Orlando International

[AuroraGrace]

Does anyone know the earliest time the Disney shuttle transports passengers to the port? What is there to do at Orlando International? I am going to have a lot of down time there.

 

[Curtis McCrea]

I think they do shuttle services to the Port around 10:00 - 11:00 AM. I might be wrong, so your best bet is to check Disney's site - http://www.disneycruise.com.

 

[mickeyfan1]

The first bus is scheduled to leave at 10am, but is usually filled and gone by 9:45, sometimes earlier. But the port doesn't open till 10:30. There are a lot of shops, a food court and a couple of sit down eateries, but if you are getting in really early, I don't know what time stuff opens. The MCO websote might help there.

 

[dsnydaddy]

When I took Disney transportation from MCO to the Port, We arrived pretty early at the meeting place. Got checked in and was ushered into a large auditorium. They were playing the incredibles on a screen up front. Felt like a long wait but I know that we did not see much of the movie so the wait was subjective. Even though I had gotten to the meeting place early (we stayed at the Hyatt) when I walked into the auditorium, it was already packed. Once the busses began transportation, things moved rather quickly and I'd say that it was around 11 am when we boarded the bus. Once in that auditorium, you'll not want to wander about MCO at all.

BTW: MCO is like a large shopping mall. There's a lot too walk about and look at and some very nice seating areas for just relaxing. Some Restaurants and like most airports, a lot of small eateries. If you are staying at the Hyatt and taking Disney Transportation, you'll be checking in really early for your transportation and not really have the time to look about the day of the cruise. Depending upon when your flight lands the day before, you may have some time before you go to bed. (we travel cross-country and always get in fairly late)

 

[tinkmom2]

MCO has a lot of shops. They have a cool Disney Store there. There is Nathan's hotdogs there where we have to stop before we hop on the shuttle lol! We are addicted. You can go to MCO's website and see the stores there. It is pretty neat to walk around. We rent a limo instead now and you can stop off at one of the stores and stock up on liqour if that's your thing or last minute things you forgot. It takes about a hour to drive to port from MCO.

 

[kcashner]

DCL says that the first bus departs at 10, but I've been on it. In reality it leaves between 9:30 and 9:40 (or at least it did on my trips). They don't want to arrive at the port before 10:15 (terminal officially opens at 10:30, but in reality it's usually a bit earlier.) You'll catch the bus by going to the "Welcome Center" on the lower level of terminal B. On my April cruise they were actually doing our cruise check in including issuing KTTW cards and taking security photos at MCO! A wonderful treat as that didn't need to be done at the port. We were NOT at the Hyatt, and it was not the early morning thing.

There are lots of eating places and shopping places at the MCO airport. Also, it has free internet.

The post about the auditorium is interesting. I've taken DCL transfers many times from MCO as well as from WDW resorts, starting with the 1998 cruise till 2010 and never saw an auditorium. Maybe it was part of the Hyatt deal???? When we've had to wait at MCO, it' has literally been people scattered around the lobby area near the Welcome Center. They have usually noted on your bus boarding pass whether you are on the "first bus" or not (depending on when you check in), but on our last cruise, they had us in order for at least bus 1-5. (they attach a character to your bus documents).

 

[mickeyfan1]

Yeah, the MCO check in is nice, no having to wait in the long lines in the terminal.

Steve, I think that Auditorium thing is for Hyatt guests, of you come into MCO early, you just go to the welcome center area on the 1st floor and get your KTTW card, your picture, lanyard,. bus boarding card and ship boarding card.

 

[dsnydaddy]

Yeah, the MCO check in is nice, no having to wait in the long lines in the terminal.

Steve, I think that Auditorium thing is for Hyatt guests, of you come into MCO early, you just go to the welcome center area on the 1st floor and get your KTTW card, your picture, lanyard,. bus boarding card and ship boarding card.

Boy that's a nice deal. Crazy that you get better service if you're not buying the night before room from Disney than if you do.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I was going to stay there in May, but the cost of the hotel, too much. I stayed at a nearby LaQuinta, free shuttle back and forth to MCO, got there early cruise morning and was on the first bus! We were not first in the terminal, but dang close.

It pays to book your self sometimes. DCL is convenient for air and pre stays, but not always the best.

 

[kcashner]

I was going to stay there in May, but the cost of the hotel, too much. I stayed at a nearby LaQuinta, free shuttle back and forth to MCO, got there early cruise morning and was on the first bus! We were not first in the terminal, but dang close.

It pays to book your self sometimes. DCL is convenient for air and pre stays, but not always the best.

I agree that the Hyatt is overpriced. The convenience is great, but....People have reported getting it thru Hotwire for a serious savings. I usually go thru Priceline and get an offsite room that as above, includes transportation and breakfast for about $40 total (including taxes and fees.) My bid is typically $29-35, although once I had to go as high as $39. Add about $10 for taxes and fees.

 

[vavalynn2]

and if you use disney transportation, when you check in, do you also check in your luggage (meaning- you dont touch it again until it appears outside your door)?

that would be helpful.

 

[tinkmom2]

If you use Disney transport you will receive luggage tags in the mail. That way Disney knows to pick up your luggage. Then you don't see it again til you board when your room is ready anywhere from 1:30-3 usually you should have your luggage.

 

[Belle102498]

Once we get off the plane is the welcome center the same place you would go if you were staying on property, or is there a separate location for the DCL?

 

[mickeyfan1]

Once we get off the plane is the welcome center the same place you would go if you were staying on property, or is there a separate location for the DCL?

Same place, the DCL counter is before you get to the DME counter.

As to luggage, if you are flying in day of the cruise, put your luggage tags on your checked bags and say "See you on the ship". DCL will pick them up and transport them directly. If you come in the day before and don't stay at the Hyatt but use the DCL bus, you go to the DCL counter and check in. Depending on the time of the morning someone may be there to take your bags (except your carry on), if not, they will tell you where to take the bags. It is the easiest airport process I have ever seen.

 

[threebeesatdisney]

http://www.orlandoairports.net/concessions/shops.htm

 

[Angelfan1977]

now does the dcl pickup the luggage from the airline or do we pick it up from the baggage claim and take it somewhere? is that why dcl asks for our airline on the web site?

 

[lyonking3]

Consider renting a car one way? Thirfty does this. It might be cheeper than the shuttle

 

[mmouse37]

now does the dcl pickup the luggage from the airline or do we pick it up from the baggage claim and take it somewhere? is that why dcl asks for our airline on the web site?

See post #14

MJ