Do I have this right? Booking our first cruise... help please :)

[hcox31]

Hey all.. we are hoping to surprise the kids with a post new year's cruise this year. Totally last minute. We've done WDW so we know about the magic express and how that all works etc.

I'm pretty sure I have it right, but is this how it would all play out with the cruise?:
Arrive day before cruise. Get magic express to disney resort. on Cruise day, get the disney cruise line coach to port canaveral. Cruise. Leave cruise, get cruise line coach back to resort. Magic express to airport next day.

I ask cause we have a 2 year old who would need a car seat if we had to rent a car, which I'm hoping to avoid by using the magic express buses.

Oh, and am I better off booking flights through disney or on my own?

 

[apathetic]

That seems good. Keep in mind, the Magical Express is free but the DCL bus cost $35 per person each way. Also, you could fly out the same day the cruise returns. The ship returns first thing in the morning and making an early afternoon flight is no problem. Personally, I book my own flights because I assume it is cheaper that way.

 

[hcox31]

We were hoping to maybe make an afternoon/evening trip over to MK after the cruise... not sure yet.

 

[Flossbolna]

Before the cruise, you could consider staying at an airport hotel and take the DCL bus from the airport. The advantage is that it cuts out one bus ride the day before and the busses from the resort don't arrive at the ship as early as if you took one from the airport. Sometimes the resort busses don't arrive until 2pm or so.

The Hyatt is directly in the airport, but there are other airport hotel nearby offering free shuttles to and from airport.

 

[PlanoNana]

Since the DCL shuttle is $35 per person especially if they charge for kids, then you might check out one of the car services. It might be cheaper and they probably provide a car seat. The advantage of the DCL shuttle, especially if it's your first cruise is that they play videos of the cruise on the way to the port so it's a neat experience for your first cruise. If you decide to do DCL transportation, then I would second the suggestion to stay at the Airport Hyatt especially if you have an afternoon arrival. The DCL bus picks up earlier at the Hyatt than at the resorts and you will get to the port sooner and be able to get on the ship sooner than if you take DCL buses from the resorts.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Since the DCL shuttle is $35 per person especially if they charge for kids, then you might check out one of the car services. It might be cheaper and they probably provide a car seat. The advantage of the DCL shuttle, especially if it's your first cruise is that they play videos of the cruise on the way to the port so it's a neat experience for your first cruise. If you decide to do DCL transportation, then I would second the suggestion to stay at the Airport Hyatt especially if you have an afternoon arrival. The DCL bus picks up earlier at the Hyatt than at the resorts and you will get to the port sooner and be able to get on the ship sooner than if you take DCL buses from the resorts.

I believe under 3 doesn't pay for DCL transfers. I'm not sure how many people are in OPs party, but the rough dividing line on cost between DCL transfers and private rental (towncar, or rental car) is 3-4 people.

Plus, with a rental car, they'd have to get a car seat.

 

[hcox31]

I believe under 3 doesn't pay for DCL transfers. I'm not sure how many people are in OPs party, but the rough dividing line on cost between DCL transfers and private rental (towncar, or rental car) is 3-4 people.

Plus, with a rental car, they'd have to get a car seat.

There are 4 of us. 2 adults, 2 kids. We really want to avoid the car seat if at all possible. Staying at the airport the night before sounds appealing. So we would just catch the DCL bus from there the next morning for our port arrival?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

There are 4 of us. 2 adults, 2 kids. We really want to avoid the car seat if at all possible. Staying at the airport the night before sounds appealing. So we would just catch the DCL bus from there the next morning for our port arrival?

Yes. If you stay at the Hyatt MCO, when you check in there, just be sure they've noted that you're taking DCL transfers the next morning. They will arrange for your bags to be picked up inside your room at the hotel and transported to the DCL luggage truck for transport to the ship. So easy.

 

[hcox31]

Yes. If you stay at the Hyatt MCO, when you check in there, just be sure they've noted that you're taking DCL transfers the next morning. They will arrange for your bags to be picked up inside your room at the hotel and transported to the DCL luggage truck for transport to the ship. So easy.

Fantastic tip!! thank you!

 

[hcox31]

Any other hotel suggestions at the airport? The hyatt is pricey for one night

 

[lanejudy]

The Hyatt Regency MCO is the only one actually within the airport. There are a number of airport-area hotels with short shuttle rides, many less expensive and may include breakfast. I'm pretty sure there is a Hampton Inn and maybe a Comfort Inn; most of the major hotel chains have something in the area.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[bumbershoot]

So you're not using a car seat on the plane? Just making sure you won't actually already have one with you.

 

[tgarre06]

Hey all.. we are hoping to surprise the kids with a post new year's cruise this year. Totally last minute. We've done WDW so we know about the magic express and how that all works etc.

I'm pretty sure I have it right, but is this how it would all play out with the cruise?:
Arrive day before cruise. Get magic express to disney resort. on Cruise day, get the disney cruise line coach to port canaveral. Cruise. Leave cruise, get cruise line coach back to resort. Magic express to airport next day.

I ask cause we have a 2 year old who would need a car seat if we had to rent a car, which I'm hoping to avoid by using the magic express buses.

Oh, and am I better off booking flights through disney or on my own?

I am in the exact same situation. My kids will be almost 2 and 5 years old, and I'm trying to avoid taking 2 car seats. I've used car seats from private transfers and car rental companies a few times, and they are always dirty and old. We have been hooked on Disney World resort trips recently because of how easy it is to travel with young kids. I was planning on using the same plan you have for our March cruise, but I've been reading that the DCL transfers do not get to the port until pretty late. Our cruise is only for 3 nights, so I know we are going to be eager to board the ship. We are flying in 2 nights before cruise, so I have no desire to hang at an airport hotel for 2 days. One night would've been fine though. Let us know what you decide!

 

[hcox31]

So you're not using a car seat on the plane? Just making sure you won't actually already have one with you.

That's correct. We will use the cares harness for our daughter. She'll be almost 3, but luckily still "2" for cruise pricing.

 

[diznymom]

When on a tight budget, we prefer AS Sports for the night before our cruise.

 

[hcox31]

Well I did it! Booked it! Since it's last minute we didn't get a pick of staterooms but I don't care. AH!!!! So excited! Even set up a call from Mickey for my kids on Christmas morning.

 

[Dug720]

Any other hotel suggestions at the airport? The hyatt is pricey for one night

I'm a big fan of the Hampton Inn Gateway. Simple easy free shuttle to and from the airport. Plus breakfast. One of the best Hamptons I've stayed in!

 

[HookedOnDCL1]

Well I did it! Booked it! Since it's last minute we didn't get a pick of staterooms but I don't care. AH!!!! So excited! Even set up a call from Mickey for my kids on Christmas morning.

How exciting! Love the Mickey call for Christmas morning - how magical! Enjoy your cruise - you'll have a blast!

 

[tgarre06]

When on a tight budget, we prefer AS Sports for the night before our cruise.

We always stay deluxe, but I'm trying to talk my hubby into a value the 2 nights before our cruise. We are traveling with family and trying to keep within a certain budget with transfers. Were the rooms as clean as deluxes?

 

[Quellman]

We always stay deluxe, but I'm trying to talk my hubby into a value the 2 nights before our cruise. We are traveling with family and trying to keep within a certain budget with transfers. Were the rooms as clean as deluxes?

The cleanliness of the rooms is generally the same, understanding that some variation can occur depending on the housekeeper anyway. While there is a stigma that value resorts receive more wear and tear than the deluxe due to the high number of groups they see, many have or are undergoing room renovations. I believe Pop Century is currently undergoing one right now.

We too stay deluxe for almost all of our trips. But we did a quick 2 nighter and stayed at Pop. Room was of course smaller and the amenities were different. But it was still a Disney room.