Land and Sea check in at resort ?

[MickeyAnne]

This will be my first "grown up" vacation where I will be in charge of checking in and out and I am wondering if you all could help me.

We will be staying at the Caribean Beach Resort before we cruise. Has anyone ever stayed at this resort as part of their land and sea package? What is the check in procedure? What should I know?

Thanks!!!

 

[Bethipooh4]

HI there,
We just did the land/sea back in May and stayed at the CBR, while I am not a expert, here is what I found helpful and would recommend.
I don't know if you are using DCL transfers from the airport to the resort, then on to the ship.
When you get to the resort, make sure you have all your papers filled out and go to the DCL desk at the resort first before checking into the actual resort. Then go over and check in at the resort desk.
The day we departed for the cruise, we took advantage of having our bags picked up from our room, and went to the AK for the buffet and to take the DCL bus from there. You are also offered priority seating at a variety of the shows there. You can check your day bags at the DCL desk at the AK so you aren't dragging them through the park. We got picked up from the AK at noon, and were at the port by 1:15 and walked right onto the ship.
If you want more info or have any specific questions, I will be more then happy to answer them.
Beth

 

[rwade428]

we are planning on doing the AK on the morning we leave for the Wonder and previous poster mentioned a buffet at AK??.....please explain...first I've heard of this

 

[MickeyAnne]

Thank you Beth!!!

 

[jaysmom4285]

There is usually an option for you to spend the morning at the AK and have a character breakfast there. You can sign up at the DCL desk at your resort and they will make you a PS for breakfast. It's usually around 8, before the park actually opens. Then you have the rest of the morning to explore the park.

 

[rwade428]

thanks for the info

 

[Bethipooh4]

You're welcome MickeyAnne and if you have any other questions let me know.

Thanks Jaysmom for the quick reply.

We loved going to the buffet, once we were done we were already in the park, and headed straight to the ride the kids most wanted to go on. We also were offered priority seating at a choice of shows, and we chose the Lion King. We had front row seats, and the kids were thrilled. Even our hard to impress 21 yr old son was captivated.

 

[my3princesses]

Hmmm - didn't know about this option!

We have a PS for 1900 park fare as we are staying at Grand Flor. while at the park - we didn't think we would have time for AK at all so this would be a great option.

How would you get priority seating for the shows?

 

[weluv M&M]

I am interested to know how you schedule all these things....We were on a land/sea last June and did NOT do AK on the last day. All we were offered was transportation to the AK and from there to the ship. Do the CMs at the resort DCL desk arrange all these things? Once you are at AK how do you take advantage of the priority seating at the shows?
I must admit that all this makes AK, on the last day, seem very enjoyable.

 

[Jiffymom]

If you go to AK for breakfast do you have much time to see AK before the DCL Bus leaves for port? How much time do you actully get and when would you arrive at the ship?

 

[jaysmom4285]

WeluvM&M, we didn't find out about the AK option until we got to the resort. I think there was info in our room or that we were given. At any rate, the DCL desk will have all the info. You need to sign up if you want to go to AK and do the breakfast. I believe we were given coupons or vouchers or something like that which entitled us to seating at the shows (we didn't use them ourselves, so I don't remember it that well).
Jiffymom, we had a PS for breakfast in AK at around 8, which was before the park opened. So whenever you were done, you could explore the park for the rest of the morning. You can probably get to the Safari ride as soon as it opens, which is the best time to ride. You have to meet the bus in the AK parking lot at around 12:30, I think, or maybe 12. It's a little less than an hour to port.

 

[TumFamily]

I am doing the land/sea package in April and we too are staying at the CBR.

I have not heard about this AK breakfast before. Do you need to purchase an additional pass to the parks or is the entry included with the breakfast?? Also, what is the cost of the buffet? And finally,is this only available to those who chose the transfers from the Cruise Line?? Thanks - Debra

 

[emtowle]

HI there,
When you get to the resort, make sure you have all your papers filled out and go to the DCL desk at the resort first before checking into the actual resort. Then go over and check in at the resort desk.
Beth

We're doing this on our trip, CBR and then the Wonder. Why do you suggest checking in with DCL first?

 

[jeannief]

I have similar questions. We are doing the land and sea this week. My itinerary says that the pass for the park is three days, so I guessed I could do Thur/Fri/Sat or Fri/Sat/Sun. We will be driving ourselves to the boat. Our plan is to do parks starting Thursday and spend Sunday morning enjoying CBR, then head off to boat earlier. But if AK was included with the breakfast.... that would appeal too!
Anyone know for sure? If no one does, I'll post it when we are back.

 

[my3princesses]

That does bring a good question - when are our park passes good for?

We arrive on the Thursday and leave Sunday for the port. If you include all the days that you are actually there it would be 4. We have plans for breakfast at park fare on sunday morning and still have time for one last quick trip to MK.

 

[jaysmom4285]

When we last did our 3 night land/4 night sea package, we were given a length of stay pass that was good from check in Thursday through Saturday, essentially for four days. Jeannief noted that her itinerary said their itinerary only provided for a three-day pass, so I don't know if things may have changed. It would be worth checking with DCL for sure to clarify.

 

[mackymaddyconnorsmom]

My aunt and her family just got on the Wonder on Sunday. They had length of stay passes while they were at the park

 

[jeannief]

I'll check with my TA and see if I get an answer before we leave. This changes everything!
My3princesses- we're from Ontario too! We're planning a meet on the ship on the Sunday, here's the details:
"Let's meet on deck 10 at 3pm on the dock side. 3pm will work well it is after lunch and the ressie rush but before the drill. Why don't we meet mid-ship above the goofy pool so if the kids want to swim they can and still be seen. "
My dh is looking for someone who wants to go watch superbowl with him!

 

[jeannief]

As per the Disney passes, in the Cruise brochure, Disney outlines that
your passes will be supplied upon check-in, where they will be valid
from the day of check-in through the day of check-out, so there you go.

And princessmom- not even sure if you are on the same cruise as us.... for some reason I just assumed you were leaving THIS Thursday, if so, we'll see you there.

 

[Bethipooh4]

When we went our tickets were for the time we checked in until the time we left. As far as the AK buffet and priority seats, its only offered to those using DCL transportation. You are given the info when you check in at the DCL desk at the resort. I recommend doing the DCL desk first, only because it seemed smoother to us, then running back and forth between the 2 desks at check in. Our CM we had on the bus recommened it, and we were done in a 1/2 hour.
The seats for the shows are first come first serve, and are offered to you when you check in at the DCL desk at the AK. They will also hold your day bags for you. We left the AK at noon.