What is the best way to the DISNEY cruise?

[PhotobearSam]

Don't know if I should post on the transportation board or not but here goes.

We are just dh and I and are planning to be at WDW for 2 days prior to the cruise. How much are DISNEY transfers to the ship and back? Is there a cheaper way? Does the transfer back drop you at the airport?

After the cruise we wanted to get dropped at MCO because we want to rent a car for our resort week off-site.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[famfoc]

There are many independant transfer companies that seem to have much better rates than Disney. Also you will expect a much more personal experience. There are many posts on this subject. Just do a search for "transfers" Besides sometimes a Limo is just fun for everyone.

 

[DrCavin]

Why not rent a car when you arrive as well? Gives you the freedom to arrive at the port when you want....

 

[jrabbit]

DON'T get the transfers from the ship back to the airport (MCO). Save the $$ and rent from Budget or Avis at Port Canaveral / Cocoa Beach. That way you can get to your ultimate destination earlier in the day and you won't have to deal with your luggage more times than necessary!!

It seems to me that renting a car from MCO to the port you get better rates with Avis. Returning from the port back to MCO Budget has better rates - go figure

 

[glindamood]

Photobear Sam - we have always rented and had good luck and great rates - we usually use Budget. On my trip in February I took a friend (instead of DH who usually deals with the rental and driving) so we opted for a towncar service for all 3 legs (airport hotel to port, port to resort and resort to airport plus a grocery stop) and found Cartier to be the best price wise and the service was OUTSTANDING. I did shop around before I made my selection but they did have the best price. Word or warning when shopping - some prices include tips and some don't, be sure you are comparing apples to apples.

I also found good information on the Transportation board.

 

[Medleytrio]

We have done both, disney bus and rental car and I will never ride the bus again--I much more prefer to rent a car, pick it up at the airport, (very convienent I might add) drop it off at the port and arrange for another vehicle after the cruise. These buses may be bigger and look nicer, but it still is a bus---if you have used the buses at the park, they are the same

 

[padalyn]

I found Hertz has the best rate, and when you get to the port, drop off one person with the luggage (since the return driver can't get next to the terminal) and then one person go to Hertz in Cape proper - they jump in the car and drive you back to the ship. Unfortunately because of security now, that driver is not allowed into the actual terminal area - you will be dropped off by the tent in the parking lot. Thus the suggestion of dropping one person off with the luggage!

I got a minivan for one day for 63.00 for the May relocation cruise (much less than 4 transfers!)

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Don't know if I should post on the transportation board or not but here goes.

We are just dh and I and are planning to be at WDW for 2 days prior to the cruise. How much are DISNEY transfers to the ship and back? Is there a cheaper way? Does the transfer back drop you at the airport?

After the cruise we wanted to get dropped at MCO because we want to rent a car for our resort week off-site.

Thanks for any ideas.

We've done DCL transfers, we've done town car service -- we've also done rent a car at MCO prior to cruise, drop it off at Port; then rent a car post-cruise at Port and drop it off at MCO. BY FAR, our favorite is car rental. There are many rental locations with free shuttle service from Port to their office in Cocoa Beach. We used Budget last time and they were so incredibly nice, friendly and prompt. The prices we got were a steal and the car was immaculate. I got information from www.dcltribute.com, www.mousesavers.com (for codes), but also from www.budget.com. Budget had some codes which we used to get a really great rate. Driving on our own was a piece of cake and well worth it PLUS we were on our own time and saved money in the process!

Good luck!

 

[mmouse37]

I found Hertz has the best rate, and when you get to the port, drop off one person with the luggage (since the return driver can't get next to the terminal) and then one person go to Hertz in Cape proper - they jump in the car and drive you back to the ship. Unfortunately because of security now, that driver is not allowed into the actual terminal area - you will be dropped off by the tent in the parking lot. Thus the suggestion of dropping one person off with the luggage!

I got a minivan for one day for 63.00 for the May relocation cruise (much less than 4 transfers!)

Just an FYI....there is no more tent in the parking lot across the street. DCL has built a dedicated drop off zone for shuttles, cabs and such. It is closer to the main terminal building