Questions about DCL out of LA

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Okay.. so I have some questions. I have to call tomorrow to book a summer 2005 cruise but I'm curious about some things before I decide when to go and all that.

1.) What's the name of the port where we'd get on the ship? Everything I read just says leaving LA...

2.) How are things going to be handled on transportation to/from the airport to where we get on the ship? What I mean is DCL going to have buses for you to pay for transfers and they handle your luggage and all that just like with the cruises out of FL? If not, what are some transportation options there like FL Tours? If so, any clue what the prices are going to be? I don't even know how far it is from LAX (is that the airport to fly in to?) to wherever the port is that we get on the ship. Totally lost.......

3.) What about if you fly in a day earlier like most plan on doing (to be on the safe side) for FL cruises- where are you going to stay? At the airport, somewhere near the port, ??? Lots of talk about this for the FL cruises but I'm totally lost on the LA cruises.

I think I had more questions but I can't think of them now. LOL

Appreciate any help!

 

[ivanova]

1) its the Port of LA which is actually located in San Pedro

2) since I'm a "local" I don't know what they'll do about airport transfers, but I'm sure they'll have something in place

3) we're spending the night before near the port, more than likely the Holiday Inn (we have a TA looking into getting a block of rooms for Dissers )

 

[Mboothby]

SERIOUS BUMMER!!!!
I just talked to DCL and the transfers you purchase through them are for ANOTHER COMPANY. They are not bringing the nice Disney buses out here. As for luggage, it will NOT be handled as it is now handled. You will be responsible for it all! I wonder how this will go over with repeat cruisers who are used to the wonderful Disney service. Especially when they are paying for it.

 

[invaderzim]

We were told by a DCL rep that if you are staying in Disneyland or in a nearby off-site property, the transfers will cover you being transported from there to the port. We are going in a few days early so as not to risk any mishaps with time delays since we are flying from Philadelphia.

DCL is not going to have the busses shipped to LA for various reasons, including the licensing and insurance that would be required for them to change locations like that.

I was told that the transportation is basically a shuttle bus and not the luxury we are used to. But hey, once you are on the ship, everything you expect from Disney will be in place!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thank you all for your help!
Okay -so can anyone tell me approx. how far it is from the airport to the port AND also how far it is from Disneyland (park & resorts) to the port?
The transfer thing doesn't sound good to me- not with all our luggage and stuff.. if we're handling it ourselves- I thought I'd look into other transportation -that is one of the reasons I'm curious about the distance. I may even consider just driving there rather than flying. Not sure where I'd leave the van during the cruise though- at the port just like in FL that is an option (costs a daily rate ofcourse). Is that an option there?

Anyone know yet if there are places there like FL Tours that could handle the transportation to/from the airport to resort- then to port- then back to airport afterwards?

Thanks!

 

[ivanova]

LAX is about 20 miles, Anaheim is about 30 miles - time to drive will depend on traffic.

If you stay at the Holiday Inn the night before, they have a "park & Cruise" package ... $129 per couple for a room, and you can leave your car parked at the hotel for free, and they have a shuttle that runs to the terminal. Otherwise parking at the terminal is $11 per day times 14-15 days.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

1. Terminal: The terminal is the World Cruise Center at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California. The terminal can handle two or three cruise shjips at the same time (depending on length). See http://www.portoflosangeles.org/Facilities/wcc.htm

2. Transportation: DCL has a year to work out the details. I'm sure that DCL will pick a charter coach provider with decent coaches that have luggage storage compartments. It won't be like dragging your luggage onto a city bus. It remains to be seen whether the service ends up being as "end-to-end" as in Orlando and Port Canaveral, or whether the service will be more conventional.

3. Hotels for the night before: Hotels in San Pedro include a Sheraton, a Holiday Inn, and the Marina (former Hilton). But if you fly in early enough on the prior day, you may enjoy staying in a more tourist-friendly area. (The Port of Los Angeles is a major cargo port.)

 

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
2. Transportation: DCL has a year to work out the details. I'm sure that DCL will pick a charter coach provider with decent coaches that have luggage storage compartments. It won't be like dragging your luggage onto a city bus. It remains to be seen whether the service ends up being as "end-to-end" as in Orlando and Port Canaveral, or whether the service will be more conventional.

I wouldn't worry about the buses. I mean, even the DCL buses in Port Canaveral are not exculsivly "disney buses" but are operated and employed by MEARS!! another company!! So i am sure Disney will get a good rep bus company for transfer purpose.

 

[JC Butterfly]

Do you think that transfer service will only be offered out of LAX? I am more interested in the smaller airports and I'm trying to figure out what my independent options are.

 

[rae519]

These are some great questions - many of which I have also wondered.

For those of us who aren't in the local area and want to do the park and cruise the repo back in August - we feel pretty lost when it comes to making educated decisions - so thank you to those who are in the area and can help us out!!!

I know we want to fly in to LAX, at least have 2 days at the Park then go over to the Port for the night before. Lots of decisions and with the "UNKNOWN" being a big factor for us, we have to ask questions!

So keep the answers coming and thank you very much for helping us out!!! We are in your debt!!!

Rae

 

[kcashner]

We booked the repo cruise and did the air thru Disney. I did this ONLY after checking prices of "open gatch" flights. DCL has worked out very good deals with the airlines for this, and includes the transfers in the prices. We're also doing several days at Disneyland prior to sailing.

I made a point of talking to DCL about many of these issues prior to booking, then just did the whole package thru them. That's a rarity for me, but not being familiar with the area, etc....and not having a lot of time to do my "homework...." In retrospect, I've not been able to find any better financial deal than they gave me in the package. The did itemize each part for me.

They are arranging transfers in a way very similar to what happens in Florida--also thru a private company. Luggage transfers will be similarly managed, although we MAY have to claim out bags at baggage claim and take them to the transport vehicle. The DCL rep said they were attempting to eliminate this step.

So....still lots of details to work out, but DCL always provides a top notch service.

 

[eeyorefreak]

I would imagine DCL will contract with the Airport Bus . This is the company they use for transfers when you book a Disneyland package from the Walt Disney Travel Company. They are very colorful buses with Disney Characters all over them. I have been on these as well as DCL buses and they are pretty much identical-including the overhead video screens.

Not to worry-I'm sure DCL will make it a magical experience for us!

Shannon