? Land/Sea Package

[Madhatter266]

We are planning our first DCL trip and want to do the Land/Sea package. Does it matter which part you do first? We want to have the 3 day cruise then the 4 day "land" Can you leave on Thursday on the cruise and start the land on Sunday?

 

[LibertyBelle]

If you book it directly through DCL as a land/sea package the land portion is ALWAYS first (thus land/sea). If you want to do the land portion after the cruise you would need to book the cruise through DCL and the land portion on your own. It tends to work out better for most people (in the money aspect) booking them seperatly anyway.

 

[msjszd]

I've seen a lot of references to planning a land/sea (or sea/land) "on your own" and being able to save a substantial amount of $. What do you really give up by not booking the package through WDW? Just the convenience of one check-in at the resort?

I'm confused, since the best nightly rate that our agent can find for GF is $399 - for a plain garden view room, but I'm seeing references here to other resort rooms (even concierge) for almost 1/2 that. I would love to access some additional discounts, which I guess I must not be able to by doing the pre-packaged land/sea.

 

[kcashner]

The only thing you "give up" by booking a land/sea on your own is the convenience of an all inclusive package (one check in, etc.) What you gain can be significant cost savings and the ability to customize your vacation to your desires.

It is very dependent on season and what specials WDW and/or DCL might be running. Off season resort rates are frequently available for much less than figured in the land/sea package. On the land/sea package, your WDW resort level is tied to your ship cabin category. You might want to go higher or lower on land than on the ship--you can do this if you book separately. A big area of savings comes in park passes. THe land/sea includes the Ultimate Park Hopper passes. Will you use all the features of these passes? Specifically, will you go to the parks on the day you check in at WDW and the day you leave for the cruise? Will you go to the water parks and Pleasure Island? If the answers to any of these are "no," you can save $ by using Park Hopper Plus passes.

If you have the UPH and decide not to do a theme park for a day, you have wasted $. If you have a Park Hopper Plus and don't use a day, it is waiting for your next trip!

An example--our usual is to book a character dinner for the day we arrive. We usually get to the resort about 3 (sure I'd like to get there earlier, but reality is.....) We hit the pool, then do the dinner. DD gets the character experience and I don't pay park admission for only a couple hours. We usually do a breakfast before the cruise--Cape May Cafe is a good one. Again, no park admission used since we'd only have an hour or so......

On the UPH, you pay nearly $50 per adult per day for the passes . SO, by not using park passes on the arrival and departure day, I've saved $80+ per person. Hey, that's the money for the suggested tips on the 7 day!

Check out mousesavers.com for current offers.....there was recently a "pay for 5, get 2 days free" at the resorts. There are frequently great deals beginning in September.

Another thing to remember--DCL will only hold the ship for a late flight if you booked air thru them. You can often save $ booking your own air, but get there a day ahead. Travel insurance booked thru DCL will cover only a package they put together. If you did it on your own, you will need to consider either separate Disney policies (expensive) or private insurance if you plan to insure the trip.