Dover to Heathrow: Disney transfer vs private transfer

[Disneyfriend]

We are sailing on the British Isles cruise out of Dover next September.

I just bought our airline tickets. We depart London Heathrow at 2 pm. This is on the earlier side, since Disney recommends flights no earlier than 1:15 pm.

I'm trying to figure out any advantages/disadvantages of signing up for Disney transfers vs. arranging for a private transfer to Heathrow.

Cost is not our primary consideration; we're more concerned with safely making our flight. We are a family of four and will probably have 6-7 pieces of checked luggage, plus carry-ons.

Thanks in advance for any advice. This is our first trip to Europe, so input would be appreciated!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are sailing on the British Isles cruise out of Dover next September.

I just bought our airline tickets. We depart London Heathrow at 2 pm. This is on the earlier side, since Disney recommends flights no earlier than 1:15 pm.

I'm trying to figure out any advantages/disadvantages of signing up for Disney transfers vs. arranging for a private transfer to Heathrow.

Cost is not our primary consideration; we're more concerned with safely making our flight. We are a family of four and will probably have 6-7 pieces of checked luggage, plus carry-ons.

Thanks in advance for any advice. This is our first trip to Europe, so input would be appreciated!

Since DCL recommends flights no earlier than 1:15, your 2:00 flight is fine for taking DCL transfers. If you feel you need more time, then looking into a private transfer may give you more peace of mind.

Wow, that's a lot of luggage.

 

[Disneyfriend]

Since DCL recommends flights no earlier than 1:15, your 2:00 flight is fine for taking DCL transfers. If you feel you need more time, then looking into a private transfer may give you more peace of mind.

Wow, that's a lot of luggage.

Thank you for your reply and advice!

Yes, it is embarrassing to admit, but our family cannot seem to pack light. We are spending a week in London before the cruise, but still…

 

[Pens Fan]

While there may be less expensive options, Disney transfers are certainly a painless way to go. We usually forgo them if we are just hopping across town, but when the distance is long as in Dover to Heathrow, I prefer the simplicity of sticking with DCL transfers. We used them in 2015 to get to Heathrow and it couldn't have been simpler. There were plenty of cast members on hand directing you to the appropriate bus (I believe they based it on your airline, but I could be wrong about that as it's been over two years). We didn't have a flight out until the next day, but were staying at the Hilton in the airport. I remember sitting in the coffee shop around 10:30 or so at the hotel waiting for our rooms to be ready.

Assuming the ship docks on time and no odd delay occurs along the way, you should have no trouble making a 2 PM flight.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are spending a week in London

You know you can do laundry onboard the ship, right? I know some people feel "I'm on vacation, I'm not doing laundry", but you could send it out. No reason to pack 15 different outfits (or whatever the number is). No one is going to remember that you wore that shirt before, or that shorts outfit. We (2 people) typically travel with one checked bag and one carry on each of us for longer trips (over 7 nights). And only one checked and two carry ons (sometimes only one) for shorter ones.

 

[Disneyfriend]

While there may be less expensive options, Disney transfers are certainly a painless way to go. We usually forgo them if we are just hopping across town, but when the distance is long as in Dover to Heathrow, I prefer the simplicity of sticking with DCL transfers. We used them in 2015 to get to Heathrow and it couldn't have been simpler. There were plenty of cast members on hand directing you to the appropriate bus (I believe they based it on your airline, but I could be wrong about that as it's been over two years). We didn't have a flight out until the next day, but were staying at the Hilton in the airport. I remember sitting in the coffee shop around 10:30 or so at the hotel waiting for our rooms to be ready.

Assuming the ship docks on time and no odd delay occurs along the way, you should have no trouble making a 2 PM flight.

Thank you… This is just the kind of feedback I was hoping for! I am definitely inclined to use Disney transfers, but just wanted to check and make sure I wasn’t missing something. I don’t mind if it costs a bit more. I figure this is not the time to try to save 50 or $75.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you… This is just the kind of feedback I was hoping for! I am definitely inclined to use Disney transfers, but just wanted to check and make sure I wasn’t missing something. I don’t mind if it costs a bit more. I figure this is not the time to try to save 50 or $75.

We took DCL transfers on our EBTA cruise last year. Really quite nice, bus was immediately outside the port terminal, and we were delivered directly to the door of our airline.

 

[Disneyfriend]

You know you can do laundry onboard the ship, right? I know some people feel "I'm on vacation, I'm not doing laundry", but you could send it out. No reason to pack 15 different outfits (or whatever the number is). No one is going to remember that you wore that shirt before, or that shorts outfit. We (2 people) typically travel with one checked bag and one carry on each of us for longer trips (over 7 nights). And only one checked and two carry ons (sometimes only one) for shorter ones.

We are certainly going to try to pack a little bit lighter than we did last year for our Alaska cruise!

Thank you for the reminder about laundry. We did end up sending some things to be laundered during our last cruise, and found the prices to be extremely reasonable. But our family seems to be rather hopeless at packing light…

 

[Disneyfriend]

We took DCL transfers on our EBTA cruise last year. Really quite nice, bus was immediately outside the port terminal, and we were delivered directly to the door of our airline.

Sounds perfect! Thank you again.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Since you're planning to spend a week in London before your cruise, how will you get from the airport into London? DH and I used the Tube (subway) from Heathrow to our hotel in downtown London 3-1/2 years ago, and I hope it's changed quite a bit since then because there were very few stops had had an elevator. Some of the stops with elevators were under construction, so hauling large suitcases up the stairs was not our idea of a good time. Another reason to down-size the luggage. If necessary you can choose a different tube stop and take a cab from there to your hotel. Or take a taxi all the way from the airport, but it isn't cheap.

 

[Disneyfriend]

Since you're planning to spend a week in London before your cruise, how will you get from the airport into London? DH and I used the Tube (subway) from Heathrow to our hotel in downtown London 3-1/2 years ago, and I hope it's changed quite a bit since then because there were very few stops had had an elevator. Some of the stops with elevators were under construction, so hauling large suitcases up the stairs was not our idea of a good time. Another reason to down-size the luggage. If necessary you can choose a different tube stop and take a cab from there to your hotel. Or take a taxi all the way from the airport, but it isn't cheap.

Thank you for the heads up, and greetings from a fellow Arizona resident!

We have our transportation arranged, thank you. I think managing our family of 4 - plus luggage - via tube on our very first trip to London is a bit beyond my comfort zone. We have a private driver set up from Heathrow to our London rental.

 

[kiford]

We got to Heathrow from Dover using DCL transfers at about 1 pm which is tight for a 2 pm flight. However, we had the later breakfast and took our time before leaving the ship; we probably got off about 9-9:30 am. I would suggest you disembark as early as possible to give sufficient time to get to the airport.

 

[Disneyfriend]

We got to Heathrow from Dover using DCL transfers at about 1 pm which is tight for a 2 pm flight. However, we had the later breakfast and took our time before leaving the ship; we probably got off about 9-9:30 am. I would suggest you disembark as early as possible to give sufficient time to get to the airport.

Yes, 1 PM would definitely be way too close for comfort. I’m very surprised that it took you that long to reach the airport. Was there heavy traffic that day? It sounds like a 3 1/2 hour trip?

 

[Alohagirl73]

We used Disney transfers after our British Isles cruise in 2016. Very painless and easy. We were got off when most people did but still easy. We arrived with plenty of time for our 3:30pm flight. We did have to take our luggage to check into British Airways and not the way it is done in Florida!

 

[CarolynU]

The route to Heathrow from Dover is extremely variable time wise as the M25 is notoriously famous for coming to a standstill frequently. My advise is to get off the ship as quickly as you can, and either arrange a very early private transfer or take Disney transportation if it's guaranteed to get you there on time. I've known that journey to take 2 hours ish and 6 hours plus! I'm local and drive that way pretty frequently.

 

[kiford]

Yes, 1 PM would definitely be way too close for comfort. I’m very surprised that it took you that long to reach the airport. Was there heavy traffic that day? It sounds like a 3 1/2 hour trip?

There was not only heavy traffic but there was a slowdown or strike at Dover or at one of the ports (which I understand isn't that unusual) so it was slowing everything down coming out of Dover. It was worse going into Dover so a lot of cars were turning around causing the roads out of Dover to slow down. Also, for quite a distance leaving Dover, it's a one lane road so it moves slowly. It's also quite slow as you get close to Heathrow due to heavy traffic.

 

[Disneyfriend]

There was not only heavy traffic but there was a slowdown or strike at Dover or at one of the ports (which I understand isn't that unusual) so it was slowing everything down coming out of Dover. It was worse going into Dover so a lot of cars were turning around causing the roads out of Dover to slow down. Also, for quite a distance leaving Dover, it's a one lane road so it moves slowly. It's also quite slow as you get close to Heathrow due to heavy traffic.

Yikes, that sounds very stressful. I will keep our fingers crossed for a smoother (and quicker) journey!

 

[CarolynU]

The Port of Dover gets jammed up a fair bit. This could be because of bad weather stopping or delaying the ferries from leaving, or strikes mostly on the French side which might not even by the port workers. French farmers have even been known to blockade the ports with their tractors. This is not an isolated incident. When that happens the roads into Dover come to a standstill, but this also impacts traffic leaving it too.
However, you have to be unlucky to get caught up in something like this.
What is a potentially greater risk is simply the volume of traffic around the M25 around London leading to Heathrow. There only needs to be an accident blocking one of the lanes, and chaos ensues with long delays.
I fly out of Heathrow or pick up arriving family frequently and live 10 minutes away from Dover and I always stay overnight the night before if flying myself just to have peace of mind.
My advice is to allow yourself the maximum time possible, and then if the roads are clear you will be less stressed and have more time for a relaxing coffee once airside. I'm sure that the vast majority of folks taking the DCL transfers all make their flights just fine, but you don't want to hang about though, and to be honest after debarking the WBTA in Puerto Rico in 2014 that made anything Dover/Heathrow could throw at you if you were a non US citizen look positively calm, relaxing and organised!

 

[coloradocutie]

When we disembarked at Dover, I remember thinking how quickly they got everyone off of the ship. We were amazed that we were in line to leave at 8 and by 8:15 we and thousands of others were outside off of the ship waiting for transportation. It was VERY speedy.
Have a great time and enjoy your time in London and on the cruise! We did the EBTA plus a week at Hampshire with 4 suitcases, a carry on and 2 car seat bags! ... we have a photo of the luggage dolly filled to the brim !

 

[Disneyfriend]

The Port of Dover gets jammed up a fair bit. This could be because of bad weather stopping or delaying the ferries from leaving, or strikes mostly on the French side which might not even by the port workers. French farmers have even been known to blockade the ports with their tractors. This is not an isolated incident. When that happens the roads into Dover come to a standstill, but this also impacts traffic leaving it too.
However, you have to be unlucky to get caught up in something like this.
What is a potentially greater risk is simply the volume of traffic around the M25 around London leading to Heathrow. There only needs to be an accident blocking one of the lanes, and chaos ensues with long delays.
I fly out of Heathrow or pick up arriving family frequently and live 10 minutes away from Dover and I always stay overnight the night before if flying myself just to have peace of mind.
My advice is to allow yourself the maximum time possible, and then if the roads are clear you will be less stressed and have more time for a relaxing coffee once airside. I'm sure that the vast majority of folks taking the DCL transfers all make their flights just fine, but you don't want to hang about though, and to be honest after debarking the WBTA in Puerto Rico in 2014 that made anything Dover/Heathrow could throw at you if you were a non US citizen look positively calm, relaxing and organised!

I can see that there is, sadly, lots of potential for delays. I do wish our flight left later, but we will hope for the best. Definitely going to be packed and ready to go as soon as we can that morning! Maybe it will help a bit that this takes place on a Sunday? Accidents can still happen, of course, but perhaps the volume will be a bit less.