Getting to Port ?

[princesscate]

I recommend renting a mini van from MCO and dropping it off at the port. This is much more economical than limo service or DCL bus.

MUN

We will be at the AKL for a few days prior … Using ME to get there … How would I go about that?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We will be at the AKL for a few days prior … Using ME to get there … How would I go about that?

You'd have to go back to the airport and pick up the rental.

 

[n2dzny]

I have a diff scenario. We are driving to PC & staying at a hotel the night before. We have two in car seats so we plan to have hubby drive us & luggage to port then drive back to hotel & get taxi to bring him over to join us & do the same when we get back (him go get the car & come pick us up). Is this too complicated? Is it worth the savings to not park & the port? He are staying at Holiday Inn very close, it that makes a diff.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Weedy]

Way to complicated. Just park at the port you'll be happy you did.

 

[DisMama5]

Does no one really use the Disney cruise line busses from mco?? I don't see any recommendations for it from anyone in the thread..

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does no one really use the Disney cruise line busses from mco?? I don't see any recommendations for it from anyone in the thread..

Of course there are lots of people who use the DCL busses from MCO. People who arrive the day of the cruise, as well as those people who stay at the Hyatt MCO the night before come to mind. There are also people who stay off site (near the airport) who come back and catch the bus.

I've even read of some "locals" who get dropped off at the airport by family to catch the bus.

We've taken the MCO/port leg a couple of times.

 

[princesscate]

We are not using it because we would like to make a stop for some adult beverages before we board and we would like to be on our first Disney Cruise as early as we can … The DCL buses tend to get there later in the day.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are not using it because we would like to make a stop for some adult beverages before we board and we would like to be on our first Disney Cruise as early as we can … The DCL buses tend to get there later in the day.

The DCL busses from WDW resorts get there later. The first bus from MCO departs around 9:10 and gets to the port before it even opens, usually.

 

[ExCMbeau]

We did the ME from the airport to our Disney hotel and then a private car (limo) to the cruise terminal the morning of (10 am pickup) for an 11:15 PAT. Our departing flight left in the evening so the limo company picked us up from the terminal (8:30 am) and dropped us off at Downtown Disney. They kept our luggage in the trunk and picked us up later that day (2:30 pm) to go to the airport. This made traveling to/from stress free. We only had two large pieces of luggage and two small carry on pieces.


This company was recommended by our travel agent and used personally by them. My travel agent vouched for them and I have known my agent for a long time. I wasn't concerned with leaving our luggage with them.

The driver did ask if we needed to make a stop or have him purchase beverages before our departure.

 

[princesscate]

We did the ME from the airport to our Disney hotel and then a private car (limo) to the cruise terminal the morning of (10 am pickup) for an 11:15 PAT. Our departing flight left in the evening so the limo company picked us up from the terminal (8:30 am) and dropped us off at Downtown Disney. They kept our luggage in the trunk and picked us up later that day (2:30 pm) to go to the airport. This made traveling to/from stress free. We only had two large pieces of luggage and two small carry on pieces.


This company was recommended by our travel agent and used personally by them. My travel agent vouched for them and I have known my agent for a long time. I wasn't concerned with leaving our luggage with them.

The driver did ask if we needed to make a stop or have him purchase beverages before our departure.

ExCMbeau do you mind PM me the name of the limo company? I asked my TA and have gotten no response.
Thanks

 

[Crystal O_o]

In September I am staying at the Radisson, it's 1.1 miles away from the port. My pickup time is 10:30am and my PAT is 10:30am. I can't imagine the 1 mile would take more then 5 minutes. Is this enforced? They didn't say anything to me about it when we booked that time spot.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

In September I am staying at the Radisson, it's 1.1 miles away from the port. My pickup time is 10:30am and my PAT is 10:30am. I can't imagine the 1 mile would take more then 5 minutes. Is this enforced? They didn't say anything to me about it when we booked that time spot.

I don't see the issue. If you are picked up at 10:30, you won't be at the port until after 10:30 (after your PAT). The PAT is really a "no earlier than" time, not so much a specific time that you have to arrive at. Whenever you arrive at the port and check in, you will get the same boarding number (tied to your PAT) whether you've arrived at 10:30 or 12:00.

 

[Crystal O_o]

I don't see the issue. If you are picked up at 10:30, you won't be at the port until after 10:30 (after your PAT). The PAT is really a "no earlier than" time, not so much a specific time that you have to arrive at. Whenever you arrive at the port and check in, you will get the same boarding number (tied to your PAT) whether you've arrived at 10:30 or 12:00.

I know that, I'm just saying that our transportation to the port is not private and I can't imagine them sitting there waiting to go in until 11am

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know that, I'm just saying that our transportation to the port is not private and I can't imagine them sitting there waiting to go in until 11am

Ah, I get it. AFAIK, shuttles are requested to not arrive earlier than 11:00 to the port. But, I believe I've read that some companies have paid for a permit (or license?) to enter the port earlier. I could be wrong about that. I'd suggest asking your transportation company what they are doing about the 11:00 port entrance time for commercial transportation.

I'll just point out, that arriving at 10:35 or 11:00, you'll still get the same boarding number, and boarding doesn't even begin until 11:15-11:30. So you won't be getting on the ship any earlier arriving at 10:35.

 

[Crystal O_o]

Ah, I get it. AFAIK, shuttles are requested to not arrive earlier than 11:00 to the port. But, I believe I've read that some companies have paid for a permit (or license?) to enter the port earlier. I could be wrong about that. I'd suggest asking your transportation company what they are doing about the 11:00 port entrance time for commercial transportation.

I'll just point out, that arriving at 10:35 or 11:00, you'll still get the same boarding number, and boarding doesn't even begin until 11:15-11:30. So you won't be getting on the ship any earlier arriving at 10:35.

Thanks! I am not worried about boarding, I have experienced it twice already. Just was wondering about the transportation part. Since this is my first time out of port Canaveral. Sailed out of Miami 2 times now and its identical except the commercial vehicles rule.

 

[E ticket rider]

just looking for opinions here ...
We are a group of 6 heading to PC from Disney. We aren't taking DCL bus ... We have 11am PAT ... If limo won't get us there til after 11 .... Should we rent something - 4 adults 2 children & luggage.
And limo co. Recommended 10 passenger van - really can't see renting one of those ... Opinions and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

The port would prefer that car services don't drop off before 11, but it's not really enforced. Much like the PAT, it is a method used to control traffic flow at the terminal. I just got off the Dream and we used Happy Limo from WDW and were dropped off at the terminal at 10:15. Our driver told us he had another pick-up at WDW at 11:30. No one said a word to our driver at any point while we were in the car and we weren't the only car service passengers being dropped off then. Also, the limo company is recommending a car based upon people and luggage. Certain vehicles don't have tons of trunk space for all the bags. We had a 15 passenger van for 13 people and a trailer for all of our luggage. No baggage would have fit in the van with us.