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

[PrincessShmoo]

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.

The difference would have been because the busses returning from the port to WDW don't all depart early and arrive (back at WDW) early. The earliest busses turn around earlier. Again, because of this they have to figure out the logistics of which resorts to pick up earliest. Luck of the draw which resorts get the first busses back.

 

[lds0191]

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

Another option: We stayed at Disney a few years ago and rented a car from Budget. There is a car rental office at the Doubletree by DTD. They picked us up at the hotel and took us to the rental office where we picked up the rental car. You can usually get some really good deals if you google rental car discount codes for Florida. We paid less than $50 for the car, dropped it off at the Budget office near the port and took their shuttle to the ship. It was really pretty painless. Plus, we were able to make a liquor store stop on the way.

 

[tinkerone]

Another option: We stayed at Disney a few years ago and rented a car from Budget. There is a car rental office at the Doubletree by DTD. They picked us up at the hotel and took us to the rental office where we picked up the rental car. You can usually get some really good deals if you google rental car discount codes for Florida. We paid less than $50 for the car, dropped it off at the Budget office near the port and took their shuttle to the ship. It was really pretty painless. Plus, we were able to make a liquor store stop on the way.

we used this once and our experience was completely different. the pick up time was scheduled and we were waiting outside as instructed. after 15 minutes i called and they said, on the way. after another ten minutes we called back and they said sorry, we don't have anyone that can come get you right now, please take a taxi over and we will take that cost off your bill. we were not exactly happy. i did make sure the cost came off our bill but it was a wasted half hour waiting while they could have just told us to come over by taxi in the first place.
i doubt this kind of thing is normal, this post is just to say s**t happens and it can happen with anything. and for full disclosure i will say it was just a car for the day to go into orlando and not to drive to the port or i would have been much angrier.

 

[NHGoofy]

Some questions for those that take the ME to MCO the morning of the cruise it seems like it may be a good alternative if you don't mind the travel.

In order to get the timing right, you give a flight that would sync with the time you want to arrive at MCO? Then sometime the night before you get a letter with your departure time on the ME to MCO. But don't they usually print your boarding passes also? In this case you wouldn't have a boarding pass. Do they just ignore it and schedule you anyways?

You also need to book DCL transportation from MCO to the PORT. Do you give them a flight arrival time for that morning even though you don't have one? Also, you put on your luggage that are the same tags regardless of how you get to the port, right? You then have to take all your luggage and have the driver put them under the bus. And then check them yourself at the PORT.

Of course, the other options are to either rent a car or book the DCL bus from WDW to the PORT. Just trying to weigh all options to see what's best for us.
Thanks in advance!

 

[tinkerone]

the flight you pick should be about three hours later than you want to arrive at mco. make sure its a domestic flight. me always picks up about three hours before your flight is set to leave. as to boarding passes, they only get printed out if you use the checkin at the resort. other than that you would check in online or at the airport. you do not need a boarding pass from an airline to use me.

they will take your luggage from you at mco when you check in for the bus so have your tags on for there. you will not see your luggage again till it arrives in your cabin.

to me, and jmo/not trying to change anyones mind, it seems like a huge pain and a lot of bus riding that is unnecessary. the thought of having to waste all that time getting on and off buses does nothing for me. to each their own.
what ever you decide, have a great cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

to me, and jmo/not trying to change anyones mind, it seems like a huge pain and a lot of bus riding that is unnecessary. the thought of having to waste all that time getting on and off buses does nothing for me. to each their own.

Me, too.

Just as another note, the bags that you check in at MCO (for going to the ship) travel by truck, they aren't placed under the bus. At least the last 2 times we took the bus from MCO, I saw the luggage that was being checked in being placed in a truck.

 

[NHGoofy]

Thanks for your responses! Seems like a LOT of bus riding that morning. Looks like we will be sticking to DCL transportation from our resort!