Help needed with DCL transportation

[Dreams&wishes]

Hello everyone I need some help deciding whether we should be using DCL transportation from WDW to Port Canaveral or not.

We are a family of 6 so the cost at the moment is $45 pp total $270 one way (we only need it one way).

Youngest daughter is 6 yrs old not sure if she is required a carseat in US?
Because we are staying at WDW on a package we will have tickets to the parks available to use on the day we have our cruise although I'm not sure if there will be enough time to go in any park anyways. Whats th latest we should be leaving wdw?
What are the advantages of DCL transportation?
We have everything booked so no desire to upgrade or book extra stuff. I was reading that people don't like to choose a PAT? Why is that? Isn't choosing a PAT better so you don't need to arrive extra early at the port? If you arrive early can you still access all the amenities? We have never done a cruise before so I have really no idea.
We are doing a 7 days cruise so I don't feel I need to be on the ship early to "explore" as we will be there for a while.
Are there any extra benefits other then if we get stuck in traffic the ship waiting for us if we are on Disney transportation?

Thank you

 

[Calantha]

Youngest daughter is 6 yrs old not sure if she is required a carseat in US?
Because we are staying at WDW on a package we will have tickets to the parks available to use on the day we have our cruise although I'm not sure if there will be enough time to go in any park anyways. Whats th latest we should be leaving wdw?
What are the advantages of DCL transportation?
We have everything booked so no desire to upgrade or book extra stuff. I was reading that people don't like to choose a PAT? Why is that? Isn't choosing a PAT better so you don't need to arrive extra early at the port? If you arrive early can you still access all the amenities? We have never done a cruise before so I have really no idea.
We are doing a 7 days cruise so I don't feel I need to be on the ship early to "explore" as we will be there for a while.
Are there any extra benefits other then if we get stuck in traffic the ship waiting for us if we are on Disney transportation?

It varies by state, but I believe FL is 5 and younger on car seats (https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/child-safety/safety-belts-child-restraints/).

We always rent a car from MCO to Port Canaveral because we stay there the night before and I like the option to drive around and do things.

I think the PAT issue is that using Disney Transportation you can sometimes get an earlier PAT than if you wait until your actual time to select a PAT (i.e., a new cruiser uses DCL instead of getting a 1PM PAT, and can arrive earlier). Sounds like that isn't necessarily what you want to do though.

By the time anyone can get on the ship (except B2B cruisers and maybe the first few concierge families) just about everything is open that would normally be open (e.g., shops won't open until the ship leaves port).

We always arrive as early as we can to have a sit-down lunch in the appropriate restaurant, start unpacking, check on any dining issues, and just relax for the rest of the day.

 

[NAB]

The bus is very easy from a WDW resort. Yes true no PAT is needed but sometimes the bus is later . We stayed at Animator’s picked up time was 10:30 but didn’t get there that early it was already boarding.

With 6 people sounds like a lot of luggage so you would need to get a bigger car/van. Not sure how much that would be. Bus no problem with luggage. They pick it up in your room the morning of your cruise around 7-8 am . Letter will be in room when to have it ready and when your pick up is. You just have to have your carryon stuff on the bus.

So I would research which is cheaper private car or bus.

Bus is so easy though. We are a family of 4 and done it both ways.

 

[sponica]

I would compare the math on a private transfer and the DCL transfers.

The advantage to the DCL transfers is that you don't have to check in at midnight (Eastern time) because the PAT/BG is assigned for you. We had transfers and my mother was driving herself to the port and I think her PAT was something like 1245/1PM. The staterooms don't typically open until 1:30/2:00 anyway so if you're fine doing private transfers and having a later PAT, that might work for you.

I don't like travel stress too much, so I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving WDW much later than 1230 or 1.

 

[MJB03]

One of the benefits of doing private transportation is that you can leave from the resort anytime you want, so you have more control over your time that morning. You could go into one of the parks for 1-2 rides, or have breakfast in the park or at another resort.

The DCL buses usually pick up from a few resorts before heading to the port, so depending on where your resort is in the schedule of pickups, you could be picked up somewhat early and then spend 30-45 minutes on the bus before you even leave WDW. With the private car, you would go straight to the port. All aboard time is 3 pm, I think, so you could have the car pick you up at noon, and still arrive in plenty of time.

I remember years ago, back when the DCL buses didn’t pickup until 11:30 or so, my sister and I went into one of the parks the morning before we left for the cruise, just because we could with the package that we were on. It felt almost decadent to go to the park for just 1-2 hours before rushing back to the resort to catch the bus to the port. I know annual passholders can do that anytime, but we had never had that experience before. And it was so much fun!

 

[emmabelle]

we're doing the Fantasy on 8/31. I rented a car from the Disney Car Care Center to PC, I booked a couple of months ago so it was $96. I rented for the day before making sure it was only a 24 hour period, the price goes up with each hour beyond 24. I didn't see a big advantage to when we went from the Beach Club on DCL transport. We had to be in the lobby at 8:30am and still didn't get on to the ship until 11:45am.

 

[Girl of the South]

Take the DCL bus. It will be much easier than renting a car and you are “covered” if there is traffic and the bus is delayed. If you rent a car you will have to drop you passengers and all the luggage off at the port, return the car and wait for the shuttle to take you to the ship. The PAT really isn’t as important as people make it out to be. As you said, you’ll be on the ship for 7 days. Personally, I would go the easiest way, which is DCL transport. They will collect your luggage at the hotel and bring it to your cabins.

 

[tlovesdis]

You will not have time to go to a park on the day you go on the cruise. Even if you are driving or not taking DCL transportation.

 

[lanejudy]

Because we are staying at WDW on a package we will have tickets to the parks available to use on the day we have our cruise although I'm not sure if there will be enough time to go in any park anyways.

I do not suggest trying to go to a park that morning. Too stressful to get yourselves back to the resort for transportation (whatever mode you choose). If I were you, I’d adjust the package to 1 less park day so you don’t waste money.

DCL Transfers are convenient. They pick up your luggage early, then the bus arrives for you usually sometime between 9-11am. By the time it arrives at the port you go through security and likely will board immediately. That said, with a party of 6 private car service may be less expensive. Even less would be renting a car (van or suv). I don’t think the 6-yr old is required to be in a car seat or booster.

 

[auntlynne]

I’d say no to a park visit. And it’s not an option if doing DCL bus, based in its time schedule.

I’d also say no to DCL bus. There is no discount for party size; everyone is the same price - multiply that by 6. Now, if you just can’t find a private transfer to beat the price, reconsider.

If you opt out of bus, you can sleep according to own schedule. Perhaps utilize the bigger pool you will have at your resort versus the small, crowded one(s) on the ship.

You don’t have to log in at Midnight (at 30 days pre-cruise) since you have no loyalty status with DCL (meaning you are last group selecting your PAT) - and you are not interested in rushing onboard (such a good plan).

If you choose 12:30 or later, the line should be significantly shorter and the Boarding Groups may no longer matter - it’s just General Boarding / not calling numbers.

Lunch will be served for a few more hours. The sit-down lunch option seats until 2 pm. You can arrive at the buffet (Cabanas) for about another hour.

You must be onboard an hour before departure. If you aim for 12:30 arrival, even a (minor) traffic delay should not keep you from getting there in time.

 

[Dreams&wishes]

Take the DCL bus. It will be much easier than renting a car and you are “covered” if there is traffic and the bus is delayed. If you rent a car you will have to drop you passengers and all the luggage off at the port, return the car and wait for the shuttle to take you to the ship. The PAT really isn’t as important as people make it out to be. As you said, you’ll be on the ship for 7 days. Personally, I would go the easiest way, which is DCL transport. They will collect your luggage at the hotel and bring it to your cabins.

Thank you for your responses.
Departure is 3.45 pm what's the latest we can arrive at Port Canaveral?

I checked the prices for a private transport and it's comparable to DCL as we will need a bigger car.
I understand now that we won't have enough time to go to the parks but maybe we could still use the resort pool one more time and sleep in rather than be up at 7? We also don't mind skipping lunch food isn't a priority.However if we are only saving couple of hours then maybe the convince of DCL transportation would be better.

 

[lanejudy]

Departure is 3.45 pm what's the latest we can arrive at Port Canaveral?

All Aboard may be listed as 3:45 but you probably want to get to the port by 2:30, though personally I would shoot for 1:00 and have lunch onboard. Any delays in traffic, accidents, construction, etc. could cause you to miss the ship.

 

[auntlynne]

Check-out time is 11 am for Disney resorts. That would allow you to have some breakfast, play in the pool and be out of the room, without sitting around the lobby. The sitting in the lobby is an assumption on my part.

It’s less than 1.5 hours drive from WDW to Port Canaveral. With a pick-up just after 11, you could be at the port terminal around 12:30.

(Just so you know there are options. I have no horse in this race).

We used GoPort for Port > Airport transfer.

This is based on WDW to PC for 2 adults and 4 children aged 2-17. They will include one booster seat for that size group; $15 for additional car seats or boosters.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I think you need to do the math. The park visit is a no. So short and you will be so rushed, no matter what mode of transport. Not enjoyable. Renting a car is easy and so is DCL transport or a private transport. What is the best buy for your money? What makes you most comfortable. And I would not gamble any amount of money on time getting there. Easy drive, about an hour. Unless there is some sort of traffic issue. Private transfer allows you to spend the morning or part of it, at the resort pool. DCL transport- you don't need a PAT. $$ vs. comfort level vs. wants/needs. For me? I would not be at the port later than 1:00. But that is me.

 

[mmouse37]

Ok here is my 2 cents......we have done pre cruise stays at WDW a lot and there is no time for parks on cruise day. Way too rushed and stressful.

There is only one main highway to the port from WDW so if there is an accident or construction or any other kind of delay (it does happen) you can be stuck and not make the ship.

With your party size of six and luggage a rental car would not be very feasible unless you rented a huge vehicle which we have done in the past and could cost more than the DCL transfer. We rented a 12 person van thinking we would have tons of room for luggage and people but no...those vans have absolutely no space behind the back seat for luggage. We had to put all the luggage in the first 2 rows behind the driver and all the passengers further back. You can't really put the luggage in the back rows as the seat headrests come up pretty high and there is no room to pass luggage over the tops of the seats. We spent a lot of time experiencing this problem in a hot rental garage at MCO.

In your case a private transfer service would be the only other transportation I would consider as they come at the time you designate to your resort. Compare the price between a private transfer and DCL. DCL bus plays Disney cartoons and trivia on the way to the port but you are not guaranteed a DCL themed "wrapped" bus. Disney has been using ordinary buses as well as the themed ones so no knowing which bus you will get. That is a big deal to some people. Overall though for convenience DCL transfers are the way to go. You do have to be up and ready pretty early as they can come to your room for luggage as early as 7:30-8:00. You do not have to be in the room but the luggage does have to be ready for them. Buses have been leaving the resort much earlier than in the past. Our bus in March was at our resort by 9:30. We had to be in the lobby with our carry ons by 9:00. There will be a DCL rep in the lobby that morning to answer questions and hand out luggage tags if you did not receive them in the mail prior to leaving home. And, you are guaranteed for Disney to get you on the ship one way or another if there is a delay.

On cruise morning we are pretty ramped up about the cruise so don't really make any other plans for that morning except getting ready to cruise!!! If you did a car service you could potentially spend an hour or so in the resort pool that morning but then you have to deal with wet swim suits for 6 people.

Have a great cruise!!!

MJ

 

[ljhayes]

A park may be doable depending which resort you're staying at and which park you want to do. However, you can also change the number of days for the tickets in your package so you aren't "wasting" a day by not going to a park that day. With your group size, I'd be inclined to just do Disney transportation for the least amount of worry and planning needed. I know you said you didn't really care about lunch, but you can hit the pools on the ship, too, if you get there earlier. Just make sure you keep pool stuff with you when you board since you won't get your luggage back for a while.

 

[Dreams&wishes]

Ok guys you have convinced me, we will get the DCL transport. Couple of extra hours at the pool are not worth the extra effort to find alternative transportation.
Thank you so much for your advise.

Last question. Do we need to book the castaway bikes and the trikes in advance or there will plenty on the day?

 

[I Run Long]

Ok guys you have convinced me, we will get the DCL transport. Couple of extra hours at the pool are not worth the extra effort to find alternative transportation.
Thank you so much for your advise.

Last question. Do we need to book the castaway bikes and the trikes in advance or there will plenty on the day?

No need to pre-book castaway bikes - there are quite literally hundreds to choose from. Have fun!

 

[Skippyboo]

A park may be doable depending which resort you're staying at and which park you want to do. However, you can also change the number of days for the tickets in your package so you aren't "wasting" a day by not going to a park that day. With your group size, I'd be inclined to just do Disney transportation for the least amount of worry and planning needed. I know you said you didn't really care about lunch, but you can hit the pools on the ship, too, if you get there earlier. Just make sure you keep pool stuff with you when you board since you won't get your luggage back for a while.

I would think AK is quite doable since it opens first. I had a 1:15 pm PAT last November for my cruise Sat after Thanksgiving. My friend and I were at the DS Drury, we went over to DS and hit the World of Disney store when it opened at 10 am. Then hit the road to the port after shopping. Got there around noon. Dropped off checked luggage and parked in the garage. Had to wait around 20 minutes before we could get in line to check in. Once on the ship, we ate lunch at Animator’s palate and then went to the cabin where luggage was outside the door.

If you aren’t going to the parks, no reason to pay for that park day on your tickets.

 

[PAGA2003]

If you want to do something the morning of your cruise you could do a character breakfast. We always do that the morning of our cruise. I just book an early time (7-8 am). We love 'Ohana before a cruise! It would definitely depend on where you are staying though. I book whatever is at your hotel or the easiest one to get to from where you are.