Booked private car to the port...

[buzzrelly]

We are taking a private car service to the port from The Polynesian only because we like the idea of getting to the port and on the ship as early as possible. We have a 10:30 PAT.

We have the car booked for round trip right now but I am wondering if I should cancel it and just take the Disney transportation back to Bay Lake Tower after the cruise. I like the idea of the busses (I like the movies and feel more comfortable on the bus) and I don't really need a grocery stop since we only have 2 nights after the cruise.

What are the advantages or disadvantages of each? Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

Have you considered cost? DCL transfers are $35/person one way IIRC. How many are in your party and what will the car cost?

 

[openwater]

Are you parking the rental car at the port during your cruise?

 

[buzzrelly]

Have you considered cost? DCL transfers are $35/person one way IIRC. How many are in your party and what will the car cost?

It's not a cost thing, as I believe the bus is a little cheaper.

Are you parking the rental car at the port during your cruise?

It's not a rental car. We hired a town car to drive us.

Does anyone know what time the busses start leaving from the port and what time we would get to BLT on a bus vs a private car? Do the bus people help with luggage? Any other advice?

 

[OKW Lover]

Does anyone know what time the busses start leaving from the port and what time we would get to BLT on a bus vs a private car? Do the bus people help with luggage? Any other advice?

Busses start leaving from the port as soon as they fill. Its pretty much a continuous thing. Once you clear customs the bus is just around the corner. Actual time to your resort depends on any stops along the way. Figure an hour for the actual ride from the port to WDW property and then it just depends on if you are the first stop.

 

[Partyof4LA]

The bus took way too long for our liking. We had to wait close to an hour for it to fill up, had the regular drive to disney, then had stops at multiple other resorts before finally stopping at ours. It was closer to 1pm before we arrived at our resort from what I remember. We are doing private transport next time.

 

[buzzrelly]

The bus took way too long for our liking. We had to wait close to an hour for it to fill up, had the regular drive to disney, then had stops at multiple other resorts before finally stopping at ours. It was closer to 1pm before we arrived at our resort from what I remember. We are doing private transport next time.

Yikes! Now this is kind of what I wanted to know. Maybe I should just stick with the private car. Thanks!

 

[Flossbolna]

We had a rather unpleasant car experience, too. We were loaded into a mini van, not a bus. There was already a family of five that had already been waiting for 20 minutes or so. After another 20 minutes they first tried to load another family into the mini van, but their luggage did not fit. This would have meant that every single seat in the tiny mini van would have been taken. So instead they just had a mother and son join us. We were going to SSR, but the driver went to the Poly first then to Riverside to drop off the other parties before we got to SSR. I think we spent nearly 40 minutes driving around WDW property and unloading other groups. If money is not your concern, I would stick with the private car!

 

[buzzrelly]

We had a rather unpleasant car experience, too. We were loaded into a mini van, not a bus. There was already a family of five that had already been waiting for 20 minutes or so. After another 20 minutes they first tried to load another family into the mini van, but their luggage did not fit. This would have meant that every single seat in the tiny mini van would have been taken. So instead they just had a mother and son join us. We were going to SSR, but the driver went to the Poly first then to Riverside to drop off the other parties before we got to SSR. I think we spent nearly 40 minutes driving around WDW property and unloading other groups. If money is not your concern, I would stick with the private car!

Jeez! And that was with the Disney transfers?

 

[princesspiglet]

Same thing happened to us using DCL transfers last cruise in June. We got off around 8 and wanted to get to BLT right away and hit MK for the day. Once we walked outside the terminal we were expecting to see a bus, but they put the 3 of us in a little van that sat 12 instead. They squeezed all 12 people in WITH all our luggage. It was very tight! And the driver drove like Moses the whole freaking way...I swear, we were passed by bicycles!! And he talked....god did he talk... the entire time.....no one else on the van said a word! We didn't arrive at BLT until close to noon!! We were the last drop off because he said "I want to stop in and see my wife at California Grill".

Next time we are either getting a car service or getting a rental car!

 

[buzzrelly]

Same thing happened to us using DCL transfers last cruise in June. We got off around 8 and wanted to get to BLT right away and hit MK for the day. Once we walked outside the terminal we were expecting to see a bus, but they put the 3 of us in a little van that sat 12 instead. They squeezed all 12 people in WITH all our luggage. It was very tight! And the driver drove like Moses the whole freaking way...I swear, we were passed by bicycles!! And he talked....god did he talk... the entire time.....no one else on the van said a word! We didn't arrive at BLT until close to noon!! We were the last drop off because he said "I want to stop in and see my wife at California Grill".

Next time we are either getting a car service or getting a rental car!

Oh my gosh! You guys are making my decision too easy! I'm glad I asked!

 

[Flossbolna]

Jeez! And that was with the Disney transfers?

Yes, Disney transfer.

I think in most cases you will get the beautiful bus and a good experience. However, there is a slight chance of a van and an unpleasant experience.

 

[buzzrelly]

Yes, Disney transfer.

I think in most cases you will get the beautiful bus and a good experience. However, there is a slight chance of a van and an unpleasant experience.

And I already have the private car booked so I think I should just stick with that! Thanks!