DME from AoA to the port

[nenis]

What time has the dme picked you up when going to the port from AoA ?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What time has the dme picked you up when going to the port from AoA ?

Our cruise in 2014 we were picked up at Coronado at 12:30 (well, we boarded to leave then - didn't actually leave until about 12:45). Then we went to Boardwalk for a pick up, then Art of Animation. I'd say we were there about 1:15-1:30.

That being said, pick up at the various resorts can vary from cruise to cruise. It depends on how many people from which resorts require the pick up. DCL schedules the buses so that they fill them as close to full before heading out to the port.

If enough people from one resort want to go to the port, it's possible that a bus may only have the the one pick up. Generally, most buses stop at 2-3 resorts for pickups. The pick windows are anywhere from 10:45-1:00 in most cases, but can be earlier or later, if necessary.

 

[BCV23]

What time has the dme picked you up when going to the port from AoA ?

Just to be clear, Disney's Magical Express does not provide transportation to the port. Disney Cruise Line does for a fee. It is $35/person one way from MCO or WDW resorts to the port. Happy planning.

 

[elvispursley]

WOW! We booked the "bus" to take us from Coronado Springs to Cape Canaveral and we are seriously regretting it. I think for our party of 6, we can book a town car to take us earlier (for less $) and get there earlier. I knew that the bus picked up from the resorts and got to the port later, but geesh! Not even getting on the road until after 1:00? Nope...not for us. We will likely keep our reservation to return to the airport.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

WOW! We booked the "bus" to take us from Coronado Springs to Cape Canaveral and we are seriously regretting it. I think for our party of 6, we can book a town car to take us earlier (for less $) and get there earlier. I knew that the bus picked up from the resorts and got to the port later, but geesh! Not even getting on the road until after 1:00? Nope...not for us. We will likely keep our reservation to return to the airport.

As I said, the pick up times are not set in stone for any individual resort. It's quite possible that a resort that has a 1:00 pick (with multiple stops) on one cruise will have a 10:45 pick up (with no other stops) on the next. It all depends on how many people need the transport. That's why you don't know until the night before what time you pick up is. That way DCL can fill the buses most efficiently.

 

[kiford]

Not even getting on the road until after 1:00? Nope...not for us.

As PrincessShmoo points out, it can vary quite a bit. We've been picked up as early as 10:30 (good thing I had booked an earlier breakfast that day than originally planned) and there were no other pick ups - this was from GF. We've been picked up variously at 11:30, 12:00 and 12:30 at other resorts (BC, BWI) sometimes with one other stop and others with no other stops. Never been on the ship later than 2 pm which was the latest I can remember. We're usually there about 1-ish which is great IMO since I don't have to stand in line, I don't have to wait to board and by the time we get on board our rooms are ready. There's still plenty of time to get tickets for tastings, check my port excursion tickets (and make corrections - that happened twice), unpack my carry on and still get lunch.

 

[MKRuns 26]

Just to be clear, Disney's Magical Express does not provide transportation to the port. Disney Cruise Line does for a fee. It is $35/person one way from MCO or WDW resorts to the port. Happy planning.

Doesn't hurt to post this again. DME is from MCO to WDW or WDW to MCO, no charge. DCL is $35ppc and is from WDW/MCO to Port Canaveral or Port Canaveral to WDW/MCO.

 

[nenis]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I thought the paid service from the resort to the port was also called the DME.
Ive read that many ppl like getting to the port later in the day to avoid lines. We've tried this and would like to experience showing up early to choose our own preference for next time.
sounds like we are best off doing a town car.
what's more affordable for a party of four disregarding arrival and transportation time?