MCO Hyatt and Ground Transfers

[canadiandisneyfan]

We will be going on a 7 day cruise next year and thinking of just staying at the Hyatt and taking DCL transfers to port. I know we have to book the transfers through DCL, but do have to book the night stay at the Hyatt as well?

We have cruised DCL three times before, but we did WDW for a few days prior so either rented a car or took DCL transport from there. Thanks for any help.

 

[bumbershoot]

You don't have to book the Hyatt through Disney. At hotel checkin tell them that you have transfers booked and they'll give you paperwork to fill out and out you on the list for luggage pickup the morning of the cruise. Easy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We will be going on a 7 day cruise next year and thinking of just staying at the Hyatt and taking DCL transfers to port. I know we have to book the transfers through DCL, but do have to book the night stay at the Hyatt as well?

We have cruised DCL three times before, but we did WDW for a few days prior so either rented a car or took DCL transport from there. Thanks for any help.

As noted, you don't have to book the Hyatt through DCL, but I'll point out (if it's important to you), if you do, you won't be required to select a Port Arrival Time when doing your online checkin.

We stayed at the Hyatt (booked through DCL) on our EBTA cruise, and we paid less than the going rate was, had we booked it ourselves.

 

[SuperDry]

As noted, you don't have to book the Hyatt through DCL, but I'll point out (if it's important to you), if you do, you won't be required to select a Port Arrival Time when doing your online checkin.

But, since port arrival times aren't enforced for people arriving on DCL transport, the only benefit of not having to select one is that it saves you one mouse click during the online check-in process.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

But, since port arrival times aren't enforced for people arriving on DCL transport, the only benefit of not having to select one is that it saves you one mouse click during the online check-in process.

Yes, but if you've been directed to select a Port Arrival Time, and arrive at the terminal earlier than that time, while you will be allowed to enter the terminal, your boarding number will remain the same as if you arrived at your selected PAT.

If you've booked the Hyatt and arrive via DCL transfers, you can enter the terminal at the time you arrive and the boarding number is reflective of when you arrived.

 

[Dug720]

But, since port arrival times aren't enforced for people arriving on DCL transport, the only benefit of not having to select one is that it saves you one mouse click during the online check-in process.

They may not be "enforced" in that the people are allowed in the building, but if you just have transport from MCO and have not stayed at the in-airport hotel arranged through DCL they DO keep the Boarding Group tied to the PAT. I witnessed a family who was on my bus (first bus from MCO - I'd stayed at Hampton Inn Gateway and shuttled back to MCO and I had the earliest PAT) who either had not arranged their stay at the in-airport hotel through Disney or who had stayed elsewhere (or arrived that morning) who had a later PAT and their Boarding Group reflected that. When they questioned the CM checking them in, she was very clear that the group was tied to the selected Port Arrival Time.

AKA - What @PrincessShmoo said.

 

[canadiandisneyfan]

Thank you all for the replies, very helpful.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Quick follow up/clarification--If we were to book the Hyatt ourselves, would we still need to select a PAT at online check-in, and if we do, is that enforced?

If we wanted to book the Hyatt and take the ME transport to the port, how could we do so and have the no-enforced-PAT time? I would book through DCL but we are using Costco

 

[lanejudy]

Quick follow up/clarification--If we were to book the Hyatt ourselves, would we still need to select a PAT at online check-in, and if we do, is that enforced?

If we wanted to book the Hyatt and take the ME transport to the port, how could we do so and have the no-enforced-PAT time? I would book through DCL but we are using Costco

If you book the Hyatt on your own, expect to select a PAT. If you book the Hyatt through DCL, you may not be required to select a PAT (reports have gone both ways). Other than being Platinum or Concierge, I don't know if there is a guaranteed way to skip PAT selection.

When taking DCL Transfers (not ME - which is free to the resorts) to the port from MCO, you will always be allowed entry into the terminal and allowed to check-in regardless of your PAT . When arriving on your own earlier than your PAT, you may be required to wait outside if the terminal is quite full. The boarding number you receive at check-in is tied to your PAT, so if you arrive early you may watch people arrive after you but at their PAT who board before you.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Elizakapeka]

can anyone tell me if the DCL bus for the hyatt mco and the MCO bus are the same thing? or are there 2 different busses? one for the hyatt and one for the airport?

 

[mmouse37]

can anyone tell me if the DCL bus for the hyatt mco and the MCO bus are the same thing? or are there 2 different busses? one for the hyatt and one for the airport?

Same buses....if staying at the Hyatt make sure you notify the front desk that you are taking DCL transportation. They will hand you a letter letting you know the procedure. You will leave your checked luggage inside your hotel room and it will be picked up from your room to be transported to the ship. Usually around 8:00 am. you do not have to have to be in the room when this happens.

You will then take your carry ons and walk down to Disney’s Magical Express which is in the Main Terminal Building on Side B, Level 1 in the Ground Transportation area and check in there. You will then be assigned to a bus.

MJ

 

[Elizakapeka]

Same buses....if staying at the Hyatt make sure you notify the front desk that you are taking DCL transportation. They will hand you a letter letting you know the procedure. You will leave your checked luggage inside your hotel room and it will be picked up from your room to be transported to the ship. Usually around 8:00 am. you do not have to have to be in the room when this happens.

You will then take your carry ons and walk down to Disney’s Magical Express which is in the Main Terminal Building on Side B, Level 1 in the Ground Transportation area and check in there. You will then be assigned to a bus.

MJ

thank you so much!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm confused. I currently have a room booked at MCO one night pre cruise, booked it myself. What is the benefit of DCL booking it? If I plan to take the early bus DCL transfers to the port (say 9:30a), how do I know what PAT (port arrival time?) to choose? Just figure 11;00A? GUESS?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm confused. I currently have a room booked at MCO one night pre cruise, booked it myself. What is the benefit of DCL booking it? If I plan to take the early bus DCL transfers to the port (say 9:30a), how do I know what PAT (port arrival time?) to choose? Just figure 11;00A? GUESS?

Usually, if DCL books the room for you, you don't have to select a Port Arrival Time. That's about it.

Since the terminal doesn't open until 10:30, and it takes about a hour from MCO to port, 9:30 would get you there by that time.

You can arrive after your PAT with no problem. Arriving before your PAT, via DCL transfers, you will be allowed to enter the terminal, regardless of what time it is. BUT your boarding number that you get at check in is tied to your PAT.

PAT is the window that you plan to arrive at the port. But it's really a "no earlier than" time, not a hard window that you MUST arrive during.

 

[codylamb18]

Usually, if DCL books the room for you, you don't have to select a Port Arrival Time. That's about it.

Since the terminal doesn't open until 10:30, and it takes about a hour from MCO to port, 9:30 would get you there by that time.

You can arrive after your PAT with no problem. Arriving before your PAT, via DCL transfers, you will be allowed to enter the terminal, regardless of what time it is. BUT your boarding number that you get at check in is tied to your PAT.

PAT is the window that you plan to arrive at the port. But it's really a "no earlier than" time, not a hard window that you MUST arrive during.

PAT are confusing to me. We are staying at AKL and booked the DCL transfer to port after our WDW stay. Do we select our PAT or does DCL? When does DCL pick us up at AKL? First time Disney Cruiser is lost haha!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

PAT are confusing to me. We are staying at AKL and booked the DCL transfer to port after our WDW stay. Do we select our PAT or does DCL? When does DCL pick us up at AKL? First time Disney Cruiser is lost haha!

You will select a Port Arrival Time during the online check in process. It is possible, if you booked your Animal Kingdom Lodge reservation through DCL, you will not be directed to select a PAT. If you booked AKL directly, then you will be directed to select a time.

There is one pick up from each resort. You will receive a letter in your room the evening before the cruise telling you what time to have your (checked) bags ready inside your room for pick up to be transported to the ship. Usually this time is 8:00 am. It will also tell you what time and where to check in for the bus. The pick up window for resorts is any time between 10:45-1:00. Each bus may pick up at up to 3 resorts, depending on how many people from which resorts require the transport. It's possible that a bus may only have one pick up, if there are enough people to fill the bus at that point.

 

[codylamb18]

You will select a Port Arrival Time during the online check in process. It is possible, if you booked your Animal Kingdom Lodge reservation through DCL, you will not be directed to select a PAT. If you booked AKL directly, then you will be directed to select a time.

There is one pick up from each resort. You will receive a letter in your room the evening before the cruise telling you what time to have your (checked) bags ready inside your room for pick up to be transported to the ship. Usually this time is 8:00 am. It will also tell you what time and where to check in for the bus. The pick up window for resorts is any time between 10:45-1:00. Each bus may pick up at up to 3 resorts, depending on how many people from which resorts require the transport. It's possible that a bus may only have one pick up, if there are enough people to fill the bus at that point.

Thank you for the info! We booked the WDW and DCL separate. I am still not sure if we want a relaxing hotel morning or be on the ship early as we can. I know rooms are not ready but still a 4 day cruise would give us time to explore the ship. I guess we will see what time DCL transfers come and be surprised.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you for the info! We booked the WDW and DCL separate. I am still not sure if we want a relaxing hotel morning or be on the ship early as we can. I know rooms are not ready but still a 4 day cruise would give us time to explore the ship. I guess we will see what time DCL transfers come and be surprised.

The earliest you could be onboard, if you do your own transportation would be 11:30. The earliest you could be on board using DCL transfers COULD be 12:00. More likely it would be around 12:30-1:00.

 

[Elizakapeka]

what a bummer, I have a family of 5 and dcl told me I have to reserve two rooms if I reserve through them. not going to save any money there.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

what a bummer, I have a family of 5 and dcl told me I have to reserve two rooms if I reserve through them. not going to save any money there.

Two rooms at the Hyatt? Yes, with 5 people the Hyatt doesn't have rooms that hold that number (at least that's what I've been told). There are some WDW resorts that rooms for 5, however.