Disney Transfers vs. Independent Transfer Co?

[oceanmarina]

Hi all. I wanted to thank everyone for their posts to my question;

"On our Disney cruise we are flying into Orlando at 9:30 PM, where can I find a shuttle that goes to Cocoa Beach Hilton since Mears is closed at that time?"
& we definately did not want to rent a car

Some people recommended Art's Shuttle and some recommended Family One Transportation.
Art's Shuttle was much cheaper 70.00 to get to the hotel and 50.00 from the Wonder back to Orlando (for 2 adults).
Family One wanted 90.00 to get to the hotel & 80.00 from the Wonder to Orlando (for 2 adults).

My question is, should we go with Art's Shuttle or Disney transfers? (I'm not sure how much Disney's transfers are).

What I was thinking is that Art's may be quicker since it's a smaller minivan, less people to load up as those larger buses.

Let me know what you think,
Thanks,
Marina

 

[jskelton83]

My family uses Happy Limo. Very convient and much less expensive than the disney transport for families. happylimo.com

 

[hydster]

We have used your ride.net (space added since otherwise it has been known to ** out) and we have arrived at midnight. We haven't gone to Coco Beach but I would assume they would take you! Try them or FL tours..they are board sponsors on here! They are all very accomodating and very easy to work with!

heidi

 

[inkkognito]

We've used Happy Limo many times, too. I much prefer a towncar or limo vs. a shuttle because it's great to have your own private vehicle. Also, depending on the number of people in your party, a towncar service is often cheaper. Most people don't realize that!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[S.S.WILSON]

Quick question on the DCL transfers. Is taking these gonna make me miss out on PALO, spa,etc? We have already booked them!!(We are on a 7 day)...

 

[Cuzisayso2]

Bump...i would like to know the answer to that question too. Will DCL transport get me to the ship too late to make ressies for Palo and spa? We are only on a 3 day so I am sure they will book up quickly.

 

[Cuzisayso2]

BUMP

 

[crisi]

My understanding on transfers...

it depends. Are you taking them from the airport? In that case, the buses start running early and you'll be able to take the first shuttle and hang at the terminal before the ship opens.

If you are taking them from a Disney resort, you are at the mercy of the resort/bus schedule. I think these people generally get to the ship sometime after the ship opens - say between 1:00 and 2:00, but I could be making that up.

If you fly in the day before, you can't take a Disney shuttle to a port hotel. You can stay at the hotel at the airport and take a shuttle the next day, or a hotel near the airport.

As to Palo reservations, our tablemates decided that they wanted to go the second night of our four night cruise. Our head waiter explained that it fills fast, but they could go and put their names on the waiting list. They went up, the waiting list was two pages long. But they did end up getting the call - and decided not to go. It sounds like there are a lot of cancellations.

(We used a towncar, Tiffany).

 

[hydster]

Cuzisayso2--If you REALLY have your heart set on eating at Palo it might be worth it to you to look into your own transportation that is not Disney. If you don't really care if you make it or not to Palo then do what sounds best for you. For us when we went on the 4 day we didnt care to go so we got to the port around 2:30 and walked on, had lunch and had a great time but didn't try to get Ressies for anything. A few people we ran into got there on the Disney busses...a few of them arrived after 2:30 and they couldn't get a single reservation where another group arrived at about 2:10 and got multiple reservations for spa and palo. I think it really just depends on the crowd but if you really want to do it I think I'd look into an independent car co.

Just my 2 cents!
Heidi

 

[Cuzisayso2]

Thanks for the information. One other question, is the handling of the luggage alone worth letting Disney transport you? I guess my fear of booking my own transport is having to lug my suitcases all over the place.

 

[hydster]

When we took the car service they met us at the airport baggage claim and help load or loaded it all up for us. I don't like dealing with luggage either but it was great that the driver was willing to help us. He got an extra tip for it but I think I've read it's pretty standard practice since I think they'd rather be competitive with Disney busses and get the money.

Heidi

 

[crisi]

In my experience, towncar companies bend over backwards to help with your luggage.

 

[Greysword]

Why not rent a car and drive to the hotel from MCO?

You can take the family to the port early and get in line, then drop off the car yourself. It sounds (from previous posts and Dave DCL tribute site) like some rental companies have a bus that runs to the DCL terminal in the mornings, so you should be set. Budget told me they do.

Then you can do things on your schedule.

Just a thought.

 

[S.S.WILSON]

We will be staying at the Hyatt the night before. Has anyone ever had issues with staying there and being late to the ship for ressies?

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Originally posted by S.S.WILSON
We will be staying at the Hyatt the night before. Has anyone ever had issues with staying there and being late to the ship for ressies?

We stayed at the Hyatt and used Disney buses to get to the port. Ours was one of the first buses that left the Hyatt. I believe our bus left the hotel around 9:30-10:00 am. We made it to the ship in record time. We could have been one of the first 15 families on the ship if we would have gotten in the ship line instead of looking at the model and going out on the deck to see the ship.

QUESTION: For those of us staying at a Cocoa Beach hotel the night before, is it possible to book Disney trans ONE WAY only - from the ship to MCO? Or do they only accept round trip?

Thanks, Tink