DREAMS PUERTO VALLARTA "thread"

[allyson779]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gowiththeflow Hi ladies! This forum has been a little quiet lately, so I thought I would add something! Well, we booked our room today, so hopefully our deposit will be charged soon. We are so excited and it feels a lot more real now. We have been going back and forth about sending STDs. We were thinking this: it seems from other brides, a lot of people start booking once they get the STDs. So why send both? Why not send just an invite (with a ton of info) earlier than usual. We do have a website and were thinking we could direct people there as well. Plus we just don't know when to start sending everything. I looked at the thread that discusses it, but everyone has a different opinion, so who knows? Our date is April 9, 2011. Any opinions or suggestions? Also, we are not using a TA. We have found that rates we find online are cheaper. Plus the room block rate Dreams gave us is still a few hundred more than what we have found. Our one problem: I was looking for rates for for my future SILs. They both have babies that will be 1 and 2. Every online search engine says infants are not allowed in the old tower. I know this is not true. I emailed dreams, but no response. They would want a deluxe room to save $$. I wonder if they could just book one and then add on the infant on arrival? Ok, I guess that's enought for now! Hope everyone's planning is going good.

You might want to reconsider using a TA... Originally we were going to direct our guests to expedia, orbitz, and other online travel websites, but we changed our minds based on the following reasons:

* Most TA's will help you with price matching and TA's are affiliated with the online sites. For example we found the cheapest price through apple vacations and our TA was able to lock in those rates for us.
* You can earn credits for example... for every "x" amount of rooms booked you will receive "x" amount of rooms free and "x" amount of free upgrades.
* Your TA will be able to negotiate transfers to and from the airport and resort usually at no additional cost.... Which your guests will really appreciate.
* In most cases... Your guest will only have to pay a deposit to hold the room verses paying for everything all at once. (this is also helpful and applies when purchasing airfare)
* They will submit the listing to Dreams to make sure that those guest rooms are assigned to your wedding party so you will not be charged extra for day passes or for the dinner etc. Also when available they can try and put your party somewhat together like on the same floor.
* TA will also provide a listing to you with regards to who has booked,arrival/departure dates, and what type room .... which might not sound important, but when you have OOT bags to deliver and events to plan it comes in handy.
* Your TA will address any concerns or requests your guests might have on a one on one basis. (you will not believe all requests and questions you will get... everything from can you put me on the first floor to passports and vaccinations to crime in Mexico)
* And most importantly... if something goes wrong you have a specific person to raise hell with. I don't need to worry or stress about calling a 1-800 number or calling between certain hours.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any questions.

[miss_delerium]

I agree with Allyson about the TA. Ours was able to get us a WAY better rate than we were able to find online, not to mention all the other time they will save you!

[KarenM]

I completely agree w/ everything you said, Allyson. Those are the very reasons we booked with a TA and she found us the best rates hands-down. Very good advice!

[autjo]

Another plus of a TA... ours got us a discount on the Dreams wedding package! Total score

[allyson779]

So this is very random... But we are having a cigar roller and I thought it would be a cute little touch to have personalized matches/matchbooks... but in reality how would I get them to PV with all the heightened security?

Did any past brides have matchbooks/matchboxes? If so how did you get them there?

[simplnsweet]

allyson779, I am planning to do the same but I don't imagine there would be a problem if you packed them in your suitcase..there would be a problem if you packed them in your carry one, so I think.

[gowiththeflow]

Thanks ladies!

 

You know, you have some great points about using a TA! It makes me second guess our decision. I just have no idea how to find a TA I trust! I have not used one in about 10 years. Im a crazy deal hunter and love to do it, so I do! But my one big worry is fielding 100's of requests and questions. I think I may need to do a little searching this week. I have a few days off, so it would be a good time.

 

We did decide to send STDs as well. Funny story (although Im sure many of you have experienced this too!) - I was on this site with my fiance sitting next to me, looking at the STD thread. He goes "what the ****? Why are they talking about STDs ?Are we going to have people asking about this because it's Mexico? People are CRAZY!" I thought he was kidding and just kind of went "haha." He says "no. seriously. why?(completely bewildered)" I just about died laughing! ahhh I love all the wedding lingo!

[allyson779]

I am not sure if anyone is using Mexicana for their airline, but just found out today that they canceled almost all direct flights from LAX (Los Angeles) to PVR.

All our guests (including us) were re-booked on new flights, but the new flight leaves crazy early in the morning and now instead of taking 3 hours to get there it will take 7 hours with the extra stop and layover!

[Jess]

eeks I'm sorry Allyson - same thing happened with a lot of our guests from LAX on Delta (who partnered with Mexicana) - our problem was they didn't inform anyone till a week before the wedding. I'm glad they let people know ahead of time for yours but it still sucks big time.

[ChicagoPT]

Im going to have to check our Mexicana flight out of chicago. I know they already moved the time back once.

 

I just checked dreams website and they are almost sold out for november. Every weekend is sold out and alot of the weekdays too. Im still in need of one room. Ughhhh.. oh well. Its just a friend of my moms that just decided she wants to go so I dont feel too bad if she cant. Hopefully its not crazy busy there!!