DCL transportation vs PAT

[RedmonFamily]

So we just got the email about arrival day and such and in the final paragraph it says this "For those who have purchased their pre-stay at a resort and transportation with Disney Cruise Line, transfers will begin at 11:00 a.m. For Guests with a pre-stay at a resort, Bell Services will begin collecting luggage starting at 9:00 a.m."
Well back when I did my online check-in I was asked to pick a PAT and choose 10:30 one. We are taking DCL transportation from the hotel. On the "know before you go page" on the DCL website it says not to be late for your PAT or you will have to wait for others. I guess my question is which takes precedent? I am guessing they are aware the bus arrival time. Has anyone done this recently?

 

[mcrowder1978]

I asked about that before checking in and they said not to worry about it. Our PAT is whenever the Disney bus shows up at the port. The email is interesting though because most if not all of the comments about the Disney Transfers have said that the bus has arrived much earlier as in closer to 8-8:30 and to have bags ready at 7. I am hoping they stay earlier for our trip next month personally.

 

[RedmonFamily]

I asked about that before checking in and they said not to worry about it. Our PAT is whenever the Disney bus shows up at the port. The email is interesting though because most if not all of the comments about the Disney Transfers have said that the bus has arrived much earlier as in closer to 8-8:30 and to have bags ready at 7. I am hoping they stay earlier for our trip next month personally.

I just wish It was consistent information, I will have a 10 month old, and packing everything up for a 8 am bus vs having her nap before we leave the hotel at 11 would be good to know lol

 

[sab53085]

I just wish It was consistent information, I will have a 10 month old, and packing everything up for a 8 am bus vs having her nap before we leave the hotel at 11 would be good to know lol

Same here! We are staying at a WDW resort and were planning on taking an Uber so we could get on the ship earlier. I got a 11am PAT but then were hearing people that took the DCL transfer were getting picked up at like 8! Hopefully we hear some more reports, because I may change to have us get picked up.

 

[Kwami]

They were definitely doing early pickups last autumn. I haven't really heard any reports of that changing, but I guess I haven't really heard any reports of DCL transportation lately, either.

I guess I would like to know if they're still doing early transfers from the Hyatt. If our itinerary gets changed after activity booking closes, then being on the ship earlier becomes even more important because we'll have to book new activities before everyone else does.

 

[melmel]

We were on the 1/22 fantasy and left from gf. Luggage had to be ready just inside our room at 7am (no need to stay with it). We were told pick up was 8:15 and had to be in the lobby 30 minutes prior. I think we actually left closer to 8:10 and did 2 more pick ups. Once we got to the port and tested we still had to wait a few mins for boarding to start. We were maybe the 10th family to board. If you want to arrive early its a great option but if you need kids to sleep later or even nap an uber is probably a better bet.

 

[mcrowder1978]

We were on the 1/22 fantasy and left from gf. Luggage had to be ready just inside our room at 7am (no need to stay with it). We were told pick up was 8:15 and had to be in the lobby 30 minutes prior. I think we actually left closer to 8:10 and did 2 more pick ups. Once we got to the port and tested we still had to wait a few mins for boarding to start. We were maybe the 10th family to board. If you want to arrive early its a great option but if you need kids to sleep later or even nap an uber is probably a better bet.

This is what I was hoping to hear. We are wanting to get there earlier rather than later and are staying at the Poly right next door so hopefully we get this same timeline in a few weeks.

 

[mmouse37]

It is so inconsistent. For the last several years (preCovid) the resort pick ups were late...starting at about 10:30 and going until about noon getting you to the port late compared to people who drove themselves or took rideshares.

Then, when cruising ramped up again the resort pick up times changed to much earlier, like 8:00 ish getting you to the port very early which people assumed was due to the longer time needed at the port due to testing.

If they are now stating that resort pick ups are around 11:00 what does that really mean....a mistake in the info, a real change to later or what??? So confusing.

MJ

 

[RedmonFamily]

Well I can report they picked us up at 11 from the resort. We did getto go to the front of the line but, I had a 10:30 PAT so idk if you had a later one. Aslo we are waiting to see if we are all negative now

 

[dreamer17555]

Fingers crossed for you @RedmonFamily

 

[sab53085]

Well I can report they picked us up at 11 from the resort. We did getto go to the front of the line but, I had a 10:30 PAT so idk if you had a later one. Aslo we are waiting to see if we are all negative now

Dang! Was hoping they were still picking up early.