Opinion on resort to ship transfer

[BZMomNJ]

We are currently booked with a one way DCL transfer from Art of Animation the morning of the cruise. Seems like that won't get us to the ship until closer to 2pm, if not later.

Is it worth the hassle of taking ME back to MCO and picking up the ship transfer there instead? We have 2 kids and are concerned about making kids club open house hours, but also don't want to lug our own luggage back to MCO with us.

I've checked rates with Happy Limo and it will cost us more to take car service directly from the resort since the kids need car seats as well.

What has your experience been?

If we keep the plan as is can we also add a luggage tag to our stroller so they pick up from the room and deliver right to the ship? Or will we need to hang in to that one since it's technically not luggage?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We are currently booked with a one way DCL transfer from Art of Animation the morning of the cruise. Seems like that won't get us to the ship until closer to 2pm, if not later.

Is it worth the hassle of taking ME back to MCO and picking up the ship transfer there instead? We have 2 kids and are concerned about making kids club open house hours, but also don't want to lug our own luggage back to MCO with us.

I've checked rates with Happy Limo and it will cost us more to take car service directly from the resort since the kids need car seats as well.

What has your experience been?

If we keep the plan as is can we also add a luggage tag to our stroller so they pick up from the room and deliver right to the ship? Or will we need to hang in to that one since it's technically not luggage?

The 2 times we've done DCL transportation from WDW we arrived at the terminal about 12:30 - 12:40 and we're eating by no later than 1:15. There were no lines, no stress and I was actually relieved we did it that way as it was our first 2 cruises ever. DCL transfers are soooooo easy and relaxing. If this is your first cruise I'd do DCL bus.

Thankfully our kids are past stroller age so I can't answer that for you.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

I'm really particular about getting an early PAT and getting to the terminal early, so we frequently take ME from our resort back to MCO, then board the Disney cruise bus. Once you get to the airport for the cruise bus they take your luggage off your hands so it's not bad, IMO. I don't mind the early lines at the terminal - I actually consider all that activity a part of the pre-cruise "vibe"! I know some people would find it to be a pain to go back to the airport to get the bus, and I understand that completely.

That said, if you don't have an early PAT it may not make significant difference what time you arrive. If you do get in around 2pm, you won't have any lines to deal with, so you may prefer that! And once you get on board you'll have less time to wait for your room to be ready, if that is appealing to you as well.

 

[BZMomNJ]

The 2 times we've done DCL transportation from WDW we arrived at the terminal about 12:30 - 12:40 and we're eating by no later than 1:15. There were no lines, no stress and I was actually relieved we did it that way as it was our first 2 cruises ever. DCL transfers are soooooo easy and relaxing. If this is your first cruise I'd do DCL bus.

Thankfully our kids are past stroller age so I can't answer that for you.

I def like the convenience factor! What hotels were you staying at? I wonder if some have set pick up times earlier than others.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I def like the convenience factor! What hotels were you staying at? I wonder if some have set pick up times earlier than others.

We were at the Contemporary for one and Yacht Club for the other. They generally book transportation in the same areas, when we left Contemporary we headed to Poly, then Grand Floridian before heading to port. We made a couple stops after leaving Yacht Club but I don't remember which other hotels.

 

[diznymom]

We love the DCL bus from the resorts to the ship. We really, really love the bus from the ship to the airport.

Yes, you get to the port a little later. But, there are no lines, no crowds and you don't have to wait as long for your room to be ready. You also don't have to schlep your luggage. They pick up your luggage earlier in the morning.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I wonder if some have set pick up times earlier than others.

I believe that the actual pick up schedule isn't set until like the day before. Since they don't know for sure until then how many people, from which resorts, need transfers. They schedule the buses so as to fill them as close to capacity before they head to the port.

So, a bus that might pick up at only one resort (with 60 people requiring transport, thus filling the bus) may pick up at 3 the next time. And not always in the same order.

Our last DCL transfer trip from WDW was from Coronado Springs. We were the first stop and had about 35-40 people. Then we went to Boardwalk and picked up 2 people. Then on to Art of Animation and picked up about 30 more people.

 

[lanejudy]

I wonder if some have set pick up times earlier than others.

WDW resorts do not have set pick-up times, it will depend how many guests need transfers from each resort for that cruise. Sometimes there are enough guests to fill 1 bus and head straight to port, other times they may combine stops at multiple resorts before heading east.

With young kids, I personally would not do ME back to MCO just to catch an earlier bus. Either use that morning for a relaxing breakfast (maybe a character breakfast) and maybe pool time, or spring for the private transfers. Another alternative is a rental; you could pick it up the day before then be on your own schedule getting to port in the morning. Barring unusual delay, you should have no problem getting to the Club/Lab open house that afternoon regardless of transportation mode.

I would not check a stroller with luggage. Yes it is allowed, but I would be concerned about damage. Checked bags are literally tossed into great heaps onboard before being delivered to your stateroom.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Pens Fan]

While I have read stories on here of WDW transfers getting to the ship really late and I don't doubt it can happen, I don't think it's the norm. At least not for us. On our five Disney cruises we have taken DCL transport 3 times - twice from the Yacht Club and once in Seattle. I can't tell you exactly when we got on board, but I'm pretty sure it was before 2 PM, probably in the 1:00 to 1:30 range. We loved it. No hassle, no luggage to worry about, no lines at the port, just a simple, easy way to start your vacation. And notice that I'm talking about when we actually were able to board the ship, not when we arrived at port. The two times we took private transportation to port (Copenhagen and NYC) we still only got on at maybe 12 or 12:15. We stood in long lines at security, long lines at check in and then sat in the terminal for a long time waiting for our boarding number to be called and still only really got on the ship about an hour or so earlier than when we used DCL transpiration.

The big negative with DCL transport is you can't predict exactly when it will get you there. As others have noted, you won't know until the night before when they are picking you up and even then you don't know how many times they will stop after that. If you really have your heart set on being one of the earliest ones on board, private transport would be the way to go. I would never ever consider taking a bus back to MCO then hopping on another bus to Port Canaveral - way too much hassle and I'm all about avoiding hassle when it comes to our vacations. I know other do it and to each his own, but it's not for us. That's for sure!

 

[jdb in AZ]

I wouldn't check a stroller -- you may need it for the kid to sit in at the port terminal. Seating is very limited, especially right before boarding starts. A stroller can help keep the kid from running around.

If you have your heart set on using DCL transportation from the airport, take the ME to the airport the night before and stay at the Hyatt at the airport. They'll handle your luggage for you, and the hotel is cheaper than most hotels at WDW.

 

[BZMomNJ]

WDW resorts do not have set pick-up times, it will depend how many guests need transfers from each resort for that cruise. Sometimes there are enough guests to fill 1 bus and head straight to port, other times they may combine stops at multiple resorts before heading east.

With young kids, I personally would not do ME back to MCO just to catch an earlier bus. Either use that morning for a relaxing breakfast (maybe a character breakfast) and maybe pool time, or spring for the private transfers. Another alternative is a rental; you could pick it up the day before then be on your own schedule getting to port in the morning. Barring unusual delay, you should have no problem getting to the Club/Lab open house that afternoon regardless of transportation mode.

I would not check a stroller with luggage. Yes it is allowed, but I would be concerned about damage. Checked bags are literally tossed into great heaps onboard before being delivered to your stateroom.

Enjoy your cruise!

All great tips. Thank you!

 

[BZMomNJ]

I wouldn't check a stroller -- you may need it for the kid to sit in at the port terminal. Seating is very limited, especially right before boarding starts. A stroller can help keep the kid from running around.

If you have your heart set on using DCL transportation from the airport, take the ME to the airport the night before and stay at the Hyatt at the airport. They'll handle your luggage for you, and the hotel is cheaper than most hotels at WDW.

Our kids will be 4 and 6 at the time of travel. We basically never use a stroller, but figured it would be easier to transport the kids out of the parks once they got really tired. I honestly don't even want to bring it with us at all, but also don't want DH and I stuck lugging 30+ lbs of children each. Wondering if I should just rent something on site and safe the hassle of bringing and then storing in our room.

 

[BZMomNJ]

d I'm all about avoiding hassle when it comes to our vacations. I know other do it and to each his own, but it's not for us. That's for sure!

I agree! We'll stick with the original plan for DCL transfers. No reason to add extra travel and stress to our day. Thank you!

 

[BZMomNJ]

We love the DCL bus from the resorts to the ship. We really, really love the bus from the ship to the airport.

Yes, you get to the port a little later. But, there are no lines, no crowds and you don't have to wait as long for your room to be ready. You also don't have to schlep your luggage. They pick up your luggage earlier in the morning.

Excellent point. Thank you!

 

[Donna M]

Your kids might not want to get into a 'baby' stroller at this point anyway.

 

[Weedy]

Our kids will be 4 and 6 at the time of travel. We basically never use a stroller, but figured it would be easier to transport the kids out of the parks once they got really tired. I honestly don't even want to bring it with us at all, but also don't want DH and I stuck lugging 30+ lbs of children each. Wondering if I should just rent something on site and safe the hassle of bringing and then storing in our room.

There are strollers available on the ship. You have to pay a deposit but I don't think there is any charge.
On Castaway Cay there are jogging strollers and wagons available on a first come first serve.

 

[lanejudy]

Our kids will be 4 and 6 at the time of travel. We basically never use a stroller, but figured it would be easier to transport the kids out of the parks once they got really tired. I honestly don't even want to bring it with us at all, but also don't want DH and I stuck lugging 30+ lbs of children each. Wondering if I should just rent something on site and safe the hassle of bringing and then storing in our room.

If the stroller is just for the parks, you might consider an off-site rental that you return prior to the cruise. The in-park rentals won't be allowed back to your resort. Another option is 2 umbrella strollers that fold fairly compactly (assuming your kids still fit in them).

Enjoy your cruise!