DCL transport from Poly

[pixiedust2u]

Anyone use DCL transport from
Poly or any of the deluxe monorail resorts recently?
Debating between using DCL transport or hiring private ride for our family of 4.

Can someone confirm that use or DCL transport means it doesn’t matter your PAT time and could possibly get you aboard earlier?
Trying to understand pros and cons. Thanks!

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

That is correct. With DCL transfers, a Port arrival time is not required. This has been beneficial for a lot of guests lately as the pickups have been between 8-9 am getting to the Ship and boarding usually at or around boarding opening.

With a private transfer, you would need to pick a PAT time which varies based on when you do your Online Check in. Online check in opens at Midnight. I personally have been able to get decent arrival times even when doing my online check in later in the day on the 30 day mark. Others have not been so fortunate.

 

[pixiedust2u]

That is correct. With DCL transfers, a Port arrival time is not required. This has been beneficial for a lot of guests lately as the pickups have been between 8-9 am getting to the Ship and boarding usually at or around boarding opening.

With a private transfer, you would need to pick a PAT time which varies based on when you do your Online Check in. Online check in opens at Midnight. I personally have been able to get decent arrival times even when doing my online check in later in the day on the 30 day mark. Others have not been so fortunate.

Thank you.
Are their any potential disadvantages of using DCL transport?

 

[jenushkask8s]

We took it from Contemporary/BLT on 10/3. They picked up our luggage at 7am and we met near Contemporary Grounds at 8:45am for a 9:15am pickup (GF and Poly were picked up before us and WL after). We were at the port by 10:45am and on the ship by 11:30am (we were in concierge, so boarding group 1).

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

Thank you.
Are their any potential disadvantages of using DCL transport?

As an Orlando resident, I haven't taken the transport myself but I have friends who had a similar experience to the post above^. They weren't concierge and got on the ship about 11:30 also.

Usually the issue is that there are more cost effective options to get to and from the port that offer more convenience. For example, if you had a private transfer you could stop at the grocery store to pick up waters/bottles of wine etc to bring on board with you. It simply offers more flexibility and often costs less than the DCL transfers.

Back when testing was still required at the port, it was a gamble to take the shuttles out of fear that someone could have Covid and others would be affected but without testing, this is a moot point now.

 

[anricat]

Are their any potential disadvantages of using DCL transport?

The pickup so early these days, if you want to have a leisurely morning and maybe a character breakfast or something, that's completely out. Some see this as a pro, some see it as a con. It can also be expensive, depending on the number of travelers in your group. But can be nice to have everything all set up for you and on one bill you pay when you pay off the cruise and not have to think about it. They pick up your luggage at your room and then you don't have to worry about it and you see it again in your stateroom in the afternoon so that's a perk.

 

[pixiedust2u]

Thanks. It sounds like we’ll opt for DCL transport as I see value in getting to the port early and getting on the ship as early as possible. We are first time DCL cruisers so don’t have any other perks to get an early PAT time. We are also doing Disney for a few days before so will be anxious to get to ship vs hang around the resort any more.

I just wanted to make sure that we wouldn’t be stuck sitting around at the port. I’m always looking to make best use of our time…. Time is money after all!! Especially in the world of Disney !

 

[lanejudy]

I just wanted to make sure that we wouldn’t be stuck sitting around at the port.

Arriving by DCL transfers from the resort -- there IS chance you may spend some time hanging around the port terminal waiting to board. Boarding typically begins around 11:30ish, give or take 15 minutes. Sometimes DCL transfers will arrive at the port as early as 10/10:15am. Once you check-in, you may not necessarily board immediately.

If you want a no-wait board-immediately experience, plan private transportation to arrive around 12:30/12:45 which is when Open Boarding is typically called and everyone may board as soon as checked in.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

Arriving by DCL transfers from the resort -- there IS chance you may spend some time hanging around the port terminal waiting to board. Boarding typically begins around 11:30ish, give or take 15 minutes. Sometimes DCL transfers will arrive at the port as early as 10/10:15am. Once you check-in, you may not necessarily board immediately.

If you want a no-wait board-immediately experience, plan private transportation to arrive around 12:30/12:45 which is when Open Boarding is typically called and everyone may board as soon as checked in.

In their original post, they were looking to get to the port ASAP and don't want to deal with trying to get a good PAT or anything. Easiest option for that is the DCL transfer.

But also a very good note. If you arrive earlier than boarding starts you will wait in the terminal. Still make sure to do your Online check in the day that it opens (30 days out). When you complete your Online check in, it will show a boarding group number that is assigned based on when you completed your online check in.

 

[anricat]

If this helps, here's our timetable from June:
Left Old Key West around 8:45 AM
Stopped at Saratoga Springs
Got stuck in a traffic jam (lol) but still arrived at the port at around 10:15 AM
Boarding began at 11:45 AM
Eating lunch at Cabanas right around noon

That was on the Dream. On the Fantasy a month later, boarding also began at 11:45. (On that trip, we used DCL transfers from the Hyatt MCO and left at 10:15, arriving at 11:15.)