their clients. Disney is pulling all of the "blocks" away from the travel agents so that people will only be able to book through DCL.
So far, it's inside staterooms and oceanview.

The Passporter folks just posted various pictures on facebook of rooms 8504 (Corner 9A room) and 8500 (Forward facing 9A room). I feel better about room 8006 now, but don't see where a 4th person would sleep, and my family of 4 has that room booked for our August Dream cruise.

Room 8504, corner 9A room (8006 should look the same, in reverse):

Room 8500, accessible 9A room:

Honestly I would not like that room- even for the two of us.
Again no curtain divider? And no tv if you're on the couch? Matter of fact I don't even see where the dresser/tv is- so I assume it's across the foot of the bed at that wall there. Nah, I would not like this. I guess some might like it. It does look like it might "feel" more roomy...

I just realized. I can't unlink our rooms on the next cruises hoping that on 5/3 Alaskan we might get "free upgraded" (it's one of the KSF cruises now) because I don't want to end up in one of these funky shaped, tv in in the wrong place, no curtain divider rooms! No split bath wouldn't matter- we're in cat 11 sideways cabin now... but that stuff would. I reckon I'll keep the rooms linked and hope they don't free upgrade both rooms and then see what we might be able to pay to upgrade at port. If anything. Yes I said it. I'd rather stay in an inside sideways cabin- than this one pictured..even if I didn't have to pay extra.

Exactly.
Normally, travel agents will have "blocks" of rooms held back for them, to sell to their clients. Disney is pulling all of the "blocks" away from the travel agents so that people will only be able to book through DCL.
So far, it's inside staterooms and oceanview.

I was going to say something to the effect of below:

I'm late to this discussion, but assumed it related only to the situations where a TA (such as one that can't be mentioned here) has a bunch of rooms reserved usually at opening day prices, and then continues to offer them to customers after prices have risen or availability has waned. Is that what this is referring to? I wouldn't think it would impact our ability to book through a TA, just further impacting the ability to book something through a TA at a lower price than can be booked through DCL.

Our first cruise in 2005, we hooked up with a AAA group from IL who had blocked out a bunch of rooms at tier 1 prices. It saved us about $1000 for the 3 rooms that we booked by booking through them than through DCL or DU. I'd heard that DCL had made it much more difficult for agencies to do that, and I hadn't really seen similiar offers available until I noticed a certain TA's website listing inventory of rooms available on otherwise sold out cruises recently. Same agency posted this week that they were about to lose their remaining rooms, so I assumed this was all related to what you were referring to.

But if they do that, it doesn't seem like it would impact my ability to book through an agency, though it could influence which agency I book through if I can't get a discount or something that one agency offers (like a room in a sold out category) that another agency or DCL does not.

this is all they meant.. they can no longer hold rooms to let their customers book them at the lower rate. I can still call that TA and have him book a room for me thru DCL same as he did when like wanting a cat 3 room which they DEFINITELY couldn't "block" off and hold. LOL

It just may mean can't get it at a lower price.... same as any other category that they don't have "blocked"/holding. At least this is the way I understand it?

 

[ibouncetoo]

I just realized. I can't unlink our rooms on the next cruises hoping that on 5/3 Alaskan we might get "free upgraded" (it's one of the KSF cruises now) because I don't want to end up in one of these funky shaped, tv in in the wrong place, no curtain divider rooms! No split bath wouldn't matter- we're in cat 11 sideways cabin now... but that stuff would. I reckon I'll keep the rooms linked and hope they don't free upgrade both rooms and then see what we might be able to pay to upgrade at port. If anything. Yes I said it. I'd rather stay in an inside sideways cabin- than this one pictured..even if I didn't have to pay extra.

You don't have to worry...as you will be on the WONDER for the Alaska cruise!

Just yesterday I said something about meeting in Pink for the Alaska cruise Aren't we lucky girls to be able to have two cruises to get mixed up on?

.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

You don't have to worry...as you will be on the WONDER for the Alaska cruise!

Just yesterday I said something about meeting in Pink for the Alaska cruise Aren't we lucky girls to be able to have two cruises to get mixed up on?

.

Oh yeah. We are gonna be on the Wonder! Thanks.... I will call my TA to unlink us then. haha
I was forgetting it's not till this SUMMER that we're on Dream.
I'm such a goober sometimes. LOL

(and yes, lucky. I'm not used to it! Usually once a year at most- sometimes 2yrs in between cruises. this is a new thing to me LOL)

 

[MASrules]

Thanks for posting the 8504 pictures. I have this room booked for Feb 20th and April 2012, and I think it looks fantastic!!! This category is one of the cheapest on the ship, and that room is big! I don't care that the beds are separated, or that the TV is not on the "correct" wall (whatever wall that is). What I care about is that every time I get in a stateroom, I feel cramped. It looks like this room will have a great roomy feeling for a reasonable price.

I was worried about the view as I was looking forward to a forward facing view, and it looks like it will be great.

I am very excited about this room, and no one will havehave to worry about getting upgraded to this room when I am on the ship, because no way will I give it up as it looks like the most square feet per $ on the ship!

 

[HallsofVA]

Here's yet some additional information on 8504 while we await additional pictures, promised by both seaulator and my TA:

"I have some pics but haven't downloaded yet. Probably can't get til this weekend. When you walk in room, you have a long hall passing closets (2) and then room opens up. Dresser is on right, after dresser is bunk bed. To the left of the bunkbed is the master bed and then all the way to the left by the front window is the couch that makes into a bed. Hope that helps a little."

The person who stayed in 8504 (seaulator) confirmed that there is a 4th bed in room 8504. Here's what she wrote in answer to some of the questions:

"Answers to questions: no ceiling was not too low and the bunk bed is to the right of the master bed coming out of the ceiling where you can see the picture of the ship on the wall."

So it sounds like there is a bunk bed closer to the door, then the main bed, and the sofa bed is separate over by the window. So now I'm really not liking the layout, since it sounds like the kids will be in two separate places, and no easy way at all to block off their beds at night or during nap time.

But there is a lot of space in the room!