Land/Sea Questions - Need Help!

[mlsears]

My family and I are doing the Land Sea (3 nights park, 4 nights cruise) in May 05. We have some questions that people with experience might be able to answer.
1. My son is going to be 2 at sailing. He is not potty trained yet (nor do I want him to be – diapers are much more convenient in the parks ). I know that to enter the pool, he must be potty trained. How do they enforce this? Is there somewhere he can play on deck (smaller pool) for toddlers and babies. I was very upset when I found that He wouldn’t be allowed in the pool – even with a swim diaper. What can he do? We will not likely be using the nursery very much as we are bringing my in-laws (they will love to have him around the entire day).
2. Transportation: Right now, we have the transfers included in our package from the airport to the Polynesian and Poly to Port Canaveral; Port Canaveral to airport. Have people had success with the transfers or is a car rental preferred? DH, Myself and DS (1.5) went to the Poly in September 04 and had a horrible experience with Mears transportation. It took us over 2 hours to get to the Polynesian after stopping at 4 other hotels, ours being the last stop. It was extremely inconvenient (they even stopped at 2 off-site hotels first!). But, I do like the idea of the baggage handling with the cruise line transfers. What are experiences cruiser’s opinions on this? The cost between the rental and the transfers in negligible for us, its more what is convenient.
Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Hercules10]

I thought swim diapers were OK???? I dunno....

I love the transfers. When we did the land/sea deal we only had to worry about luggage getting on the plane and when we got back home. Disney took care of everything. Even the resort to ship transfer of luggage. But uuuum I guess I should tell you that Mears runs the Disney transfer operation.

 

[erikthewise]

1. I believe one of Mickey's "ears" at the Mickey pool is reserved for toddlers and swim diapers are OK there. But I could be wrong -- hopefully someone with direct experience can verify this.

2. We have cruised twice using a rental car. In particular we have done 3-day and 4-day cruises in conjunction with a WDW stay of 4-5 days. Rather than an "official" Land-Sea package we just booked each part separately. I'm not sure what situation you are in. If you book a Land-Sea complete package you may not be able to reject the transfers.

But I found a rental car to be perfect for short cruises together with a WDW stay. We rented from National and both times the rental cost PLUS the cost of parking at Port Canaveral was still no more than the cost of transfers, and the flexibility it gave us was wonderful! You have the car at WDW, you can get to the port whenever you want, and when the cruise is over, you just get in your car and drive away!

 

[ohMom]

we did land/sea in 12/03 - stayed at the Poly. we opted for FL Tours instead of disney shuttle mainly b/c we wanted to be picked up and go. you have paid for park entrance on Sunday, the day you leave for cruise, so we wanted to have the most time we could at MK that morning, we did Cindy's breakfast and then got our towncar back at the Poly at 11 a.m. I believe we still beat the Disney shuttles to the port - I walked right up for spa and Palo ressies. Also remember with land/sea you don't have to check in at the port, after screening your carry-ons and you can just get in line to enter through the mouse ears! Our driver was very helpful with our luggage, but we did have to park across the street from the terminal, apparently only Disney shuttles are allowed door drop-off.

have a great cruise!

 

[shannon1219]

Children with swim diapers are only allowed in mickey's right ear. They are not allowed in the pool. Mickey's right ear is sort of like a fountain the water constantly recirculates so it stays sanitary.

 

[*Fantasia*]

If I'm not mistaken, babies and todlers who are not potty trained can swim only at the Mickey's ears, but not Mickey's face. One ear is warmer and it's about knee deep and the other ear, it's about ankle deep and has squirting water from the sides. And the Mickey's face I would assume would be a little bit deeper.

 

[disneysooz]

On our last cruise in September 2004, kids in swim diapers were allowed in the starboard “ear” of the Mickey pool, which is like a fountain play area. If that has changed, I am not aware of it.

We did the Land/Sea in 2002 and used the DCL transfers (aka Mears), and it was okay. You are at the mercy of going with the flow of the transportation route. Since then we have used a car service twice; once to pick us up at the airport and take to WDW resort then back to airport on departure day. The second time they picked us up at the airport and took us to the Radisson at the Port. After the cruise they picked us up at the Port and back to the airport. The car services do handle your luggage and you can choose the times for pick up. Personally, if the cost of car service is negligible, then I recommend that option. It is much more convenient and you get a direct path to your destination.
JMHO
Susie