How would you go about this?

[AmandaRG]

I am looking for suggestions as we usually drive down for cruises. My older daughter and I will be flying down the day before embarkation. I figure we will use DCL transportation to the port the next day and from port to MCO. Where is a fun place to stay when we will arrive early evening and will be heading out the next day for PC? We have never used DCL transportation so I have no idea what time they leave the resorts or which resorts they service? What about Disney Springs hotels? Thank you for any and all help!

 

[tinkerone]

the buses service all wdw resorts so it is completely up to you. some folks like to stay right at the airport and leave on the buses from there the next morning. i prefer wdw as there is so much to be done in downtown disney and dinner there is certainly nicer, imo.
as to which resort, well that would depend on your budget. we often do the same, fly in late afternoon and then head to the resort, and since we spend so little time in the room preferring to be at dtd we normally book the pop century. its familiar and inexpensive. you could spend a lot more and go to one of the better resorts but would you spend enough time there to get the value from your stay?
our favourites in the other categories are 'french quarters' and we recently spent one night at the 'animal kingdom lodge' before flying home. i would never spend the money if i was flying in late and leaving the next morning though. its not cheap.
i'm sure you will get lots of good ideas and thoughts from others. have a great cruise with your daughter.

eta-buses usually leave the resort between 11:30 and 1. we personally have never had a pick up that was later than 12:15 but others have. you will not know your pick up time until you get to your resort. by the time you get to the port you will be able to pretty much walk right on the ship and go to lunch.

 

[lanejudy]

Since you are arriving at MCO in the "early evening" -- I would just opt to stay at the MCO Hyatt. Yes you could go to WDW, but it's likely to be an hour later when you get to your resort, and probably another half-hour to get bags dropped at your room and arrive at Disney Springs. It could be a rather late night just to grab some dinner and walk/shop a bit. I'd rather relax without all that running around the night before the cruise so I'm not exhausted the next morning. Plus by staying at the airport you can grab an earlier bus to PC. But there is no right or wrong way to do it.

WDW's free Magical Express only services the WDW resorts, not the ones offsite near Disney Springs. Same with the paid DCL Transfers. DCL transfers will begin boarding and leave MCO shortly after 9am; pick-up at WDW resorts isn't until sometime between 11am-1pm, and you won't know what time until the night before (so when you arrive at the resort).

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[AmandaRG]

Since you are arriving at MCO in the "early evening" -- I would just opt to stay at the MCO Hyatt. Yes you could go to WDW, but it's likely to be an hour later when you get to your resort, and probably another half-hour to get bags dropped at your room and arrive at Disney Springs. It could be a rather late night just to grab some dinner and walk/shop a bit. I'd rather relax without all that running around the night before the cruise so I'm not exhausted the next morning. Plus by staying at the airport you can grab an earlier bus to PC. But there is no right or wrong way to do it.

WDW's free Magical Express only services the WDW resorts, not the ones offsite near Disney Springs. Same with the paid DCL Transfers. DCL transfers will begin boarding and leave MCO shortly after 9am; pick-up at WDW resorts isn't until sometime between 11am-1pm, and you won't know what time until the night before (so when you arrive at the resort).

Enjoy your cruise!

So when we book, we would just say we are staying at the Hyatt MCO and add the transportation and we can catch the bus when we are ready? Is there a queue at the airport similar to the ME?

 

[emilyann415]

Yep. Very similar. If you are arriving early evening, I'd definitely recommend Hyatt. You could swim in the pool and watch the airplanes take off...definitely unique! It's just so simple and stress free, plus you can be one of the first ones at port if you want! I believe they start loading the airport buses at 9am but I am not certain....

 

[mmouse37]

When you check in at the Hyatt you tell them you have DCL transfers booked and they will add your room to a list of rooms for baggage pick up. You would leave your checked bags in your hotel room the next morning and go about your morning grabbing breakfast or whatever. They usually pick up the bags around 8:00 am. You can then head down to the ME/DCL bus area on Level 1 B side and check in for the DCL bus. You should have your carryons with you and your cruise booklet. You will wait in a queue and get the next available bus. Very easy process. Your checked bags will be delivered straight to your cabin later in the day. They travel to the port by truck, not on the bus you ride.

Here is a terminal map which show the Magical Express (also DCL bus) area in the bottom right corner (green area). Hyatt is in the upper middle of the map. Easy walk.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/images/maps/wayfinding_maps.pdf

MJ