Should I book my air with DCL?

[MaryKatesMom]

After reading all of the transportation nightmares because of Frances, I'm wondering if it would be prudent to book transportation including air with DCL.

There is the "day prior" option, staying at the Hyatt. I really don't want the kids missing another day of school is they give us morning or afternoon flights. I really want to fly the evening before. Using DCL you can submit a change request for $50 per person PLUS the difference between the reqular rate and DCL's bulk rate. So out of the gate we have to spend an additional $200 at least.

If it wasn't the Thanksgiving holiday and I had more confidence in Usairways being around so far in advance I would just book the darn thing myself. Usairways is the major carrier in my secondary airport.

What do you all think?

 

[mmouse37]

This is tough call....I would normally say book your own air....but since it over Thanksgiving holiday I would be inclinced to take DCL's air....it may be comparable price that time of year. This way you are covered is the flight is delayed....if you have to pay the $50 surcharge for a special request, can't you just request that you fly in the evening before, not the morning....I thought that was the whole idea of paying the extra $50.00 for custom flights. Plus your transfers would be included in that price. I would definately fly in the day before!!

Are there other options for airlines besides US air.....not sure what airport you would fly out of. If you did decide to do air on your own check all possible airlines and prices....maybe you could do better....you could still book transfers if you needed them and you could book any hotel the night before...either at the airport or port area.

MJ

 

[jeeper9]

We booked our flight through DCL. Now we fly very early morning (my mistake)! If I want to change this to the day before, should I contact DCL or the air carrier?

 

[kathymike]

I was on the disney cruise that was a 3 day and turned into a 5 day. If I had booked my flight with disney they would have automatically re-booked a new flight. I had to do my own leg work. If I had had a cell phone this would have been easier, many folks were able to use their own phones. I had signed up for the internet on the ship and was able to log in to Air Tran and see what the available flights were, I could have changed my own flights on line as well but I thought disney was doing it for me. There was a bit of confusion on the ship because the CM's said that if we gave them our info they would change our flights...they should have said if you booked with disney then we will change your flights. I lost 2 days of re-booking window because I was waiting on disney. In the end, I got up at 6 am...waited in line for a disney phone for 45 minutes and then 1/2 hour on the phone with air tran. Then all was well. If I sail again during hurricane season, I might get a quote from disney and then investigate my own flights. Depending on the additional costs vs the time I spent doing my own leg work I would go from there. kathy

 

[lbastida1]

I don't know who you would call to change your flight to the day prior to the cruise. My guess would be start with Disney if they booked your cruise/flights originally.

One thing I'd like to mention is that when I researched flights through Disney or on my own, I found out that if you book flights through Disney and for some reason you miss the boat, they will provide transportation to the first port of call to get you on the ship at their expense. If you're on your own, it's up to you at your expense.

Given that you're travelling around Thanksgiving and live in PA, weather along with a busy travel time could very well be a factor. Snow storms in any part of the country can cause a several day chain reaction around the country and could easily affect your travel plans. Trying to change your reservations to the night before is a GOOD idea IMO.

The Hyatt is expensive but they make it really easy to get your bags on the bus (have to leave them out the night before or super early in the morning outside your room). We did that on our first cruise and it was so convenient. We arrived at MCO around midnight and it was nice just to walk through the terminal and to the hotel. The next morning all we had to do was go to the hotel lobby and a CM walked us to the bus and our bags were already loaded.

This time (leaving 10/02/04), we decided to get a room at the Amerisuites just a mile from the airport ($69 Amerisuites vs. Hyatt $178). Amerisuites has a hotel shuttle that will pick you up from MCO and take you back in the morning. They also provide a "bountiful breakfast" with the room rate. I remember paying about $60 for breakfast for 4 at the Hyatt by the time we paid taxes and tip. We are arriving the night before the cruise leaves and get in MCO a little earlier this time around 9:00pm.

One more thing. We're also getting the day rate at the Hyatt the day we return since our outgoing flight isn't until around 5:00pm. It's $75.00 for the Hyatt day rate.

Good luck. I hope this is helpful information to at least someone out there.

Please let us know if you were able to change your reservations and who ended up doing it - Disney or Airline. Also did they make you pay extra?

Have a GREAT THANKSGIVING and a GREAT CRUISE!!!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Just to limit my stress, I booked with DCL for the air transport. Reading all of the Frances stories made me nervous.

 

[CM_Mom]

Marykatesmom, sometimes sanity costs a little more but I've found it's really worth it.

When my kids were little, my mom thought I was wasting money for Mother's Day Out since I wasn't working. I told her it was cheaper than a psychiatrist.

On our Magic cruise in May, we scheduled a late Friday night flight and a room at the Hyatt. Our expected 12:30 arrival turned into a 3:30 arrival because of lightning at Dallas Airport. I was SOOOO glad the distance from the plane to the bed was so short. Next time DH & I are taking an EXTRA day off work and getting to MCO no later than 5:00pm so I can have a relaxing evening before boarding the ship.

Lots of words to say, do what works for you. I think you're wise, especially at Thanksgiving. If your kids are in elementary school, I wouldn't worry about missing class and that gives you more "fudge time".

Have fun on your cruise. Wish it was us.

 

[DFiore1]

I looked into that. Coach air for two from Ontario, CA was almost $1000! At that price you could almost by 2 first class seats on Expedia!

Your so much better pricing your air seperatly.

Tip: on Expedia, Try choosing differant carriers for the flight out and return, depcor0311 did that, and saved a bundle!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I fly out of Avoca airport in NE PA. I was one of the last flights on Vacation Express out of the airport and was grateful that I didn't have to scramble when they folded. There are very few carriers that use the airport although I can drive to Philly about 2 1/2 hours away. I'd be crazy to chance it in November the Friday before Thanksgiving. The largest carrier is Usairways which is in financial difficulty.

Although they advertise a $168 roundtrip very few seats are available at that rate but $254 is much more common and what I usualy book. Working out to be about $1200 for the four of us plus a night at the Hyatt for around $200 a night. For a total of 1400. The diffencene between with air and night prior and without,was $1500 so I booked it. For $100, I'll let them worry if Usair is still up and running a year from now.

Now my only worry is what airline, when and making the connection. I'd love to fly out in the afternoon or even better, the evening but I'd bet any amount of money I'm flying first plane out of here.

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

I think it depends on the circumstances.

We have done two land/sea packages and booked our own air both times. But for the sea only packages I let DCL book my air.

Flying in from Oregon there are plenty opportunities for things to go wrong. We always go a day ahead!! The last time I did a 7-day cruise the air was $500 per person with transfers and a night at the Hyatt. They put us on a 6am flight (but that is all we can get out of PDX) and we got to MCO around 4ish. It was great to relax for the evening before we started our vacation. We didn't eat that morning because we had to be in the lobby by 9am to meet with the DCL people. They did have coffee there for folks. We had set our luggage out at 6am and didn't see it again till we got to our stateroom. Very nice!! When we got to the ship we ate there at the buffett.

For the repo cruise next year (can't wait ) we are having DCL handle the air again. We were quoted $350 per person with transfers and extra night at the hyatt included.

I think it is a small price to pay for piece of mind

 

[jeeper9]

I booked my flight through DCL because I thought it would be less stress for me. You are right about the extra money being worth it sometimes. My mistake was not going the day before the cruise.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

DisneyDreamer8 - Where did you stay when you came in early? When I booked, the cruise line rep said it is usally the Hyatt but they don't guarantee anything but a room.

Did a DCL rep meet your plane or did you go directly to the Hyatt?

Where did you have dinner?

When did you get to PC?