Ground Transfers...or own transportation?

[hjensen]

We are staying at one of the Airport hotels the night bfore and I was wondering if we should take the ground transfers to Port Canaveral or if we should find our own way? ( i.e. limo,rent a car ) This is our first cruise and I've just been hearing how important it is to get to Port Canaveral early? I assume we cant have someone(DCL) take us over there whatever time we want...I figured if we were at the airport that we would have to wait for other planes to land before they take us over there?

 

[Honu]

We stay at the Hyatt the night before. We have gotten downstairs at about 9 and been on the first bus out. That got us to port about 10:30. There is a bus check in the Hyatt lobby (where they just confirm you are there) and then another check in desk downstairs in the airport where they reserve seat space on a first come, first served basis. The first couple buses filled up quickly, but I would guess following buses may have to wait until they fill up.

I think we will limo it from now on. It's cheaper.

 

[kcashner]

It is less critical to get to port early now that you can book your spa, palo, and excursions on line before cruising. However, we still like to be onboard early just to start the fun.


From the airport, you can basically get a bus anytime after 9:30. If you stay at the Hyatt, the bus will pick you up there. If you stay anywhere else, you can make your way back to the airport and be transported from MCO.

The other side of it....depending on the number of people you have travelling, you can save some serious $ using other transportation. DCL transfers are $30 each way per person. Renting a car for 24 hours is under $40..then you add gas and tolls. A private limo will pick you up at whichever hotel you stay at (DCL bus only leaves from MCO and Hyatt), and costs about $90-100. The bus has the hassle of needing to get back to the airport if not staying at the Hyatt (Hyatt is costly). The car has the hassle of needint to pick it up and the driver has to return it near the port and take shuttle back to the port. The limo has some theoretical concern about the vehicle showing up, although there are many reliable companies available.

 

[woody73]

kcashner sums it up quite well.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I was wondering the same as you since this is our first DCL cruise. We have decided to take a towncar to the Port hotels the day before. We will then take the hotel shuttle or more than likely take a taxi to the port the next day. I want to get to the ship ASAP to start the fun!!!

I might add that when I became a DIS sponsor, I received a nice discount for a towncar with FL Tours. That was the deciding factor on our transportation issue.

 

[susieh]

We're doing the cruise at the end of our holiday so are planning on dropping the hirecar back at the airport and taking the bus to the ship. Do people suggest we do this as early as we can on the day?

Also at the end of the cruise does the bus only go back to the airport? We have an evening flight home so don't really want to spend the day in the airport but aren't sure what our options will be.