Disney Transfer ?

[JonJehrio]

Hello all, I have a group of 10 sailing on the October 23 Western Cruise. We are all flying in and are taking the Disney transfers from MCO to the Port. I was told that when we check our bags in Baltimore, the next time we will see them is outside our room, that when we arrive in Orlando we go right to the busses and Disney takes care of our checked bags. Is this true? This will be our first time using the transfer and we are naturaly all a little nervous. Can anyone comment? Thanks.

 

[CM_Mom]

That's the way the transfers work. It's also why they have the bright YELLOW DCL luggage tags. We haven't done the transfers from the plane, but we have done the ones from the Hyatt and it was great leaving our bags outside our room and having them appear in our room later in the afternoon.

Just to calm your nerves, though, I suggest that you mingle your packing. For DH and I, one bag holds half of his stuff and half of mine and the other bag holds the other halves. Medicine, toiletries and a change of clothes go in our carry ons. That way if the airline loses a bag we still both have clothes to wear.

I'm sure others will chime in with experience with DCL transfers directly from airline to port.

 

[kcashner]

DCL transfers are smooth and seamless. You do pay a higher price for them than you would for a private limo (the "break even" point is 3 people.) If I had a group of 10, I'd do the private limo! I'd rather save the $ for excursions....drinks...spa....whatever.

Yes, when you board the plane, the next time you see your bags is in your cabin. Be sure than any necessities are in your carry on.

 

[mickeyboat]

Are you flying in on Saturday morning? I suggest you reconsider and fly in the night before. We flew in the morning of, were delayed by weather (fog), almost didn't get any connection in Atlanta, landed at MCO at 4:00 and made it to the ship at 5:00.

We almost missed the boat. And our luggage didn't get to us until we docked at St. Maarten. It was an incredibly stressful travel day, stressful first few days without luggage, and we would never do it that way again.

You can still use DCL transfers if you stay at the Hyatt.

Denae

 

[Lxnme2]

Hi

Did you secure your hotel yet? Are you doing the transfers? The Hyatt price came down a little for AAA members and includes breakfast. It won't be long till sailing....

Lxnme2

 

[JonJehrio]

Yes, we are all flying in the day of. We should all arrive before 11:00 Am, there are 6 coming from Baltimore and 4 from Buffalo. I am anticipating with the early flights we should be O.K. If it was up to me I'd arrive a week early and spend it at WDW, but when you are with a big group, your options are limited. Thanks for the advise so far, and if anybody has had any good or bad experiences with the Transfer's, or can give us any advise about them since this will be our first time on them, it will still be appreciated.

 

[kcashner]

The transfers are good....they get you there, they are comfortable. DCL handles the luggage for you. However, they are pricey compared with private services if you have a group of 3 or more.

A DCL rep used to meet you as you came off your flight and escort you to the bus. Now, you are instructed to look for the DCL rep as you walk toward the baggage check area--she will be in the atrium area wearing a light blue nautical looking jacket. She will direct you to the DCL bus. You do not go to baggage claim or touch your bags--DCL takes care of claiming all bags with DCL tags on them and transporting them in a truck to the port. THey will show up in your stateroom by about 5 pm.

You will be on a bus within about 15 minutes of your airport arrival. As soon as the bus is reasonably full, it will head for the port. Since you are arriving at peak time, it will take maybe 10 minutes to be full. It is a 45 minute ride to the port and they show a video about the ship while you are riding. It will drop you at the bus area and you will walk about 25 steps to the terminal...or less depending on which parking slot your bus gets. That's all there is to transfers.

On the way home, you claim your luggage and go thru customs. The porter takes your luggage to the area for your airline--some airlines have baggage check at the port, others at MCO. You get on the bus based on which airline you are on, and again, once the bus is full you hit the road for MCO.