Why not just Taxi?

[bfamily5]

I just read through all of Shirley's info WOW! Amazing! At one point, there is a list of taxi fares. From WDW to Port it was $120 for 4 people...this sounds like the cheapest, most convenient option. Has anyone done this - is it too good to be true? TIA

 

[ktb2002]

Long story but my family of 3 had to take a taxi from the airport to a hotel in PC last year and that price sounds pretty close. I don't remember the exact total but it was $120-$160 range.

 

[PWammy]

That sounds like a good price, but I've only done shuttle vans to the port (with other cruiselines). 4 in a cab with luggage sounds kind of tight though, but I'm sure it works if they quote.

 

[woody73]

. . . From WDW to Port it was $120 for 4 people...this sounds like the cheapest, most convenient option. . .

It is, provided you have four people and your luggage fits.

Woody

 

[geekboy]

I have tried all methods to get to the Port from either the Disneyworld Resort or the Orlando airport. Here are my findings.

1. Rental Car for the week (ROUNDTRIP): expensive option. We have done this on 2 cruises from Port Canaveral. You need to factor gasoline as well as the parking at the port. However, this is the fastest and most convenient
2. Rental Car one-way (Airport to Canaveral, Canaveral to Airport): least expensive option I found. The problem is that Hertz charged us mileage, but it was only about $110 for the car to Canaveral (because we had it overnight and stayed at Orange Lake), and only $70 to return directly to Orlando airport. Downside is dropping the car off at Hertz then taking the shuttle back. Worse, is taking the shuttle from the Disney terminal and getting to Hertz where it is always madness! Cheapest, but most not for time sensitive trips.
3. Private Car: moderate expense: I have done this only once. This can work if your party size is not too large. Direct transportation with no worries about driving, tolls, or parking (or returning) the car. I am not sure that I would ever use this service if I was traveling by myself or with just one other person. There is definitely a break-even point and that seems to be at about 4 people to compare it to the Port Transfers.
4. Port Transfers: expensive option (depending on number in party). I have only done this once when I went aboard the Dream solo. For $70 round trip, I was able to checkin for the ship at the Orlando airport and literally board the ship as soon as I arrived at Port Canaveral (around 1PM). I was going back to WDW to meet friends, so I took the bus transfer back to WDW (at the resort of my choice). If you have 4 people, the transfer seems expensive ($280), but you need to factor all costs.

I was actually surprised at how much I liked the Port Transfer option. We did not use port transfers for our January 26, 2013 Fantasy sailing. We opted for the One-Way car rentals. I don't think I'll ever do the one-way car rentals again. I'm either going to rent for the entire 7-8 days or take the port transfers.

 

[su_A_ve]

I just read through all of Shirley's info WOW! Amazing! At one point, there is a list of taxi fares. From WDW to Port it was $120 for 4 people...this sounds like the cheapest, most convenient option. Has anyone done this - is it too good to be true? TIA

So DCL charges $35 per person - x4 = $140. Motor coach transportation with video playing getting you in the mood, vs, crammed up on a taxi?

I pass..

 

[geekboy]

So DCL charges $35 per person - x4 = $140. Motor coach transportation with video playing getting you in the mood, vs, crammed up on a taxi?

DCL is $70 per person round trip. I do not believe that they sell the transfers one-way. They will take you either to/from the airport to the port and/or a Disney Resort and back. The main benefit that I thought was special is the check-in desk at Orlando airport for the Cruise Line. I had my Key To The World card before I boarded the bus to Port Canaveral. No luggage to deal with, and I went right from the bus on to the ship without stopping!

(Well, I had to go through security but avoided the lines for checkin at the cruise terminal!)

 

[Lisa Lisa]

DCL is $70 per person round trip. I do not believe that they sell the transfers one-way. They will take you either to/from the airport to the port and/or a Disney Resort and back. The main benefit that I thought was special is the check-in desk at Orlando airport for the Cruise Line. I had my Key To The World card before I boarded the bus to Port Canaveral. No luggage to deal with, and I went right from the bus on to the ship without stopping!

You do not have to purchase round-trip transfers -- you can purchase them for either MCO to port or port to MCO separately for $35/person.

Unfortunately, you can no longer check in for the cruise and get your KTTW at the airport. You now have to check in at port. We were on the Fantasy last week, though, and our wait time at the port terminal to check in was minimal. We may have waited 5 minutes. This was at 12:30 p.m.

 

[geekboy]

Unfortunately, you can no longer check in for the cruise and get your KTTW at the airport. You now have to check in at port. We were on the Fantasy last week, though, and our wait time at the port terminal to check in was minimal. We may have waited 5 minutes. This was at 12:30 p.m.

My how things have changed in less than 6 months. I liked the checkin at the airport for those doing port transfers. Now I will need to re-think my whole "port transfers" are better mantra!

Thanks for the update.

 

[ktb2002]

My how things have changed in less than 6 months. I liked the checkin at the airport for those doing port transfers. Now I will need to re-think my whole "port transfers" are better mantra!

Thanks for the update.

The buses still leave the airport starting around 9 am, and you still get into the terminal early. However since you don't check in at the airport anymore you're boarding number is tied to your PAT.

 

[geekboy]

However since you don't check in at the airport anymore you're boarding number is tied to your PAT.

I think that's the worse part of it. When we went on the Fantasy, we were in boarding group 22. That was my highest boarding group ever! I have been in boarding group 1... that was special.

 

[lbgraves]

I think that's the worse part of it. When we went on the Fantasy, we were in boarding group 22. That was my highest boarding group ever! I have been in boarding group 1... that was special.

You were concierge with a 1. Guessing you aren't platinum since you had a 22 last time. That gives you a 2 automatically.

 

[geekboy]

You were concierge with a 1. Guessing you aren't platinum since you had a 22 last time. That gives you a 2 automatically.

I am trying to get to Platinum. Maybe next year sometime. (Yes, we were Concierge on our 1/2012 Disney Dream sailing.)

 

[mmouse37]

The buses still leave the airport starting around 9 am, and you still get into the terminal early. However since you don't check in at the airport anymore you're boarding number is tied to your PAT.

Actually, they never left at 9:00..it was always closer to 9:30 and now that they no longer do the cruise check in at the airport the first bus does not leave until a bit later....reports have been them leaving around 9:45 or so. YMMV.

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

You were concierge with a 1. Guessing you aren't platinum since you had a 22 last time. That gives you a 2 automatically.

Last month Platinum got boarding #1. At least that was my experience at PC.

MJ

 

[Dizzyworld]

Just off the Dream. Did transfers from MCO to port. The first bus left at
9:15 AM. We were processed as soon as we arrived at the port. We are Platinum and got Boarding group #1.

We might have been the only Platinum people onboard since we never saw another Platium lanyard or they didn't show up at the Castaway Party, which was held in the Sports Bar - 687. The smallest group to date for us.

 

[bfamily5]

Thanks everyone! I guess I need to run the numbers. I would really love to take the Disney Transfers, but this is our first cruise and it's only a 4 nighter, so we want to be to Port early. My understanding is that the bus doesn't pick you up at your WDW resort until after 11? That seems so late to me!

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We love the 24/7 Disney experience. So we do the ME from airport to WDW resort (always fly in at least one day before sail date). Disney transportation from resort to port. Followed by Disney coach from port to airport. We just include that as part of the cost of the vacation. We are Disney freaks and are not ashamed to show it

That's why we don't use a taxi or other service. But I can understand your wanting to get to port sooner, especially being your first Disney cruise.