DCL transportation - wait experiences Hyatt / MCO hotel / WDW

[DianaMB333]

Hi
Is the wait time at airport any different if the pre-night stay is at the Hyatt?

Some reviews mentioned that while luggage transfer is easier, the wait time could be longer than just showing up to the terminal..

Has that been your experience recently?

Do they organize the bus boarding based on Boarding Group or first in first out in the queue?

does the waiting area at the airport have facilities while boarding?

We have done DCL transfers from WDW and have liked the experience, wait times for bus boarding aint long, hotel lobbies are comfortable etc

Can you share your thoughts please?

Thanks

 

[lanejudy]

If you stay at the MCO Hyatt prior to your cruise, you can take DCL Transfers from the Hyatt lobby instead of from the airport location (those arriving on flights that day or coming from other hotels). Just make sure DCL knows you have a pre-cruise stay booked at the Hyatt to be on the correct list.

Transfers from the Hyatt have usually been by Castaway Club status and you are assigned a bus (usually there are several buses). They will pick up your luggage from your room as well. Transfers from the airport are first-come and you bring your luggage with you to the check-in location.

 

[DisneyAndrew]

In 2 of our 3 cruises, we've stayed at the Hyatt and loved the experience (the other we came from our Disney World resort hotel). They pick up your luggage from your room, but as has been said, make sure DCL knows that it you are staying at the Hyatt pre-cruise. After that, the process is so smooth. The last time we did it, we were given an assigned time to meet at the lobby, completed all our check-in, and were given a pass to wait for a particular bus. Not too long later and we were called down to the bus, driven to the port, and taken right through security. Then boarding was opening up for us right when we got there. Luggage arrived at our room later that day.

We just booked our next cruise for June 2027 and we are planning to do the same thing again.

 

[DianaMB333]

Thanks!

 

[enzy65]

We stay at the MCO Hyatt but use the DCL bus from the airport, it seems to us to be quicker and you can be on your own schedule. There is a waiting area and bathrooms available.
We have seen the large group of people checking in for the bus from the Hyatt as we go to mccoys to have a leisurely breakfast. Walk out and the same people are still waiting after an hour, not for us. Maybe that has changed for the better, but this is our experience every single trip.

 

[reluctantredhead]

We have seen the large group of people checking in for the bus from the Hyatt as we go to mccoys to have a leisurely breakfast. Walk out and the same people are still waiting after an hour, not for us. Maybe that has changed for the better, but this is our experience every single trip.

We were on a HOTHS cruise last October and stayed at the Hyatt pre-cruise rather than at a WDW hotel for the first time. The line for the bus, and the check-in process, were like something out of my nightmares. The wait was a little over an hour (standing in line most of that time), and there were lots of unhappy kids running around screaming. My husband and I wondered whether this was the norm or an aberration...either way, I told him never again. I hadn't thought of taking the transportation from the airport instead of the Hyatt -- that's a great idea, so thank you for that!

 

[elvispursley]

Any benefit to staying at Hyatt vs WDW pre-cruise? Cons? Or would you hire a private car service for a group of 6 adults?

 

[enzy65]

We were on a HOTHS cruise last October and stayed at the Hyatt pre-cruise rather than at a WDW hotel for the first time. The line for the bus, and the check-in process, were like something out of my nightmares. The wait was a little over an hour (standing in line most of that time), and there were lots of unhappy kids running around screaming. My husband and I wondered whether this was the norm or an aberration...either way, I told him never again. I hadn't thought of taking the transportation from the airport instead of the Hyatt -- that's a great idea, so thank you for that!

Next time try the DCL airport bus I think you will see how much better organized it is. Still will get BG#3, the only difference is you do have to haul all your luggage down with you. We are in our 60s and have 6 bags for the 2 of us and can handle it by ourself. Oh also I’m more reassured that my bags are going to the ship, you can watch them being loaded into the box truck as you are checking in.

 

[enzy65]

Any benefit to staying at Hyatt vs WDW pre-cruise? Cons? Or would you hire a private car service for a group of 6 adults?

Just some random thoughts.
WDW might be cheaper than the Hyatt. We paid over 400.00 last time to stay at the airport Hyatt.
Hyatt and WDW you have to be on a certain schedule, the DCL bus from the airport you can go when you like.
The hyatt/airport get BG#3, WDW sometimes gets a higher BG#.
Cost for 6 people might be cheaper to hire car service.
Maybe someone else can add to this.

 

[DianaMB333]

So… I’m cruising today
I stayed at a random airport hotel, got to the terminal at 8am (with the intention of doing “research” lol)…
There were already here about 5 families, waiting area is well marked, with restrooms nearby and enough seating places.

About 815am they opened the check in spots, felt slow compared to the one at port but nothing major. Before checking in they were already grabbing bags and loading them to the truck. Very easy.

Then about 9am I head over to Hyatt lobby to take a look…check in lines were at least 3 times longer than airport lines, they also had two different spots to differentiate Fantasy and Wish sailings.
Plenty of tables with seating places. Felt crowded.

935am I came back down to the bus waiting area, there were some luggage carts bringing lots of bags, I assume those were coming from the Hyatt.

So far, I rather go to WDW even hotel only for the pre cruise night, vacation feeling starts from there, waiting is much better at their hotels than airport or lobby here, bus logistics from the resorts are easy.

 

[sponica]

Any benefit to staying at Hyatt vs WDW pre-cruise? Cons? Or would you hire a private car service for a group of 6 adults?

I think 4 is the threshold where the math of a private car service vs transfers starts to tip towards the car service direction.

We were going to stay at the Hyatt, but then they dropped a discount for SSR that was about the same as the Hyatt....and we had an early flight in and I didn't want to entertain my kids in an airport hotel for the day.