*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 4

[LindaBabe]

I've seen a number of posts now mentioning taking glasses of wine into dinner. Where do you get the glasses from? Is this something else that we need to add to our packing lists?

No, you can ask your stateroom host to get you some. Although my cousin brought a pair of travel wine glasses last trip that I thought were cute - the stems screwed off and stored inside the bowls for packing.

 

[LindaBabe]

Oh, yeah, upgrade time is not a happy time around here on the DISboards. The overall understanding is that upgrades are random - no one has been able to discover the determining factor(s) for who gets an upgrade. For example, repeat cruisers don't seem to get any preference over 1st or 2nd timers.

And yet so many of us get excited when upgrades and assignments come in and we hope we will be pixie-dusted and then end up in the same room or just get what we paid for. It's hard not to hope for more, but remember, it's not the under the cruisers' control that they were lucky. This is my heads' up warning - now if I can just remember that when I get a cabin with 2 portholes on Deck 2 for my Restricted Guaranty Oceanview non-changeable ticket.

I hope we *don't* get an upgrade!

 

[fly4free2]

As I had mentioned before, we were thinking of getting a rental car at the Orlando airport for the day and hitting Downtown Disney when we get back to FL and before our flight.

What time could we expect to make it to the Orlando airport? I wasn't sure what time we would likely be off the ship and how easy/hard it is to get the DCL shuttle. (Do they give you a set time for your bus like they do when you are returning to the airport from your WDW resort)?

You can rent at Port Canaveral and drop off at Airport. Some have drop off charges and some don't. You should check on this option.

 

[auntlynne]

As I had mentioned before, we were thinking of getting a rental car at the Orlando airport for the day and hitting Downtown Disney when we get back to FL and before our flight.

What time could we expect to make it to the Orlando airport? I wasn't sure what time we would likely be off the ship and how easy/hard it is to get the DCL shuttle. (Do they give you a set time for your bus like they do when you are returning to the airport from your WDW resort)?

Are the rental cars at MCO really $70 cheaper than renting them at Cape Canaveral? (the cost of DCL transport for 2 people).

I think you have to be off the ship by 9am. Never used DCL transport, but it's about a 45 minute drive to MCO. The drop-off point at MCO is right across from the rental car parking deck.

 

[giraffe104]

So I was a bit overwhelmed looking through the thread. My big question is about Palo (because I love me some sparkling wine for breakfast/anytime). Is there a group Brunch happening at some point at sea? If there is, I'm very interested. Otherwise, i'll be hitting Palo brunch solo. I don't want to miss it!

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Are the rental cars at MCO really $70 cheaper than renting them at Cape Canaveral? (the cost of DCL transport for 2 people).

If you don't take DCL transpo to the airport, will they still take your luggage so you don't have to deal with it using the "Onboard Airline Check In" service? We'd rather not have to lug it around. To me, not having to screw with the luggage is worth that $70.

(BTW, most of the rental agencies DO charge a drop fee for picking up at Port Canaveral and dropping at the airport).

 

[birkner]

I've seen a number of posts now mentioning taking glasses of wine into dinner. Where do you get the glasses from? Is this something else that we need to add to our packing lists?

We just ask our room steward for glasses every night. On the first night we just asked for a wine opener which we kept for the rest of the cruise.

 

[birkner]

Are the rental cars at MCO really $70 cheaper than renting them at Cape Canaveral? (the cost of DCL transport for 2 people).

I think you have to be off the ship by 9am. Never used DCL transport, but it's about a 45 minute drive to MCO. The drop-off point at MCO is right across from the rental car parking deck.

I think you can do better than $70 especially if use Budget. I don't know for sure the exact amount but I have heard from others on the main board that this is possible. I use points so I don't need to know an amount.

 

[auntlynne]

Did a quick check with Budget (DIS people recommend them). I used no discount code, just regular rates.

Pick-up 9 am; drop-off 3 pm for both ways
Two prices for each: pay at counter or (pay now)

P/U Cape Canaveral - Return at MCO
Compact/Ford Focus 74.99 (67.49) with taxes/fees 83.05 (75.10)
next size up about $2 more

P/U and Return at MCO
Compact/Ford Focus 73.99 (43.88) 93.01 (57.73)
* this rate was showing you needed an overnight Friday (despite that I put it in as a Saturday pickup and return) - the Cape Canaveral rate didn't have this stipulation

To get a rental car in Cape Canaveral, we collect your luggage and go outside the ship, stand at the curb in the corral for our specified rental car company and take their free shuttle to the office. They automatically come to the port for pick-up, no call needed. After that, you are on your way. You will have to pay any tolls between the port and the airport, so add a few more dollars to the car price - and whatever gas it would take to go about 45 miles - 2 gallons? at $4/gallon - so that adds $10 to rental price.

Looks like DCL + MCO rental = $75 + 57 ($133) vs $85 for Cape C rental. Is it worth $48 to you not to have to schlepp luggage from ship to car, car to airport and turn it in? Each man's personal decision (well, not in your case - two men have to agree).

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Each man's personal decision (well, not in your case - two men have to agree).

Ha. This made me

 

[auntlynne]

If you don't take DCL transpo to the airport, will they still take your luggage so you don't have to deal with it using the "Onboard Airline Check In" service? We'd rather not have to lug it around. To me, not having to screw with the luggage is worth that $70.

(BTW, most of the rental agencies DO charge a drop fee for picking up at Port Canaveral and dropping at the airport).

From the DCL website:

"Onboard Airline Check-In is a convenient service that provides Guests who have purchased Disney Cruise Line air or ground transportation the ability to check in their luggage for their flights and receive their airline boarding passes before they disembark the ship."

You got your own airfare, right? If they follow this, you would need to be using DCL ground transportation to qualify.

 

[dylan'smom]

I've seen a number of posts now mentioning taking glasses of wine into dinner. Where do you get the glasses from? Is this something else that we need to add to our packing lists?

Another option, besides those mentioned, is to pop by any bar and ask for some glasses...they are always accommodating & it works well when you don't want to wait until you see your room host. We do that or call room service for glasses through out the cruise.


.

 

[tojam]

I am looking online at Disney for where I sign up for onboard airline check in. I beleive I saw it where it wanted to know how many bags per person. I cannot find and wanted to be sure to sign up.

We are flying Delta and as we booked on our Delta AmEx, bags are free. Is there a fee associated with this service from Disney?

Thanks in advance any assistance someone can provide.

 

[pkicinski]

I'm in the same situation. I need to do some quick one liners to get to 10 so I can send PMs

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Auntlynne, thanks for the info. I actually just logged into my corporate travel site (we can use for Personal travel too as long as we're paying directly) and Budget is coming up as $48 for the day with no drop fee for dropping at MCO!

 

[jinxleprechaun]

Another option, besides those mentioned, is to pop by any bar and ask for some glasses...they are always accommodating & it works well when you don't want to wait until you see your room host. We do that or call room service for glasses through out the cruise.


.

I think I might have the solution to all the glass queries

 

[pkicinski]

wish I had found this page sooner. Now I'm trying to catch up with all the info, doing 20 pages a day.

 

[jinxleprechaun]

I think I might have the solution to all the glass queries


Sorry folks - try this one


https://picasaweb.google.com/113468...authkey=Gv1sRgCK3_8PC2y4qY_QE&feat=directlink

 

[dylan'smom]

I am looking online at Disney for where I sign up for onboard airline check in. I beleive I saw it where it wanted to know how many bags per person. I cannot find and wanted to be sure to sign up.
We are flying Delta and as we booked on our Delta AmEx, bags are free. Is there a fee associated with this service from Disney?
Thanks in advance any assistance someone can provide.

Don't worry about getting the bags all accounted for because there will be lots of opportunity to fill that in when you are on board (and they ask for it all again!!). Actually they will probably charge you for the bags & you will need to call it to their attention for reimbursement... at least that's what happened when we were doing First Class and had free bags. We received a refund on our credit card after we got home, but they pretty much follow the guidelines as if you have regular charges for a Coach seat. Just be aware...

I think I might have the solution to all the glass queries


Sorry folks - try this one
https://picasaweb.google.com/113468...authkey=Gv1sRgCK3_8PC2y4qY_QE&feat=directlink

yes, that one would probably work well!


.

 

[PFlamingo]

I assume that this means that any hope for pixie dust upgrades will be slim to none?

I would think it would mean more chance!!

I've always heard if they don't have a reason to upgrade you, they won't. If you're in a Cat 10 (for example), and they're sold out, but lots of people are still asking for them, you might get an upgrade to make room for the later bookings. This supposedly happens with the most popular categories - whatever those are. We're in a Cat 5, so we only have Cat 4 and suites to move to. Unless the Cat 5's are sold out and lots of late bookers want them, it's unlikely we'll get an upgrade. And while I would never turn one down - I'd love the extra bit of space in a Cat 4 and I'd be over the moon with a suite - we love our room location and will be perfectly happy if we stay there.

But good luck to everyone on getting pixie dusted - we promise to be happy for you and not at all jealous! Of course, anyone who gets upgraded to a suite is obliged to throw a party and invite all of us.