Transportation and res. booking?? PLUS more?'s

[Briarmom]

We are not staying onsite this year (we got a great deal we could not pass up-it will allow us this cruise!). I am wondering if we are still able to take the 'transportation' they list on the website when you book your cruise. I am still going to look in to other things, as we may still need a rental car to get to/from the airport. Where do you go/what time to be there to take said transportation?

Also, I keep seeing people say they booked their Palo res and baby-sitting and all of that. At what point can I do that?

Do I need a "Passporter" book for a 4 day cruise? Anyone NOT getting their kids passports? Oh, I have a ton of questions!
Wanting this trip to be as close to perfect as a trip with a 2 yr old can be,
Jess

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Hi
I think you can arrange DCL transports, but, IMHO, and others may disagree...
I think the DCL transport is pretty pricey. We usually rent a car from Budget. We drop it off and take their free shuttle to the port (5-10 min. tops). When we get back, we take their shuttle from the port and pick up our rental. It is much cheaper (for us anyways-we have 5) to rent a car and drive to the port.

I really love my Passporter. I've read it cover to cover a few times. If you are new to cruising, and to DCL, I'd get it. But if you will be on these boards a LOT between now and your cruise (or like me, all the time ), I don't think it's an absolute necessity. If you want to get one, I think they have a discount on the passporter site passporter.com.

With the way travel is becoming, I think we are going to bite the bullet and get our kids passports.

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Don't know if our how you can book DCL transport, but we did the Budget Rental car last time and it worked great. Actuallly, we took FL Tours to the port and then picked up the Budget shuttle and car after the cruise. We wanted the freedom since we had a late flight out of MCO.

As for the online ressies, I believe the breakdown is:

Concierge and REAS: 105 days before
Castaway Club: 90 Days
First-timers: 75 days

I love my passporter and referred to it frequently when onboard (and without DIS). Plus, I kept everything in there - passports, tickets, other papers, etc.

I got a passport for DD4, but not for DSinfant this time around.

 

[kcashner]

DCL transports run only from selected WDW resorts and MCO to the port. They leave at specified times from the resorts. Your other alternatives are a rental car or private limo service. In general, the "break even" point for limo vs. DCL transport is 3 people....so you might want to look into various car rental and limo services. Rental cars can be dropped near the port with a complimentary shuttle back to the port area.

The most efficient way to drop off a rental car is for dad to drop the family and luggage at the port, then return the rental. He will then take the shuttle back to the port while mom is in line to check everyone in. If she gets to the front of the line before dad gets back, the CM will do dad's check in, but not issue his KTTW to him till he gets back with his ID. Just make sure that dad takes his ticket and ID with him (so he can get back into the port area.)

If you use a private limo, it will pick you up whenever you specify. Most services allow a 15 minute Wal-mart of grocery stop if you need one.

As to on line ressies....we've done 12 trips on the Magic. Things do change from time to time. I know that concierge and REAS packages can do advanced bookings fpr Palo, spa, etc. The only thing I am aware that the "general population" can pre-book is excursions. I am not aware that there is a time difference in when ressies can be made between former guests (Castaway Club) and first timers. As I said, things do change, and our last sailing was last fall. Someone else may have more current info.

My DD has always travelled without a passport. However, since we are sailing in August, she now has one. DCL is recommending passports for all West coast cruisers.

As to the passporter book....you don't need it. You may be able to get one from a local library to read thru. You can get loads of information on line. The biggest thing is that you can't possibly do everything. Try to decide which things are most important to you--do those. Beyond that, look at the navigator each evening and try to make plans for the next day, knowing that the best laid plans.....and have fun. The only thing wrong with a 4 day cruise on DCL is that it isn't 7 days long! Have fun.

 

[CM_Mom]

I think whether or not you get a Passporter is a personal decision. I used mine frequently on the 7 day especially since we changed our minds about excursions during the cruise and the Passporter gave expanded information about the excursions and ports. I like having a reference that I can read on the plane or ship.

Registering the kids, making spa and Palo ressies etc is new on the DCL website.

Here's the "WOO HOO" thread that talks about this.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=8521640#post8521640

Have a great trip.