Leaving my car at Disney for the Cruise

[melser13]

We are going on a cruise next June (already booked) and planning on staying at a Disney Resort both before and after our cruise. Is there a way I can leave my Van at the resort and just take the DCL bus to the Port?

 

[teacher31]

Yes. You just notify the resort when you check in. I was thinking the same thing, called to confirm and was told it is pretty common. I would still suggest confirming with your resort, but I'm uptight.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are going on a cruise next June (already booked) and planning on staying at a Disney Resort both before and after our cruise. Is there a way I can leave my Van at the resort and just take the DCL bus to the Port?

It's been reported that most of the time this is allowed. But, as noted, you need to set it up with your particular resort in advance (well, at least give them a head's up).

You do know that you are paying $35.00 per person for transfers (each way), correct. I looked up parking costs at Port Canaveral:

Length of Cruise Parking Rates
Three Nights/Four Day $60.00
Four Nights/Five Day $75.00
Five Nights/Six Day $90.00
Six Nights/Seven Day $105.00
Seven Nights/Eight Day $120.00
Eight Nights/Nine Day $135.00

 

[mmouse37]

Personally, I would just drive myself and park at the port. So very convenient (and cheaper)!!!

For a 7 night cruise it would cost 2 people $140 roundtrip for DCL transfers. You can park at the port for $120.00 for a 7 day cruise. The drive is super easy from WDW.

MJ

 

[melser13]

Thank you for the information! I did know there was a fee, but not how much. This helps us with our planning, as we are very new to cruising!

 

[KristiMc]

I agree with others that I would use your car and drive to the port. The drive is easy and you will get to the port quicker than taking DCL transfers from the resorts.

 

[cwdefouw]

I agree with just driving to the port, that way you control when you leave and when you arrive, you park in a garage, so your car is relatively cool when you return. Just be ready to pay the tolls as well, probably around 5-6 bucks each way.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Driving out to Port Canaveral is very easy. I am with the others who have recommended driving yourselves out there.

We always use Park 'n Cruise at the port. It's about $8 per day and they have a shuttle to/from the port. DH usually drops us and the bags off at the terminal and then goes to park the car at Park N Cruise. While he is gone I take care of giving the bags to the porters and getting the rest of us inside. He then takes the shuttle back to join us at the terminal. It's much easier than taking everyone and all of the bags on the shuttle.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just be ready to pay the tolls as well, probably around 5-6 bucks each way.

We didn't pay that much. I think it was less than $5.00 total traveling from Port Canaveral to WDW and then to the airport. I think I recall only like 4 (maybe 5) toll collection points, and most of them were $.75.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Personally, I would just drive myself and park at the port. So very convenient (and cheaper)!!!

For a 7 night cruise it would cost 2 people $140 roundtrip for DCL transfers. You can park at the port for $120.00 for a 7 day cruise. The drive is super easy from WDW.

MJ

I agree with just driving to the port, that way you control when you leave and when you arrive, you park in a garage, so your car is relatively cool when you return. Just be ready to pay the tolls as well, probably around 5-6 bucks each way.

Driving out to Port Canaveral is very easy. I am with the others who have recommended driving yourselves out there.

We always use Park 'n Cruise at the port. It's about $8 per day and they have a shuttle to/from the port. DH usually drops us and the bags off at the terminal and then goes to park the car at Park N Cruise. While he is gone I take care of giving the bags to the porters and getting the rest of us inside. He then takes the shuttle back to join us at the terminal. It's much easier than taking everyone and all of the bags on the shuttle.

I agree with all of these.

When staying at the
Contemporary
Polynesian
Beach Club

We were given a ticket for window screen display for our exact dates, I enquired if we could leave our car there for a Disney Cruise and were told, no you cant it will be towed away by security. The parking lots are under pressure and they cannot have cars left there, ( hence MK parking lot expansion)

 

[cwdefouw]

Just to clarify on the tolls. There are basically two routes plus one variation to take to Port Canaveral from the World...

1. Take I4 North up to 528 East (BeachLine) and take that all the way to Port Canaveral. Tolls for this route are $4.25. This is the cheapest route but has the most traffic, which is generally very heavy until you get past the airport. (I avoid the section of 528 between 4 and the airport like the plague)

2. Take the 417 East/North(Central Florida Greenway) and get on at the extension of Epcot Center Drive / World Center Drive / International St. up to the 528 East (BeachLine) and over to Port Canaveral. Tolls for this route are $5.00 (2 x $1.50 on the 417 and 2 x $1.00 on the 528) There is a lot less traffic to go this way than to take 4 up to 528.

Variation of option 2. Take the 417 East/North (Central Florida Greenway) and get on at Osceola Parkway (good, easy access from AKL or the Value Resorts) up to the 528 East (BeachLine) and over to Port Canaveral. Tolls for this route are $5.75 (1 x $.75, + 2 x $1.50 on the 417 and 2 x $1.00 on the 528) The most expensive but also has less traffic than option 1.

We always take option 2, because it is not much more than option 1 and the traffic is way less.

These are one way, East bound from the World to Port Canaveral, but they are the same West bound from Port Canaveral to the World as well.

These tolls are the cash rate and are current as of 6/2015.

(Tolls were calculated using the following website... https://www.cfxway.com/TravelersExpressways/TravelResources/TollCalculator.aspx)

 

[dcassetta]

I agree with all of these.

When staying at the
Contemporary
Polynesian
Beach Club

We were given a ticket for window screen display for our exact dates, I enquired if we could leave our car there for a Disney Cruise and were told, no you cant it will be towed away by security. The parking lots are under pressure and they cannot have cars left there, ( hence MK parking lot expansion)

People seem to have had more luck when asking to leave their cars at the moderate or value resorts. The deluxe resorts have smaller parking lot to start with plus they also need to make sure they have room for a restaurant guests.The Contemporary, in particular, has always been extra strict about parking.