First timer & solo on a budget

[European]

I'm thinking about doing a cruise for the first time (4 night Wonder) and solo. Most likely I will come up with loads of questions, but for now:

If I don't stay at a Disney Resort, let's say some cheap hotel on I-drive, what would be my best option to get to the Cruise?
Take a taxi or shuttle to a WDW Resort and then the DCL bus? Or a taxi or shuttle to the airport and then the DCL bus? The second option will make me be able to arrive at the Cruise earlier, right? Can I take a DCL bus from a Disney resort if I'm not staying on property?
I would consider renting a car if it is really necessary, but I guess it will still be more expensive since I'm travelling solo.

Thanks for the help!

[disneylove69]

You can't take it from the resort but you can take it from the airport which is $69 roundtrip. If you are not going to have a car stay at a hotel near the airport that offers shuttle to/from airport. I went solo in Sept. so if you want you can PM with any questions.

[ibouncetoo]

My first DCL cruise was a solo four nighter.

While I was watching my money, I also wanted as much convenience and as little luggage schlepping as possible.

I went with a room at Port Orleans French Quarter. They are often priced just a tiny bit more than a value resort and have the DCL bus right there. (Though I've heard that DCL picks up at all resorts now???) Plus you get free Magical Express transport from the airport to the resort.

So I got off the plane, on Magical Express, checked in, dropped my carryon in the room, hit the boat for Downtown Disney, had dinner, shopped, took the boat back, luggage was magically in my room! The next morning, they collected my luggage from the room and the next time I saw it was in my stateroom on the ship. The DCL bus is $35 one way.

So if you are considering looking for a cheap (or 'pricelined' hotel) on I drive, consider the car rental pick up/drop off/luggage hauling time and energy and put a 'value' on that when comparing the costs of your different options.

.

[kcashner]

If you are looking for a place to stay for just the night before the cruise, I wouldn't mess with I-drive at all. We use Priceline to get a room in the MCO area. At the 2.5* level, all rooms include transportation to and from MCO a well as a complimentary breakfast. You can use the hotel's shuttle to get there, then in the morning take the shuttle back to the airport and ride the DCL bus to the terminal. By taking the DCL bus from MCO rather than a resort, you can leave for the terminal any time after about 9:40 am as each bus leaves after it fills up.

Your suggestion to use a taxi to get to WDW or the airport would essentially eat your savings from staying off site.

Another suggestion for your hotel stay would be to rent DVC points from a member; in general this will cost less than a stay at a WDW hotel, but more than staying in the MCO area. If you'll be in town more than overnight, you can also get Priceline rooms in the Lake Buena Vista area (near WDW) which generally have transportation to the parks!

[European]

I think I need to add some more details here, but thanks so much already for your help!
I am not planning on spending a lot of time at WDW this trip. I would like to concentrate on visiting the Sea World parks and maybe Universal Studios. So I will not be in Orlando for just 1 night before the cruise. Here's what I've come up with so far:

Arrive in Orlando begnning of December. Take Mears to a hotel on or near I-drive. Visit Sea World parks, shopping malls and maybe Universal. On the 13th in the morning take Mears to the airport. Take the earliest DCL bus to cruise. Cruise from 13th until 16th. Then take DCL bus to WDW. Stay there 2 or 3 nights and then take Magical Express back to airport.

Does this sound ok to you?

If I stay at a Value Resort, will I have to take a taxi from one of the WDW hotels where they drop me off (after the cruise)?

Because my cruise is just a month away and I'm already travelling throughout Canada and USA, sending my travel documents to my house is not an option. What should I do about that? Can I pick them up at Orlando airport?

Thanks!

[taswira]

Originally Posted by European

Arrive in Orlando begnning of December. Take Mears to a hotel on or near I-drive. Visit Sea World parks, shopping malls and maybe Universal. On the 13th in the morning take Mears to the airport. Take the earliest DCL bus to cruise. Cruise from 13th until 16th. Then take DCL bus to WDW. Stay there 2 or 3 nights and then take Magical Express back to airport.>>> Because my cruise is just a month away and I'm already travelling throughout Canada and USA, sending my travel documents to my house is not an option. What should I do about that? Can I pick them up at Orlando airport?

Wow. Your cruise is less than a month away, you reside in Belgium but are traveling in the US and Canada right now? Are you still "thinking" of doing the cruise but not actually booked? I honestly don't see how this would work on such short notice under those circumstances, unless you are using a dedicated local TA here (perhaps DU?).

Also, you mentioned sailing from the 13th to the 16th. The 4-night cruise that departs the 13th returns to Port Canaveral the morning of the 17th.

[European]

Originally Posted by taswira

Wow. Your cruise is less than a month away, you reside in Belgium but are traveling in the US and Canada right now? Are you still "thinking" of doing the cruise but not actually booked? I honestly don't see how this would work on such short notice under those circumstances, unless you are using a dedicated local TA here (perhaps DU?).

Also, you mentioned sailing from the 13th to the 16th. The 4-night cruise that departs the 13th returns to Port Canaveral the morning of the 17th.

Yes, I meant the 17th, thanks for the correction.

I haven't booked anything yet, but would like to really soon. Why wouldn't it work? There is still availability on that cruise. I just book everything myself.

[taswira]

Originally Posted by European

Yes, I meant the 17th, thanks for the correction.

I haven't booked anything yet, but would like to really soon. Why wouldn't it work? There is still availability on that cruise. I just book everything myself.

I only said I didn't see how it would work without a good local TA here, but I guess what I meant was it would be much easier with an experienced person handling the details for you. With the exception of locals (usually experienced) grabbing last-minute discounts, most people (especially first-timers) book quite a bit in advance. Not a requirement, though.

For a first-timer to make all their own arrangements and bookings in a foreign country on such short notice is probably not too common, but if you can manage it, more power to you! I wish you all the best and happy sailing!

[European]

Oh ok. I'm pretty experienced when it comes to that. I just don't know much about the Disney Cruise Line yet.

[taswira]

I always book everything myself as well. My profession involved traveling the world and usually making my own arrangements. It is obvious you are comfortable with that, but since you don't know much about DCL yet and because it IS such short notice, that prompted my response. I hope it all works out for you.

[kcashner]

The DCL buses go to ALL WDW resorts after the cruise. They do not pick up at value resorts, the Coronado Springs, or the campground to go TO the port.

It has been reported that the buses will pick up from the value resorts starting in 2010.

The plans you have outlined will work perfectly.

[European]

Originally Posted by kcashner

The DCL buses go to ALL WDW resorts after the cruise. They do not pick up at value resorts, the Coronado Springs, or the campground to go TO the port.

It has been reported that the buses will pick up from the value resorts starting in 2010.

The plans you have outlined will work perfectly.

Thanks. I just found it on the FAQ. Now I found there's an opening for a 3 night cruise. So as soon as I decide between 3 or 4 nights, I'm booking.

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by European

Thanks. I just found it on the FAQ. Now I found there's an opening for a 3 night cruise. So as soon as I decide between 3 or 4 nights, I'm booking.

It's a no brainer--4 nights. A 3 night cruise is really only 2 1/2 days long, which is WAY too short.

[taswira]

Originally Posted by kcashner

It's a no brainer--4 nights. A 3 night cruise is really only 2 1/2 days long, which is WAY too short.

Ha-ha - - No doubt!

Go on as long a cruise as you can afford and have time for. You won't regret it!

[European]

Does anyone know if I can book ground transfer 'cruise-hotel' online? Do i need to book the hotel together with the cruise in order to do that? That did not seem to be possible for some reason, but even so, I might want to book the WDW hotel seperately considering there are some special deals.