Lots of questions please help

[gillian1]

I am trying to plan my families 2nd trip to disney for dec 2006 (this will hopfully be r first time on-site). As we are from the uk we want to make it a longer trip maybe 17-18 nights.
now for the questions
If we stay on-site before & after a 3 night cruise can we leave the car at the hotel during our cruise?
Could the hotel hold our large suitcases during the 3 night cruise so we could take the smaller ones to the ship?
If we take the transport to the port do we get it back to the hotel?
If we do a spilt stay 7 nights at CBR, then 3 nights cruise, then 7 nights POFQ how much trouble would this be?
How far away from disneyworld is the port?
Who do i tip? & how much for a family of 3?
We have never done a cruise before and all help is very welcome.
many thanks

 

[goofyforlife]

If we stay on-site before & after a 3 night cruise can we leave the car at the hotel during our cruise?:

If you are staying on-site you will need to put a parking pass on your windshield which is dated. If you left the car in the parking lot you might get towed since you're not really a guest during the 3 days away.

Could the hotel hold our large suitcases during the 3 night cruise so we could take the smaller ones to the ship?:

I believe they could hold it for you or transfer to your second disney hotel.

If we take the transport to the port do we get it back to the hotel?:

It will be cheaper for you to drive to the port and just pay to park ($12 a night i think? $36 for length of cruise) since you already have a car rented.

If we do a spilt stay 7 nights at CBR, then 3 nights cruise, then 7 nights POFQ how much trouble would this be?:

Only trouble would be making sure your large bag got to the POFQ.

How far away from disneyworld is the port?:

Port is about a 45 minute trip..... (pretty much all highway speeds; couple of dollars in tolls)

Who do i tip? & how much for a family of 3?:

The DCL website will tell you the recommended tip structure. This is what they were per person based on 3 night cruise. (so multp by 3)There are tips to 1) your waiter $11 2) assnt waiter $8 3)Head waiter $2.75 & 4)your cabin person $10.75.

The tips/gratuities can easily be charged to your room through guest services and they give you slips to give to the people.

 

[rookiecruiser]

We can share our experience when we did Wonder 2003 trip and AKL stay. We flew in to Orlando and rented a car (National rental) just for a day. Next day we drove to Cocoa Beach (only few miles from Port Canaveral) to return the car and got free taxi ride to the ship. Once we returned from the cruise, we took a taxi to National rental to pick up a rental car again. Again, National reimburse our taxi costs. We drove to AKL and returned the car to on-site facility at one of the WDW resorts. The rest of the stay at WDW, we utilized the Disney bus or monorail transportation (it's free). Returning home, we did the same thing again, picked up National rental car (they have a courtesy pick up) the day before and returned it at Orlando airport the day we flew home. All in all, it's a bit hazzle, but worth saving the money. BTW, there were 5 of us that time.

Hope that helps. Enjoy your cruise. It'll be a blast.

 

[mc'smommy]

If you are staying on-site you will need to put a parking pass on your windshield which is dated. If you left the car in the parking lot you might get towed since you're not really a guest during the 3 days away.


I believe they could hold it for you or transfer to your second disney hotel.



It will be cheaper for you to drive to the port and just pay to park ($12 a night i think? $36 for length of cruise) since you already have a car rented.


Only trouble would be making sure your large bag got to the POFQ.


Port is about a 45 minute trip..... (pretty much all highway speeds; couple of dollars in tolls)



The DCL website will tell you the recommended tip structure. This is what they were per person based on 3 night cruise. (so multp by 3)There are tips to 1) your waiter $11 2) assnt waiter $8 3)Head waiter $2.75 & 4)your cabin person $10.75.

The tips/gratuities can easily be charged to your room through guest services and they give you slips to give to the people.

Everything mentioned here is correct, Disney will hold your luggage and even transfer it to your next hotel for you, please do get a car while in Florida, there is so much to see and do ( shopping, great outlets and disney deals )
A car rental is pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things.. If you at least get it for a portion of your trip and then use the Disney transportation for the remainder... Last Sept we did Disney one night and then 3 day cruise and then back to Disney for 5 nights and instead of the concierge holding our luggage I brought it with us and left it in the trunk of the rental car,

And remember there are laundry facilities at the Disney resorts so no need to pack a lot... Good Luck in your planning