DCL transportation: will I regret this?

[littlejewel]

we are flying into MCO the day before our cruise on April 24 and staying at a Disney resor(ASMusic). We are scheduled for DCL transportation. I really like the aspect of not worrying about anything and just letting Disney take us. However, I've read where people don't get to the cruise until 4! I don't mind getting there later (1-2), but 4 is a little late. We really want to eat lunch onboard but if we have dinner at 5:45, it might get too late. Any advice or experience about this process? Thanks!!

 

[3Down1Up]

Well the muster drill starts at 3:45 and everyone must be onboard by then . . . and I think the terminal is kinda winding down by 3pm. I have heard of a lot of arrivals from the resorts between noon and 2 but rarely after that. So not sure how accurate those stories of 4pm arrivals may be. The thing with transport from the resorts is that you don't know until the day before exactly when you will be picked up, nor do you know how many stops the bus will make before heading out to the port.

 

[anricat]

Is there a reason you're staying at a Disney resort? That is, are you enjoying the parks before hand? Otherwise, if you want to get to the port earlier, you might consider just staying at the Hyatt MCO, then you can get up and head down to the buses first thing.

 

[lanejudy]

However, I've read where people don't get to the cruise until 4! I don't mind getting there later (1-2), but 4 is a little late. We really want to eat lunch onboard but if we have dinner at 5:45, it might get too late.

That sounds like someone getting a little "ambitious" in their story-telling! Unless it was an unusual circumstance (accident, road-closure, etc.). It is highly unlikely that you would arrive at the port around 4pm. More likely is sometime around 1pm, give or take. Enough time for a late lunch and explore the ship a bit before muster drill.

Alternatively, you could stay near the airport and take DCL transfers from there in the morning for an earlier arrival. Or plan private transportation from your WDW resort.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[DLgal]

The buses begin picking up at the WDW resorts around 11-12. You will be at the port between 12 and 2pm.

If you want to arrive earlier, as suggested stay at the Hyatt MCO. Those buses leave starting around 9am.

 

[TACK]

First time cruise we left from WDW resort, I do not remember getting in that late. Time for a quick lunch. This time I'm at the resorts but I'm driving back to the airport (renting car) and will get there early so I'm leaving from the airport on the Disney cruise bus to Port. I might have to wait a few hours, but that's okay. I've noted it on my reservation when I booked the shuttle that I'm leaving from the airport. I've seen where people have suggested taking the magical express back to the airport and taking the shuttle from there.

 

[AshleiCal]

I second the MCO Hyatt suggestion. They will claim your baggage for you and bring it to the room, and the next morning you just leave your luggage in the room. Plus the buses leave as early as you want.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I've seen where people have suggested taking the magical express back to the airport and taking the shuttle from there.

You really have to LIKE riding buses for this to be a good idea, though. Sure, you could maybe get one of the first DCL buses from MCO at 9 by taking a 7AM ME, but... ugh. Pool + drinks, please.

 

[MUN]

we are flying into MCO the day before our cruise on April 24 and staying at a Disney resor(ASMusic). We are scheduled for DCL transportation. I really like the aspect of not worrying about anything and just letting Disney take us. However, I've read where people don't get to the cruise until 4! I don't mind getting there later (1-2), but 4 is a little late. We really want to eat lunch onboard but if we have dinner at 5:45, it might get too late. Any advice or experience about this process? Thanks!!

I would stick with the location you are at. ME will most likely get you to the port no later than 2 and perhaps much earlier.

MUN

 

[clten]

I think the arriving at 4 is a stretch. We have done this a number of times over the years and are typically there some time between 1 and 1:30. There was one time where the crowd to the port from our resort was very large. I'm not sure why they did it this way but we had a 11:30 meet time. One partially filled bus arrived and they filled it with people from our resort. That bus left and went straight to the port and arrived about 12:45. Unfortunately, we were put at the start of the second bus and by time everything was situated we didn't leave the resort until after noon. The remainder of people only filled about 1/4 to 1/3 of the bus so we had stops at 2 other resorts (and the driver got lost on Disney property getting to Sarasota Springs from Port Orleans). So we didn't arrive until a little after 2. But I think that is an extreme case and would only be that late for something odd like we had or some road/travel issue.

If you don't mind getting there around 1, I say keep the DCL transportation. It is a very convenient way to start your cruise and the movies are fun.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Lots of people get a town car instead there and DCL back. Depends how many of you there are. Also one way car rentals can work out well.

 

[Lynzer4]

I'm not sure how many are in your party but for us (party of 5) it was cheaper (with tip included) to do a private car to get to Port. We have the car scheduled to pick us up at 10am at our Disney hotel.


Just something to consider.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I've seen where people have suggested taking the magical express back to the airport and taking the shuttle from there.

How would they get on DME without return flight info?

we are flying into MCO the day before our cruise on April 24 and staying at a Disney resor(ASMusic). We are scheduled for DCL transportation. I really like the aspect of not worrying about anything and just letting Disney take us. However, I've read where people don't get to the cruise until 4! I don't mind getting there later (1-2), but 4 is a little late. We really want to eat lunch onboard but if we have dinner at 5:45, it might get too late. Any advice or experience about this process? Thanks!!

Sorry OP, I disagree with almost everyone here. I know you said you like the idea of letting Disney taking care of you but when you don't like the service sometimes you can do better (and cheaper) taking care of yourself.

When you land at MCO you can rent a car and return it to Port Canaveral the following morning. Not only would you beat DME to All Star but you'll beat the busses out the following morning and be cheaper for a family of 3 or more.

 

[bobbiwoz]

You do not have to give a return flight to take DME to MCO. DH has taken it there to get a car rental.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Here are the advantages I like about staying at WDW and using DCL bus pre-cruise.

• You can get in the Disney mood. Hang out at the resort pool or go to Disney Springs for Dinner or shopping the night before. If you have full day, go to a park
• Disney takes care of your luggage, picks it up from your resort and delivers it to your stateroom.
• You can sleep in and have a nice breakfast at the resort before catching your DCL bus.
• You don't have to navigate Florida highways or pay tolls.
• The DCL bus is a nice ride and gets you excited for your cruise.
• By the time you get on the ship, most likely your stateroom is ready and you don't have to lug around your carry-ons around the ship.

 

[RobInMD]

We stayed at the Hyatt and caught one of the early buses to Port. It was nice being able to get through the check-in process with no crowds and be one of the first to board and eat before things got too crowded.

Also we wanted to get reservations for one of the adult restaurants so getting on early certainly helped out.

 

[Miggee]

I second the MCO Hyatt suggestion. They will claim your baggage for you and bring it to the room, and the next morning you just leave your luggage in the room. Plus the buses leave as early as you want.

didnt know they will claim your luggage for you, is there a form we have to fill out? or just put our luggage tag? sorry, dont mean to hijack the thread, but saw this and wondered.. thanks.

 

[TACK]

You really have to LIKE riding buses for this to be a good idea, though. Sure, you could maybe get one of the first DCL buses from MCO at 9 by taking a 7AM ME, but... ugh. Pool + drinks, please.

I think it's whatever works. I'm at WDW for 3 days and renting a car. I am heading back to the airport with the rental so I will just take the bus from there. It's just me, so it's not a big deal. Some people would rather get to port as fast as possible and others don't care. If I wasn't renting a car, then I would have waited at the resort hotel and gone on the bus. Sometimes it is also cost related. It is the best and most economical option for me.

I remember my first time on a cruise and I have to admit, I was a little confused as to how it works.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think it's whatever works. I'm at WDW for 3 days and renting a car. I am heading back to the airport with the rental so I will just take the bus from there. It's just me, so it's not a big deal. Some people would rather get to port as fast as possible and others don't care. If I wasn't renting a car, then I would have waited at the resort hotel and gone on the bus. Sometimes it is also cost related. It is the best and most economical option for me.

I remember my first time on a cruise and I have to admit, I was a little confused as to how it works.

Can you return the car at Port? That would be the quickest, actually...

 

[TACK]

Can you return the car at Port? That would be the quickest, actually...

WAY more money to do that. I got a really good rate to rent for the 3 days, airport to airport location. I'm happy with my choice. I am able to spend some days at Disney World, then off on a cruise. I'll get there in plenty of time and enjoy the ride from the airport to the port. It's all good.