Galveston airport Disney cruise transfer

[Tiggersdobest]

I searched and couldn’t find anything. We have a large group and have done the Disney transfer with no issues from the airport hotel in Orlando. However, the Marriott at the Galveston airport had no clue about the transfer and told us the Disney concierge would not be available until 6:30 am tomorrow, our departure day. Has anyone done this recently from the Galveston airport Marriott and any guidance? We are definitely all booked on the transport. We have from 85 year olds to toddlers like many groups and so I want to be prepared!

 

[Tiggersdobest]

I just want to reply for future searchers because the other information online is unclear and the hotel staff is kind but doesn’t know anything about how the process works. If you are used to doing the Disney transfer from the hotel airport at MCO that may make you nervous, but do not be.

Rest assured that the process is organized and magical once the Disney concierges arrive, but if you are like me and in charge of a larger group with some mobility issues, here are the details!

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The fabulous Disney concierges arrived at the IAH Marriott at 6:30 am and although check-in does not start until 7:30 am, they got us all organized and were glad to help (we have some handicap issues and they were concerned how it would work as we do not have a wheelchair with us, we opted to take the first bus and told them if we can’t get everyone on the bus due to handicaps, we’ll simply call them an uber). Bags will be picked up in our rooms starting at 8:15 am, during check-in at Disney concierge you find out which bus you are on (first come to check-in first choice of bus which I got the feeling from the concierge was important) and the buses depart from the hotel lobby at 9:30 am. It does sound like it can get a little complicated as some of the buses are picking people up at the terminal at IAH (that was the case with the ADA coach today) so if you are on one of those buses you have to wait for that party to be located and boarded. We weren’t sure if it’s ok to use a lift without a wheelchair anyway so opted to just be flexible with uber option. They were willing to accommodate us absolutely, this was a personal choice.

Very thankful for this group & looking forward to a great trip!

 

[Korea Ears]

We are coming in the night before for a cruise later on in the month and will be staying at on off-site hotel near the airport. Is it going to be better to go to IAH Marriot or just back to baggage claim that morning? I really would like to be on an earlier bus if at all possible.

 

[Tiggersdobest]

I would cancel the Disney transport and stay in Galveston the night before because, while the Disney concierge at the hotel was wonderful, the charter bus company was a complete disaster. Buses showed up 30 minutes late and then there was a big ruckus once they got there as they went to the wrong place. We got on the bus around 11 (waiting in lobby since 9:30) and finally left around 11:30 (a car blocked the bus and the people were getting coffee). None of this is a huge deal. When the bus broke down because the emergency light had been on the entire time since there was no engine oil, that was a bigger deal. But our amazing bus driver got permission to get us the rest of the way to port and we were very close. Yay!

We arrive at port, the bus driver tells us to get out and get our bags and take them to check-in. Then someone in a yellow vest starts telling us very sternly that we are not supposed to be off the bus and that we need to get all of our luggage and go check in. And gets mad at our bus driver who we are all very thankful to. We found a porter and gave them cash to bring our bags over and they realized the bags were supposed to be checked through. Once we found our own way to the terminal it was really fast & easy and we are having a great cruise. But do not pay for the airport or Marriott transfer in Galveston, it’s not just that it’s a waste of money, it’s that you’ll get there faster, easier and more smoothly on your own. I have done the transfer in Florida and love it. All staff including bus driver were really great, but the bus company had no clue what was going on. Once you get to the port to check in it’s so much faster than Florida but that may be because we got on at about 1 instead of 11:15. NBD for us and a funny story but I would never do it again.