Mazatlan Disney Excursion PROBLEMS

[Zippety-Doo-Dah]

We just returned from the July 9th cruise. The Disney excursions in Mazatlan were a major disappointment. We took the Folkloric tour and Beach break. The hotel we went to for the beach break was comparable to a Kissiminee level hotel. It had 2 small swimming pools, a bar and a small restaurant. The beach was open to all and umbrellas had to be rented. There was no 'rental' equipment available (except for 2 private jet-skis and 1 private sail boat). There was also a very visible jelly fish presence. On the beach and in the nearby stores, there were very young children begging.

My husband went golfing. He expected El Cid and a golf cart with caddy. He was taken to a course at a time-share that was being built. There was no caddy. There was a sign on his cart that said he could golf for free if he listened to a time-share presentation. At several of the holes there were children trying to sell used golf balls. On the way, his cab was stopped and searched for guns and drugs. The course was not handicap accessible and his golf partner is in a wheelchair. (El Cid is handicapped accessible).

We signed up for Disney excrusions expecting the same quality tours as we would have at a Disney hotel. We did not get them and complained on the ship. The assistant manager at shore excursions agreed with us. He said that the El Cid golf course was burnt and previous cruises had been unhappy there. However, my husband was not told about the change ahead of time and just before the trip departed from the ship, they were told they were going to El Cid.

According to Disney, the Beach Break hotel is the best that Mazatlan has to offer. I find this difficult to believe as the crew all went to El Cid hotels that day.

The folkloric show is a 45 minute dance routine with about 10 dancers in fancy clothes. It is ok -- not great entertainment but what I expected. The morning show is also seen by a group that does a bus tour. That tour was supposed to see the cliff divers. The spot was pointed out as they passed by, but the bus did not stop, nor did they get to see the diving.

Disney said they had the right to make changes to excursions without refunds. They know I'm telling you all this.

Beware of these trips -- we feel we were taken advantage of.

 

[llachance]

My daughter and I went on the Folkloric and Beach excursion in Mazatlan on the June 25th trip. I wrote in an earlier trip report that the Folkloric presentation was probably more then what a little child could sit for but it was fine in its own right.

When we got to the "hotel" they warned us about the jelly fish but we decided to "beach it" anyway. We didn't have to rent umbrellas or chairs they were brought down to the sand for us. The girls made Pinatas and swam...it was very hot so the umbrella was necessary but we didn't "rent' it. The description of the tour was exactly as presented...IMHO

 

[AOPI57]

We took the Sierra Madre excursion in Mazalatan which was booked thru Disney. It was excellent. You really get to see Old Mexico. I would highly recommend it. I don't think I would bring young children under 6.

 

[javillane]

Mentioned to my DH last night about the El Cid golf switch-a-roo. He was in the same group as your husband leaving the ship. He didn't even realize they had changed it. (Didn't pay attention to the course name on arrival...go figure). Any recourse with Disney about this? He was really upset that the front 9 greens had been aerated also. For the cost of the excursion, it was really a poor outing.

 

[Zippety-Doo-Dah]

We complained on the ship. They finally agreed to refund us 10% of the trip ($15.99). They claimed the new course was more expensive than El Cid. However, we looked on the internet when we got home. The cost for transportion, cart, and green fees is $75.00.

We are trying to decide if we should pursue our complaint further. The handicapped person that played is complaining to a Disney Manager who has helped solve other handicapped issues for him.