Dcl Bus from WDisney World to the Port....

[NeverSayNever]

Please tell me your experiences and arrival time etc.

I am still wrestling with how to get from the Poly to port... we love the convenience of the bus, the no worries of getting there and the kids actually enjoy the bus but we do have an early PAT, 10:30 and would like to get on early and realize to do this we need private transportation. And, honestly, saving a few dollars would not be a bad thing --- I rather spend those dollars on fun stuff, trinkets etc.

The other thought that occurred to me was taking the Magical Express back to the airport and then catching the DCL bus but that seems like a lot of bus time etc...

I am about convenience and ease, it is vacation after all...

So please tell me your experiences and thoughts!

Thanks,
Never Say Never

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Please tell me your experiences and arrival time etc.

I am still wrestling with how to get from the Poly to port... we love the convenience of the bus, the no worries of getting there and the kids actually enjoy the bus but we do have an early PAT, 10:30 and would like to get on early and realize to do this we need private transportation. And, honestly, saving a few dollars would not be a bad thing --- I rather spend those dollars on fun stuff, trinkets etc.

The other thought that occurred to me was taking the Magical Express back to the airport and then catching the DCL bus but that seems like a lot of bus time etc...

I am about convenience and ease, it is vacation after all...

So please tell me your experiences and thoughts!

Thanks,
Never Say Never

In order to take ME back to MCO and catch the DCL bus there, you would have to tell Disney that you have a flight out that morning. Since ME schedules MCO pick ups about 3 hours ahead of your flight, you'd have to be ready to leave your room (at the resort) pretty early to be at MCO for the 9:00 opening. Plus, you'd have to handle your own bags to the airport and then to the bus. And the cost is the same $35.00 per person.

We love taking the DCL bus. The luggage handling and the fact that when we arrive at the port, there's no check in line or line to board. Arriving at 10:30 just means waiting (boarding doesn't begin until 11:30 usually). And lots of people filling up the terminal.

 

[clten]

When we stay at the resorts, we just use the DCL transportation. We like the convenience of it but then we are never in a rush to get to the ship (the cruises we take are long enough that we don't miss an hour or two of basically nothing really to do and don't like to be in the rush of first to board). We usually do something at the resorts to fill the few hours between luggage pick-up at 8 and meeting for the bus (usually 11:30-12). It's not enough time to go to a park but since we usually spend all of our time at WDW running around the parks, we like to take advantage of relaxing at the resort - which we hardly do otherwise.

If you have a reason to want to be at the ship early -- trying for an upgrade, booking something you couldn't get on line, then I say one of two things -- depending on how long are you going to be at the Poly before the cruise. If it is just a day or two, I'd look at renting a car. We like the convenience of being on our own time and packing up and going when we are ready. If you're going to be there longer and the car would just sit -- get a car service. I think the worst option for us would be to take the ME back to the airport to catch DCL's bus. That loses all the perks of why the DCL bus is convenient and is still the most expensive option per person.

Now if you are heading off to the ship early to do things like swim, why not take advantage of the less crowded pools at the resort? We just make sure we have our change of clothes and a Ziploc bag for the wet swimsuits and usually change just before check-out time which leaves just a little time before bus pick-up.

 

[Donna M]

We get up early and would rather hang around the port than the hotel. We gave ME a flight time that would have them picking us up around 8:30am. Then we used the transfer from the airport and arrived at the ship around 10:30. We had carry on luggage, so no big deal, and we were adults. I get too antsy waiting to get to where I need to be, so this worked out for us. We were the first ones on the Cabanas' deck for lunch.

 

[mmouse37]

We have also stayed a WDW but too the DCL bus from the airport. We had a rental car so left WDW about 8:15 and returned the rental and then headed over to the ME desk to drop off our luggage. Waited a few minutes and then boarded the DCL and was at the port about 10:30 or so. I think we were the second bus to leave the airport. Very easy. I like having a rental car at WDW.

MJ

 

[Tink1010]

We stayed at Poly and did ME to port this August. Our transfer left around 11:15. It was very easy and convenient. I love how they took our luggage! We had a nice leisurely breakfast at hotel and met the cruise rep in the lobby. Our transfer stopped at one other hotel on the way. When we got to the port, there was no line and walked right on board after checkin. It was my first cruise so I can't compare to other modes of transportation but it was great and I'd do it again! Enjoy!

 

[tinkerone]

in regards to taking m.e. to the airport then taking dcl bus to port, i would ask how much time you want to spend on buses. it takes approximately 45 minutes to get from wdw to airport and then your on another bus for about an hour. thats pretty close to 2 hours on buses. add in the time spent waiting for the buses, wait time at resort and wait time for a full bus at mco. is it worth it? only you know but for us it would be to much and we are just adults.
i like leaving from our wdw hotel. let them take the luggage, relax for a few hours, get the kids breakfast in a leisurely manner, hop the dcl bus at 11:30/12, get to the port for 12:30/1 and just walk on board not fighting any crowds.
again, thats just what we like. you will get lots of ideas.
have a great cruise.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

It was very convenient and easy. We got a letter the day before that our bus would leave at noon and to meet at the coffee shop in the Contemporary lobby by 11:45. They loaded us onto the buses, we picked up some passengers from another resort, and then we were off to the port. We got there around 1:30 and were on the ship by 1:50-2:00.

The ease was great, but there were a few cons: 1) With the pick up time being so late, it interfered with DS's nap time. He napped a little on the bus but was still cranky without a full nap. 2) We missed being able to have a sit down lunch in a main dining room like last time when we transferred from airport. 3) I did not like hearing about pick up time at the last minute (night before.) I wish they would tell you in advance. (I also wish they would offer earlier times and let you pick a time, but I know that is a pipe dream!)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I did not like hearing about pick up time at the last minute (night before.) I wish they would tell you in advance.

Not really do-able. They don't really know until then who/how many/what resorts they will be picking up at for setting up the pick up schedule.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Not really do-able. They don't really know until then who/how many/what resorts they will be picking up at for setting up the pick up schedule.

I imagine a few people book transfers last minute, but I bet most book them at least a couple of weeks in advance. I am not asking for notice months before, but it would be nice to have three or four days notice.

 

[sambycat]

generally, assume your pick up is at noon? sometimes its slightly earlier or slightly later, but usually you will meet about noon somewhere. we always plan to sleep in and have a good breakfast somewhere at our resort then catch the bus. makes for a nice relaxing morning. in 8 cruises, have only arrived once closer to 2:30 (and i am sure i went to the room first), thus "missing out" on a more leisurely lunch. however, as others have said, despite the excitement of getting on the boat early (and wanting to check on changes), typically, even when we've been there early (the couple of times we asked) upgrades weren't available and/or appealing, the crowds are a pain and it really is nice to be able to get into your room - thats when the cruise really starts to us!!

i think if/when we are a group of 4 or more that are traveling together (on one bill), thats when i would look at private cars, the was of the bus is nice and we just plan for a noon pick up. have a great cruise!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The earliest we have arrived was from the AKL and arrived at 1200.

AKK

 

[TandLMommy28]

Interesting to read through all this. We are planning to take Disney transportation to and from the ship. My TA said it's the most convenient option and I value convenience over getting there early. Plus, we will be at a Disney resort, so not exactly suffering while we wait!

How are the bus transfers AFTER the cruise? Is it sort of like ME at the airport, where they put everyone in lines based on your resort?

 

[sambycat]

after, the busses load to location but also fill and go as they do. it's doesn't seem to be as set as the airport ME busses are, and occasionally, if you are off early, you might be in an unmusical van, but that is usually a quicker trip, with fewer passengers to drop off. but they will point you to which bus they want you on, just hard to say 100% what resorts your bus would stop at and the order of drop offs etc... they get you off the both fast!

 

[bumbershoot]

We stayed at Poly and did ME to port this August. Our transfer left around 11:15. It was very easy and convenient. I love how they took our luggage! We had a nice leisurely breakfast at hotel and met the cruise rep in the lobby. Our transfer stopped at one other hotel on the way. When we got to the port, there was no line and walked right on board after checkin. It was my first cruise so I can't compare to other modes of transportation but it was great and I'd do it again! Enjoy!

Future transfers might not leave that early, FYI. We were only *meeting* around that time, and there was a LOT of waiting and milling around (enough time for me to buy a new carryon at the giftshop and repack that stuff), and we only got there after 1.

occasionally, if you are off early, you might be in an unmusical van

unmagical, I think, is what autocorrect just rejected for you.

 

[Aby]

We were on the Fantasy a few weeks ago and took the DCL bus from Wilderness Lodge to the port. Pick up time was at 11:30am with instructions to be there 15 minutes early. We stopped at Port Orleans French Quarter and then were on the way to port. We walked through the Mickey ears onto the ship at exactly 1:06pm.

Aby

 

[Sir William]

We've done it twice, with mixed results.

First time was great. We were picked up about 11:30 and had one more stop, arriving at the port before 1pm. I thought this was good timing as we were able to check in and immediately board. We had lunch and went to our stateroom.

Second time, we were picked up about 1pm (after checking out of our room at 11am) and had one more stop, arriving at the port shortly after 2pm. Again, immediate check in and boarding, and we were able to go to our room, then have a very late lunch (long time since breakfast) but we felt rushed. One would think that if you're at a WDW resort, with a room checkout at 11, the DCL pickup would be soon after that so that the lobby wouldn't be full of people waiting several hours for Mickey to come get them.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

One would think that if you're at a WDW resort, with a room checkout at 11, the DCL pickup would be soon after that so that the lobby wouldn't be full of people waiting several hours for Mickey to come get them.

The problem is the same busses/drivers are used in the morning to transport people from the port to WDW resorts. The busses need some maintenance (cleaning up after riders, gas, windows washed, etc), while the drivers need lunch breaks before continuing their work day. Logistically, the way it's done (and has been done for years) is the way it works.

 

[Sir William]

How are the bus transfers AFTER the cruise? Is it sort of like ME at the airport, where they put everyone in lines based on your resort?

Once you disembark, you pick up your luggage and go through Customs. You then leave the terminal and are directed to the bus lane for your resort. Typically, there is a short wait while the bus is filled and then it departs. We've disembarked as late as 9am and I think our wait on the bus was still less than 10 minutes before it departed. Usually, each bus will service 2-3 resorts and the bus will go to each resort in turn but on average you'll be at your resort within 60-90 minutes after disembarking. Pretty efficient and stress-free.

 

[Sir William]

The problem is the same busses/drivers are used in the morning to transport people from the port to WDW resorts. The busses need some maintenance (cleaning up after riders, gas, windows washed, etc), while the drivers need lunch breaks before continuing their work day. Logistically, the way it's done (and has been done for years) is the way it works.

I realize all that (as I asked about it at the time), but I still experienced a major difference in procedure on my two pickups. As a result of my second experience, I'm not sure if I ever want to take DCL transportation from WDW to PC in the future.