Pick up times at value resorts

[Perrypooh]

If you used the DCL transfer, what time were you picked up at the resort and about what time did you arrive at the port. Trying to see if it it better just go to the airport and grab the bus there. Mainly looking for Art, Pop and Movies.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you used the DCL transfer, what time were you picked up at the resort and about what time did you arrive at the port. Trying to see if it it better just go to the airport and grab the bus there. Mainly looking for Art, Pop and Movies.

Pick up times at the various resorts vary. It's not figured out until a day or two beforehand, based on the numbers of people requiring pick up and at what resorts.

Generally, you're going to waste time heading back to the airport (45 minutes to and hour to get there) just to catch a bus there that's going to take an hour or so to get to the port, when the actual trip from your resort will only, also, be about an hour.

 

[Perrypooh]

Pick up times at the various resorts vary. It's not figured out until a day or two beforehand, based on the numbers of people requiring pick up and at what resorts.

Generally, you're going to waste time heading back to the airport (45 minutes to and hour to get there) just to catch a bus there that's going to take an hour or so to get to the port, when the actual trip from your resort will only, also, be about an hour.

I went back to the airport precovid as it was faster, so was curious on what the times were for the buses were now just to get an idea, if it will save me a bit of time I will be gladly go back to the airport.

 

[sponica]

I went back to the airport precovid as it was faster, so was curious on what the times were for the buses were now just to get an idea, if it will save me a bit of time I will be gladly go back to the airport.

Precovid the resort transfers arrived later, now the resort transfers are in the first batch of BGs (anywhere from 2/3-7 depending on volume of transfers)

 

[dreamer17555]

Airport has been getting the BG of 3 but if they arrive on that time or not is less certain. From Value I would expect BG 6-8

 

[lanejudy]

I went back to the airport precovid as it was faster, so was curious on what the times were for the buses were now just to get an idea, if it will save me a bit of time I will be gladly go back to the airport.

Precovid, DCL transfers didn't pick-up at WDW resorts until late morning. Now DCL transfers will start pick-ups around 8:30ish, but as PP mentions the exact time for your resort will depend on the number of guests and which resorts. Each bus may pick-up passengers from 1-4 resorts; you may be the first resort or the last for pick-up.

 

[auntlynne]

Are you thinking Disney transport resort to MCO and then MCO to port? That would be two separate charges, I would think. Somehow extra payment, be it rideshare or parking your own car at MCO.

 

[Perrypooh]

Are you thinking Disney transport resort to MCO and then MCO to port? That would be two separate charges, I would think. Somehow extra payment, be it rideshare or parking your own car at MCO.

Mears to mco then cruise line transport to port. Depending on the pick up start times. Trying to get to the bottom of that.

 

[dreamer17555]

Mears to mco then cruise line transport to port. Depending on the pick up start times. Trying to get to the bottom of that.

Its not the pick up time that matters as much as the boarding group. Airport Boarding Group has been 3 recently but the difference in wait between the airport group and the value group 6-8 being called is normally less than 20 minutes and not worth the extra hassle.

 

[tlovesdis]

We cruised on 9/28 and were picked up at POP. We had boarding group 6. We arrived at the port about 11;40 and they hadn't started calling any groups yet. We got in line to check in and they started calling groups. By the time we were done checking in our group was called. We walked right on. Easy peasy.

 

[dancin Disney style]

This the info I've been trying to find and either getting nothing or a lot of conflicting. I've got a few options to consider. We fly in two nights before the cruise but arrive after 8:30pm so that night is a loss. I'm trying to figure out what will get us the best possible boarding group. My DD is crew and we want to get on the ship ASAP to see her.

Options...
1.We can stay wherever and come back to MCO to get the bus to PC. We would have a rental car.
2. Stay at a WDW resort and get the bus from there.
3. Stay wherever and drive the rental to the port.
4. Could also stay near the airport and pick up the car early the next morning but not sure I would want to stay both nights by the airport.

Some things to know....
We will need the car for the day before the cruise....not sure exactly what we will be doing all day though. Maybe some pre cruise shopping and maybe Disney Springs. A park day is also an option, thanks to a CM friend who can get us in on her passes. We want to cut costs anywhere we can so we have the option to pay for the hotel with air miles....OOP would run approx $100 in fees. Also, have the option to get a discounted WDW room...OOP would be approx $260 for 2 nights. I'm not opposed to staying in a different hotel each night...splitting up the cost/savings....but is that a waste of time and effort. If we only have the car for one day VS two days the cost is cut in half but the DCL bus is approx the equivalent to one days rental. Also, if we stay at WDW for both nights...we have to return the rental car by 5:30pm on Friday near Disney Springs.




This is a lot....far too many options which is why I can't decide. Have I over thought this? Am I making it far more complicated than it needs to be? And yes, we have cruised before. We have driven the rental to the port previously. We are silver status which now plays into the check in process and I doubt we would be getting as good a BG as we previously have with just doing midnight check in.

Any and all input is welcome and I greatly appreciate other eyes/thoughts on the matter. Thank you!!!

 

[dreamer17555]

Have you priced a rental car vs ubers to where you are going? I would do whatever is easiest and cheapest. Either DCL transportation from the airport or from a value. I understand wanting every minute but the difference is likely to be 20 mins max between the two.

 

[auntlynne]

This the info I've been trying to find and either getting nothing or a lot of conflicting. I've got a few options to consider. We fly in two nights before the cruise but arrive after 8:30pm so that night is a loss. I'm trying to figure out what will get us the best possible boarding group. My DD is crew and we want to get on the ship ASAP to see her.

Options...
1.We can stay wherever and come back to MCO to get the bus to PC. We would have a rental car.
2. Stay at a WDW resort and get the bus from there.
3. Stay wherever and drive the rental to the port.
4. Could also stay near the airport and pick up the car early the next morning but not sure I would want to stay both nights by the airport.

Some things to know....
We will need the car for the day before the cruise....not sure exactly what we will be doing all day though. Maybe some pre cruise shopping and maybe Disney Springs. A park day is also an option, thanks to a CM friend who can get us in on her passes. We want to cut costs anywhere we can so we have the option to pay for the hotel with air miles....OOP would run approx $100 in fees. Also, have the option to get a discounted WDW room...OOP would be approx $260 for 2 nights. I'm not opposed to staying in a different hotel each night...splitting up the cost/savings....but is that a waste of time and effort. If we only have the car for one day VS two days the cost is cut in half but the DCL bus is approx the equivalent to one days rental. Also, if we stay at WDW for both nights...we have to return the rental car by 5:30pm on Friday near Disney Springs.




This is a lot....far too many options which is why I can't decide. Have I over thought this? Am I making it far more complicated than it needs to be? And yes, we have cruised before. We have driven the rental to the port previously. We are silver status which now plays into the check in process and I doubt we would be getting as good a BG as we previously have with just doing midnight check in.

Any and all input is welcome and I greatly appreciate other eyes/thoughts on the matter. Thank you!!!

Looking at @tlovesdis ’s report of times (seems fairly normal),

I’d bundle all your concerns into a 2-night WDW resort stay (w friend’s discount offer). Rideshare or bus to the resort. If you really have a car, consider looking for one with the drop-off option at the WDW Car Care Center. (Disney resorts no longer have the nightly parking fee or at the parks - just throwing that info out there). You might do car rental sometime within the following 24 hours.

Spend a day at the park on CM’s pass.

Take the bus resort > port.

The lower BG DCL transport offers is usually lower than those who get a later PAT & associated BG when using private transportation.

Did you say previously that your daughter’s getting off work is not even a definite time? I imagine you could feel anxious or without control, but life does often work out well.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Looking at @tlovesdis ’s report of times (seems fairly normal),

I’d bundle all your concerns into a 2-night WDW resort stay (w friend’s discount offer). Rideshare or bus to the resort. If you really have a car, consider looking for one with the drop-off option at the WDW Car Care Center. (Disney resorts no longer have the nightly parking fee or at the parks - just throwing that info out there). You might do car rental sometime within the following 24 hours.

Spend a day at the park on CM’s pass.

Take the bus resort > port.

The lower BG DCL transport offers is usually lower than those who get a later PAT & associated BG when using private transportation.

Did you say previously that your daughter’s getting off work is not even a definite time? I imagine you could feel anxious or without control, but life does often work out well.

All port days she generally doesn't work until after 3pm. Occasionally she might have work related things in the morning on PC day but that is only while there are no guests on the ship. As time goes on that becomes less likely.

The CCC would be my first choice to return the car but that is not available. They are not accepting one way rentals on that weekend. My only options are the Hotel Plaza Blvd locations which are fine, we can just walk to DS and get a bus.

So funny story...in the years that parking was charged at the resorts never once were we charged. We had several lengthy stays, the shortest being 8 days. No idea why.

 

[auntlynne]

All port days she generally doesn't work until after 3pm. Occasionally she might have work related things in the morning on PC day but that is only while there are no guests on the ship. As time goes on that becomes less likely.

The CCC would be my first choice to return the car but that is not available. They are not accepting one way rentals on that weekend. My only options are the Hotel Plaza Blvd locations which are fine, we can just walk to DS and get a bus.

So funny story...in the years that parking was charged at the resorts never once were we charged. We had several lengthy stays, the shortest being 8 days. No idea why.

It might all be coming together, then? I imagine it’s an exciting opportunity to visit when they do these contracts - and do it on a Disney cruise !

 

[dancin Disney style]

Update....
I've booked All Stars and got a crazy cheap rate....only $90/night. I will call today and book the bus. Still need to decide if we will rent a car to get from the airport or not. We talked about maybe taking the Mears bus. DH thinks just rent the car....cost difference is $65-ish. So on to deciding what we will do with our free day. My current though is to have nice breakfast somewhere and then do some resort hoping to see the Christmas decorations. The car will need to be returned before 6pm. So drop that and then walk across to DS for dinner before hoping a bus back to the resort.

 

[OKW Lover]

Update....
I've booked All Stars and got a crazy cheap rate....only $90/night. I will call today and book the bus. Still need to decide if we will rent a car to get from the airport or not. We talked about maybe taking the Mears bus. DH thinks just rent the car....cost difference is $65-ish. So on to deciding what we will do with our free day. My current though is to have nice breakfast somewhere and then do some resort hoping to see the Christmas decorations. The car will need to be returned before 6pm. So drop that and then walk across to DS for dinner before hoping a bus back to the resort.

If you are renting a car you might want to consider returning it at Port Canaveral. That could save you the both the bus from the airport to the resort and from the resort to the port.

 

[dancin Disney style]

If you are renting a car you might want to consider returning it at Port Canaveral. That could save you the both the bus from the airport to the resort and from the resort to the port.

We normally do rent from the airport and return to the port but want to board the ship as early as possible. The bus is the best option for that.

At the moment we are getting the car at the airport and returning it the following day near DS. We might need to go out and do some shopping for our DD. Cost wise it’s actually slightly less for the one day rental plus the bus VS airport to port.

The thought of not renting at all and taking Mears from the airport is simply because if we decide to resort hop then the car is going to sit parked all day….can’t drive to a resort you are not staying/dining at.

 

[Genie+]

Update....
I've booked All Stars and got a crazy cheap rate....only $90/night. I will call today and book the bus. Still need to decide if we will rent a car to get from the airport or not. We talked about maybe taking the Mears bus. DH thinks just rent the car....cost difference is $65-ish. So on to deciding what we will do with our free day. My current though is to have nice breakfast somewhere and then do some resort hoping to see the Christmas decorations. The car will need to be returned before 6pm. So drop that and then walk across to DS for dinner before hoping a bus back to the resort.

Wow that’s a great rate for All Stars! We were looking to book a night next month and couldn’t find anything under full price $215/nt. What month were you able to find that good rate? Enjoy the cruise and time with DD!

 

[OKW Lover]

We normally do rent from the airport and return to the port but want to board the ship as early as possible. The bus is the best option for that.

The bus gets you to the port without having to worry about PAT. But you'll still have to wait for your boarding group to be called.