Questions re: booking WDW and DCL seperately

[branv]

We have a cruise booked already for Jan. 2006 (oh my, what a deal! ) We have four parkhopper days leftover from a trip in 2004, and so we are planning two days at the park seperately (i.e. not doing land/sea package). We are going to use a rental car instead of Magic Express and DCL transfers, but we are likely staying at a Disney resort.

As someone going from a resort to depart on a cruise, are there any benefits we can receive even though we're not doing it as a package or using the transfers? Such as having them pick up our luggage at the resort, etc?

Can't hurt to check, right?

Piggyback question: I've got the whole tipping thing down...about amounts, envelopes, etc. But wondering...when you hand your servers their envelopes, do they open them in front of you? I know I don't have any reason to be shy about it, we always tips very well (Anyone who ever worked in a service industry does ), but for some reason it's just so awkward! I even get embarrased handing a valet his tip. Yeah, I know...it's a silly quirk.

Thanks!

 

[SeaSpray]

I dont think there are any free perks. Even with a package you are paying for the Disney transportation/transfers, to go from the resort to the port, and vice versa. So you're not really missing out on anything by not doing a package, and I'm sure you're saving $$ by booking each part separately on your own.

Not sure about the luggage thing, though. Maybe someone else will come along and answer that part for you.

As for tipping, I've never seen them open the envelope in front of you. They usually thank you and shake your hand, and then slip it in their jacket pocket, as I recall. Even on our Royal Caribbean cruise they didn't open the envelopes right then and there.

 

[S'sMom]

I have only utilized an actual apckage from disney one time. Since then I have learned a thing or two about how to get there the cheapest way, AND still getting to experience all that Disney has to offer including staying onsite, which i have done everytime except this time (because there were no hotel codes, so we are staying at the Best Western in DTD got it fo 69 a night)

This time in addition to the BEst Western we will be doing the cruise after. and It was much cheaper. I priced it as a package and GUESS what I am saving about 250 bucks. Dont get me wrong there are some perks to the packages like the luggage tags, but I can buy so many more for the same 250. If you need any special hints just let me know.