Here's a thought.Tell me what you think regarding transportation.

[nenis]

My Hubby is dead set on catching Disney transportation to the port(we will be staying at AoA). He loves the feel of being on the bus. I am dead set on getting to the port early to experience the chaos and excitement of all the people. renting a car isnt an option so we would get to the port on a towncar (party of 4) If we catch the bus from the resort to the port, then we risk arriving later than sooner. So here is my thought to compromise:

Can we take the DME from the resort to MCO and then catch an early bus from the airport to the port?

If we can do this, how do we go about paying for the bus from the airport to the port?

 

[ktate82]

You can do this. You call and make a reservation with DME and give them a flight that is about 3 hours before you want to be at the airport (I would recommend getting there about 8-8:30). The cruise transportation is added through your cruise reservation. You will prepay for this, if I remember correctly. That would be a good compromise. We have rented a car and drove ourselves 4 out of 5 cruises just because it was so much cheaper. We took Disney transportation once when it was just the two of us. It was an interesting experience and we enjoyed it as it got us in the mood that much faster. If it wasn't so expensive, we would do that more often.

 

[Control4Hermosa]

My Hubby is dead set on catching Disney transportation to the port(we will be staying at AoA). He loves the feel of being on the bus. I am dead set on getting to the port early to experience the chaos and excitement of all the people. renting a car isnt an option so we would get to the port on a towncar (party of 4) If we catch the bus from the resort to the port, then we risk arriving later than sooner. So here is my thought to compromise:

Can we take the DME from the resort to MCO and then catch an early bus from the airport to the port?

If we can do this, how do we go about paying for the bus from the airport to the port?

Sorry, I'm with him. Bus and late boarding time. Wife doesn't like it but I already booked it And yes, you can leave the resort super early (you want to do that??) and catch a bus leaving from MCO (cough, cough).

 

[nenis]

Sorry, I'm with him. Bus and late boarding time. Wife doesn't like it but I already booked it And yes, you can leave the resort super early (you want to do that??) and catch a bus leaving from MCO (cough, cough).

hahahahahahaaaaa too funny!

 

[MPS516]

So you would be leaving AoA about 7am to take a bus to the airport, shlupping your own luggage, work your way through the terminal to DCL check in desk, get in line for next bus and once aboard another hour or so the the port, hmm, at that point I would not be feeling the beginning of the magic. Getting a transportation service to take you from AoA to port would save hours and frustration of luggage and long lines, DH needs to weigh the the options and think about feeling the magic of the port terminal.

 

[nenis]

town car it is!

 

[jdb in AZ]

town car it is!

Good plan.

 

[KristiMc]

I agree with the towncar. I know many on here have done the ME back to MCO route just to do an early bus but to me that really does not sound like a relaxing way to start my cruise.

 

[BigredNole]

For 4 people, Disney bus is $140. How much is a town car? Minivan or SUV rental through one of the car service places is $146-$180. For that price difference, with you in control, and no other people, I would definitely go with a car service company. This is from Tiffany Towncar because I could not pull up Happy Limo rates.

 

[NS8VN]

You can do this. You call and make a reservation with DME and give them a flight that is about 3 hours before you want to be at the airport (I would recommend getting there about 8-8:30).

Even though the car option has already been picked, I do want to point out that this suggestion will have them being picked up 6 hours before they want to go. DME picks you up 3 hours before your flight, so if you want to be there at 8 AM and tell them you have a flight at 5 AM you will be getting picked up at 2 AM. For anyone that wants to try this, 2 hours after the time you want to be there should get you to the airport on time.

 

[Control4Hermosa]

hahahahahahaaaaa too funny!

I'm here ever tuesday and thursday nights! He & I should get together- I got more material

 

[ktate82]

Even though the car option has already been picked, I do want to point out that this suggestion will have them being picked up 6 hours before they want to go. DME picks you up 3 hours before your flight, so if you want to be there at 8 AM and tell them you have a flight at 5 AM you will be getting picked up at 2 AM. For anyone that wants to try this, 2 hours after the time you want to be there should get you to the airport on time.

I meant to say give them a flight about 3 hours AFTER the time you want to be there. So a flight at 11:00 to be there about 8. Whoops! Thanks for catching that!

 

[kiford]

I am dead set on getting to the port early to experience the chaos and excitement of all the people

It's more chaos and less excitement. You'll have to spend a lot of that time standing in line and then standing around waiting until your boarding number is called (there's very little seating). You still won't be on board any earlier than 11:30-ish at best if you have an early PAT or are Platinum/Concierge (you didn't mention your PAT so I don't know if you have the earliest time or not). If you get there too early you may end up standing outside the port building waiting to get in as they have to clear everyone from the prior cruise first. Your room won't be ready until 1:30 so you have to haul your carry on around until then. One has to weigh the excitement of being there early against an early morning rise and possibly long waiting/standing times that can be quite tiring and can impact the enjoyment of the evening. Of course, it also depends on whether one is a morning or evening person.