From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 4

[RRBB]

we've stayed there 4 or 5 times. it is like all the hyatts, nice enough room, nice gym, restuarant is fine but nothing special. What we use to really appreciate was the DCL touch. From the moment we got off the plane it was as if DCL was taking care of you. They would pickup our luggage from the luggage claim and deliver to our room. There would be a welcome envelope for us when we checked in. instructions for the setting out our luggage later that night and how to check in the next day were included. The next morning one person from our party would go to the lobby to check in. There a DCL rep would ask about when we would be ready to take the bus to the ship and schedule our bus time. We waited in the comfort of the lobby, sitting on couches drinking coffee until someone walked us down to a bus waiting for the hyatt guests. it made the cost of staying there worth it.
The last time we stayed there it was a very different DCL experience. The hotel was the same but we had to get our own luggage and then schlep it upstairs and it is a loong ways to the hotal. Get a cart. there were instructions for check-in the next morning. They do come pickup for luggage but you don't put it into the hall, they come to your room to get it. The biggest change is the morning check-in, you no longer get to check-in and wait in the lobby. You now go downstairs where all check-ins are done for all buses to DCL and all the park hotels. The instructions said only one person in your party needed to check-in and the counter opened at 7:00.
When I got there, a few minutes after 7:00, I was in second line. there were two people working the DCL line and 6 or8 the parks lines. There was no one in line for the parks, and those cast members were busy looking at and laughing at some cheesy website. I waited 45 minutes until someone helped me only to be told that everyone in my party had to be there. we had to have checked out of the hotel and be ready to get on a bus before they could help me. Once I walked back to my room, got my DH and checked out we had to go back down and get into the DCL line again. From that line we got into a huge line with everyone else going to any Disney destination. As me moved to the head of the line they directed us to the correct bus; specific hotel, park, or ship.
When we got to the ship we still had to go through the check-ins at the pier.
The only advantage now is the picking up of your luggage at your room and taking it to the ship. If you book direct with the hyatt the price can be better and you can cancel without a penalty within 24 hours. But, we'll most likely book with disney again.

Wow, thanks for the insight. Do you have to book through Disney to get them to pick up your luggage?

 

[RRBB]

We are also staying at the Hyatt the night before, maybe the hyatt people could have their own meet at the airport? Phil

That would be nice. We're scheduled to arrive around 2:30 or so. I'm just so paranoid about bad weather - after all the nasty stuff last year - so we're taking an early flight out to, hopefully, avoid any potential delays. I Do Not want to miss the boat!

 

[RRBB]

ANybody for a meet in Scotland????????????



Thought not

Love to, but just do't think I can swing it right now. But I'll keep it in mind for sometime AFTER the cruise! Been to Scotland a couple times and loved it both times. So beautiful!!

 

[valbob89]

Wow, thanks for the insight. Do you have to book through Disney to get them to pick up your luggage?

I don't know but had the same question. Think I will call and ask and let you know. The people picking up are Hyatt bell boys so maybe I'll call and just ask. Will let you know.

Val

 

[valbob89]

Wow, thanks for the insight. Do you have to book through Disney to get them to pick up your luggage?

Something else I should have said was this was about 9 months ago. Maybe enough people complained (I didn't) and they have reinstated the old service. I'll ask the Hyatt when I call. Val

 

[valbob89]

I called DCL and the Hyatt.
DCL said the price to book the Hyatt in conjunction with your cruise, 1 night, 2 adults is $215.
The concierge at the Hyatt confirms the the experience we had the last time we stayed there is still the policy. The only thing they do is give you the info package and pick up your luggage from your room the morning of the cruise. You go downstairs for everything else.
He did tell me you can book your own reservation and have the concierge arrange for luggage pickup to go to the ship. However, Disney charges $25 for the transporting of 1-6 bags from the Hyatt to the ship. DCL said if I buy the transfers to the ship, one way $35 per person they would not charge the $25 luggage fee, just tell the concierge the night before. Bottomline, if they both know what they are talking about, if you can get the room for less then $215, it sounds like a better deal.

A while back we had to cancel a cruise after the final pay date. I did not have Disney insurance. Disney would not refund the Hyatt reservation amount even though the Hyatt policy is full refund if canceled 24 hours before arrival. Travel Guard, my travel insurance, refunded me the full amount. I wasn't trying to get double payment, only felt that because they could rent the room out no one should be penalized.

val

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

ANybody for a meet in Scotland????????????



Thought not

I would love to! Unfortunately..I just don't think it's going to be before the cruise!

 

[Brooklyn]

Annual passholders can get rooms on the 21st and 22nd at HoJo Anaheim for a big discount! You must be a current AP holder, they are really strict about checking this at the hotel.

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder Retro Rate::

$59 per night + tax for a Standard Room with one king bed [NK1], a Standard Room with two oversized double beds [NDD1] or a Standard Room two queen beds [NQQ3]

$69 per night + tax for a Deluxe Room with two queen beds [NQQ2]

$79 per night + tax for a Premium Disney View Room with two queen beds [NQQ1]

$99 per night + tax for a Kids Suite with one king bed, twin bunk beds and a pull-out sleeper [SNK2]

The $59 rooms are our favorite and the $69 the least. The $59 and $79 are the same rooms but the $79 have a microwave and a view of DL.

You must call 714-776-6120 and ask for IN HOUSE RESERVATIONS to be able to book this.

Each passholder can book 2 rooms. The rooms go quick. I just noticed them adding these dates.

 

[kmitchel]

We will not get to fly out of LA until Saturday and I just can't find something fun to do or where I should stay in LA. I will be with my 9 year old son, but we live close to Disney World and I didn't think he would be impressed by Disneyland and we would only get one afternoon in the parks anyway.

Thanks!

 

[Cindy Girl]

ANybody for a meet in Scotland????????????



Thought not

I'd love too....just need the $$$ Ahh someday I will get to the land of my forefathers!!

 

[valbob89]

We will not get to fly out of LA until Saturday and I just can't find something fun to do or where I should stay in LA. I will be with my 9 year old son, but we live close to Disney World and I didn't think he would be impressed by Disneyland and we would only get one afternoon in the parks anyway.

Thanks!

There is so much to do in Southern California - if you have a car. I am sure the many cruisers from Southern California can give you a lot of ideas. Look into Lego land. There is also the San Diego Zoo. Do you or your son have any special interests? val

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Love to, but just do't think I can swing it right now. But I'll keep it in mind for sometime AFTER the cruise! Been to Scotland a couple times and loved it both times. So beautiful!!

I would love to! Unfortunately..I just don't think it's going to be before the cruise!

I'd love too....just need the $$$ Ahh someday I will get to the land of my forefathers!!

I am going to hold you all to that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[valbob89]

Concern was expressed about the risk of taking a non-disney tour should there be some reason you don't return to the ship by the sail-away time. I appreciate that many of you responded to my request for past experiences and your thoughts on this issue. A number of you recalled times the ship waited for late returners, even non-disney tours, and one of you mentioned a time the ship left. Seemed many of the situations involved people not knowing or watching the time they had to be back. Some of you mentioned the tour providers make their livings off these tours and if they don't get the people back in time the word will spread and they would will be out of business. Because of this, they do everything they can to make sure this doesn't happen.

My response was we had built in extra time to make sure we get back in time. But, it is our tour so we can eliminate or shorten anything we want to make sure we are back even sooner. I indicated I would contact Alvaro, of Odssey tours, seeking his response to the question. I have heard back from him on a couple of issues. Here are the questions and his responses:

? Will there be a driver and tour guide with us or does the guide do the driving?

Ans. Two people, experienced driver and knowledge nature guide.


? Have you ever had a problem with getting a group back to a ship before it left? What would happen if your van had a mechanical problem? What about a delay due to an accident on the road?

Ans. We never had any problem as missing the ship, once we had a situation with traffic delay but our knowleadge of roads in our country let us finish that tour before the ship leave, this issue happen on a tour people asked to Arenal volcano which is 3 hour away and we don't offer due to timing but that day they wanted to go there.
We give the best maintenance on our vehicles to skip any problem with them while doing a tour, but still if something happen we have back up vehicles just in case.
We can skip villa lapas and their souvenir to save over 30 minutes and stop on smaller shop for souvenirs closer to port.

Hope this helps with your decisions to join us on this tour. It would be great if you join us but only if you feel comfortable. We have 8 people who have said they definately want to go, so we've met the minium number to make it a go. However, we can get a larger vehicle or multiple vans if more of you want to come - I really think it should be a blast and the more of us the more fun. PM if you want to be added to the list of cruisers on this tour.

Val

 

[LindaBabe]

Good morning all!

All this meeting up is making me wondering if we should have an Aussie meet!

Just wondering if anyone has had experiences of parcels getting sent to their WDW resort prior to their arrival? Is it a done thing? Just wondering as we're thinking of buying pre-paid phones/wi-fi internet modems and getting it sent to POR. We won't have a car.

I have always had good luck sending things or having things sent to my Disney hotel. When giving shipping directions, have them mark the packages with your name (guest) address of the hotel and note HOLD FOR CHECK IN (date) RESERVATION #.

A friend of mine shipped her FE gifts and toiletries to Coronado Springs via UPS. The toiletries got there, the FE gifts did not. But hers is the only negative experience I have heard. I will most likely be shipping a box to my resort this time.

We will not get to fly out of LA until Saturday and I just can't find something fun to do or where I should stay in LA. I will be with my 9 year old son, but we live close to Disney World and I didn't think he would be impressed by Disneyland and we would only get one afternoon in the parks anyway.

Thanks!

There's TONS to do in southern California - if you have a car. If you're not going to have a car then stay in a hotel where you can get a Gray Line tour.

Here is a link to tours in general http://www.alllosangelestours.com/?pref=02&aid=ltg1445&gclid=CM7rp4aV4qQCFRpO5Qod7zrjKQ

Link to Gray LIne http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/destinations/us/losangeles.go

Suggestions

Knotts Berry Farm (Have a chicken dinner)

California Adventure instead of Disneyland proper

Universal Studios
6 Flags Magic Mountain
La Brea Tar Pits
The observatory
A Beach
The Getty

Google, I'm sure there are tons more.

 

[KayR]

Annual passholders can get rooms on the 21st and 22nd at HoJo Anaheim for a big discount! You must be a current AP holder, they are really strict about checking this at the hotel.

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder Retro Rate::

$59 per night + tax for a Standard Room with one king bed [NK1], a Standard Room with two oversized double beds [NDD1] or a Standard Room two queen beds [NQQ3]

$69 per night + tax for a Deluxe Room with two queen beds [NQQ2]

$79 per night + tax for a Premium Disney View Room with two queen beds [NQQ1]

$99 per night + tax for a Kids Suite with one king bed, twin bunk beds and a pull-out sleeper [SNK2]

The $59 rooms are our favorite and the $69 the least. The $59 and $79 are the same rooms but the $79 have a microwave and a view of DL.

You must call 714-776-6120 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************714-776-6120******end_of_the_skype_highlighting and ask for IN HOUSE RESERVATIONS to be able to book this.

Each passholder can book 2 rooms. The rooms go quick. I just noticed them adding these dates.

This sounds the same as the entertainment book rate, so if you get the entertainment book, you can often get a discounted rate at the HoJo. They do check that you have a current card when you check in.

-Kay

 

[shushh]

I have always had good luck sending things or having things sent to my Disney hotel. When giving shipping directions, have them mark the packages with your name (guest) address of the hotel and note HOLD FOR CHECK IN (date) RESERVATION #.

Thanks for that info Linda!

 

[sak0526]

I called DCL and the Hyatt.
DCL said the price to book the Hyatt inconjunction with your cruise, 1 night, 2 adults is $215.
The concierge at the Hyatt confirms the the experience we had the last time we stayed there is still the policy. The only thing they do is give you the info package and pickup your luggage from your room the morning of the cruise. You go downstairs for everything else.
He did tell me you can book your own reservation and have the concierge arrange for luggage pickup to go to the ship. However, Disney charges $25 for the transporting of 1-6 bags from the Hyatt to the ship. DCL said if I buy the transfers to the ship, one way $35 per person they would not charge the $25 luggage fee, just tell the concierge the night before. Bottomline, if they both know what they are talking about, if you can get the room for less then $215, it sounds like a better deal. val

maybe it's just me after a long miserable day at work but let me see if i get it:
you can get a room at hyatt for 215 and they'll take your luggage to the ship and you can sign in...to the ship or what???? right at the hotel. Or what do you do the morning of the cruise at the hotel?
or you can book possibly cheaper and the concierge will arrange shipping of luggage to hotel for what fee? or is it the disney fee?
or you can book possibly cheaper and arrane for DCL to take you for $35 each to the boat wth free luggage transportation.
What's the $25?
sorry, maybe like i said i'm just confused as there's so much rattleiing in this meager head...
thanks! (i often like lists anyway of choose this... or this... or this with the attendant costs and pitfalls/advantages)

sherri

 

[WaitingToMeetDumbo]

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!
CT Meetup - some of us are planning to meet in northern Connecticut on Sunday Morning, November 14th. We have a time and place decided. Is anyone else interested?

Happy Day, all!

We might be able to meet up that day! Let us know.

Russ & Judy

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Harole ann, do you ever get down to Baltimore? We'd meet you. There are 2 other families from this area but i cant get them to respond about meeting up. :-(

Baltimore would be a long drive for me.

i finally am starting to get excited again about this cruise!
Sherri

It really is a small world, isn't it??

Morning everyone. Sunny here but in the low 40's. Youngest DS gets home today for Fall break so I am looking forward to having him around for a few days. Love having my babies at home.

You just can't beat having your family at home. Enjoy every moment! We had a frost warning last night, but it did not happen. It has been a beautiful fall day with rain predicted for tomorrow. Hope it is clear for Friday for our high school Homecoming.

I went to eye doctor this afternoon and he put drops in my eyes to dialate them so I am not seeing too well yet. I am trying to stay away from the computer and TV.

We stayed at the airport Hyatt several times and they always picked up our luggage but I guess we did it thru Disney. It has been too long ago to remember. I always fear flying in day of cruise with weather. One December our flight got canceled and they flew us from Pittsburgh to Houston, Texas to Orlando. Believe it or not we got to the Magic Kingdom at 7:00 and walked straight in to our friends at Mickey's Christmas Party. I knew the cruise was going to be perfect if we made that connection after the flight we had to get there, and it was!

I got some little bubble blowers today at the Dollar Tree. Now we can be ready for the vowel renewal. Just mark the time and day on our reminders! They are tiny little bottles. I picked up 18 of them.

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

We will not get to fly out of LA until Saturday and I just can't find something fun to do or where I should stay in LA. I will be with my 9 year old son, but we live close to Disney World and I didn't think he would be impressed by Disneyland and we would only get one afternoon in the parks anyway.

Thanks!

DH has wanted to see the La Brea Tar Pits since he was about your son's age. http://www.tarpits.org/ Your son might really enjoy it. You can get a lot of good information at the library or the internet if he wants to read about it. Good luck!