Actual PAT with DCL transfers

[meremac]

For those of you who have recently used DCL transfers to get from a WDW resort to the port, I have some questions about your experience.

1) What time (approximately) did the transfer pick you up at your resort?

2) What time (approximately) did you actually arrive to Port Canaveral?

3) Once you arrived, did you have to wait to board the ship at all, or were you able to get right on?


Just curious to see what's happening on the ground lately. TIA!

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

Haven’t cruised yet. But we had our check-in and I ask people in our group to report times. The info I have leads me to believe that DCL are reserved for the 1-8 boarding groups. With boarding times as 11-12. Deluxe resorts have group 2 (I’m thinking concierge is group 1) group 3 is Moderates and 4 is value resorts. We are staying at POP and have PAT of 11:15-11:30. I imagine our pickup time would be 930-10 as it’s 45 minutes to port and I guess our bus will do POP and AOA.

 

[lanejudy]

Bus routes from the WDW resorts vary depending on how many cruise guests need a pick-up at each resort. So sometimes POP may have a dedicated bus, other times it may combine with AoA and/or any other resort, usually no more than 3 resorts. By taking DCL transfers from a WDW resort, you shouldn't need to select a PAT.

It seems resort pick-ups have been scheduled anytime between 8:30-10:00am recently. Arrival time at the port depends on whether there is another (1-2) resort pick-up after yours. Since boarding doesn't begin until around 11:15/11:30, I would expect at least a bit of a wait at the terminal before boarding.

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

Bus routes from the WDW resorts vary depending on how many cruise guests need a pick-up at each resort. So sometimes POP may have a dedicated bus, other times it may combine with AoA and/or any other resort, usually no more than 3 resorts. By taking DCL transfers from a WDW resort, you shouldn't need to select a PAT.

It seems resort pick-ups have been scheduled anytime between 8:30-10:00am recently. Arrival time at the port depends on whether there is another (1-2) resort pick-up after yours. Since boarding doesn't begin until around 11:15/11:30, I would expect at least a bit of a wait at the terminal before boarding.

Correct, however while I didn’t pick a PAT it automatically gives you one when you check-in. When I did check-in it says “no PAT needing arrive whenever” but on my boarding pass it says group 4 and the time. So I am making educated assumption based on that. Sure it might be later or earlier, but if they schedule them based off those parameters and I assume they do, we should get picked up between 1.25 hr to 1.5hr before the arrival time

 

[gilsan]

For those of you who have recently used DCL transfers to get from a WDW resort to the port, I have some questions about your experience.

1) What time (approximately) did the transfer pick you up at your resort?

2) What time (approximately) did you actually arrive to Port Canaveral?

3) Once you arrived, did you have to wait to board the ship at all, or were you able to get right on?


Just curious to see what's happening on the ground lately. TIA!

We stayed at the Coronado Springs on August 20. They came to pick up our luggage around 7:10am. We were told anytime after 7:00am. We met in the Barcelona lounge for 8:15am. We were on the bus by 8:50. We did stop to pick up a couple people at Caribbean Beach. at 19:15 we were at the terminal and were lead to check in, there was hardly anyone there before us. I think we were one of the first busses to arrive.

We cleared security and were waiting to board at 10:30. Our boarding group was #3. The B2B passengers were waiting in the terminal. In fact we were asked if we were part of the B2B group. You can see how empty the terminal was.

While we were waiting to board the family sitting next to us was chosen to be the family of the day. We boarded at 11:50, so it was a bit of a wait but it went quickly.

 

[lanejudy]

So I am making educated assumption based on that. Sure it might be later or earlier, but if they schedule them based off those parameters and I assume they do

I would not try to read into that using the boarding group # as an expectation of pick-up time. DCL generally expects their WDW buses to arrive relatively early -- often before the port opens to other guests at 10:30am.

 

[meremac]

We stayed at the Coronado Springs on August 20. They came to pick up our luggage around 7:10am. We were told anytime after 7:00am. We met in the Barcelona lounge for 8:15am. We were on the bus by 8:50. We did stop to pick up a couple people at Caribbean Beach. at 19:15 we were at the terminal and were lead to check in, there was hardly anyone there before us. I think we were one of the first busses to arrive.

We cleared security and were waiting to board at 10:30. Our boarding group was #3. The B2B passengers were waiting in the terminal. In fact we were asked if we were part of the B2B group. You can see how empty the terminal was.

While we were waiting to board the family sitting next to us was chosen to be the family of the day. We boarded at 11:50, so it was a bit of a wait but it went quickly.

View attachment 700274

Thank you!!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

On our last cruise (July 21-30), the DCL bus started at POR and ended at our location (SSR third stop) at 0900 hrs. The bus was full.
Arrived at the port at approximately 1020 hrs. for processing (paperwork).
We were boarding group #2. The concierge and B2B were still waiting to board. Boarded about 1140 hrs.

 

[meremac]

On our last cruise (July 21-30), the DCL bus started at POR and ended at our location (SSR third stop) at 0900 hrs. The bus was full.
Arrived at the port at approximately 1020 hrs. for processing (paperwork).
We were boarding group #2. The concierge and B2B were still waiting to board. Boarded about 1140 hrs.

Thank you!

 

[European]

I am happy to hear DCL buses now pick up earlier at the resorts. It used to be much later. Hope they will keep it that way.

 

[meremac]

I am happy to hear DCL buses now pick up earlier at the resorts. It used to be much later. Hope they will keep it that way.

Me too! I just checked in for our early October cruise this morning. Taking DCL transfers to the port from YC and was assigned BG2 with a PAT of 11-11:15. Of course, we won't know for sure what our pickup time will be until the night before, but it's a good sign!

 

[JiminyCricketNJ]

We are booked for our first-ever Disney cruise on the Wish, September 2023. If we are concierge, and staying at the Contemporary the night before, should we use Disney transfers or book a private car since (based on what others say on the boards) we are in group #1? Would love thoughts/recommendations. TIA!!

 

[OKW Lover]

We are booked for our first-ever Disney cruise on the Wish, September 2023. If we are concierge, and staying at the Contemporary the night before, should we use Disney transfers or book a private car since (based on what others say on the boards) we are in group #1? Would love thoughts/recommendations. TIA!!

I'd probably book a private car in your case. Yes, it will be a bit more $, but you setting the scene for a wonderful cruise.

 

[JiminyCricketNJ]

I'd probably book a private car in your case. Yes, it will be a bit more $, but you setting the scene for a wonderful cruise.

Thank you! Will do. We're celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary so it's a special occasion.

 

[Alicatt]

Is your luggage transfered from your room at WDW directly to your room on DCL?

 

[Sleepyluke]

We seem to be a little in the minority on enjoying the earlier pick up. We ended up sitting in the lobby for about 2 hours before anyone boarded with a crazy 4 year old trying to explain why we could not get on the ship. When we got to PC, we had to wait for them to open the terminal, got through check in and security in record time, but then hurry up and wait. I get everyone has different experiences, but not sure if it is less actual busses needed to turn around, or what, but seems that we could have slept an extra hour in the room and still be plenty early and had to wait. If I remember right we left the resort about 8:30 I think and got to the port before 10. Still like the ease of the busses, but just different than the last few cruises we have done. I think we were group 3, which went pretty quick once it started.

 

[NAB]

Is your luggage transfered from your room at WDW directly to your room on DCL?

Yes a big truck comes to take it. All you need is your carryon when you get on the bus.

Your luggage will get picked up from your room early.

 

[Alicatt]

Yes a big truck comes to take it. All you need is your carryon when you get on the bus.

Your luggage will get picked up from your room early.

I've never used Disney transfers before. How do they know that I have a reservation? I didn't get any proof from my TA. Also how do I know where and when to board? Thanks for all the help.

 

[NAB]

I've never used Disney transfers before. How do they know that I have a reservation? I didn't get any proof from my TA. Also how do I know where and when to board? Thanks for all the help.

They put a letter in your room the night before. If you don’t get one go to guest services before you turn in and they will tell you.

In the letter it will tell you when to have your luggage ready to pick up and where to go to get the bus.

Make sure you have your luggage tags on that they send you in the mail. The next time you see it is at your cabin on the ship. Where it will be sitting at your door. Make sure you keep your paper work etc with you not in the luggage.

 

[anricat]

I didn't get any proof from my TA.

You should see it on your reservation confirmation from your TA. Look under the "Ground Transportation" section. Here's what it looks like.