From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 3

[danfromca]

Just paid our balance and waiting for Dreams confirmation of payment comes through. Now onto flights. We always fly over a good few days before the cruise as I am stressed about delays or baggage not arriving, but up to press all has gone well.

We have been looking at Dec 31st to Jan 2nd for this trip. However, the flight price with one airline is considerable cheaper flying 2 days before the cruise, the 4th and John would like to fly then to save that money. They only fly over 3 days a week. I am already freaking out thinking about baggage not arriving, or worse still us not arriving. We are talking January weather here and snow etc. We wouldn't be able to pick up the ship till Aruba, and then that wouldn't be too easy. Oh dear.

How do you all cope with flying in so close?

The good news is you're going West - so if you take a morning flight, you arrive in Orlando the same day. If you have a non-stop from UK to Orlando on the 4th, odds are in your favor that at least you'll arrive on time - and you'd have a full day for your luggage to catch up if it gets delayed. Your biggest risk of luggage delay is if you transfer through Heathrow - be sure you pick flights with plenty of time to switch planes especially if you have to change terminals.

If you're changing flights in the U.S. (probably New York or Dulles) all bets are off - it will depend entirely on the weather. If a storm is hitting at the time you're flying, you may not make it. If not, odds are good.

 

[#1Yepod]

I have not called DCL but I noticed that when I tried to book transfers on-line, there were no transfers from the port to DL. Is anyone getting private transportations to GC/DL? We do not want to rent a car like we did last time becuase we will only be going to DL and we can get DVC tranportation from GC to LAX.

I think this might have been discussed before but I can't find the posts.

If you call DCL and request transfer to DL from port they will book it even though it doesn't show as an option yet. I was assured by CM that there will be transportation from the port. If you call let me know if they will book it for you. I will feel better about the transfer if I know others have booked it also.

On another note, if there are any WVU fans out there, please tell them to go easy on our CCU boys. It would be nice if they can spend the $350,000 they are getting on their football program and not on hospital bills.

 

[granmaz]

We arrive in Florida Dec. 22nd, board the Crown Princess on Dec, 23rd and return from that trip on Dec. 30th. Instead of flying home, we are staying with friends in the Tampa area and will drive to the port on Jan. 6th. But, even coming from Michigan, it isn't like the trip you have to make. If you leave 2 days before, when does that get you to FL? And how many stops? I may be with you and find it kind of 'freaky'. It will not save you any money if you have to get yourselves to Aruba. I would vote for one of the earlier days myself. Being in a panic about logistics is no way to start a vacation - in my opinion.

We would get to Orlando the same day (hopefully). Looking at Aer Lingus, Manchester to Dublin and Dublin to Orlando. If it was the Monday instead of Tuesday then I would have not problem. I think!!!

Its official , youre going
We are flying out on the tuesday the 4th, youre getting too far ahead of yourself re weather in jan, our flights were 570 with virgin, staying til the sund after the cruise.

Yes, I think I am going to be ok, and we do still have a few weeks that we can get the full amount back if we have to cancel. I think last winter's bad weather really made me think!!!
Apart from the health issues I have been waiting for Virgin's sale, but Orlando isn't included!! We are probably going to fly back to Orlando from LA after a few days and spend a month there. Cheaper and warmer.

The good news is you're going West - so if you take a morning flight, you arrive in Orlando the same day. If you have a non-stop from UK to Orlando on the 4th, odds are in your favor that at least you'll arrive on time - and you'd have a full day for your luggage to catch up if it gets delayed. Your biggest risk of luggage delay is if you transfer through Heathrow - be sure you pick flights with plenty of time to switch planes especially if you have to change terminals.

If you're changing flights in the U.S. (probably New York or Dulles) all bets are off - it will depend entirely on the weather. If a storm is hitting at the time you're flying, you may not make it. If not, odds are good.

You are right about arriving the same day. Problem with the airline we are looking at now is that they only fly Tues, Thurs and Sat! So, if our baggage doesn't arrive with us it will be too late on the Thursday. I think we will have to go with a more expensive airline and travel earlier. I was a bit worried about changing in NY before you mentioned it!!

 

[DVCinderella]

I was just wondering what everyone is doing in terms of trip insurance? Did you get it through DCL, travel agent, or shop around by yourself? How late can we wait before adding it? Does it have to be added before PIF date?

 

[granmaz]

We have an annual travel insurance policy. I think the latest time to get it is before PIF, though there is another 15 days before you lose all your money, so I guess just before then.

We have an annual policy, but would always get any travel insurance straight away otherwise.

 

[aan1701]

I was just wondering what everyone is doing in terms of trip insurance? Did you get it through DCL, travel agent, or shop around by yourself? How late can we wait before adding it? Does it have to be added before PIF date?

We just get the DCL insurance. Yes it may cost a little more, but we like havinging just the one bill. I think it needs to be added by PIF. Do not quote me on that. Best thing to do is give them a call

 

[danfromca]

I was just wondering what everyone is doing in terms of trip insurance? Did you get it through DCL, travel agent, or shop around by yourself? How late can we wait before adding it? Does it have to be added before PIF date?

I know this sounds a bit extreme... but we actually get 2 policies.

We carry the DCL insurance because we know that worst case, even if we can't go for some uncovered reason, we get full credit towards a future cruise.

Then we get a low cost policy - usually with TravelGuard, with low limits (under $500) but for the full period of the trip to cover the time before the cruise - flight/luggage issues - and high limit medical/emergency evacuation coverage).

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

I was just wondering what everyone is doing in terms of trip insurance? Did you get it through DCL, travel agent, or shop around by yourself? How late can we wait before adding it? Does it have to be added before PIF date?

I usually suggest that my clients go through the cruise line or through Travel Insured.

It usually has to be done by the PIF date.

 

[granmaz]

OK, now we are officially PIF as I have had the email from Dreams!!!

 

[WeLuvDCL]

PIF!

I plan on purchasing Travelex Select plan through www.squaremouth.com. It has $50,000 of PRIMARY insurance coverage and $500,000 evacuation coverage. This is the best I've found so far. You do not have to purchase by PIF. The only limits are if you don't purchase within 21 days of deposit (not PIF), pre-existing condition and cancel for any reason coverage is not included. I'll save about $100 by buying it through squaremouth instead of Travelex directly.

If you are doing a scuba diving excursion, chose your travel insurance carefully, read the fine print. Many do not cover underwater activities!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

We just get the DCL insurance. Yes it may cost a little more, but we like havinging just the one bill. I think it needs to be added by PIF. Do not quote me on that. Best thing to do is give them a call

I agree, extra cost but I like the simplicity- I dont feel like doing all the extra work/calculations on how much/what insurance to purchase from a third party.

Regarding when to fly in, if I were flying internationally I would come in at least 2 days early. But being domestic, I have no problem with the day before. This trip, we are coming 1/3, because we want to do WDW, but I've done the day before, before, and no problem- I always say that if the weather starts looking like it'll be bad, I'll just forgo the flight and drive down a few days earlier than planned- I have no worry because knowing I'm in driving distance (15 hours) I know I'll get there one way or another, but if I had an ocean in between me and the ship, thats another story

 

[JenKatt]

If you call DCL and request transfer to DL from port they will book it even though it doesn't show as an option yet. I was assured by CM that there will be transportation from the port. If you call let me know if they will book it for you. I will feel better about the transfer if I know others have booked it also.

On another note, if there are any WVU fans out there, please tell them to go easy on our CCU boys. It would be nice if they can spend the $350,000 they are getting on their football program and not on hospital bills.

Not really a WVU fan, but by proxy... my brother is in the doctoral program there... talk about a football town!

I was just wondering what everyone is doing in terms of trip insurance? Did you get it through DCL, travel agent, or shop around by yourself? How late can we wait before adding it? Does it have to be added before PIF date?

We use DCL's insurance. They've drastically dropped the price of the insurance.


We have a lot of bargain shoppers! I love a good bargain. Quite possibly my best one was at Macy's. I found a cashmere sweater that was orginally $250. I paid $10. I about danced in the store. My newest thing are shoes. Those I will buy online because the selection here in Florida stinks. It's flip flop country!. And I love designer shoes. I was able on 6pm.com to snag two pairs of Danskos (nursing shoes) for less than the price of one. And that's impossible to do in a regular store and have any sort of selection. I'm now on the hunt for a pair of shoes I saw on some celebrity and wanting them so very badly for this cruise. But I will not pay $1000 for them!

 

[sak0526]

Hmm you all have me thinking. Because we will not be able to use last years points or most of this years before we expire we paid 100% with DVC points. Can you buy trip insurance for that? And what happens since they expire (in our case in april)?

 

[#1Yepod]

Not really a WVU fan, but by proxy... my brother is in the doctoral program there... talk about a football town!

Don't we know it. we have two nieces who are WVU grads and their Dad is rabid during football season. One of the nieces sent my DH a crying towel and suggested he provide CCU with cases of ICY Hot pads, because they are going to need them.

Speaking of shopping, I was in JC Penney today and if anyone has a little boy, they had little boy dress up sets, long sleeve button down shirt, dress pants, tie and vest, on sale for $17.00. Not the bargain some of you have found, but a good price.

 

[danfromca]

It's interesting to note that while there is no category 12.. yet, it looks like category 11C has appeared again for our cruise, and it is quite a bit less expensive than 11B.

Otherwise, there continues to be availability in almost every other category.

 

[sak0526]

which brings me to a second question - if they do discounts, do those who paid by dvc points- do they get some back or upgraded or just lose on discounts? not a big deal - not as big as the insurance question - but curious

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

It's interesting to note that while there is no category 12.. yet, it looks like category 11C has appeared again for our cruise, and it is quite a bit less expensive than 11B.

Otherwise, there continues to be availability in almost every other category.

11C is the new category 12, so there will not be any 12's listed. If most categories are open now, I would think even more staterooms will be open after the official PIF date with people cancelling. I am anxious to see what Disney does closer to sail date.

ETA: Holly, welcome back! Linda has compiled a lot of great information on the first page of this thread. That would be a good place to start to get caught up with everything.

 

[Disneymoon0909]

Hi all!

Sorry it's been eons since I have written...in that time I have:

1. moved to Florida
2. become a castmember at Disney!
3. bought into DVC (BLT!!!)

So yeah, I have been busy! Since the hubby and I just made our final payment we wanted to jump on to see if there have been any developments on plans for cruise excitement (aka: bracelets, fish extenders, meet n greets) I have been checking the website as often as I can but didn't know if anyone would be kind enough to give me a quick rundown! Can't wait to see you all in a few months!!!!

Holly

 

[Tracyvp]

Woo HOO!! Today is PIF for us!!

We always purchase our trip insurance from InsureMyTrip. They have a website but I call and talk to a live agent because I always want everything explained to me.

I think it's a way better deal although I really haven't taken out my magnifying glass to examine all the fine print. I know you have at least a few days after PIF to purchase. We're all fairly healthy so we don't really worry about pre-existing conditions or anything like that but I suppose it could be a consideration for some.

 

[carmie3377]

Sorry it's been eons since I have written...in that time I have:

1. moved to Florida
2. become a castmember at Disney!
3. bought into DVC (BLT!!!)



Holly

WOW, on all three! I would love to live in Florida, would go back to work to be a castmember and we already own DVC. So 3 great things I'd definitely be ahppy about Congrats! What kind of CM are you?