Land & Sea Vacation limitations

[steven_&_daniel]

Why does Disney have so many limitations on booking options?

An agent at Dreams Unlimited just informed me...

"The Deluxe Dining plan is not an option with the [land/sea] cruise. Additionally, you cannot have extra nights on the package and the regular dining plan. Finally, you cannot change the ticket options with the land and sea package."

We were hoping to book the 4 day land/3 day sea package and add 3 days on land before the trip. I wanted Deluxe Dining and asked for Park Hopper but don't need the Waterpark option. She recommended booking the land package separate from the cruise, but said we can't check-in for the cruise at the hotel if we do. I'm guessing that also means we'd be handling our own luggage rather than enjoying the benefits of the land/sea package.

We'll probably end up booking a 7 day land vacation and skip the cruise completely. I don't understand why you can't mix and match all the vacation options that they offer.

 

[all5ofus]

You can always book the land portion and the sea portion separately. It takes a little more research and a little more work, but you often actually save money booking them separately. The biggest benefit is you get things exactly as you want them, not just what is in the package.

 

[CraftyMouse]

You can always book the land portion and the sea portion separately. It takes a little more research and a little more work, but you often actually save money booking them separately. The biggest benefit is you get things exactly as you want them, not just what is in the package.

Exactly what I would do too. Why cancel the cruise completely when you can get exactly what you want by doing it this way.

FYI, are you aware of the changes to the dining plan. It still can work out to your benefit but it is nowhere near the value it once was.

 

[steven_&_daniel]

We were originally attracted to the cruise because of the convenience of having the luggage 'automatically' transferred from hotel room to cruise cabin as well as checking in for both at the hotel and having one keycard for both. The two things that interested us in the cruise won't apply if we book separately.

 

[deb123453]

just in case you change your mind i booked mine separately last may and didn't have a problem i did book them both through disney unlimited told my ta what i wanted (yes i'm using her again this time as well) and she got me what i wanted wasn't a hassle at all. used the magical express and they took me back to the airport and dropped me off right where i caught the bus for the cruise(i asked him to drop me off at the closest stop near the bus for the cruise) and i liked having the 2 keycards just 1 more thing to bring home with disney on it.

 

[3for Me]

Honestly, I would not give up the cruise for the reasons you stated. I know luggage can be a pain, but IMO it's not a reason to give up on a cruise.

We have three children ages 11 and under and we are just going to "deal" with the luggage. We got each of them a rolling duffle bag and problem solved. Obviously if you have smaller children and more "stuff" it will be a little harder, but that's when we get the bellman and porters.

As far as check-in, I have heard that this is a painless process that does not take very much time at all.

As PP said, you can save money doing the land portion separately. We are doing it this way for our February cruise as we wanted the Poly for only one night before the cruise and the GF for several days after. We also didn't need park hoppers as we are only planning on doing one park each day. There are soooo many discounts out there that chances are good you'll save some money and be able to purchase the type of tickets you want.

Also, have to agree with the Dining Plan opinion. We used to be BIG fans of the DDP. We have purchased it each of our last three trips. We're skipping it this time, because for our family, the value just isn't there anymore.

I hope you'll reconsider and plan a wonderful trip to WDW and on DCL!

Good Luck!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

We, too, booked ours separately and it worked out better for us. It is more tailored to our families wants and needs. Sometimes it is also cheaper on your transfers to not ride the bus and get yourself there by limo or whatever. This will be our second land / sea trip booked separate and it was cheaper both times. Checking in on the ship was no biggie. We didnt have to wait in a long line. We left the resort at 11:30 and I dont remember what time we arrived but we got off the bus went straight through check in and on the ship. Dont give up a great plan yet. Dig a little deeper ....you wont regret it.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If you stay at one of the DCL resorts, you can still book your land portion seperately and have your luggage taken to the port for you. You can also book DCL transfers from the Resort to the Port.

 

[frdeb1999]

We book seperately so we can get all the options we want. Was'nt at all interested in their Land/Sea package when I found out all the rules. We did 6 days land and 4 day Wonder and had everything we wanted with both portions and actually ended up being cheaper then if we had booked one of thier package type deals.