DCL transfers vs limo vs rental car

[ivanova]

If we do this, it will be only our 2nd cruise. Last year we stayed in Orlando before & after the cruise, and for the whole duration we had a 15 passenger van (for 8 people and TONS of luggage). We drove the van to Port C, and paid to park it during our cruise (yes, we were also paying the rental fees for the days it sat in the parking lot - but we got a killer rental deal that made it CHEAP).

This time (if we go) it'll only be 3 of us more than likely. And we will not be staying on property before or after the cruise (nope, no WDW this time around).

So, my questions are:

• What's cheaper: DCL transfers (round trip) from MCO, a limo (i.e. Happy Limo), Tiffany Towncar, or a rental car?
• What is less hassle (of the above mentioned choices)?
• When will we arrive at the Port with any of the above choices (basically, other than a rental car, which will get is there the earliest)??

I'm liking the idea of staying in the Hyatt in Orlando ... it would be convenient when we landed the day before the cruise ...

 

[hydster]

My vote would be to get your own transportation via a towncar since 3 of you can fit in one. You can then schedule to go when YOU want to go and not have to be on Disney's schedule. It's my understanding that once you have 3 people or more it's cheaper to get your own transportation than to use DCL but that may be wrong. If you wanted a comp grocery stop most transportation companies will stop so you can get soda, water, beer , snacks or whatever to take with you on board where DCL doesn't do that. If you take the DCL busses you have to wait until the bus gets full before you leave where if you take your own car you decide when to go.

If it were me I'd go for my own transportation and go when I wanted but then I am a bit of a control freak!

Heidi

 

[mshinrockford]

I agree with Heidi. I would arrange for Town Car service from your hotel to the Port. The convenience (no driving and parking hassles, no waiting a R/C counters) and schedule flexibility are worth the cost. We've used FL Tours several times and have never been disappointed.

Mike.

 

[LakeAriel]

How much are the Disney cruise buses? or a town car? What time do you get off the ship and how long before the luggage is ready?
I am staying at VWL before the cruise but going home directly from the ship. Will be going to Amtrak. (don't fly)

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We used FL Tours on our last crusie and the driver was amazed at how few people took advantage of the savings and freedom that renting a town car or van provides. FL Tours is wonderful.

HBC

 

[DrCavin]

We are arriving day before cruise. Renting an SUV from Budget, $58.00 for a day. We will be staying at Holiday Inn Express in Cocoa, web-site says it is brand new. I think that is $60 a night. Many hotels to choose from.

Going to drop DW, DD, & DS off at terminal & drive SUV back to Budget & hop on shuttle.

Then doing another rental for getting back to MCO.

I don't know what Disney transfers cost from MCO to Port & back, but I remember renting a vehicle was cheaper for us.

 

[Goofy4Pluto]

Originally posted by ivanova
So, my questions are:

• What's cheaper: DCL transfers (round trip) from MCO, a limo (i.e. Happy Limo), Tiffany Towncar, or a rental car?

• 
  
  Where can I find rates and information for all of these choices...
  
  We have the same battle!
  
  Susan! We're staying at WDW before, otherwise, I'd say let's share transport!

 

[ivanova]

Heather,

depending on the type of transport - we might be able to share - even if we stay at different locations. Since a limo or whatever would have to basically drive by Orlando airport on the way, they could probably make a 2nd stop.

 

[hydster]

Heather

To get the rates for different companies you would either need to visit their websites to see the prices or call them whichever you prefer...

Here are the main websites for the transportation companies used most on here

Happy Limo- http://www.happylimo.com/

FL Tours - http://www.fltours.com/

Tiffany Towncar - http://www.tiffanytowncars.com/

And then there are the rental car companies like Budget, Avis and those types of websites

Disney Transfers you'd have to contact Disney for that

HTH
Heidi

 

[krzkat]

how much is the DCL transfer?

 

[hydster]

I'm not 100 percent positive but it seems they were about 70 dollars per person round trip. Someone else may know but I do remember that it was about the same rate to get a car service from MCO to POR and then a limo from POR to the Port and back to MCO for our family of 5 which would make them about 70 per person.

Heidi

 

[scrapperjill]

If I am correct we were told the DCL transfers run at $49 pp round trip. Our statement says it is $196.00 for the four of us.

We are thinking about changing to a car service though. I beleive the prices are less for the round trip town car sercive (for the four of us) and not much more for the limo round trip. It sounds so much more relaxing to have a car to yourself. And the bonus of stopping at a store an the way to the port. I also didn't think about how crouded the bus could be or how late we might get to the port until reading all the post here.

I did want to see if I could get some opinions on who (what car service) to go with.... Happy, FL tours, Tiffany's, and/or Quicksilver?

 

[Cuzisayso2]

I am glad this question was asked as I am pondering this myself. My question would be...What about baggage handling? Do you have to handle your bags more yourself if you use outside transport vs. Disney?

 

[cristit14]

Originally posted by Cuzisayso2
I am glad this question was asked as I am pondering this myself. My question would be...What about baggage handling? Do you have to handle your bags more yourself if you use outside transport vs. Disney?

I would also like to know the answer to this. Right now we have DCL transfers, but after being on the boards here I am wondering if I should switch.

 

[DVCanuck Jr]

Our family doesn't pack lightly - to say the least- so we went with Happy Limo. Service was good, on time and it was very relaxing (even for DM who stresses over everything). Our driver packed our MANY bags and took over. When we got to port, the driver handed our stuff over to the baggage handler, then a few hours later it was outside our stateroom. I'd say get your own transport vs. DCL transfers... so much easier and relaxing.

Cheers!

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

I would recommend www.dcltribute.com for info on rental cars. The codes are there for one-way rentals. It is $49 per person from MCO to port and return. I believe it is higher if you are going from WDW. We done both the bus and rental car. The bus is nice and you can get in the cruise mood with the video on the way. We like having the flexiblity of the car. It is very easy to drop off and pick up and we usually check in while one of us is returning the car.

 

[scrapperjill]

I don't know for sure, but from what I have read on the boards most of the car services help with handling the baggage. They even meet you inside the airport at the baggage claim area. I don't think the Disney transfers do that.

Hope that helps...

I was wondering though about the road tolls. I am guessing that on the disney bus the toll is included in the pp charge but dose anyone know if the tolls are included in the car service fees?

 

[disneydeb]

i am going on my 4th cruise next week and this is how i've changed it up:

cruise one : me and dd we did 4 day land 3 day sea vacation since it was our first cruise i let disney handle all reservations plane and transfers just so next time i know what to expect

cruise 2 : me dd and her friend we did 4 day land 3 day sea, we did our own flights but let disney handle transfers


cruise three: me and dd this time we did 7 nite cruise came in a day early and stayed at hyatt at airport nite before used disney transfers very easy


cruise four: this time its me dd new grandson and new son-in-law, we will be doing 4 days disney and 4 day cruise this time we rented a car because of baby, thinking we will need formula and diapers and it will be much easier for grocery stop in own rental car will leave car at pc and then when were ready to leave ship we will just gop no waiting also we dont eat breakfast in dr in am that we leave we find that if we eat at topsiders buffet we can go a little later then the 645 am and eat then just stro;; off ship when ready.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Well I just canceled the DCL transfers that came with our AAA land/sea package and booked with FLTours for a town car service!! I hope I did the right thing!! The cost for the 3 of us ( 2 adults and 1 child) is $235.00. That is airport>CBR>port>airport.

The main reason I cancelled the DCL transfers is because they wouldn't get me to the ship until 3:00 on the sailing day!!

Please please please tell me a made a good decision!!

 

[DutchsMommy]

I think you made the right decision!

DH, DS and I will also be travelling MCO>ALK>port>MCO via towncar (company to be determined) and for the extra $50 ish bucks I am willing to splurge. I hate waiting for people when I want to go somewhere, and also would like to pick the time we arrive at the port. I think that way we will be able to check-in quickly and spend less time in line-ups. I think 4 people is the magic number where it is the same price or slightly cheaper to take the towncar, but I don't mind paying a little more to ensure a relaxing start to our trip. The grocery stop is a nice option too, although currently I don't think we will make one (however undecided about a booze stop - a few nice bottles of wine would be welcomed I think!)

You might want to check out Mousesavers.com for a coupon on a towncar. Passporter also has a coupon in it, and castawayclub.com has a coupon as well I believe.