June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[mndisfam]

I have always wondered if Cal DVCers use their points in DL or the World.

We are really excited for this trip - my DH had major heart valve repair surgery at Xmas, and this trip - like our cruise we just took, is a real "carpe diem" excursion...

Lots of people are critical of us (like what do we care of opinions anyway) for taking the kids - who will be 8 & 11 on a trip to Europe. "They won't get anything out of it," etc.

I don't think that's true - but if we wait long enough for them to be the perfect age, Dad might not be around. Its not something you can dwell on...We could go by ourselves, but he really wants to spend time with them...We want to be together as much as we can as a family.

My DH's prognosis as of now is excellant. The other life factor compelling us to travel as much as we can is the kids are growing up too fast!

 

[taysmom]

I got the same response from people...she's so young to go to europe..but if not now when...I won't be able to pay for college and take her fabulous places...so they need to deal with it! hahaha. This trip actually satisfys both our needs. I have always wanted to go to italy and she has wanted to go on a disney cruise. We've done a non disney cruise and she had fun so i'm looking forward to it. I definately use my points at DL and after this cruise, i plan to use in hawaii too. I don't know if we'll ever get to WDW, maybe if we do a carribean cruise and add on a couple days. I LOVE DL. Have been going there faithfully 2-3 times a year since I was a child! It's nice to see so many other people with kids going to on the med. The DVC booking agent said that there weren't many kids on the canal trip and said might be the case with the med.

 

[4kidsandadog]

Taysmom, we went to DL for the first time this past Feb. (We are new Californians... military) Used our points at GC. But because there are 6 of us, it took a lot more points there than it would at a WDW DVC resort! We enjoyed DL, but our hearts are at WDW.

We will probably try for a suite in 2008. After having a Cat. 2 on our last cruise, doing 2 rooms just doesn't seem right.

 

[taysmom]

Karen
I've found that with kids, it's nice to stay at paradise pier conceirge level. It's about the same as GC view room, but you get the extra service. Try that next time..and ask to stay on the 3rd floor, poolside. You have a great patio balcony. It's just a 5 min. walk across from GC. Keep that in mind if you try again. Plus I believe their rooms sleep 6..not comfortably, but we've had 7 in a room before...don't tell disney!

 

[mndisfam]

I grew up going to DL and was last there in 99 right b4 Cal Adventure was opened.

Now, we go down to WDW all 2 times a year or so. One time, I need to go back to SoCal and get back to DL and remember where it all started. In my memory, they are SO different - and some things are the same!

However, going back means dealing with the typical scary relatives - not on MY vacation!

 

[silver7]

We LOVE the GC, and I stayed at the PP for business this year. Cannot beat the theme park view! I love the concierge at GC also (did not stay concierge at the PP)

I must apologize, we are having technical difficulties with the website. . . we are working on it but may have to change sites. sorry!

 

[silver7]

HEY ALL!!

Some rooms just opened up on the pre stay!!


We just got Hilton Diagonal from 6/14-6/16!

 

[taysmom]

I just tried to book and it said no rooms available. Any suggestions? Does anyone know of any other hotels dcl is recommending? THX!

 

[silver7]

Hi There!

Call Disney tomorrow. They may have some of the rooms left.

Teresa

 

[DVC4US]

Hi All! Just checking in on Angie's(David's Mom) computer. We are still on the road looking at colleges.

We also got rooms through Disney and so did David's family. The only hotel they were able to get extra rooms through so far was the Hilton Diagonal. You will need to call DCL to see if they still have rooms because it sounds like they are not doing anything unless you ask. I had a waitlist request and I still had to call and then she had to get approval to add them. So, I would call DCL and see what you can do. David's family is booked through a TA and she called them this morning and they were able to get rooms. Hope everyone has good luck with the rooms and I check in again later this week.

Thanks Theresa for the tip-off. I really appreciate it.

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

I found a room available at Hilton Diagonal but they don't allow 4 people in it. For the price they're charging, I sure don't want to book 2 rooms! Has anyone else ran into this? Someone suggested saying we only have 3 people and book it that way but I'm not big into lying... I guess I should give in and give Disney a call and see what they have to say.
Has anyone checked back on the DCL website on the prices for this cruise? The room we booked has gone up $200 since I booked it in May.

 

[silver7]

We have 5 people and had to get two rooms also.

 

[taysmom]

I booked the cruise through DVC and called today. They do have rooms available at Diagonal. Price wasn't as bad as the hotels website. But the airfare they quoted through the cruise line was crazy! Any DVC member who booked through DVC have to call dvc to book hotels/airfare if needed through disney. DCL will NOT book for members.
Also, did anyone book outside dvc or dcl? I have some friends that were interested but the price was outside what they were interested in, is it less expensive to go through a TA? If yes, any suggestions of places to look?
thanks
Stephanie

 

[silver7]

Bumping

The website has been somewhat updated. If you have not pm'd me with your information please do so--we would love to add you to our group!!

 

[konslerg]

Also, did anyone book outside dvc or dcl? I have some friends that were interested but the price was outside what they were interested in, is it less expensive to go through a TA? If yes, any suggestions of places to look?

I booked through a travel agent for the cruise only. Price was the same as Disney, but the service is a lot more persoanlized and you usually get some sort of "stateroom gift" from the travel agency, sometimes even a stateroom credit. I'm not sure if it's "legal" to post travel agents/agencies here on DIS, so e-mail me privately if you'd like information.

Booked Hotel Barcelona Universal for the night before departure through Travelocity for $203 including breakfast ...but remember, if you book a hotel that is not one of the "Disney" hotels, you probably will not be able to use Disney transfers if that's important to you.

http://www.barcelonauniversalhotel.com/?gclid=CLufoon0k4YCFSMcSwodNTwo0g

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

Konslerg- How many people does the hotel you booked allow in the room? Everywhere I've checked say the max is 3. Are you planning on having a rental car to get to the terminal (since you're not using a "disney" hotel?) I'm worried about the luggage we'll have trying to get a taxi from the hotel to the ship. The taxis we've been in overseas have been pretty small.

 

[Skallywag]

We keep getting too far down the list for my liking - my fault as well have not posted for a while.

Hope everyone is o.k. Here in England it is so hot 101 here yesterday and predicting highter today. We are even higher than Miami I see - they only made 88 according to our papers.

Soon be able to book the flights then I will feel we are getting somewhere.

Regarding transport from airport - there is a site where you can pre-book I think but must admit it sounded expensive. May be best to see if your hotel actually can arrange something. Yes we do have small taxis but also they use these people carriers and that would be better for a larger group I think.

Our eldest daughter is off soon to Nephews wedding in Fiji via Kuala Lumpar, Singapore and Melbourne. Think she will need a holiday when she gets back.

Any more news on Disney opening any more vacancies in their hotels? Thought about booking Disney transportation from airport but am concerned about luggage. When they pick you up from hotel to ship does your luggage travel with you or separately?

 

[silver7]

Wow Brenda it is hotter there than here in Texas!

When I called the cruise line this morning I asked if any other hotels had opened up and they said no. So we wait. . .

ps

has anyone else seen the Samantha Brown series on Europe? It is helping me to know what expect at different ports.

 

[konslerg]

Konslerg- How many people does the hotel you booked allow in the room? Everywhere I've checked say the max is 3. Are you planning on having a rental car to get to the terminal (since you're not using a "disney" hotel?) I'm worried about the luggage we'll have trying to get a taxi from the hotel to the ship. The taxis we've been in overseas have been pretty small.

I have no idea how many people they allow per room. Since there are only 2 of us, it wasn't something I checked on.

We are not planning on renting a car. We'll just "taxi" it. Even though it's a long cruise, I'm not planning on a LOT of luggage. I'm going by the saying, "Take half as many clothes and twice as much money as you think you'll need." ;-)

Seriously, I'm not taking all that many clothes ...a couple pair of very lightweight black slacks, a couple black shells and maybe 4 "jackets" to go over them, plus a couple pair of shorts and t-shirt sets, swimwear and underwear. That's about it. We're on deck six ...a few doors from the laundry ;-)

 

[PURTYPAT1]

I'm bumping, since I think my DD who will be 13 next June 2007 & myself, will be booking the cruise. I am a tad nervous, but, thru these boards, I am feeling better. My DH doesn't want to fly.

Just got my quotes today thru AAA. I will check dinsey & see what price they are offering.

Thanks

Patricia