Disney Transportation to Port

[ams71]

Hi all! I am going on my first WDW land/sea vacation. We are staying at the Poly. I have purchased the Disney Transfers. Does anyone know what time the DCL tranportation normally arrives at the port? I still debating whether this was a good decision.

 

[my3princesses]

We did this as well from the Grand Floridian. We left the resort at 11:15 and actually had to stop at Poly to pick up a few extra people.

I read on the boards previously that they show cartoons on the bus to the port but all that we watched was a video about the ship. It was also pouring rain the entire time and we had a really loud family sitting behind us (parents, grandparents and young children) who spoke loud the entire time and wouldn't stop their kids from jumping and kicking our seats. Needless to say it was a long hour. As well we were told on the boards that our luggage needs to be ready the night before at 11pm to go to the port but it really needed to be ready at 8 am the next morning. We left at 9 am and it was still there however not having to deal with the luggage after that was a benefit.

We arrived at the port by 1:00 and on the ship by 1:30. This was a bit of a rush as Parrot Cay was only serving lunch until 2:30 however everything on deck 9 was available until 3:30. Fortunately our luggage showed up by then as well (always that initial panic).

Would I do the transfers again? Well you do not have much time to leave the parks and do anything else on the land/sea package so renting a car when we first arrive in Orlando would have been a waste and I believe starting in May they have free shuttles to and from the airport. Having a car for the last day to get to the port might have been cheaper as we are a family of five but where do you rent a car at Disney?

We took the extra time before having to leave for the port and went to MK for a character brunch and rode our favourite rides. This was nice as again you do not have alot of time at the parks.

There are pros and cons!

 

[videogal1]

Hi all! I am going on my first WDW land/sea vacation. We are staying at the Poly. I have purchased the Disney Transfers. Does anyone know what time the DCL tranportation normally arrives at the port? I still debating whether this was a good decision.

If you hate to wrangle luggage or drive yourself to the port you'll do fine. By taking the Dis-bus you're at the mercy of the vast unknowables...time, fellow passengers, and other odd things that come under the heading of Murphy's law...but if you are easygoing and keep your eye on the important things...time, children, luggage, and the goal...the cruise, you'll get to the ship with a smile on your face. I left from the Poly in December and it was fine. We left a little late but must have had a tailwind because we got to the port in record time, got checked in during a lull in the passenger arrival times and avoided the crush.

 

[clm3]

I personally would check into a private car service !! We took DCL transfer on the 20th from AKL then stopped at AK. We didn't arrive at the Port until after 2pm. By the time we got through security and all checked in they were rushing us to PC before the cleaned up the buffet. THEN we had to hurry and get ready for the safety drill.

We will definitly drive or hire a car service .... I felt very stressed !!!!!

 

[ams71]

I personally would check into a private car service !! We took DCL transfer on the 20th from AKL then stopped at AK. We didn't arrive at the Port until after 2pm. By the time we got through security and all checked in they were rushing us to PC before the cleaned up the buffet. THEN we had to hurry and get ready for the safety drill.

We will definitly drive or hire a car service .... I felt very stressed !!!!!

Ok, you have terrified me. I just finished making reservations with Happy Limo. It is going to cost me an extra $65.00, but I figure it is worth it to not have to worry about Disney Transportation. I have arranged for them to pick my family and I up at 10:30 a.m. I have PS for 7:50 a.m. at Ohana's the morning of embarkation. Will arriving at the port at approximately 11:30 be enough time or should I arrange for an earlier pick up?

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Ams71...don't be terrified. We have used DCL transfers on each of our 4 sailings and will definately us them for our 2 upcomming.....Each resort has a different departure time so ALL DCL busses don't show up at the same time. AKL is one of the last because there is a character breakfast there in the morning. A lot of people with little DDs and DSs go there to see the characters then go directly to port afterwards. Beachclub is the first to be picked up....I think we got on the coach at 11:15. We stopped at The Swan and Dolphin before heading to port. We were in line by 12:45 and on board by 1......Castaway Club members have an "express" check in.