A few last minute questions

[schmass]

We are going on our 4th Disney cruise next week, but I realized I have a few questions that I'm hoping you all can help me with:

1. We're taking DCL transport from the port to the Beach Club. I read that now all the busses leave at 9am - is this true? When we went in 2014 I think we were on our way to the resort by 8am.

2. Is there a height requirement for the Mickey slide?

3. Are there life vests by the pool, like there are at the resorts?

4. What is the earliest I can get a specialty coffee - is it Cove Cafe at 7am?

5. My DS will turn 3 during the cruise and would like to go to the kids club once that happens. Do kids still need to be 100% potty trained to go to the club, or has that changed? He is potty trained but sometimes needs a little assistance.

6. I wasn't able to select the bed rails option for him since he's 2 when we start the cruise. Will DCL provide these for him anyway?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer one or more of these questions.

 

[scootch]

Unfortunately no to number 1. They leave 1130am or later. That is why many people rent a car or private transfer.

Yes there are life vests and you should just be able to ask your stateroom host for the bedrails. You also could call in or call your travel agent and have them call in the bedrails before you go.

 

[lanejudy]

My responses below in red:

We are going on our 4th Disney cruise next week, but I realized I have a few questions that I'm hoping you all can help me with:

1. We're taking DCL transport from the port to the Beach Club. I read that now all the busses leave at 9am - is this true? When we went in 2014 I think we were on our way to the resort by 8am. I read that recently as well; I can't say whether the practice has continued or reverted back to buses leaving as they fill.

2. Is there a height requirement for the Mickey slide? Yes, I believe it's 38" to 64" but whether that is being enforced seems to vary.

3. Are there life vests by the pool, like there are at the resorts? Yes

4. What is the earliest I can get a specialty coffee - is it Cove Cafe at 7am? Sorry, not sure of this answer

5. My DS will turn 3 during the cruise and would like to go to the kids club once that happens. Do kids still need to be 100% potty trained to go to the club, or has that changed? He is potty trained but sometimes needs a little assistance. No longer required to be potty-trained but must be 3 yrs old; you may be required to return every 30-60 minutes to check if he needs help.

6. I wasn't able to select the bed rails option for him since he's 2 when we start the cruise. Will DCL provide these for him anyway? Just ask the stateroom host

Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer one or more of these questions.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[jrabbit]

Buses from the port to the AIRPORT leave as they fill. It might be quicker (but not easier) to go to the airport then get on Magical Express to your resort after the cruise if in fact the buses don't leave until 11:30 - which seems to me "wow that's late". If they are doing this it's for cost savings. Full buses from the airport or resort and full bus back to the world.

It's been over 10 years since I went to a resort after a cruise...

 

[schmass]

Thanks for the responses!

@scootch Did you mean busses going from resort to the port leave after 11:30? It seems crazy that we'd have to be off the ship by 9am and then have to wait over 2 hours to get on a bus to WDW. Thanks!

 

[lanejudy]

DCL transfers from WDW to Port Canaveral typically pick up sometime between 11am and 1pm, give or take 30 minutes.
DCL transfers from Port Canaveral to WDW post-cruise used to leave as filled, but there have been recent reports of the buses holding to leave around 9:00am. I'm not sure if that was a trial or still current practice.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Holli L]

I'd love to know the answer to #4 also. Coffee addict here! Lol

 

[scootch]

Thanks for the responses!

@scootch Did you mean busses going from resort to the port leave after 11:30? It seems crazy that we'd have to be off the ship by 9am and then have to wait over 2 hours to get on a bus to WDW. Thanks!

So sorry, read it the other way!!! No.... they start right away although you may have to wait 10-15 min for the bus to fill up. Sorry for my goof!!

 

[AndreAggie]

Looking through navigators that have been posted online, it looks like Cove Cafe opens at 6:30...so you should be able to enjoy coffee pretty early!

 

[jrabbit]

and there is always the "24 hour" beverage station for crappy coffee to hold you over until you can buy some "good" coffee

 

[Flowerem]

So sorry, read it the other way!!! No.... they start right away although you may have to wait 10-15 min for the bus to fill up. Sorry for my goof!!

This was not our experience a few weeks ago. The bus waited until 9am before leaving the port. No one got on after 8:30 and we still waited. It also took a very long time since it stopped at 5 resorts and ours was #4. I will never take DCL bus to the resorts again.

 

[Feisty Fairy]

We are going on our 4th Disney cruise next week, but I realized I have a few questions that I'm hoping you all can help me with:

1. We're taking DCL transport from the port to the Beach Club. I read that now all the busses leave at 9am - is this true? When we went in 2014 I think we were on our way to the resort by 8am.

2. Is there a height requirement for the Mickey slide?

3. Are there life vests by the pool, like there are at the resorts?

4. What is the earliest I can get a specialty coffee - is it Cove Cafe at 7am?

5. My DS will turn 3 during the cruise and would like to go to the kids club once that happens. Do kids still need to be 100% potty trained to go to the club, or has that changed? He is potty trained but sometimes needs a little assistance.

6. I wasn't able to select the bed rails option for him since he's 2 when we start the cruise. Will DCL provide these for him anyway?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer one or more of these questions.

4. 6:30 am on most days for Cove Cafe.

 

[schmass]

Looking through navigators that have been posted online, it looks like Cove Cafe opens at 6:30...so you should be able to enjoy coffee pretty early!

Thanks! With a 3 year old and 9 month old, I need it early!

and there is always the "24 hour" beverage station for crappy coffee to hold you over until you can buy some "good" coffee

I can't do it, I just can't. It tasted like beef stock to me last time.

This was not our experience a few weeks ago. The bus waited until 9am before leaving the port. No one got on after 8:30 and we still waited. It also took a very long time since it stopped at 5 resorts and ours was #4. I will never take DCL bus to the resorts again.

This is good to know. We won't be in a rush to get off the ship then. I'm glad we just have a relaxing resort day planned, and not a park day!

 

[Flossbolna]

Just wanted to wish you a great trip - and I hope we will get another trip report from you! Rory was so cute in the last one and now you have double the cuteness with the addition of Lola!

 

[schmass]

Just wanted to wish you a great trip - and I hope we will get another trip report from you! Rory was so cute in the last one and now you have double the cuteness with the addition of Lola!

Aw, thank you! I'm planning to to a TR, but we will see...

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We just got off the Fantasy 2 weeks ago and Cove was up and operating at 0700. However 2 times I was up and around at 0630, there was someone there, setting up and they took my 2 item order.

Have a great cruise.

AKK

 

[OrangeFizz]

We are going on our first cruise soon and can't wait!