Got our documents (venting)

[mickey12810]

We received our documents today and was not too happy with our flight reservations. We are flying out of Providence at 6:15am which I don't mind but we are going into Melbourne Airport instead of Orlando!!!! What's a Disney trip without going to Orlando International! Has anyone ever gone to Melbourne? What is it like? DCL is suppose to be meeting us there and we are taking a Mears bus to our hotel. I wanted a DCL bus! This is not turning into a nice trip. I'm sure once I get there I will be fine. Actually after screaming at my travel agent about not doing anything about this and talking directly to DCL and they said nothing else is available I guess I am getting there about being fine with this arrangement. We paid for DCL transfers and we were under the impression that we did not have to handle our own luggage like last time but this is not the case at Melbourne because DCL does not have a contract with any other airport except Orlando. Needless to say my Dad who booked this trip for all 15 of us is definately not a happy camper. I'm sure we will have a great time. How can you not at the Happiest Place on Earth!

 

[Tammy_in_NC]

We used to live in Melbourne. Personally, I think that airport is closer to Port Canaveral than Orlando. It is smaller, of course. It will be fine.

That is definately not worth stressing over !!

 

[bigtime]

mickey12810

I feel your pain. I too recieved my docs today only to find out that out of the 5ppl going MY docs were missing!! No Diamond Discount card from AAA and no Coupons to redeem for the drink mugs, In other word NONE of the perks of booking w/AAA were there This is the 3rd mess up my travel agent has made I am sooooo dissapointed in the service from AAA. Never Again! DU only! Hopefully we're saving all the MAGIC for the cruise!!! Hopefully all will be right
Have a MAGICAL Cruise


DEE

 

[mickey12810]

I would not mind if we were taking the cruise first, but we have a land and sea and we are staying at the Polynesian first then cruising. I have heard that it is an hour and a half trip to the Orlando area from Melbourne. And after being on a plane for about 5 hours (it is not a non stop flight) the last thing I really wanted to do was ride on a bus for another hour and a half. Sorry if I seem like I am complaining but this trip was booked a year ago. I just thought that they would be able to do better on the flights.

 

[house_of_princesses]

Look at it this way, for once it's not the journey, but the destination! If you arrive safe and on time to the port, all is wonderful! Mears is a fine bus line, Melbourne is much easier to navigate (and is closer) and who knows? They may surprise you and start the magic early!

Have fun!

 

[bigtime]

Yikes mickey12810


You deserve a fruit basket tooooo

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

after being on a plane for about 5 hours (it is not a non stop flight)

I'd hope a 5-hour flight Providence to Melbourne is NOT a non-stop flight or else birds are going to pass you on the way...

NONE of the perks of booking w/AAA were there

Seems as though your AAA agent missed some AA meetings...

Look at it this way, for once it's not the journey, but the destination!

I agree completely!!!

 

[winddancer]

Hi there! I feel your pain to some extent.

We live in So. Cal. and therefore have to fly in the night before. My docs arrived last Friday (finally) and I was surprised to find that they had us on a 6:20 am flight to Salt Lake City. From there we get a flight to Orlando. Why am I heading north to go east??? Last time I flew through DFW and was looking forward to Dickies BBQ. Now I can't even get caffine in between flights. Aak.

Well we are at least landing in Orlando and I can spend the evening with my cousin whom I haven't seen in 7 years.

 

[aprilgail2]

This is a perfect reason why people should really look into booking their own airfare instead of taking a chance with Disneys....I would never book a flight that is not nonstop and I really like to pick the times I fly even fly in a day early. When we took a cruise out of California we booked our own airfare since we wanted to fly in a week early and check out the sights before cruising...

 

[my3kids]

bigtime: Look in your document booklet. I think the AAA items might be around where the luggage tags are....a tear out page that had the information on the mugs and such.

 

[Jeanny]

That is exactly why I'm making our flight arrangements out of PVD. It's usually only 2 hrs & 49 minutes. I booke our cruise through DU and they said I could make my own flight arrangements as they usually don't book a non-stop flight. From looking at all the prices (so far) non-stop looks the cheapest any way!

We're flying down the night before, because in January, I don't want to take any chances with the weather and I don't want to be at the airport at 5:30 a.m. again, which means either getting up at 3:30 a.m. or spending money to stay at the Radisson across the street from PVD. I'd much rather spend the money to stay at the Radisson at the Port or the Hyatt at MCO.

Jeanny

 

[mmouse37]

It is always a gamble taking air with any cruiseline.....DCL even states in the brochure that flights are not always into Orlando and not always non-stop...sometimes families are not even on the same flights.

MJ

 

[Moosysmom]

When we booked, the travel agent quoted us almost $500.00 more for Disney air. I said we will book our own and purchase the transfers. When we went to the airport on Saturday, we had our luggage, and we brought it to the truck (not really a big deal). Because airfare's were high, we did pay about $350. but still cheaper than Disney air.

 

[Hygiene99]

Mickey 12810

the flight time is only 2 hours 45 min. if u have a non stop flight
if that helps not 5 hours
Sorry mis read post thought u had nonstop....
good luck peter

 

[mrossi]

I too wiill never let Disney book my travel!!!! We are going from Baltimore, MD, to orlando, and have to connect. Getting there isn't bad, but on the return we have a 3 hour lay over. When I checked into it, we found out that there was an open flight that would have gotten us home much earlier, when we questioned Disney, they replied that they did not block seats on that flight, that we had to wait the three hours. And we paid alot of money for these flights!!!! I could have booked Southwest, saved about 150 per ticket, and gotten in and out much quicker!!! I will never leave things up to them again!!!

 

[shelly3girls]

Even though you booked a year ago, airlines have had major cutbacks since then. I don't know how and when DCL books airfare, but they may not have had much control over the situation if your airline has eliminated many flights. We are traveling in May and had major changes to our flights.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I've booked with DCL myself and booked my airfare seperately. It was much less. DCL only books out of Ohare in Chicago. Being a South sider we fly ATA out of Midway. 189.00 per person Thanksgiving day. DCL called about two weeks prior to get our flight number and times. The only negative to not using one of their carriers is after disembarking you chase your luggage and their carriers take it directly to airport. When we were cancelled Nov. 2002 DCL didn't offer to take care of airfare, and it wasn't covered under their insurance due to me booking seperately and cancelling the day before our departure. I believe airfare was refunded to all those who booked thru DCL.

 

[jrabbit]

DCL Busses are owned and operated by Mears (the drivers are Mears employees) - so no difference there. Probably won't get the nice movie about the cruise on the way to the port and the bus won't look like the DCL busses.

Never been to the Melborne airport. MCO is very nice, but the last time there getting through security was absolutely ridiculous! It was easier at other airports we were at during the height of Christmas travel. Maybe getting through security at Melborne will be easier.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

What's the airport code for Melbourne?

 

[luv2tvl]

Hopefully I can help with a couple of the issues mentioned...
I work in the air/sea department of another *gasp* cruise line....

Please don't throw things at me....

The easiest way to avoid any of these problems is to just book your own air. People that are very picky and want specific flts and times should never book with the cruise line because you will never be satisifed. If you have the money you can pay the "deviation" fee with the airline to pick specific flights and times and then you are guaranteed what you want.....

Cruise lines work with most of the major carriers in "contract bulk rates" and when those rates and seats are gone they then have to book alternative airports, schedules, ect.... That's why some of the things mentioned happen it's all about availibility!

I understand all of your frustrations (believe me, I really do.... it's my job to help travel agents with these very concerns every day), but on the same token you have to take the good with the bad.

One plus to having your air done with the cruise line is if something would happen on your flight, like delays or cancellations, Disney is responsible for you! They will work with the carrier to get you to the ship on time and in one piece. If you did your own air and you are delayed or miss the boat, you are at your own expense to get yourself to the next port!

Hope that helps!