What do you think? Want to book but...

[Bigbaby]

Ok I have been debating about this trip for a few weeks now. Im going to drive from NYC to FLA. Me wife and 3yr. DS <--- I think that means son

Anyhow I was wondering if you guys/gals can help me at least narrow things down. This will be our second cruise BUT 1st. DC. So Im looking at a 4 day July 25, 2004 cruise only. Cost about $3,097.55

I also looked at land and sea which is July 29, 2004 3 night land 4 night sea package. Cost $4,437.55.

Both EXPENSIVE for my taste BUT I was on Carnival and now want to try DCL. Either way I want to have a nice family vacation, and Ill do what I most people I know do CHARGE IT

This is a diff of $1340.00. Is the 3 day land package worth it? I chose the Disney Carib beach Resort for this packge. which I think puts me on level 2 of the ship with a window. See I was planning on just getting my own room for a few days after the cruise, and do Disney only 1 day for my son. He's 3 and I feel it would be great for him, but he is only 3 so I really dont know...

Anyway if you have done this before can you give me your opinions. Good or Bad. Also if yout think I can get a room for about 4 days after at a good rate what disney resort would you recommend. Thanks


** Have card in hand just need to decide **

 

[din]

A couple of quick comments..

1. Generally DCL is more expensive than other cruise lines, the general consensus is that no casino.

2. You are booking only three/four months out. This is a peak time for DCL, as the schools are out.

3. You will be better off booking WDW and DCL eperately.

4. My oldest DS (yes it means Disney son or Darling son) went to WDW when he was two, and loved it. He is 12 now and still loves going there..

5. From people I have met on the ships, once you go on DCL you will never want to go on other cruise. The only other cruise that I heard that has good opinions is Celebrity Cruise.

Suggestions:

1. Book the rooms at WDW and DCL on your own. Comes out cheaper.

2. Are you tied to that date? DCL pricng is best when you book in advance or in the off season. You DS is not in school unless your significant other is a school employee, so that is something to consider. To give you an example a cruise booked for 2004 easter two years ago went up $2000 four months before the cruise.

3. We personally like the EPCOT resort area, Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin, Beach Club, etc... Good location, food access, and nice pools.

Good luck

 

[ColeenD]

Move the cruise/hotel up to September and you will save a bundle.

 

[videoman]

I agree....if you are not locked into that July date, you could change it to "off season" (Oct, etc) and get a much better price. Also....are you stuck on the land and sea - you may get a better price for the 7 day cruise & postpone WDW for next yr...Just a thought - From what I hear about land and sea...it gets to be expensive cause you need to purchase all the meals on the land - also some feel that they would have liked more time at WDW & DCL.

Whatever you decide....you really can't lose if it includes Mickey!

 

[my3kids]

Don't book the land and sea. Go on the cruise when you want, then book whatever hotel you want on your own. Then you are not locked into any particular combination of rooms on the ship and at WDW.

Disney is great, but, Din, I wouldn't say people would never want to go on another line after Disney. My last was Disney, but my next is Holland America, and I'm very excited! I was also excited after Princess to try Disney. There are a lot of lines, and a lot that are good with kids. I'd like to try them all eventually.

 

[dclwdwlover]

I agree on the time that you have booked, if it is at all possible to change to a later date.

Beach Club is our favorite, but if you book a lower priced resort, like the All Stars, it will be much less costly. I agree that the location of the hotels mentioned before are much more convenient for travel to & from the parks, but the amount of $$ that you will spend on food alone for those days will be substantial, and you can save a bundle on the category of hotel.

You can search for discounts for the resorts by booking it separately, also. We've gotten some great rates at the All Stars before.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

While you and your wife will enjoy the mods or deluxe resorts more, I would bet that your 3 year old would LOVE All Star Movies. There are rumors that new codes are coming out very soon, like maybe next week. Depending on what the codes are the All Stars will be about $79 per night. Also check with an online travel agent (Dreams Unlimited, Small World Travel) as they usually have better prices than booking directly. It is much less in the off season and the parks are much less crowded too!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We did our first land/sea Feb of 2000 and stayed a CBR. We liked it. Look at Oct and you can book the same exact vacation for about 1200.00 less! There are less people and the weather is great. Oct is hurrican season. We have sailed the week after Thanksgiving the last two years with two nights at WDW Thanksgiving day and the next Friday. Weather is typically in the 70s in Fl and 80s in the Carribean. The sailing is off peak. Good luck!!! Oh yea, you can get one of those coveted verandahs ffor 500 less dollars.

 

[Bigbaby]

Originally posted by LAMPSKIES
Oh yea, you can get one of those coveted verandahs ffor 500 less dollars.

What? How can this be... If you dont me asking.

BTW sorry for the delay, but I was not able to get online until today. Been busy moving and cable modem just got hooked up again. I want to thank you all for your replies I really appreciate it.

I would say yes Im locked into this time frame last two weeks of july and basically the month of Aug. Funny thing is I wanted to book this last year in July and the price was not discounted. I figured a year in advance I should get a great rate for booking early. But to my amazement the price is the same as the price Im getting today.

I agree about the land and see issue I can do it on my own anyway. So I will just concentrate on the cruise now. If I can just decide if the cost of a 4 day is worth it or do I go for broke and do the 7 day?

See I have been to Cozumel, and have no interest going back. Basically I have no interest in going anywhere "Out of the country" with my 3 yr old DS. Yes Im concerned. If it was me and wife alone yeah I would not care. But after Cozumel with my DS I figure I'll spend my money in the US and Ports where I feel comfortable going to.

So If I may? Where should I go to get some prices now? I cant remember the site but they seem to ask for a ton of personal info to get a price, I dont feel comfortable doing this without knowing what they are about or a tel # I can call. But I would appreciate any recomendations/links for info on

All Star Movies, and DCL bookings &prices so I can finally go home and let the family know we are going to DW



Thank you all once again

 

[outahere]

You might want to check www.allseastravel.com

They post their prices online, so there is no need to supply them with any info, just to get a price.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Go to MouseSavers.com or the Resorts Board and look at the packages released today. They are offering pay for 5 nights get 7 nights (code ZXDB). Including hotel and tickets. For a value resort it would be about $1428.00 for all 3 of you. I know it does not include the cruise, but wanted to be sure you knew this came out today.