Anyone recently use DCL transfers to/from WDW to Port Canaveral?

[tlynk]

Has anyone within the past few months used the DCL bus transfer from WDW to Port Canaveral? If so, what time does DCL generally pick up from the WDW resorts? The last time I used DCL transfers I was picked up around noon. I'd like to go to DHS the morning I embark, but not sure if I'll have time?

 

[lanejudy]

I'm not sure exactly what questions you have, as the transfers to/from WDW haven't particularly changed. First note - you must have a WDW resort reservation to use the transfers, they don't go directly from or to a park.

With regards to DHS on embarkation day -- I personally would feel too rushed to enjoy it. I prefer to hang at the resort, eat a more leisurely breakfast, maybe hang by the pool, etc. But others enjoy going to a park for a couple of hours.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[JARNJ3]

What time do they usually pick you up at the resort? I am thinking of using it in May - from Art of Animation.

I used DCL transport in the Med & they had us at the port by around 1-130 - seemed to be later than every one else - but it was nice, because there wasn't a big line to get in. Even in Cabanas - there were plenty of seats - I was thinking that we may have been some of the last people to embark - which was less ship time for us - but easier to deal with in the long run. We took our time at breakfast, relaxed and didn't feel rushed.

Plus - added benefit - as soon as we finished lunch our cabin was ready to check out! No waiting for that

 

[tlynk]

Thank you for your replies. I think I have my question answered. It sounds like things really haven't changed since I last used the DCL transfers. It's been awhile since I combined a Disney cruise with WDW. I'm staying at Boardwalk for 2 nights pre-cruise and was contemplating going to DHS the day of embarkment for the morning if the DCL bus arrives around noon. I love spending time at the resorts as well, but the person I'm traveling with has never seen DHS and I thought it would be nice to visit for a few hours. I will edit my original post.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What time do they usually pick you up at the resort? I am thinking of using it in May - from Art of Animation.

The pick up window from the resorts is anywhere between 10:45-1:30. But, could be earlier or later.

As DCL doesn't set the route/pick up times until like the day before, there's no way of knowing for sure when any specific resort will be picked up at now.

They set the pickups based on how many people from which resorts need to be picked up, filling the buses as full as they can before heading for the port.

 

[SL6827]

I want to be able to get to the port earlier than what DCL will provide. I would like to eat lunch no later than 12:30 and I doubt that would happen with the Disney transfers. If I were on a 7-night it might be different. I went back and forth with the decision of DCL vs. a private transfer and a private transfer won out, this time anyways. I do admit that I would like to at least once ride on the DCL bus, so maybe one day. I am probably giving it more credit than it deserves, lol.

 

[tlynk]

I want to be able to get to the port earlier than what DCL will provide. I would like to eat lunch no later than 12:30 and I doubt that would happen with the Disney transfers. If I were on a 7-night it might be different. I went back and forth with the decision of DCL vs. a private transfer and a private transfer won out, this time anyways. I do admit that I would like to at least once ride on the DCL bus, so maybe one day. I am probably giving it more credit than it deserves, lol.

DH and I usually like to get to the ship early too and the longer the cruise the better. This trip is a girls trip and a little unique. I think it will be a super fun, but not as relaxing as most. ;-) The last time I used DCL transfers we didn't arrive to PC until around 1:30 p.m.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I want to be able to get to the port earlier than what DCL will provide. I would like to eat lunch no later than 12:30 and I doubt that would happen with the Disney transfers. If I were on a 7-night it might be different. I went back and forth with the decision of DCL vs. a private transfer and a private transfer won out, this time anyways. I do admit that I would like to at least once ride on the DCL bus, so maybe one day. I am probably giving it more credit than it deserves, lol.

Regardless of the hype and the cutesy cruise bus, it's still a bus. You could try private transportation to the ship, then the DCL bus to the airport.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

We just used DCL transfer from GF earlier this month. The picked us up at 11am, which wasn’t bad. We stopped at one other resort and arrived at PC at 1245pm.

 

[christophles]

Last September Animal Kingdom Lodge picked people up at 11:45 AM.

 

[MomOTwins]

I want to be able to get to the port earlier than what DCL will provide. I would like to eat lunch no later than 12:30 and I doubt that would happen with the Disney transfers. If I were on a 7-night it might be different. I went back and forth with the decision of DCL vs. a private transfer and a private transfer won out, this time anyways. I do admit that I would like to at least once ride on the DCL bus, so maybe one day. I am probably giving it more credit than it deserves, lol.

You can always do a big brunch before leaving--that's what we do when taking the bus. Last time we took a private transfer to get there early (had a 10:45 PAT), and our experience was a "never again"--even though we supposedly had one of the earliest PATs, they were definitely not enforcing arrival times, and when we got there the line to check in was snaking all around the terminal and once we checked in we had to sit on the floor. By the time we boarded, we couldn't even sit because it was wall to wall people scrunched in together--like a mosh pit at a concert! Boarding took forever because nobody could move to let people and their luggage by when boarding groups were called so you had to kind of squeeze through.

To OP's original question, the first time we arrived at port around 12:30, the next time a little after 1pm.

 

[SL6827]

You can always do a big brunch before leaving--that's what we do when taking the bus. Last time we took a private transfer to get there early (had a 10:45 PAT), and our experience was a "never again"--even though we supposedly had one of the earliest PATs, they were definitely not enforcing arrival times, and when we got there the line to check in was snaking all around the terminal and once we checked in we had to sit on the floor. By the time we boarded, we couldn't even sit because it was wall to wall people scrunched in together--like a mosh pit at a concert! Boarding took forever because nobody could move to let people and their luggage by when boarding groups were called so you had to kind of squeeze through.

To OP's original question, the first time we arrived at port around 12:30, the next time a little after 1pm.

That is not good. I just wonder if that is the more common experience now.

 

[MomOTwins]

That is not good. I just wonder if that is the more common experience now.

Getting there early does seem to be the “common wisdom” that all the bloggers say to do to maximize time on the ship. All I know is that both times I took DCL resort to port transportation, it was a walk on. And the one time I got there early, it was awful, and definitely not worth the extra 30-90 minutes on board.

 

[SL6827]

Getting there early does seem to be the “common wisdom” that all the bloggers say to do to maximize time on the ship. All I know is that both times I took DCL resort to port transportation, it was a walk on. And the one time I got there early, it was awful, and definitely not worth the extra 30-90 minutes on board.

Ya, I think I have read this a lot. I may change my stance on it now.

 

[JARNJ3]

The pick up window from the resorts is anywhere between 10:45-1:30. But, could be earlier or later.

As DCL doesn't set the route/pick up times until like the day before, there's no way of knowing for sure when any specific resort will be picked up at now.

They set the pickups based on how many people from which resorts need to be picked up, filling the buses as full as they can before heading for the port.

Thanks! One more question - when is the last possible time you can book the bus? Could I decide the day before?

 

[DCLDVC1]

Ya, I think I have read this a lot. I may change my stance on it now.

I think you're making the right choice by using private transportation. If you have to kill time before you board, you can get your kids registered for the clubs and wait in line to get a character picture in front of the model ship. The time flies when you're in the terminal.

 

[SL6827]

I think you're making the right choice by using private transportation. If you have to kill time before you board, you can get your kids registered for the clubs and wait in line to get a character picture in front of the model ship. The time flies when you're in the terminal.

You guys aren't making this easy! To arrive early or say around 12:30????? Glad though that this stuff is brought up because it will have been ten years since we lasted cruised and I have forgotten a lot.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks! One more question - when is the last possible time you can book the bus? Could I decide the day before?

I believe it must be done 3 days prior to cruise start. But I'm not sure on that.

 

[kiford]

That is not good. I just wonder if that is the more common experience now.

I think that has always been the common experience. Every blog, vlog, or article tells you to arrive as early as possible to "maximize your time on board" which basically amounts to maybe 90 minutes longer which you pay for by waiting around the terminal in crowded conditions for more time than that. We've only arrived early once at PC due to friends picking us up at the MCO Hyatt and I'll do anything to avoid that again. Wall to wall people, leaning up against me while I was sitting in one of the very few seats available, trying to prevent me from boarding when we were called by refusing to move out of the way and then lugging my bag around (long lines to check in too unless you're Platinum). Ugh. We were early on all three European/Med cruises (still used DCL) transfers but we boarded right away. Still had to lug my bag around but we sat in the Cove Cafe which was not busy.

 

[SL6827]

I think that has always been the common experience. Every blog, vlog, or article tells you to arrive as early as possible to "maximize your time on board" which basically amounts to maybe 90 minutes longer which you pay for by waiting around the terminal in crowded conditions for more time than that. We've only arrived early once at PC due to friends picking us up at the MCO Hyatt and I'll do anything to avoid that again. Wall to wall people, leaning up against me while I was sitting in one of the very few seats available, trying to prevent me from boarding when we were called by refusing to move out of the way and then lugging my bag around (long lines to check in too unless you're Platinum). Ugh. We were early on all three European/Med cruises (still used DCL) transfers but we boarded right away. Still had to lug my bag around but we sat in the Cove Cafe which was not busy.

Would arriving around noon be a better choice you think? That is not that early but not real late as well.