More Questions for 1st Timer!

[Jenn31]

We've decided to book the 09/03/06 Wonder Cruise with 7 days at WDW!
I'm so excited! This is a Christmas gift surprise from me to my family.

I have a few questions though:

1. We are purchasing our own airfare through Spirit Airlines (got a great deal on business class seats) and I'm purchasing the Disney motorcoach transfers;
we are also booking our own hotel through Hotwire.com so how do the DCL transfers work? Do we not pick our luggage up after we land? Does Disney handle this? And what time does the first DCL bus leave for Port Canaveral?
After our cruise we're going to WDW for 7 days. Will the DCL bus transport us to WDW? Has anyone flown Spirit Airlines business class before? If so was it nice? What ammenities do they provide?

2. How does the Palo Brunch work? Is it a buffet or do you order off of a menu? Do they have the infamous chocolate soufle at brunch? Is brunch a little more casual than dinner at Palo? What kind of clothing did you see people wearing to brunch?

3. How soon can I make spa/palo ressies after I pay off our cruise? Can cabana massages be booked online as well?

4. We were originally going to book a cat 10 stateroom for the 4 of us, (4 adults) but I'm now considering booking 2 cat 11's instead. What would you do?

5. I'm booking through Dreamsunlimitedtravel.com, has anyone used them before? If so is it a good company to work with? Do they throw in any surprise goodies in the stateroom? (i.e. my Carnival cruiseline agent gave us choc covered strawberries and a beach towel last year when we sailed)
If the price of cruising lowers for whatever reason, will their prices reflect it?

6. When we get back we're going to WDW: Do you think 7 days is enough to cover a lot? Has anyone ever stayed at all star movies before in a preferred location room? How close is it to the busses and food courts? Is it a decent place to stay? How long does the bus take to get to MK, AKL, & Disney MGM? Does anyone know when the prices for sept 06 will come out for WDW?

7. We've opted to do the Disney dining plan. Has anyone ever used this before? If so was it easy to use? Have any trouble using it? How is it done? Through vouchers or what?

Sorry for all of the questions but I have no idea what I'm doing!
I've read the last three editions of Passporter's Disney Cruise, and just ordered the one for WDW. I love these guides!

 

[Jenn31]

Ghees that's long! I didn't realize it was so long!

But I forgot to add something. This being a special gift for three grown people, how would you surprise them On Christmas? I need some good ideas, this is a huge trip for us.

 

[scrapperjill]

Wow....that was long. Let me see if I can help at all....

1. We are purchasing our own airfare through Spirit Airlines (got a great deal on business class seats) and I'm purchasing the Disney motorcoach transfers;
we are also booking our own hotel through Hotwire.com so how do the DCL transfers work? Do we not pick our luggage up after we land? Does Disney handle this? And what time does the first DCL bus leave for Port Canaveral?
After our cruise we're going to WDW for 7 days. Will the DCL bus transport us to WDW? Has anyone flown Spirit Airlines business class before? If so was it nice? What ammenities do they provide?

I could be wrong...but I think if your booking your own hotel..you will need to transport your self to the hotel along with all your luggage..and then get back to the airport on the day the ship sails to catch the DCL transfers from there...they will not pick you up at your own hotel...except for "some" Disney resort hotels. I also think the DCL busses will take you back to the airport...I could be wrong..but when people do the land/sea package diseny has it set up to do the land portion first...so I don't think the busses go to WDW after the cruise. I haven't used the DCL transportation so I could be wrong. If I were you I'd check into getting a towncar service instead...and try and get a hotel that first night that has it's own shuttle. (So shuttle service from the hotel for the first night...and towncar service to get to the port and back to WDW...then again from WDW to the airport)

2. How does the Palo Brunch work? Is it a buffet or do you order off of a menu? Do they have the infamous chocolate soufle at brunch? Is brunch a little more casual than dinner at Palo? What kind of clothing did you see people wearing to brunch?

If I remember correctly...Palo is a buffet...but you are able to order some items....IMO the brunch was better than the dinner..it was super good. We saw some people in shorts and VERY casual wear...but we wore nicer clothes...(capris, light weight button up shirt and sandles...DH wore docker type pants and a light button up silk shirt) I'd fell out of place wearing real casual wear. NO soufle at brunch. Brunch is alot more casual than dinner...but just a good (if not better)...oh and the view is to die for...at night you can't really see the view..but Brunch it's wonderful.

3. How soon can I make spa/palo ressies after I pay off our cruise? Can cabana massages be booked online as well?

If you've sailed before you can book 90 days out...if not you have to wait until 75 days before your sail date to book anything.

4. We were originally going to book a cat 10 stateroom for the 4 of us, (4 adults) but I'm now considering booking 2 cat 11's instead. What would you do?

Can't really help you here...I'd think of how much time your thinking of spending in your room...and think about the cost...if it would only be a couple hundred diffrence...I think I'd do the two rooms instead of the one. We don't plan on spending much time in our stateroom at all...there's just to much on the ship to do and see...also think of how much privacy you'll need.



5. I'm booking through Dreamsunlimitedtravel.com, has anyone used them before? If so is it a good company to work with? Do they throw in any surprise goodies in the stateroom? (i.e. my Carnival cruiseline agent gave us choc covered strawberries and a beach towel last year when we sailed)
If the price of cruising lowers for whatever reason, will their prices reflect it?

Also can't really help here much...we did book a friend through Dreams about a month ago...they were very easy to work with and things went real smooth...they were also the best price quote I recived...by quite a bit. I have heard of people getting stateroom gifts from them...but have also heard it's kind of hit or miss...not everyone who booked with them recieved something...


6. When we get back we're going to WDW: Do you think 7 days is enough to cover a lot? Has anyone ever stayed at all star movies before in a preferred location room? How close is it to the busses and food courts? Is it a decent place to stay? How long does the bus take to get to MK, AKL, & Disney MGM? Does anyone know when the prices for sept 06 will come out for WDW?

Can't help at this at all...never been to WDW But we are going in October for the first time Were staying at POP...I've read ALOT of great things about them. I was going to go with All Star Movies resort first...then I looked into POP...and changed my mind.

7. We've opted to do the Disney dining plan. Has anyone ever used this before? If so was it easy to use? Have any trouble using it? How is it done? Through vouchers or what?

I'm kind of stricking out...since I've never been to WDW we havent used the dinning plan..but we did select it for the trip comming up. It sound's like a GREAT plan...Have you looked on the WDW planning board...they have a restrauant board...that has ALOT of info on the dinning plan...Looking it over it seems like you could save a ton...if you use it wisley. From what I've learned when you buy the dinning plan you get credits for your meals (1 table service, 1 counter service and 1 snack per day per person) Everyone in the room has to be on the plan and you have to purchase it to go along with your resort stay...so if your there 7 nights you have to get 7 nights worth of the plan. The credits are put on your Key card..and you just give that to them when you pay. I've heard there has been some trouble here and there with credits and payment..but not offten..and from the sounds of it it's is easly fixed...just keep an eye out when you use it.

Oh..and for the suprise...a Christmas gift would be a great way to spring it on them...Maybe buy some gifts that would be used on the trip...things that may not make alot of sence on their own...but when put together all go along with traveling and the trip...Some ideas could be...travel sized soaps and shampoos, luggage tags, waste packs, sun visors, duck tape , a disney shirt, then for the final gift...a passporter DCL and/or WDW planning guide and make up a magnet door sign that says something like "DCL welcomes...their name to the Disney Wonder...and the sates your sailing" Then another one for the WDW portion...or just add the WDW part to the other sign... Well that's my idea :rolleyes:

 

[aprilgail2]

We've decided to book the 09/03/06 Wonder Cruise with 7 days at WDW!
I'm so excited! This is a Christmas gift surprise from me to my family.

I have a few questions though:



2. How does the Palo Brunch work?

It is both, you order the pizza and main course but the rest you get yourself. There is NO soufle at brunch and it is more casual than dinner.


4. We were originally going to book a cat 10 stateroom for the 4 of us, (4 adults) but I'm now considering booking 2 cat 11's instead. What would you do?

Some people are fine with 4 in a cat 11 but we were 3 and tripping all over each other in there and there was not enough space to store our clothes (and I pack light!)

5. I'm booking through Dreamsunlimitedtravel.com, has anyone used them before? If so is it a good company to work with? Do they throw in any surprise goodies in the stateroom? (i.e. my Carnival cruiseline agent gave us choc covered strawberries and a beach towel last year when we sailed)
If the price of cruising lowers for whatever reason, will their prices reflect it?

They will lower the price if the price of the cruise drops.....we booked 3 trips through them and this time in the room there was nothing there from them. So dont expect it or you will get a surprise------- SURPRISE----you get NOTHING!!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Howdy,
We have stayed at the all star sports, next door to the moive resort. We did not do a prefered room and I'm glad. All the buildings were close to the main building where the food court, gift shop, and registration, and arcade is.
If your at WDW your going to be walking all day anyway, so whats a few extra feet. The sports, movie, and music resorts are very nice, clean rooms. They are just a basic room, no frills. If you want a frig you can order one. It use to be an extra $8 per day, but that was a while ago, i'm sure it's gone up by now. The pools are very nice and if you come back after lunch for a break, they arn't crowded and make a nice break from the parks for a couple of hours and then head back out again to the parks for the evenings. It's very refreshing and relaxing. At WDW you will be on the go all the time, it helps to take a break in the middle of the day. Your trip will be much better. Most people who have 7 days get burned out trying to do it all and then they are miserable. YOu can see most of WDW in 7 days. We usually took one whole day at each park, then went back and park hopped to do our favorite attractions and a few new ones we missed during the last 3 days. Of course a water park will take a whole day too. The miniature golf is nice to fill in gaps with too. Best tip I could offer for the parks, is be there just before they open, if possible plan ahead a favorite ride for each person and do them first. Use the fast pass system at everypark. Where you check in at your hotel they shpuld have park maps, take one and study where things are at so you dont spend a lot of time reading the map in the park. Always have your map with you, just in case you need it. You can get extras in each park. If you get lost, don't spend 20 minutes reading the map again, ask a cast member for directions, that will save you lots of time too. They are glad to help. My son and DIL work for WDW and we now live 35 minutes drive from there. So we are there almost everyweekend. If you have any specific questions about the parks i could probably answer them for you or I could ask my son and find out the answer. You'll have a great time!!!we have been on 7 disney cruises too.
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[Jenn31]

Thanks for all of the great info everybody!

Forgot to read my own post before I posted! Re: I booked my own hotel through Hotwire, I meant we're staying at the airport the night prior to our cruise and booked through hotwire. It was $44 a night and includes breakfast and a free shuttle back to the airport. That's why I wanted to know about how early the first DCL bus leaves.

I love that idea about getting the travel guides and DCL items all wrapped up for Christmas! Cute idea!

I especially love the sign idea: DCL welcomes________!
They'll look at all of the items I wrapped, like the travel guides and think, well that's nice, but what's it for? Then they'll read the sign and VOILA! :thewave:

 

[Jenn31]

I forgot to add: where do I get DCL items? Someone suggested ebay? Any other places? Can I call DCL direct and order say, shirts or beach towels?

 

[thomprod]

First of all, welcome to the DISboards. Most of the answers to your questions can be found by reading the posts already here on the board. I will try to help out with question 1:

1. Do we not pick our luggage up after we land? Does Disney handle this?

DCL only handles luggage transfers if you book the cruise and air with them. You will have to claim your bags, get them to and from your hotel and then back to the bus loading area at the airport the day of your cruise. If your hotel has a free shuttle, this is really quite easy.

And what time does the first DCL bus leave for Port Canaveral?

they start loading about 9:30 and the first bus usually leaves about 10:00.

 

[jrabbit]

We've stayed at AS-Movies several times. I don't think that we've ever had a prefered room but the walk to the main building and bus stop is'nt that far from any of the rooms. AS-Sports is more spread out and you CAN be a long ways from the Main Building.

We like the AS's because we're only in the room to take naps (ok the midnight to 6am one is a little longer than the mid afternoon nap (2-5).

The AS's have some of the best bus service of all of the onsite resorts. Yea, it can take a while to get to the MK or EPCOT. Pretty easy / not to long of a ride to the Studios (how much longer are they going to use "MGM" in it's name ) and AK is the shortest ride. I've never minded any of the rides because I ALWAYS try to catch some extra shut eye on the rides (I "make" my family stay awake and they've never left me on the bus!! )

 

[LCTsMom]

We haven't cruised yet so I can't help with any of that. What I can tell you is that we have stayed on Disney property numerous times, frequently at the All Star Resorts. They are a great value! If you stay in a preferred room you will be very close to the main building, which has the food court. If you walk through that building, the buses are right out front. I had an experience where we didn't have the preferred room and my mom got lost, she ended up in the resort next door. It can get confusing at times.

Hope that helps.

Have a great trip!

 

[mm lover in Ia]

If you have four adults I would definately check in to town car. It was sure a lot easier for us and you do not have to wait for anyone else.

 

[purplern]

Hi Jenn31 Welcome aboard. Go under Cruise meets. We have started a thread for 9/03/06. Come over and meet everyone!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=9062792#post9062792

 

[Jenn31]

Thank you purplern! I'm coming over!

I won't be able to book my cruise until the 1st of August, our cruise is for next September. Do you think all of the cat 10 & 11's will be gone by then?
I'm getting worried since the only cruise available is th 09/03/06 cruise.

 

[taeja71]

I forgot to add: where do I get DCL items? Someone suggested ebay? Any other places? Can I call DCL direct and order say, shirts or beach towels?

Jenn, If you ask super nicely, some future cruiser might offer to buy things for you while onboard and then ship the box to you. You'd have to make all the arrangements ahead of time, but there are DIS cruisers who might help you out. The DIS family is great!

 

[RKB]

You just need $250.00 each as a deposit to book the cruise. Can you put it on a card or something till August. The room choices will be lesser as time goes by. Though one month probably won't make much difference.

 

[Jenn31]

Thank you taeja71! I never would have thought to ask someone else. I don't want to impose.

Do you happen to know where I can find a list of items offeed on DCL and prices? perhaps if I sent a check to someone before they cruised they could snag a few items for me?

 

[Jenn31]

RKB I would except I'm leaving for vacation next week (going to Disneyland for 7 days) and this trip is on that card.

I plan to book the cruise with my 32 hours worth of overtime check when I get back. (check doesn't come until the end of July-I work for the state)

I need all the pixie dust in the world to get a cabin on 09/03/06! I've been saying for 3 years how badly I want to go on a Disney cruise, and by thunder I'M GOING ON 09/03/06!

 

[purplern]

I dont know but we'll keep our fingers and toes crossed!!

 

[tlynk]

We've decided to book the 09/03/06 Wonder Cruise with 7 days at WDW!
I'm so excited! This is a Christmas gift surprise from me to my family.

5. I'm booking through Dreamsunlimitedtravel.com, has anyone used them before? If so is it a good company to work with? Do they throw in any surprise goodies in the stateroom? (i.e. my Carnival cruiseline agent gave us choc covered strawberries and a beach towel last year when we sailed)
If the price of cruising lowers for whatever reason, will their prices reflect it?

I booked my land/sea package through Dreamsunlimited Travel and my agent has been very accomodating to my requests and saved me money! I don't know about surprise goodies in the stateroom yet, but the savings make up the difference.