DCL transport to the port, worth it for the experience?

[SL6827]

If you are thinking of spending $200 - $240 on a DCL bus, why not just book the Minnie Van resort-to-port transfers? It's $240, can accommodate up to 6 guests plus your luggage and you can schedule your pick-up for whenever you want. It keeps you in the Disney bubble and they drop you off at the curb in the terminal (inside security).

We took the DCL bus once from BWI a few years ago - never again. It picked us up late morning and then went to AoA to pick up more passengers who were late getting to the bus so we had to wait for them. It was such a waste of time. We now use a private car service (Park Avenue Limo) for all ground transfers in Orlando. The last time they took us to the port from YC, they even knew a back way to get to the DCL terminal, circumventing the standstill traffic that was trying to get to the area.

IMHO, if you are going to spend that kind of money on transfers, I would seriously consider the Minnie Van or a private ground service. The DCL bus is just a bus.

Is that for one way for the Minnie Van?

 

[Happy100]

We have taken 8 DCL cruises. To get from MCO to the port we have rented a car and stayed the night before embarkation at a hotel in Port Canaveral a couple times. The other times we have stayed at a MCO hotel (usually Hyatt) and taken DCL transfers. For us we prefer the no hassle DCL transfers from MCO over the other methods we have done. It is convenient, cost effective for our family of 3 and we usually get to the port around 10:30 am. What DCL transfers offers us, is carefree convenience.

 

[crichardson11]

We usually stay near MCO and take the Cortrans shuttle to the port. $20 per person per way and I've had great luck with them.

After our cruise we are staying at the resort and parks this time. I have never done DCL transports. Would this be better for my family? How early can I get on a bus to make it to my resort / park? Will the bus take me to my resort or to a park? And what happens to my luggage until it's check in time?

 

[NAB]

We usually stay near MCO and take the Cortrans shuttle to the port. $20 per person per way and I've had great luck with them.

After our cruise we are staying at the resort and parks this time. I have never done DCL transports. Would this be better for my family? How early can I get on a bus to make it to my resort / park? Will the bus take me to my resort or to a park? And what happens to my luggage until it's check in time?

I believe you would have to be out at the buses by 9:00 am , it will take you to your resort. Your luggage would go to bell service if room isn’t ready.

So 10:00 or so I guess.

 

[n2mm]

We are renting a car for less than half the cost of DCL transfers for our family, including the one-way drop off fee. This gives us more control for DS who gets carsick in traffic, and we can stop for any forgotten items. Quick rental car shuttle to the ship is also free. I've been stuck in traffic on a ME with a bad ac, and I am never risking that again!

we too enjoy renting a car and being in control of our time. We park at the port too. We like getting off the ship at the end and being on our way immediately. We are often a party of 6 which is $440 plus tips by dcl bus. We pay much less than that with a rental car and parking fee. Since we start our trips with a WDW stay, we rent a car anyhow.

 

[FightingIrishman]

If you are sailing on your first Disney Cruise, I think the Disney cruise bus adds to the excitement and anticipation of going on a cruise and first seeing the ship.

That being said, it is very expensive compared to other options.

We have used the DCL bus from MCO for all of our Port Canaveral cruises because we have one grandmom in a wheelchair, so you can't really beat the door to door service.

 

[soniam]

We usually stay near MCO and take the Cortrans shuttle to the port. $20 per person per way and I've had great luck with them.

After our cruise we are staying at the resort and parks this time. I have never done DCL transports. Would this be better for my family? How early can I get on a bus to make it to my resort / park? Will the bus take me to my resort or to a park? And what happens to my luggage until it's check in time?

Technically, 9am is the earliest that the resort buses leave. If everyone has arrived, I guess they could leave earlier. We did the bus back to WDW once. We finished 1st breakfast early and were on the bus about 7:30 am, not knowing it wouldn't be leaving for a while. It didn't leave until almost 9:30 am, because they were waiting for a late family. Depending upon how many stops the bus makes before your hotel, it could take about an hour or maybe even up to 2 hours from the time the bus leaves the port. I think we arrived at AKL between 10:30 and 11am. I can't remember if we were dropped off first or second. They only take you to a hotel. We decided to do a private car this time, even though it will probably be a little more expensive with only 3 of us.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We find it easier to rent a car one way either on embarkation or debarkation. That what we mostly do. I do not consider the bus to be especially immersive when we use it.

 

[pavicich]

Is it easy to order a Lyft/Uber when it is time to get off the ship? Do you need to order in advance?

 

[Marc D]

Is it easy to order a Lyft/Uber when it is time to get off the ship? Do you need to order in advance?

Very easy. No need to order in advance. Most people use other means of transportation, so there’s no problem hailing one.

 

[SL6827]

Very easy. No need to order in advance. Most people use other means of transportation, so there’s no problem hailing one.

I was told it could be hard to get an Uber or Lyft to the port because it is such a long drive and drivers need returning guest for certain in order to make money. This makes completes sense.