How do DCL transfers work?

[mlayton14]

We will be taking Disney bus from Disney resort to port canaveral. Is a PAT even relevant to us? I assume that the Disney bus is going to come pick us up whenever they schedule , meaning I have no control over this.

Please help me understand the timing and process of using DCL transfers from a disney resort .


Thank you !

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We will be taking Disney bus from Disney resort to port canaveral. Is a PAT even relevant to us? I assume that the Disney bus is going to come pick us up whenever they schedule , meaning I have no control over this.

Please help me understand the timing and process of using DCL transfers from a disney resort .


Thank you !

As to when you actually arrive at the port, the PAT selection is a moot point. You will enter the terminal at whatever time the bus gets you there from your resort (generally in the 12:30-1:00 window). However, your boarding number (which you receive at the port) is tied to your PAT - earlier PAT = lower boarding number; later PAT = higher boarding number. Now, in most cases it really won't matter, as the DCL transfers tend to arrive at the port after the Open Boarding has been announced (no boarding number needed).

 

[lbgraves]

You are correct that you have no control over your arrival time at the port with transfers. They cost $35 pp each way and pick up at the resorts around 11:30. This gets you to the port around 1:00, depending on how many other resorts your bus stops at. By this time open boarding has been called usually so a PAT doesn't really affect you.

 

[luv2sleep]

What is open boarding?

 

[Donald_Quackers]

What is open boarding?

That is when you can just walk onto the ship right after you check in. At that point, boarding numbers are irrelevant.

 

[starousse]

I just posted the similar question. Had I seen this I wouldn't have . Of those who have gone from WDW to the ship, do you prefer using the DCL transfers or using a car service of some sort?

 

[mmouse37]

I just posted the similar question. Had I seen this I wouldn't have . Of those who have gone from WDW to the ship, do you prefer using the DCL transfers or using a car service of some sort?

You will probably get many different responses to this....many love DCL transfers and don't care what time they get to the port as they love the convenience of the transfers. Others like to get to the port early so rent a car or take a car service. Totally personal preference.

MJ

 

[silkie8]

We are staying at Hyatt MCO night before our cruise. We have DCL transfers to Port Canaveral.

My understanding is that the DCL buses start showing up at Hyatt MCO pretty early.....9:00--9:30......so I'm thinking of trying to get an early PAT (when I can check in December 3rd) --- this is our first cruise and we want to get on the ship early as we can.

Does this plan make sense?

Thanks.

Don't know what us newbies would do without you Experienced Disney People.....

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are staying at Hyatt MCO night before our cruise. We have DCL transfers to Port Canaveral.

My understanding is that the DCL buses start showing up at Hyatt MCO pretty early.....9:00--9:30......so I'm thinking of trying to get an early PAT (when I can check in December 3rd) --- this is our first cruise and we want to get on the ship early as we can.

Does this plan make sense?

Thanks.

Don't know what us newbies would do without you Experienced Disney People.....

The DCL transport busses don't actually go from the Hyatt MCO. There is a DCL transportation desk in the terminal that you will need to go to. They typically open around 9:00 (maybe a bit earlier) with the first busses departing around 9:20. The busses depart about every 20 minutes or when full (whichever is first).

With the "new" PATs, the earliest you will be arriving would be around 10:30, with boarding starting (as recently reported) around 11:15-11:30. I'd think the earliest you could be onboard would be around 11:15 or so.

 

[silkie8]

thank you, Princess Shmoo.... I will be sure to look for the DCL Transportation desk when we are at the terminal, checking into Hyatt.

 

[TJDisneymama]

I also have a question.....i assume we get a notice in our room the day before the cruise telling us what time to be outside for our DCL bus?

 

[TJDisneymama]

Double post

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I also have a question.....i assume we get a notice in our room the day before the cruise telling us what time to be outside for our DCL bus?

I assume we get a notice to our room day before cruise telling us what time the dcl bus will pick us up?

If you are asking about WDW resorts, you will receive a notice telling you what time to be at the DCL transportation desk (usually in the lobby/reception area) the last night of your stay. Generally, you will be told that your bags must be ready for pickup by 8:00 am inside your room. DCL will pick them up and deliver them separately to the port by truck. If you are just staying one night, you should get the information when you check in. I'd say if you don't have it by dinner time the night before, ask.

 

[bumbershoot]

I just posted the similar question. Had I seen this I wouldn't have . Of those who have gone from WDW to the ship, do you prefer using the DCL transfers or using a car service of some sort?

We went from WDW to the ship, and we won't do that again. We were extra-frustrated because we had booked concierge and could have been on among the first, but instead we were only halfway there when my cousins texted me they were on the ship (they were not in concierge). They got to wander and relax and take pictures, and once we were finally on they met us then we were sent to the concierge lounge and it was rush rush rush from then on.

In the future I will hire a car service or take DCL transport *from the airport*.

The buses from the airport start at 9ish and therefore get you to the port much earlier, so there's not as much rush rush rushing around (at least once you've left your resort, returned the rental car, and gotten to the bus counter).

The DCL transport busses don't actually go from the Hyatt MCO.

How would they get the bus up to the lobby, one wonders? Just joshin' there on the mental image you put in my head of IF the bus did actually go from the hotel.

I also have a question.....i assume we get a notice in our room the day before the cruise telling us what time to be outside for our DCL bus?

You should.

We did not. We had to call...someone. I don't remember who. But we called someone and they told us the time to meet at the River Roost or whatever the lounge at POR is called, and what time our bags would be picked up from the room. But we checked in between 1 and 2 in the morning and we were only there for that and one more night, so I think we messed up the timing for those in charge of getting us that info. And we're magnets for really weird levels of service sometimes.

 

[qits]

As to when you actually arrive at the port, the PAT selection is a moot point. You will enter the terminal at whatever time the bus gets you there from your resort (generally in the 12:30-1:00 window). However, your boarding number (which you receive at the port) is tied to your PAT - earlier PAT = lower boarding number; later PAT = higher boarding number. Now, in most cases it really won't matter, as the DCL transfers tend to arrive at the port after the Open Boarding has been announced (no boarding number needed).

This is exactly what happened when we arrived at port.