Anyone ride the DCL transfers?

[ritabug]

I'm just wondering if anyone has rode the ground transfers provided by Disney? How are they? Good? Bad? What's your critique?

 

[mmouse37]

First of all....welcome to the DIS!!! You will find tons of valuable info at this site.

It is a bus ride with a promo video playing....we have taken the transfers a few times but now find it cheaper to rent a car to get us to the port.

Some people love the transfers, some people would rather book a rental car or car service as then they can get to the ship at the time they want and not rely on when the DCL bus gets there.

MJ

 

[The4OfUs]

We rode it and loved it. Quick, convenient, very comfortable, and entertaining, not only the videos but the fun bus drivers with their jokes...

"Why did Piglet have to shower when he came back inside..."

"Because he was outside playing with Pooh!"

(my kids new favorite joke)

The only bad thing that happened was on the return trip back, one woman holding up the bus because she DEMANDED that the people in the front two seats move to two seperate seats in other parts of the bus, so that she could sit up front with her daughter...screaming threats at the CMs and the driver..."I've already made ONE phone call, do I have to make another about YOU!!??!!??"

They kept trying to put her on the next bus, which would have left at the same time, but she HAD to be on that one...and that sort of set the mood for the rest of that ride. She got her way too. So we entertained ourselves watching the Disney short cartoons they showed the whole way back.

 

[Lynda Silk]

We've used the DCL transfers for both the cruises we've taken on the Wonder and we really liked them! For convenience, pleasant ride in, friendly CMs and bus driver, video on the cruise, it's terrific! Plus you know you are in the safe hands of Disney. I'm not familiar with the town cars or alternate modes of transportation, but we were always more than satisfied with the DCL transfers!

 

[CAMICKEY]

We have also used the DCL transfers. Buses are clean and comfortable and normally a good video or cartoons to watch for the youngsters. - Mike

 

[xnascar2x]

We used the DCL Transfers for both our cruises and enjoyed it both times. I like knowing the fact that once I check my luggage in at ORD, I don't have to worry about claiming it and it will meet me at my stateroom door.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

We used DCL transfers for our first cruise. It adds to the excitement of the trip being on the bus with other cruisers and they show videos on the way to get you even more excited. Whether you are in the bus or another form of transportation, there is nothing like the first time you see the ship as you go over the bridge approaching the port.

 

[tvguy]

Used the Disney bus, loved it. We were on the bus, on the way to the ship within 15 minutes of arriving back at the airport from our hotel.
Not being from Florida, and being on vacation, I didn't want to have to hassle with renting a car and turning it back in, and I sure didn't want to have to drive and figure out how to get to the port. My vacation truly began at the airport when I got on the bus, and didn't end until the bus dropped me back off at the airport a week later.
I guess it's just whatever you like best.

 

[KennyK]

ritabug,

Again welcome to the Dis boards, as mentioned before you will find a wealth of information here. There are two other sites which we recommend to new comers to visit. They have been put up on the web by other Disers. They are www.castawayclub.com and www.dcltribute.com. You will find menus, navigators from past cruises etc. They also have plenty of pictures to look at.

As far as your question on dcl transfers. We have used them twice, once with 5 people (first dcl cruise) and then again with two. They were great both times and very convenient.

It basically depends on what your schedule is and arrival time into the Orlando airport. I would assume that coming from Hawaii that you would most likely being flying in at least a day in advance.

Most people book a hotel near the airport or at the airport (Hyatt). Depending on the amount of people the break even point on dcl transfers is about 3 persons. It cost $96 round trip from the airport to port and return. You can do 1/2 transfers also if you rent a car on arrival and then use dcl transfers back.

As some have mentioned there are limo services available to use also and some are mentioned here on the boards as sponsors.

I hope this helps alittle.

Again if we can be of any assistance on making your travel plans and enjoying your forth coming cruise more pleasant please ask away.


kennyk

 

[norma30]

We used them on our 3/6. It is great forgetting about your luggage. It is easy to just get off the boat in the same way. They will even get you boarding passes for your flight home at the port when you board the busback to MCO. No waiting in line at the airport.

The only complaint I have is there is alot of waiting around for the bus to fill up. This was critical in our case because we wanted to get ressies at Palos/Spa/Flounders and we were already arriving late to the port b/c of our flight.

 

[plutojudy]

We have used the Disney transfers for our four cruises and will use it again next month. We enjoy it, it seems like part of the cruise. My husband likes to sit and relax and not fight traffic.

 

[voodooboy]

I thought the transfers were fine. Very convienent if you are doing the Land / Sea combo (practicaly door step pickup) and the busses are very comfortable considering the hour or so it takes to get from the WDW resorts to Port C. The drivers are fun and they usually play a Disney movie while in transit to the ship.

On the return to the airport the ride is much the same and I can honestly say,that if you are flying on the major airlines, the transfers make check in a breeze.

I hope you have a great trip.