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

[Lisa F]

I just got here. Everyone on my cruise fb group had a pickup between 11-12. Ours was 11:55. They want you to show up 15 minutes early. We were at the terminal shortly after 1 and on board shortly after 1:30. I think there was a little backup this morning. Fantasy out of port Canaveral.

 

[kiford]

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

Rooms are open at 1:30 so we like to be able to head to our room shortly as soon as we board. Last month we didn't go down to the buses at MCO until 11:45 or so and were on a bus by about 12:30. We were still a little early and had to wait about 5 or so minutes for the rooms to be open so we were pretty close to what we prefer. Depending on your PAT, you may be able to board but you'll still be waiting an hour or so to get into your rooms. You could go eat or hang out somewhere; I just know that I prefer to start off the day by going into my room and dropping off my bags, checking out my dining rotation, checking my excursion tickets, etc. before going to eat.

 

[mike314]

Correct me if I am wrong but do DCL buses go to multiple WDW resorts before heading to the Port or is it one bus per resort?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Correct me if I am wrong but do DCL buses go to multiple WDW resorts before heading to the Port or is it one bus per resort?

They fill the buses as full as they can before heading to the port. If there are enough people from any one resort going to the port that it fills the bus, then that bus will only go to the one resort.

Typically, 2 or 3 resorts is the norm. But, on occasion, a 4th resort may be added.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

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?

We used the transfer service over Christmas week, and I believe pick up was around 10:30. We were at the Contemporary and had time for a couple of hours at Magic Kingdom first, given that it had an 8am opening. Being able to walk from MK to CR made that a breeze, but I'd be hesitant to try something like that if we had to rely on Disney transportation.

 

[kiford]

Correct me if I am wrong but do DCL buses go to multiple WDW resorts before heading to the Port or is it one bus per resort?

Depends on the number and location of guests heading to PC. Twice (BC and GF) there were enough people to fill the bus so it did not pick up at any other locations. A couple of times we were the first resort on the bus and it went to another resort or we were the last resort after others. In the latter case, I've no idea how many other resorts it went to before us.

 

[SL6827]

With a group of six the DCL buses are quite a bit more in cost. I did email Tony Hinds and he was a good bit cheaper verses DCL to the port and back to the airport.

 

[DCLDVC1]

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

I'd book it to arrive at, or around 15 minutes before, your Port Arrival Time.