FOMO--should I book a towncar from WDW to the port?

[daisyx3]

I have already booked Disney transfers from our resort to the port, and then from the port to MCO. But I am wondering if I should just get a towncar from WDW (we would keep transfer to port). The downside is having to move our own bags, but the upside is we would make sure we were picked up right at checkout time and go right there with less hassle, and we could pick PAT instead of leaving it up to chance. There are only two of us so we might pay a little more, but it might be worth it. Any experience with this? We will be at the GF.

 

[mevelandry]

I have already booked Disney transfers from our resort to the port, and then from the port to MCO. But I am wondering if I should just get a towncar from WDW (we would keep transfer to port). The downside is having to move our own bags, but the upside is we would make sure we were picked up right at checkout time and go right there with less hassle, and we could pick PAT instead of leaving it up to chance. There are only two of us so we might pay a little more, but it might be worth it. Any experience with this? We will be at the GF.

It's very personal but I find the WDW shuttle to be less of a hassle and I am a fan or arriving a bit later. You receive the letter with the time for pick up the evening before your cruise. They'll pick up your luggage around 8:00 AM in the morning. Shuttles usually pick you up between 11:00 and Noon. You won't arrive very late (approx 1:30-2:00 is usually the latest). There will be nobody in line and you will board right away without having to wait. If you have a day bag, you'll room will be ready --instead of having to keep a bag with you until your room is ready and having to change in bathrooms in order to swim-- and you will be able to drop your luggage right away.

 

[su_A_ve]

Cost wise, for a family of four it's probably better to get a car (or rent one). You have the option to stop somewhere for snacks or drinks to bring on board. And you can get there by your port arrival time.

That said, the benefit of using DCL transfers on your way back, is that you can do luggage check on board and not have to worry about carrying them with you.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I am a big proponent of using DCL transportation from WDW to the port. However, if you wanted to get a towncar, for a nominal fee, DCL will still transfer your luggage, even if you don't take the bus.

 

[daisyx3]

Cost wise, for a family of four it's probably better to get a car (or rent one). You have the option to stop somewhere for snacks or drinks to bring on board. And you can get there by your port arrival time.

That said, the benefit of using DCL transfers on your way back, is that you can do luggage check on board and not have to worry about carrying them with you.

But there are only two of us, so it is costing us $70. I had a quote from Happy Limo to take us from GF to the port for $143. That's a chunk of change to just get there an hour or so earlier.

 

[YawningDodo]

I wouldn't bother, but my general attitude is that I'd rather have fewer moving parts on a trip even if it means somewhat longer waits. I like Magical Express and the DCL transfers because they handle all the luggage transfers, and because them being part of the same company means it's on them if there's a delay that could cause issues with boarding (same as booking excursions through DCL means it's on them to get you back on the ship if there's a delay in port). The somewhat later port arrival isn't ideal, but since you're staying at a WDW resort it's not as though you don't have somewhere nice to hang out that morning.

 

[mmmears]

But there are only two of us, so it is costing us $70. I had a quote from Happy Limo to take us from GF to the port for $143. That's a chunk of change to just get there an hour or so earlier.

We have taken a town car twice, but there were more of us so it was pretty much the same in terms of cost. No issue with our luggage, but then we travel light anyway. For two people I'd take the Disney bus and save the $70 since I don't think it is worth it just to get there earlier. Last trip we did arrive earlier, but then it felt like it took forever to get into the terminal (ie. we waited in line for a long time). So no, I don't think that's worth an extra $70. YMMV

 

[bumbershoot]

I totally get the FOMO. We've gotten to the port by bus twice (once from the hotel and once from the airport) and by rental car twice (though I only remember one rental car time). Oh and once by towncar/limo for Royal.

Going by bus from the resorts does pick you up later, but when you board you can pretty much go straight to your room and get that situated and then you are FREE, free as birds, to roam the ship until dinner or show time.

Going by bus from the airport gets you there earlier (remember, though, that you have to get up and ready earlier!), but then you schlep whatever carryons or medical equipment (cpap, pills, etc) around until the rooms are open at 1 or 2 (can't remember).

With a car or towncar/limo, it's the same thing. Get up and going earlier, carry your stuff around. Get up and going later, you've missed out on an hour or two wandering around the ship, but you aren't burdened by your carryons.


You can scroll back a week or so for a recently re-bumped conversation about a little-known service Disney will provide. They will take your bags from your resort room for $25 (plus tip to the CM) to the ship for you, even if you don't take the bus. That way you can get your rental car etc and still not have to deal with your non-carryon bags going to the port. (even if you take your bags TO the port, you still drop off the non-carryons and don't see them until later in your stateroom)

 

[daisyx3]

Not feeling the rental car, so I think we will just stick with the shuttle and try to relax about it. Hopefully it's a day with few pickups...it is a very rare 3 day Fantasy and I don't think many people leave for cruises on Wednesday. If we do another next year we will probably just stay at the Hyatt and go from there like we did in 2016, but when I got one night available on points at the only resort still on my wish list, I grabbed it.