Ground Transfer from Port to WDW?

[princemama]

On our upcoming trip, we're heading to the world after our cruise (and yes, I know I know, it's better to do the world first but it didn't work out that way).

Does anyone have experience taking the Disney bus from the ship to the park? Any ideas roughly what time you make it to the park? I'm trying to figure out if we can make any fastpass + selections for that first day, but don't really know what time to set...

Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

On our upcoming trip, we're heading to the world after our cruise (and yes, I know I know, it's better to do the world first but it didn't work out that way).

Does anyone have experience taking the Disney bus from the ship to the park? Any ideas roughly what time you make it to the park? I'm trying to figure out if we can make any fastpass + selections for that first day, but don't really know what time to set...

Thanks!

It just depends on how quickly you get off the ship. When you debark, go through customs, and then leave the building, you go to where the buses are lined up for transport. Check in with the person at the entrance to the area, and they will direct you to a bus that's going to your resort. Each bus may stop at up to 3 resorts, so from port to your specific resort could be a long as 90 minutes, or as short as just under an hour. As the buses fill, they depart.

If you leave the ship at 7:30, you'll most likely be on a bus and leaving the port by 8:00, arriving at your resort by 9:00-9:30.

 

[mmouse37]

There is no right or wrong way to do WDW (before or after DCL). It is what works best for you!!! We have done it both ways before. Just note that unlike going from WDW to the port when taking DCL transfers Disney does not automatically transport your checked luggage. YOU will have to claim your luggage in the luggage hall and bring it out to the Disney bus with you (a porter can easily help). As mentioned, just leave the ship when it is cleared by customs, claim your bags and head out to the buses and let them know which resort you are going to. They will direct you to correct bus. Once at WDW bell services can hold your bags if you room is not ready yet. There is no special treatment for guests arriving at WDW from DCL in terms when rooms are ready.

We never go to the assigned breakfast in the AM anymore. We just grab something from Cabanas when it is open and then head off the ship.

MJ

 

[Mom to 2 Girls]

On our upcoming trip, we're heading to the world after our cruise (and yes, I know I know, it's better to do the world first but it didn't work out that way).

Does anyone have experience taking the Disney bus from the ship to the park? Any ideas roughly what time you make it to the park? I'm trying to figure out if we can make any fastpass + selections for that first day, but don't really know what time to set...

Thanks!

We have been to WDW many times this is our first cruise. DH doesn't like change and loves his biannual WDW fix. I physically can't do 10 days of 15+ miles of walking because of a recent injury. This all being said, I have just booked the 3 night dream followed by only 4 nights at AKL. Should I switch to AKL before? And what are the pros cons?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have been to WDW many times this is our first cruise. DH doesn't like change and loves his biannual WDW fix. I physically can't do 10 days of 15+ miles of walking because of a recent injury. This all being said, I have just booked the 3 night dream followed by only 4 nights at AKL. Should I switch to AKL before? And what are the pros cons?

We prefer doing WDW before the cruise. The days of go, go, go (and lots of walking), long days (and nights), really need the relaxation that happens on the cruise afterward.

There are those who prefer cruising first.

 

[Mom to 2 Girls]

We prefer doing WDW before the cruise. The days of go, go, go (and lots of walking), long days (and nights), really need the relaxation that happens on the cruise afterward.

There are those who prefer cruising first.

With so much to do on the cruise, and port, do you really find a lot of down relaxation or is it go go go there too?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

With so much to do on the cruise, and port, do you really find a lot of down relaxation or is it go go go there too?

Well, we typically take long cruises, with lots of sea days. Plenty of time to just sit and watch the sea go by.

Yes, I find cruising more relaxing than doing the parks.

Only exception I've run into, thus far, was the 24 night river cruise we took in Europe last summer. Basically, a different port every day. Now that was tiring.

 

[Mom to 2 Girls]

Well, we typically take long cruises, with lots of sea days. Plenty of time to just sit and watch the sea go by.

Yes, I find cruising more relaxing than doing the parks.

Only exception I've run into, thus far, was the 24 night river cruise we took in Europe last summer. Basically, a different port every day. Now that was tiring.

I figure more sea days = more relaxing. But as I said hubby was leery with the change so I wasn't going to get more than 3 nights - at least not this trip. Thank you for the info!

 

[lanejudy]

Does anyone have experience taking the Disney bus from the ship to the park? Any ideas roughly what time you make it to the park?

We've taken DCL transfers from the ship to WDW. We ate in the MDR for first breakfast. Didn't rush. We were checked in at CBR and sitting poolside before 9:30am. We did happen to be the first resort stop. I'd say you could be at a park by somewhere between 10-11am. If you hurry off the ship in the morning, you'd likely be there sooner.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[bumbershoot]

With so much to do on the cruise, and port, do you really find a lot of down relaxation or is it go go go there too?

Good question.

We find that if we take the time to read the Navigators and plan our days, then it's "rush to relax", several times a day. But since you're relaxing, or doing something you want to do, each time, it still works out to be relaxing. Sometimes it's "rush to get DS to the Oceaneer's Lab so we can go to Palo", which feels rushy and not fun until it's done and you can breathe. (if we were easier-going and let DS sign in and out on his own it would be less rushy, it would be stressful in other ways)

I haven't had this sort relaxation onboard a Disney cruise yet (the one time I tried I couldn't find a lounger until 2 minutes before it started RAINING), but on Royal ships on sea days I give myself an hour in the sun. 15 minutes, flip over, 15 minutes, flip over, repeat twice. And then I'm done with the sun. That is something I haven't been able to do since '87 when I moved to WA, so it's lovely for me. Of course, I'm wearing 35 spf, but still, it's lovely.


That said, we like to hit the parks before AND after. So far we've only gone to Universal parks after, which are their own level of relaxation when staying onsite.

 

[princemama]

Thanks everyone!

 

[phinz]

I've yet to feel rushed on a cruise, but then again I don't care about port calls. I don't even care about CC. The ship is my resort, so anything else is a bonus. I've yet to see a show and I've yet to do an excursion. I just make my own fun at my own pace.

 

[shelbell77]

We've been walking into Epcot through the International Gateway from Boardwalk by 9:45am.