I've searched and searched and can't find the answer (disembarkation and ME question)

[beccawes7471]

Hello-
We are wanting to go from our cruise to Magic Kingdom the morning we disembark. Questions:
Do we need to go to our resort first to check in and drop off our luggage?
Does Magical Express even go from PCO to the parks or is it resorts only?
We were wanting to get to MK as soon as possible, I am planning to check in online to the resort but not sure what time to say we will be arriving, depending on if we have to stop there first enroute to MK. Thanks in advance!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello-
We are wanting to go from our cruise to Magic Kingdom the morning we disembark. Questions:
Do we need to go to our resort first to check in and drop off our luggage?
Does Magical Express even go from PCO to the parks or is it resorts only?
We were wanting to get to MK as soon as possible, I am planning to check in online to the resort but not sure what time to say we will be arriving, depending on if we have to stop there first enroute to MK. Thanks in advance!

Magical Express is the free shuttle service between MCO and WDW resorts. Transportation from the port to WDW resorts is via DCL transfers ($35.00 per person). Yes, if you use DCL transfers, you'll go to your resort first, and then to the parks.

 

[beccawes7471]

My bad, yes we are using DCL transfers. Thanks, we will check in at the resort then head to the park, thanks!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

My bad, yes we are using DCL transfers. Thanks, we will check in at the resort then head to the park, thanks!

For what it's worth, we've been able to get to the theme parks by 11:00 AM after our cruises. That was using DCL transportation and WDW transportation.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We had a town car pick us up from PC, however due to a hold up in disembarking, we didn't get into the car until 9:45am. We went to our resort, dropped our bags off, checked in and were entering Magic Kingdom by 11:15am (and we weren't staying at any of the MK resorts, we were across property)

 

[pmurph]

Do they typically try to have your room ready at the resorts if you are coming via DCL transportation, or are they still typically not ready until 3:00 or 4:00?

 

[openwater]

Also, I am wondering about the following:

1. Do you have to change buses at Orlando Airport to get to the resort - from DCL bus to Magical Express?
2. Will your luggage be seamlessly deliver from the cruise ship to your Disney Resort room?

 

[erionm]

1. Do you have to change buses at Orlando Airport to get to the resort - from DCL bus to Magical Express?

If using DCL Transfers from the Port to the Resort, no. The bus may stop at multiple Disney Resorts.

 

[anricat]

Do they typically try to have your room ready at the resorts if you are coming via DCL transportation, or are they still typically not ready until 3:00 or 4:00?

We stayed at POR after disembarking from the Dream almost two years ago. Our room was not ready but we were able to hand off our bags to bell services before hopping a bus to Epcot. It was very easy. Upon returning, we claimed our bags and headed directly to our room.

 

[anricat]

Also, I am wondering about the following:

1. Do you have to change buses at Orlando Airport to get to the resort - from DCL bus to Magical Express?
2. Will your luggage be seamlessly deliver from the cruise ship to your Disney Resort room?

1. As a previous poster indicated, no you don't go to the airport first, but you may have to drop other passengers off at other resorts. We were lucky, when we did this POR was the first stop for the bus we were on.

2. No because you have to carry your bags through customs. After disembarking the ship, you claim your luggage from the luggage claim area in the cruise terminal, then you proceed through customs. Once at the curb with your baggage, you hand it off to the driver who stows it under the bus. Upon arriving at your resort, the driver will get your bags out from under the bus and give them to you. You then take them either to your room (if it's ready) or to store with bell services until your room is ready. When your room is ready, the resort will send you a text and they are supposed to take your bags to your room (due to a hiccup when we were there in 2014, neither of these things occurred, unfortunately).

 

[lanejudy]

Do they typically try to have your room ready at the resorts if you are coming via DCL transportation, or are they still typically not ready until 3:00 or 4:00?

I don't think using DCL transportation has any particular bearing on whether or not a room is ready when you arrive. As with any other guest arriving at WDW, letting them know your expected arrival time is the best way to have a room ready, but availability is really quite dependent on how many guests (rooms) stayed the night prior and how many rooms must be turned over for new guests. When we stayed at CBR post-cruise they apologized profusely that they'd had a very large group check out that morning and therefore had no rooms available when we stepped off the DCL bus around 9:15am; they typically would be able to accommodate an early arrival. As it was, the room was ready around 11am; we just left our bags with Bell Services and hung out at the pool, which was our plan anyway.

Enjoy your cruise!