1st Cruise...Questions on transportation?

[COAriel]

This will be our first DCL trip in April 2018... our plans are flying in to MCO Friday before our 4 day Dream Cruise and rent a car... if we drop off car with rental company in Port Canaveral on Monday before Cruise and shuttle over to Disney terminal, how big of nightmare is that? What has been your experience if you have done this? I've read some horror reviews, but none on Embarkment days always on Disembarkment days when everyone is leaving at same times...And, has anybody used a one way shuttle trip through Goportcanaveral.com from the port to MCO? Where do you catch these shuttles when they are not Disney ones? I am trying to do some leg work so I can book some of these things when I am able to and also trying to save the most money if I can... thank you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This will be our first DCL trip in April 2018... our plans are flying in to MCO Friday before our 4 day Dream Cruise and rent a car... if we drop off car with rental company in Port Canaveral on Monday before Cruise and shuttle over to Disney terminal, how big of nightmare is that? What has been your experience if you have done this? I've read some horror reviews, but none on Embarkment days always on Disembarkment days when everyone is leaving at same times...And, has anybody used a one way shuttle trip through Goportcanaveral.com from the port to MCO? Where do you catch these shuttles when they are not Disney ones? I am trying to do some leg work so I can book some of these things when I am able to and also trying to save the most money if I can... thank you!

We've taken DCL transfers to/from port to MCO/resorts several times. Absolutely no issues. We've only rented a car once (port to MCO) and that also went flawlessly.

Yes, some people have issues with rental car/shuttle to/from port, but it's not a "normal" situation.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Any kind of transportation COULD have a big problem. Most of the time they don't. What I would say is "try not to sweat it." I dropped my family off at the port, stopped to fill the car with gas, then took my rental car back to the agency (on embarkation day), and took their shuttle back to the port and rejoined my family. Yes, there were a couple people in front of me in line at the agency, and I had to wait for their shuttle back, but it wasn't too bad because I was one person with no luggage (left it at the port with my family). Just build that time into your plans. If you leave some time to do all this, and don't stress over it, it will be fine. Worst case scenario, you can call your family and tell them you are stuck and they can go ahead and get on the ship if their boarding group comes up. I was able to board with mine.

 

[LSUfan4444]

if we drop off car with rental company in Port Canaveral on Monday before Cruise and shuttle over to Disney terminal, how big of nightmare is that?

None. I've used Budget before without any issue whatsoever. From the time we pulled into the rental location and I was getting by bags off of the transport vehicle maybe took 20 minutes.

always on Disembarkment days when everyone is leaving at same times

If you're renting a car when you get off the ship (which we do as well) it's much easier to just do the express disembarkation and avoid the mad rush.

 

[Oursweetworld]

I used goport... last March. We used them roundtrip without any problems. We flew in the day before cruise and stayed at close to the airport hotel. Goport picked us up from hotel at assigned time and took us straight to the port. Coming home I received a text as I was leaving ship to meet so-and-so at bus/taxi area and we shuttled back to MCO for 11am flight home. Highly recommend

 

[jrabbit]

Where are you staying the night before your cruise? MCO area, Cocoa Beach area, WDW or somewhere else?

What are your plans for your arrival day (evening / night)?

I don't see the make up of your group (family, friends, adults only, kids, teenagers, etc) and how many. To me the answer makes a difference

In general, since this is your first cruise I would
Try and use the Disney Shuttles to the port - there's a cute video with Mickey and the Gang and general information about the cruise. $35 per person one way. This is frequently one of the more expensive options, but I consider it a part of the cruise - gets me in that DCL frame of mind (that and "Cheeseburger in Paradise / Margaritaville / A Pirate Turns 40 / 5 o'clock somewhere, etc). And they take care of your checked luggage from the airport / WDW resort to your stateroom.

To take the shuttle from the airport, stay at an airport area hotel and use the hotel shuttle there and back again. The DCL shuttles will get you to the port earlier from the airport vs. a WDW resort.

 

[adg06]

I used goport... last March. We used them roundtrip without any problems. We flew in the day before cruise and stayed at close to the airport hotel. Goport picked us up from hotel at assigned time and took us straight to the port. Coming home I received a text as I was leaving ship to meet so-and-so at bus/taxi area and we shuttled back to MCO for 11am flight home. Highly recommend

Great to know, thank you! I was thinking of using them when we go, but hadn't seen many reviews.

 

[COAriel]

Any kind of transportation COULD have a big problem. Most of the time they don't. What I would say is "try not to sweat it." I dropped my family off at the port, stopped to fill the car with gas, then took my rental car back to the agency (on embarkation day), and took their shuttle back to the port and rejoined my family. Yes, there were a couple people in front of me in line at the agency, and I had to wait for their shuttle back, but it wasn't too bad because I was one person with no luggage (left it at the port with my family). Just build that time into your plans. If you leave some time to do all this, and don't stress over it, it will be fine. Worst case scenario, you can call your family and tell them you are stuck and they can go ahead and get on the ship if their boarding group comes up. I was able to board with mine.

Thank you so much for the advice... as you can see I am a planner... I like to know all possible situations, just to be prepared and if everything runs smoothly, it's a very welcomed bonus... I'm weird that way...Are you allowed to check in and Board without your entire group together? That is nice to know, if so...

 

[COAriel]

None. I've used Budget before without any issue whatsoever. From the time we pulled into the rental location and I was getting by bags off of the transport vehicle maybe took 20 minutes.




If you're renting a car when you get off the ship (which we do as well) it's much easier to just do the express disembarkation and avoid the mad rush.

Awesome...Thank you so much for the info!!

 

[COAriel]

Where are you staying the night before your cruise? MCO area, Cocoa Beach area, WDW or somewhere else?

What are your plans for your arrival day (evening / night)?

I don't see the make up of your group (family, friends, adults only, kids, teenagers, etc) and how many. To me the answer makes a difference

In general, since this is your first cruise I would
Try and use the Disney Shuttles to the port - there's a cute video with Mickey and the Gang and general information about the cruise. $35 per person one way. This is frequently one of the more expensive options, but I consider it a part of the cruise - gets me in that DCL frame of mind (that and "Cheeseburger in Paradise / Margaritaville / A Pirate Turns 40 / 5 o'clock somewhere, etc). And they take care of your checked luggage from the airport / WDW resort to your stateroom.

To take the shuttle from the airport, stay at an airport area hotel and use the hotel shuttle there and back again. The DCL shuttles will get you to the port earlier from the airport vs. a WDW resort.

I'm sorry I did forgot some information... we are a family of 4, DH, DD10, DD8, and me. We will be flying into MCO on the Friday before our Cruise and will be attending Sun-N-Fun Airplane Expo in Lakeland, FL... we will be driving to the port from there on that Monday. I was just wondering how busy the rental car places might be on embarkment day... I am still up in the air on our plans to return home... just wanted to keep all costs as low as I possibly can.... I still have DCL shuttles on the list, hoping I can work into budget.... still a work in progress Thank you for all the great information!!!

 

[COAriel]

I used goport... last March. We used them roundtrip without any problems. We flew in the day before cruise and stayed at close to the airport hotel. Goport picked us up from hotel at assigned time and took us straight to the port. Coming home I received a text as I was leaving ship to meet so-and-so at bus/taxi area and we shuttled back to MCO for 11am flight home. Highly recommend

I am so happy to hear you had no problems... I am definitely putting them on my list for possible transport back to MCO....Thank you so much!

 

[COAriel]

We've taken DCL transfers to/from port to MCO/resorts several times. Absolutely no issues. We've only rented a car once (port to MCO) and that also went flawlessly.

Yes, some people have issues with rental car/shuttle to/from port, but it's not a "normal" situation.

Good to know... Thanks for the info! Just getting some ducks in a row so I can book these things as soon as I am able to...

 

[clten]

We've rented from Budget several times before cruises. We also typically drop off luggage at the port first then go to return the car (not only do we save room on the shuttle bus, we save having to tip one extra person for handling our luggage!) Most of the time, the shuttle is there and waiting on us to go to the port. One time there was a line that wrapped around the building - it was a very long wait. After that one time, I just make sure I have the phone number to a local cab company with me. If the line is too long, I'll spend the few dollars for the taxi back (it is really very close).

Now, on the way back to MCO, are you flying out the same day the cruise ends? If so, can you take advantage of Onboard Airline Check-In (participating airline, domestic flight, after I believe 11:30am departure)? If so, we think it is worth the extra money to do the DCL transfer and have DCL do the OAC - not only do they take your bags off the ship and you don't see them until you arrive at your home airport, they also check you in and get your boarding passes so you can go straight to security at MCO. But you have to use DCL transfers to be able to take advantage of this program.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I like to know all possible situations, just to be prepared and if everything runs smoothly, it's a very welcomed bonus... I'm weird that way...Are you allowed to check in and Board without your entire group together? That is nice to know, if so...

I'm much the same way. Leave extra time, and if that means you are way early to something, it means everything went smoothly. A win. My sons are not as impressed. LOL.

Your family has multiple options. Almost surely, they will be allowed into the building (unless it is too full already, which is rare), they can then go through security. At that point, they can wait for you, or they can get in line for check in. If you get there before they get to the counter, you can join them in line (depending on how you feel about that). If they get to the front of the line before you get there, they can check in without you, and you will check in once you get there. This is what I did. Then they have another choice, if your boarding number is called, they can get on the ship, or they can wait for you. Boarding group is linked to PAT, not the actual time you check in, so if you drop your family off a bit in advance of your PAT, you may well be checked in too before your boarding number comes up. (Yours will be the same as theirs even if they checked in first, because it is linked to PAT, not check-in.) My family waited for me because it was only a few extra minutes, but if I had gotten stuck on the way back from the rental company, they could have gotten on the ship and begun enjoying their time, and also signing up for things as needed.

Have a great time!

 

[COAriel]

I'm much the same way. Leave extra time, and if that means you are way early to something, it means everything went smoothly. A win. My sons are not as impressed. LOL.

LOL.... my hubby either

Thanks for all the boarding info... it definitely gives me some things to think about. We are really looking forward to this cruise... too bad it's 422 days away!

 

[COAriel]

We've rented from Budget several times before cruises. We also typically drop off luggage at the port first then go to return the car (not only do we save room on the shuttle bus, we save having to tip one extra person for handling our luggage!) Most of the time, the shuttle is there and waiting on us to go to the port. One time there was a line that wrapped around the building - it was a very long wait. After that one time, I just make sure I have the phone number to a local cab company with me. If the line is too long, I'll spend the few dollars for the taxi back (it is really very close).

Now, on the way back to MCO, are you flying out the same day the cruise ends? If so, can you take advantage of Onboard Airline Check-In (participating airline, domestic flight, after I believe 11:30am departure)? If so, we think it is worth the extra money to do the DCL transfer and have DCL do the OAC - not only do they take your bags off the ship and you don't see them until you arrive at your home airport, they also check you in and get your boarding passes so you can go straight to security at MCO. But you have to use DCL transfers to be able to take advantage of this program.

We will definitely keep the taxi tip in mind... the wait for the shuttle is what I am worrying about the most, but it looks like I should just hope for the best and relax (hard for me), but we do not travel a great deal without our own vehicle, so I probably wouldn't of thought about a taxi ride over to the port. Thank you so much for the info. We haven't totally decided if we are gonna fly out on that Friday or Saturday, but the onboard airline check in sounds like a great option. Thanks for that info, too!