Car Service or Disney Transfers?? I'm so confused!

[buzzrelly]

So we are going on The Dream next April. We are staying at The Poly before the cruise and then BLT after the cruise. I have the Disney transfers booked for the 4 of us already, and the cost is $280 round-trip. I've been reading every thread about the Disney transfers and I think I am getting more and more confused! A lot of people don't like the Disney transfers because it gets them to the ship late, but some people say that they have gotten to the ship early…argh! So I priced out a car service and it's $285 round-trip (includes a free grocery stop that we won't need), BUT on top of the $285, we'd have to pay at least $28.50 in gratuities.

So I know it's not a crazy amount but the car service would still cost more, and honestly, my preference would be to take the Disney bus as it is more comfortable and the kids would enjoy it more and they would take care of our luggage (I think). And with the car service I would also have to tip the porters at the port to help with our luggage, so there's that too.

Is it REALLY worth spending more money for a private car service? What would you all do in our case? Thanks!

 

[clten]

If you are okay with arriving at the port around 1-1:30 (could be a little earlier, could be a little later but in that neighborhood - definitely not in the 11 am- noon neighborhood) then go ahead with Disney transfers from the Poly to the ship (the bus is convenient and the luggage service to the port is great). If waiting around until noon at the resort is going to get you antsy thinking that you could be on the ship already, go ahead and book the car service.

Now, make your decision about the return to BLT independent of how you are getting to the terminal. If you decide you want the car service to the port, you can still do DCL transfers after the cruise. Luggage handling isn't so great from the port -- you do have to pick up all your luggage in the terminal and carry it out to either the bus or the car (or have a porter help and tip them) so there is no difference in expense or ease there.

 

[MagicMe]

The DCL bus is very convenient but you may not get to the port until anywhere from 12:30 - 1:30. But you won't have to deal with luggage (they pick it up in the morning from your room) and unless you can get an early PAT (done during on-line check-in) you could wait to board anyway. The bus will pick you up right at the resort and they will have videos on the TV to get you pumped for your cruise.

 

[MUN]

So we are going on The Dream next April. We are staying at The Poly before the cruise and then BLT after the cruise. I have the Disney transfers booked for the 4 of us already, and the cost is $280 round-trip. I've been reading every thread about the Disney transfers and I think I am getting more and more confused! A lot of people don't like the Disney transfers because it gets them to the ship late, but some people say that they have gotten to the ship early…argh! So I priced out a car service and it's $285 round-trip (includes a free grocery stop that we won't need), BUT on top of the $285, we'd have to pay at least $28.50 in gratuities.

So I know it's not a crazy amount but the car service would still cost more, and honestly, my preference would be to take the Disney bus as it is more comfortable and the kids would enjoy it more and they would take care of our luggage (I think). And with the car service I would also have to tip the porters at the port to help with our luggage, so there's that too.

Is it REALLY worth spending more money for a private car service? What would you all do in our case? Thanks!

We've always done one-way car rentals, but that works out better for our circumstances and is less expensive. However, reading between the lines with your post, car rental may not be your thing. I suggest sticking with the DCL buses. You'll get on the ship in plenty of time, plus the buses have more of a Disney flavor to them then a car service.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Jennifer777]

From our balcony on our last cruise we were watching Disney busses still pulling into port at 1:30pm There were some there earlier too. I wonder if you could ask when the first bus leaves Disney and see if you can arrange to be at that hotel, even if it's not Poly?

We always take private transfers. I think it's so much more comfortable and convenient than a bus. The company we use lets us control the temperature and the music. We use the grocery stop to swing by a liquor store and pick up some wine (we used to pick up other stuff too but that's not allowed any longer) which saves us a little money vs. buying it on the ship and that helps to offset the slightly higher cost of taking private transfers a little bit. Best of all, you get to set the pickup times so there's no waiting around. The luggage service with the Disney bus is nice but we've never felt dealing with our luggage is an issue.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

So we are going on The Dream next April. We are staying at The Poly before the cruise and then BLT after the cruise. I have the Disney transfers booked for the 4 of us already, and the cost is $280 round-trip. I've been reading every thread about the Disney transfers and I think I am getting more and more confused! A lot of people don't like the Disney transfers because it gets them to the ship late, but some people say that they have gotten to the ship early…argh! So I priced out a car service and it's $285 round-trip (includes a free grocery stop that we won't need), BUT on top of the $285, we'd have to pay at least $28.50 in gratuities.

So I know it's not a crazy amount but the car service would still cost more, and honestly, my preference would be to take the Disney bus as it is more comfortable and the kids would enjoy it more and they would take care of our luggage (I think). And with the car service I would also have to tip the porters at the port to help with our luggage, so there's that too.

Is it REALLY worth spending more money for a private car service? What would you all do in our case? Thanks!

It sounds like this is your first cruise, (at least on DCL). If that's the case I would absolutely stick with DCL transfers. Yes it gets you to the port later than private transfers but they also really "hold your hand" the ought the process so you can concentrate on what your kids are doing and soaking in the experience.

The buses are great as they show DCL videos and keep you entertained. I would also stick with them for the return transfer. If you have the early dinner seating you'll be off the ship and checking into Bay Lake by 10. Granted you can be in the same time frame with a private car but once again they hold your hand through the process and even show a nice departure video on the bus.

On your second or third cruise you can do private transfers. Also, be sure to book a placeholder reservation while on the ship, it's only a $200 deposit (if non-concierge), that way you don't waste time on the ship trying to figure out what your next cruise will be. It literally took us 3 minutes to do a placeholder reservation on board.

Enjoy your cruise, the Dream is amazing!

 

[shelbell77]

We've almost always done the Disney transfers. Its super easy and we like that.

Yes you get there a little later. but on the plus side there's no wait to get on the ship when you arrive. And all your luggage is handled getting to the ship. You leave it in your resort room and it shows up at your stateroom. This is not the case on the way back to the resort, so that is something to be aware of. On the way back to WDW you have to claim your luggage in the terminal, bring it through customs, and to your transfer bus.

The one time we did not use the disney transfers, we got to port too early, weren't allowed to pull in. port was crazy insanely crowded and we just had to wait in the crowds a long time.

 

[bumbershoot]

I wonder if you could ask when the first bus leaves Disney and see if you can arrange to be at that hotel, even if it's not Poly.

Nope.

This is not the case on the way back to the resort, so that is something to be aware of. On the way back to WDW you have to claim your luggage in the terminal, bring it through customs, and to your transfer bus.

Yep.

 

[buzzrelly]

Thank you, everyone, for the replies! This is our second Disney cruise, but the first one left from NYC on The Magic.

I think for ease and peace of mind, I will just stick to the Disney transfers. Just one more question though, will the buffet still be open for lunch if we don't get on until 1:30 or so? I'm thinking of just grabbing a mid-morning breakfast at The Poly and hanging out by the pool until we have to get on the bus and hopefully that will tide everyone over until lunch. Does this sound reasonable?

 

[buzzrelly]

Also, be sure to book a placeholder reservation while on the ship, it's only a $200 deposit (if non-concierge), that way you don't waste time on the ship trying to figure out what your next cruise will be. It literally took us 3 minutes to do a placeholder reservation on board.

Enjoy your cruise, the Dream is amazing!

Great advice! Thank you! How long is that placeholder reservation good for? Indefinitely? Or do we have to cruise within a certain time frame?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Thank you, everyone, for the replies! This is our second Disney cruise, but the first one left from NYC on The Magic.

I think for ease and peace of mind, I will just stick to the Disney transfers. Just one more question though, will the buffet still be open for lunch if we don't get on until 1:30 or so? I'm thinking of just grabbing a mid-morning breakfast at The Poly and hanging out by the pool until we have to get on the bus and hopefully that will tide everyone over until lunch. Does this sound reasonable?

The 2 times we took DCL transfers we were able to eat lunch on board, once at EG and the other time in Cabanas.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Great advice! Thank you! How long is that placeholder reservation good for? Indefinitely? Or do we have to cruise within a certain time frame?

Your next cruise has to start within 2 years of the date you booked the placeholder.

 

[buzzrelly]

The 2 times we took DCL transfers we were able to eat lunch on board, once at EG and the other time in Cabanas.

Your next cruise has to start within 2 years of the date you booked the placeholder.

Thanks again!!

 

[Madzac]

Our first cruise we drove and parked at the port. The last one we stayed at the hyatt night before and bus to port in the morning. This was awesome! There early and no lines. The luggage transfer and bus were fun too. My kids love boarding early so we can get princess tickets and eat and use pools right away. After we rented a car and that was also very very easy.

This next summer we are staying 2 nights at pop first. I talked it over with the family and they all want to get to port and board early. I like the convenience of the bus and our private transfer is more money but will get us there much sooner. If my family didn't love the tradition of getting on the ship early I would absolutely go for the bus.

Coming home we are just going to the airport so the convenience of the on board airline check in and them handling our luggage was huge so we opted for the bus rather than renting a car or private.

I think you just need to decide if you are ok with arriving later. Some love that as rooms are ready and no crowds. My family just really wants to get on board asap!

 

[kiford]

Just one more question though, will the buffet still be open for lunch if we don't get on until 1:30 or so?

Yes. We always do DCL transfers and have never missed lunch even the one time we got there really late (traffic issue) around 2-ish. We usually have time to check in, drop off our carryons in the room, check that our excursion tickets are correct and go to Port Adventures if not (has happened twice), go to Guest Services to book tickets for tastings, unpack carryons and then head to lunch. I don't like to get there before the rooms are ready and have to haul my bag around or wait in line at the terminal so I prefer the transfers plus the fact that they pick up my luggage in my room in the morning.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

Please remember to tip the dcl bus driver...

 

[buzzrelly]

Please remember to tip the dcl bus driver...

Thanks for the tip. I probably would not have done this…I have never tipped the ME drivers. So how much do you typically tip on the DCL transfers? The suggested gratuity in a private car was 10%, so $28.50. If that is expected on the bus, then that kind of levels the playing field a little, and may tip the scales for us to take a private transfer instead.

 

[eangel12]

Thanks for this post! I've been doing searches and debating what to do for our family too! I was set on Hyatt with DCL transfer and it still seems the most recommended!

I also didn't think about tipping the driver. Any idea on what people tip?! Do you do a certain amount based on bags?

 

[Billinaz]

We always rent a car. There is an Avis and Budget in the DTD hotel area. It was much more cost effective and allowed us to stop where we needed for supplies, etc. We usually got a minivan for about $100, or a full size car for about $50

 

[cedricandsophie]

Thanks for the tip. I probably would not have done this…I have never tipped the ME drivers. So how much do you typically tip on the DCL transfers? The suggested gratuity in a private car was 10%, so $28.50. If that is expected on the bus, then that kind of levels the playing field a little, and may tip the scales for us to take a private transfer instead.

We always tip the bus driver something. It nevr occurred to me that people did not. We usually give him $2 or $3, not a lot.