Magical Express from WDW Resort to Ship

[Curtis McCrea]

Is it a bad idea to take the ME from the resort to the ship?

I read you arrive at the port very late using ME.

What are your thoughts?

 

[jilljill]

Magical Express does not go to the port, ME only goes from MCO to WDW.
DCL offers transfers at a cost of $69r/t or $35o/w.

Using the search function will turn up lots of posts on this very subject with opinions going both ways.

 

[mmouse37]

Agreed...there is a zillion threads on comparisons between DCL transfers and other modes of transportation to the port.

MJ

 

[truck1]

Curtis, if I could make a suggestion, have your parents get any of the DCL guide books.(Frommers, Passporters, Birnbaums.......) In them, has the answers to most of the questions you have, or as posted above do a search of the forums.

Granted it probably wont have info on the Dream Class yet, but they are a good starting point.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It depends on how early you want to get to the terminal. DCL busses usually arrive around 1:00 PM. I prefer taking DCL transfers from the resorts because 1) they handle my luggage from my resort room to my stateroom, 2) once you arrive at the terminal you can check in and board immediately, and 3) most times the staterooms are open and you can go drop your carry ons off immediately before having lunch.

 

[mcd2745]

Forgive me, as it's been 10 years since our last DCL (we're planning another, though). Back then, we had a package where we did 4 nights at WDW first and then DCL and at least I thought the transfer to the port was "complimetary" (maybe it was part of the package price) and I may be wrong, but a DCL bus may have picked us up at MCO, too. Is this something they have changed over the years?

 

[Curtis McCrea]

Has anyone ever missed the buffet, or anything like that?

 

[bsusanmb]

Forgive me, as it's been 10 years since our last DCL (we're planning another, though). Back then, we had a package where we did 4 nights at WDW first and then DCL and at least I thought the transfer to the port was "complimetary" (maybe it was part of the package price) and I may be wrong, but a DCL bus may have picked us up at MCO, too. Is this something they have changed over the years?

There is a free to get to the port via Disney bus as stated above. I love the Disney transportation...relaxing, no need to fool with my luggage. If I had little ones, I may want to get there sooner so they could swim, but for DH and I it is perfect. We have stayed at the airport overnight and gotten the cruise bus, and also at a resort. Never missed lunch either.

 

[lori123]

If I understood the suggestion in a previous thread - this may work better...

Someone suggested that if you wanted to get to the port earlier, you could take the ME back to the airport in the AM and take the DCL transportation from the airport to the port....

Any thoughts???

 

[Caropooh]

Has anyone ever missed the buffet, or anything like that?

I'm quite sure they have, but there are many other options for food.
Also, since you are planning on cruising in almost 2 years from now with you parents, things may change by then. I don't think it's something to worry about.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Forgive me, as it's been 10 years since our last DCL (we're planning another, though). Back then, we had a package where we did 4 nights at WDW first and then DCL and at least I thought the transfer to the port was "complimetary" (maybe it was part of the package price) and I may be wrong, but a DCL bus may have picked us up at MCO, too. Is this something they have changed over the years?

DCL is no longer offering the Land/Sea packages. So, DCL transportation is an extra fee. Yes, you can also catch DCL from MCO. You just have to take DME back to MCO to catch it.

 

[mcd2745]

DCL is no longer offering the Land/Sea packages. So, DCL transportation is an extra fee. Yes, you can also catch DCL from MCO. You just have to take DME back to MCO to catch it.

Thanks. I'm sure it's something that has been discussed previously at great lengths on here, but it seems strange that they don't offer land/sea packages anymore. It can't imagine it was unpopular.

 

[mmouse37]

Thanks. I'm sure it's something that has been discussed previously at great lengths on here, but it seems strange that they don't offer land/sea packages anymore. It can't imagine it was unpopular.

Well to clarify a bit....they no longer offer Land/Sea packages as they were.....you can still combine a WDW stay with a DCL cruise but it is a bit different than the previous official land/sea package.

What happens now is that at the DCL site there will be an option to add nights at WDW pre or post cruise (in the past it had to be pre). I believe they use contract rates so booking with DCL for WDW may not be the best option as you won't be able to take advantage of special offers for room only rates that WDW has been offering. DCL transfers are now extra as well as tickets. I do not see the advantage of booking WDW rooms through DCL.

I suggest booking your WDW room separately from DCL and you can always use DCL transfers if you wanted to make it seamless....

MJ