First time Disembarkation to a Disney Resort

[canadiandisneydadJS]

We have our first Disney Cruise in October 2020 for Halloween on the High Seas. After the cruise we are going to a Disney Resort. I've already arranged the transportation.

This is our first cruise and I have never disembarked. Do we take our luggage with us to the Disney Coach Bus the morning we leave, or can I check it the night before and have it delivered to my resort?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have our first Disney Cruise in October 2020 for Halloween on the High Seas. After the cruise we are going to a Disney Resort. I've already arranged the transportation.

This is our first cruise and I have never disembarked. Do we take our luggage with us to the Disney Coach Bus the morning we leave, or can I check it the night before and have it delivered to my resort?

Thanks,

Jeff

You leave your bags outside your room the last night. DCL will get it off the ship and you claim them in the terminal to hand carry through immigration & customs. Then you head over to the DCL transfer location and hand the checked bags to the driver to be placed beneath the bus for the trip.

Once at your resort, you claim your bags from the driver, and either hand them off at that time to the bell person, or take them with you to the check in desk.

 

[Lilsia]

The cruise line and the park resorts do not transfer luggage to each other. You can also choose to not put your bags out of your stateroom the night before and walk off with them in the morning. Either way, you need to have everything with you as you go through customs and get on the bus to go to your resort. Have fun.

 

[ivanp91]

The cruise line and the park resorts do not transfer luggage to each other.

True in the case of the OP (ship to resort). Not true for the reverse, the resort gives you a time to have your bags ready and will collect them from your room. Next time you see them is on the ship.

 

[Lilsia]

True in the case of the OP (ship to resort). Not true for the reverse, the resort gives you a time to have your bags ready and will collect them from your room. Next time you see them is on the ship.

But that is the cruise line picking it up with your paid bus transfer. They do not just pick up anyone's luggage that are cruising and have their own transportation.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

True in the case of the OP (ship to resort). Not true for the reverse, the resort gives you a time to have your bags ready and will collect them from your room. Next time you see them is on the ship.

Because you're not having to clear customs to get ON the ship. Getting off the ship, everyone needs to have access to their bags, in case customs wants to check them out.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Just like how at an airport you get your luggage before clearing customs. Only you were on a ship.

 

[BCV23]

But that is the cruise line picking it up with your paid bus transfer. They do not just pick up anyone's luggage that are cruising and have their own transportation.

The service is included in the transfer however it is WDW bell services who do the collection in our experience.

And actually they will collect luggage from guests at WDW resorts who are not using DCL transfer but for a fee. IIRC it is $25 for up to six bags.

Because you're not having to clear customs to get ON the ship. Getting off the ship, everyone needs to have access to their bags, in case customs wants to check them out.

Just like how at an airport you get your luggage before clearing customs. Only you were on a ship.

Yes, except how is it the passengers who do online checkin for US domestic flights on certain airlines do not need to take their luggage through customs? The next time one deals with their bags is at their destination airport. Perhaps there is some screening that the airlines can and are willing to do that WDW resorts can't?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yes, except how is it the passengers who do online checkin for US domestic flights on certain airlines do not need to take their luggage through customs? The next time one deals with their bags is at their destination airport. Perhaps there is some screening that the airlines can and are willing to do that WDW resorts can't?

It's my understanding that they've made some sort of agreement with specific airlines out of MCO allowing it.

And, even if you've signed up for the Onboard Airline Check In, you could be notified that you have to pick up your bags in the terminal for screening. Random selection who gets picked.

 

[BCV23]

It's my understanding that they've made some sort of agreement with specific airlines out of MCO allowing it.

And, even if you've signed up for the Onboard Airline Check In, you could be notified that you have to pick up your bags in the terminal for screening. Random selection who gets picked.

I agree but my point was just that everyone does not need to collect their bags to go through customs. It would be very convenient if WDW resort guests could enjoy the same convenience as those who use onboard airline checkin.

 

[Lilsia]

Yes, except how is it the passengers who do online checkin for US domestic flights on certain airlines do not need to take their luggage through customs? The next time one deals with their bags is at their destination airport. Perhaps there is some screening that the airlines can and are willing to do that WDW resorts can't?

No, everyone needs to take their bags through customs, no exceptions. The airline check in desks are outside of the terminal close to where the buses are. US customs and border patrol don't mess around. Everyone has to have their passports(birth certificate) out and ready and the bags need to be with you.

 

[lanejudy]

No, everyone needs to take their bags through customs, no exceptions. The airline check in desks are outside of the terminal close to where the buses are. US customs and border patrol don't mess around. Everyone has to have their passports(birth certificate) out and ready and the bags need to be with you.

Not all. If you have a flight that qualifies for the Onboard Airline Checkin program, you check your bags through DCL the day prior to debarkation and will see them again at your home airport.

But to answer OP’s question - as others stated, you bring your bags to the bus and they will ride underneath to the resort with you. You can leave them with Bell Services if your room isn’t ready yet.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[BCV23]

No, everyone needs to take their bags through customs, no exceptions. The airline check in desks are outside of the terminal close to where the buses are. US customs and border patrol don't mess around. Everyone has to have their passports(birth certificate) out and ready and the bags need to be with you.

That is just not accurate. As both lanejudy and I posted, guests who use onboard airline checkin do not take their luggage through customs. It is only available for domestic flights on certain airlines (not Southwest for example). To use it, you must sign up ahead of time. I seem to recall it is at least two days before debarkation but I'm not sure. When we've used it, I've taken care of it very early on the cruise. Any luggage fees are added to your onboard account. Instead of the usual luggage tags, you receive typical airline luggage tags. Then you leave your bags outside your cabin door the night before debarkation just like everyone else. The next time you see them is at your home airport. It is a wonderful service.

I've never seen airline checkin desks outside the terminal. It is hard to imagine that would be cost effective for any airline? Have you ever checked bags there?

 

[Lilsia]

That is just not accurate. As both lanejudy and I posted, guests who use onboard airline checkin do not take their luggage through customs. It is only available for domestic flights on certain airlines (not Southwest for example). To use it, you must sign up ahead of time. I seem to recall it is at least two days before debarkation but I'm not sure. When we've used it, I've taken care of it very early on the cruise. Any luggage fees are added to your onboard account. Instead of the usual luggage tags, you receive typical airline luggage tags. Then you leave your bags outside your cabin door the night before debarkation just like everyone else. The next time you see them is at your home airport. It is a wonderful service.

I've never seen airline checkin desks outside the terminal. It is hard to imagine that would be cost effective for any airline? Have you ever checked bags there?

OK, I have been incorrectly informed. I have seen the airline check in desks outside the terminal as we were walking to our bus. But it has been a few years since I have really paid attention. Things might have changed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

OK, I have been incorrectly informed. I have seen the airline check in desks outside the terminal as we were walking to our bus. But it has been a few years since I have really paid attention. Things might have changed.

Outside the terminal at the port? We've sailed DCL for 10 years and I've never seen airline check in desks at the port.