Disney Transfer

[RobertsMommy]

I have purchased three disney transfers for my July 18th - 4 night - Disney Wonder Cruise. However, after reading the boards I am undecided now whether I want to use disney transportation or a private service. We are flying into Disney World 2 days before and staying at Port Orleans Riverside. I believe the bus leaves from Port Orleans at around 11:30 a.m. I really don't want to get to the port too late. I figure we should get to the port around 12:30 p.m. and then at least 1/2 hour to check-in. Will I be on the ship by at least 1:00 p.m.? We are not going to do Palo's because there is no way my 5 year old will stay in the clubs by himself, so I don't really need to make any reservations. Do you think boading around 1:00 p.m. is a good time? Help! Also, if I decide to go with a private service will Disney refund me my transfer fee as I am already paid in full? Thanks ... Jeneen

 

[Rence]

I speak out loud and long about not liking DCL transfers, but my big objection was the inability to get reservations.

If you aren't interested in anything that requires reservations, DCL transfers would be fine from a timing point of view.

 

[outahere]

If you don't need to make any reservations, 12:30 - 1:00 would be a great time to get to the port. By then the line to get on will be gone, and you should be able to check in quickly and walk right onto the ship. Your room won't be ready until 1:30, so you can grab some lunch and then go to your room.

If you cancel the DCL transfers now, they will probably give you a refund, because they haven't prepared your cruise docs yet. Can't hurt to give them a call.

 

[herrbeeb]

as long as you are not making reservations that is a perfect time to arrive. the line will be gone but you will still have time for lunch. my dh thinks the dcl bus is part of the total cruise experience. there is a movie for your 5 yr. old and the attendant will help you fill out the cruise documents.

as a compromise we are using a happy limo suv post cruise to dwd and back to mco.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

I don't want to throw the cold water on your plans BUT are you sure the DCL bus is picking you up at POFQ at 11:30? We are doing the land/sea package and staying at CBR. I called CBR this morning and they told me the DCL bus would pick up at the resort at 12:45 and have us at the port at 3:00 p.m. That is tooo late for me!! We decided to drop our Disney transfers and go with a town car from FLTours. We booked the DCL transfers thru AAA and they are refunding the transfer costs. FLTour will cost us $235.00 for MCO>CBR>Port>MCO for the 3 of us (2 adults + a 3 yr old).

Hope this info helps you out. Any questions?

 

[Tanya]

We have booked DCL transportation. My husband said to leave it but after reading these posts, I don't know.
Anyway -- I know some of you are saying to get there at a certain time if you want to make reservations.... Does that also include signing my daugher up for the Kiddie club???...

Thanks.

 

[OJulie67]

Tanya~The ship only allows so many kids on board, so not to overwhelm the kids clubs. That won't be a problem...your only issue may be if you want "certain times" for Palo and for the spa. Honestly, I am willing to take any open spot at the spa, so I think I will just see what happens. We are leaving in 6 days, and I don't want to change anything at this point! I just know for next time that I probably won't let DCL handle the transfers.

 

[JerseyMom]

We used the DCL Transfers last November and I believe we were picked up at AKL at around noon. I believe we were on board by 1:30 p.m. It was great at the terminal - no lines and we were able to go straight to our cabin so I didn't have to schlep my day bag with me to lunch.

I had no problems with registering my son for Oceaneers Lab and I also had no problem getting the times I wanted at the Spa. We didn't do Palo's so I don't know if there were any times left when we boarded.

I have already purchased the transfers from MCO for our Western Carribean trip. You can definitely find a cheaper way to get to the port but the videos and the Disney music really sets the mood for the trip.

Whatever you decide, have a "wonder"ful trip!

Karen

 

[Tanya]

Thank you Julie & Karen.... Everyone is talking about the spa!... I just may have to try it....

Well - we have transfers and hopefully we will not have a horrible experience with them. We are going down the night before so we are leaving from Boardwalk.... I have to find out the time - Does anyone know the pickup time from Boardwalk?

 

[RobertsMommy]

Thanks to all of you for responding! I think we are just going to stay with the Disney Transfers....... I had called Disney Cruise Lines and asked what time the bus would leave for POR on July 18th and they said at 11:30 a.m. I hope nothing changes because I really don't want to get on the ship by no later than 1:00 p.m. I guess I will just have to keep my fingers crossed. Oh and by the way I get more and more excited as it gets closer....