Help-complicated booking issues....

[MTMom]

OK, this post will probably appeal to those DIS diehards who love a challenge. I am trying to figure out the best and cheapest way to book the following vacation itinerary.

2 days at Universal Studios (on-site Portofino Hotel) followed by
4 day Disney cruise followed by
3 days at WDW (Beach Club)

As you can see, there are many variables to think about and my brain hurts from all the possibilities. So far, I have priced it completely seperately (booking hotel-only, ticket-only, cruise-only, transfers-only and airfare) and also grouped into "vacation packages" (room+tickets+air, cruise, transportation). The price difference is negligible, but the cancellation policies are much less restrictive when booking room-only (thus avoiding trip insurance fees). I still will pay the insurance on the cruise.

I am the most confused about the transportation options. I can't figure out what would be included if I book room-only vs. a package (Disney's magical express). Also, we really enjoy the Disney Cruise Line transportation (the bus ride to Port Canaveral gets the kids all excited!), but can we ride from the Portofino to Port Can and then back to Disney's Beach Club?

Like I said, this is a real challange and quite a puzzle to put together. I am hoping that all you Disney experts out there can give me some valuable pointers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You will need to make your own transportation arrangements from Universal to Port Canaveral. Disney won't pick you up at Universal.

You likely CAN make your own arrangements to get back to the airport, then use the DCL transportation (which you reserved in advance) to get to the port. You should also be able to arrange - again, in advance - to use Disney transportation to get from the port to BC.

 

[Catrinabeach]

When we were doing a split trip like that we combined our trip transport.

When we went to Universal first I booked a shuttle service to take us from the airport to Universal, and then from Universal to Pop Century. Then when we left Pop Century I used ME which we had arranged in advance.

When we did Disney first we used ME from the airport to Pop and then used the shuttle service from Pop to Universal and then from Universal to the Airport.


What about using a shuttle service from the airport to Universal, Then from Universal to the Port and then Disney's ME from the Port to Disney.

 

[kaytieeldr]

DME doesn't travel between Port Canaveral and Walt Disney World. It only goes from the airport to the resorts and back.

Cruise Guests booking individual components would need to either:
- book transfers from the port to the airport (at a cost), then check in at the DME Welcome Center for their pre-reserved DME transport; or
- book transfers from the port directly to their Disney resort (again, at a cost), or
- make their own, non-Disney transfer/transport arrangements