Please help me envision transfers from wdw resort to port

[longboard55]

I'll gladly accept advice on this front! I am totally guilty of being an over planner..in almost every aspect lol.
The reason I chose a Disney cruise was this- after a 16 night SoFla/WDW combo in September. 9 of those nights being at WDW..I swore that next year we would do something a little more relaxing yet still Disney. Aulani or DCL. I picked DCL. THEN I had the brilliant idea to combo in 5 nights at WDW- enter the non relaxing zone, yet again.lol.

Luggage is always a huge deal for me when our vacations are more than 7/8 nights..I just can't handle it all myself.
The other option would be a car service, are there any pros to that over the transfers?

Yes luggage is a huge issue. For the car renters, make sure you get a big one. We will go std for 2 people and large SUV for 4. Rental car companies make a lot of money off of people who under reserve. You know how an upgrade only cost a few dollars online, wait to you see what they charge at the counter.

 

[bumbershoot]

We are over packers (though I actually prefer to consider us well prepared for any eventuality or whim) and full size works great for the three of is. An Impala or Camry or Corolla works well; their trunks are huge. Three big checked bags, a carryon roller bag or two, one in the backseat and personal items in our laps and the three of us are good.

(Mentioned bc of last poster using an suv for 4...we have found that SUVs often have LESS room for luggage than a Camry does. And you can't park a trunk-less vehicle packed with luggage and not worry about it)

 

[bumbershoot]

My idea of a hassle = dealing with luggage. Lol.

So you're saying I can drop everything to a porter before returning the rental?

Drop all checked bags. Don't stop off bags you want or need to stay with you (those containing medicine, ID to board the ship, etc). And yes you totally can. Wish more people would, as it would speed up the shuttle process.

But knowing that you don't like dealing luggage is a good first step in this decision.

Luggage is always a huge deal for me when our vacations are more than 7/8 nights..I just can't handle it all myself.
The other option would be a car service, are there any pros to that over the transfers?

There's rarely a time on vacation when one has to deal with their own luggage, apart from packing and unpacking it. Just up the tip budget and ask for assistance.

At the airport hire porters to follow you to the rental car if you go that route. Drop off at the port with those porters. On the way back, reverse it.

Dh and I are strong, capable people, but when I've funded the tip bidder appropriately we enjoy just outsourcing the luggage handling aspect of a trip.

Car service works nicely too. Ask if they meet you and take your bags.

And consider doing laundry on your trip. It can cut down on all you need to take. You mentioned aulani so I wonder if you own dvc. If so, laundry's free at the WDW dvc resorts. Can be a nice little break from the go-go-go.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Drop all checked bags. Don't stop off bags you want or need to stay with you (those containing medicine, ID to board the ship, etc). And yes you totally can. Wish more people would, as it would speed up the shuttle process.

But knowing that you don't like dealing luggage is a good first step in this decision.



There's rarely a time on vacation when one has to deal with their own luggage, apart from packing and unpacking it. Just up the tip budget and ask for assistance.

At the airport hire porters to follow you to the rental car if you go that route. Drop off at the port with those porters. On the way back, reverse it.

Dh and I are strong, capable people, but when I've funded the tip bidder appropriately we enjoy just outsourcing the luggage handling aspect of a trip.

Car service works nicely too. Ask if they meet you and take your bags.

And consider doing laundry on your trip. It can cut down on all you need to take. You mentioned aulani so I wonder if you own dvc. If so, laundry's free at the WDW dvc resorts. Can be a nice little break from the go-go-go.

Nope. Not DVC. If this was spring/summer I would have far less of an issue. Just bc it's December is what is throwing me off. Our clothes in Orlando will be completely different than clothes in western Caribbean.
And "winter" clothes take up more space.
I think I'm just going to send a package of clothing to the contemporary ahead of time.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[anna08]

Just echoing the advice to keep anything you might want or need with you as you may not see your luggage again until 4-5pm. For us that means, swim suits, SUNSCREEN (you cannot buy it on the ship until the ship leaves port and the shops open,) hats, sunglasses, cameras, electronics, meds, passports and wine we take onboard. It's a bit heavy but we are guaranteed to have it all on the ship (unlike the Wonder luggage that just sank when being loaded on ship in Miami - eek.)

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Yeah, that happens sometimes, effecting any line, a cart of bags goes over the edge!

AKK

 

[Floridatinaherb]

I'll gladly accept advice on this front! I am totally guilty of being an over planner..in almost every aspect lol.
The reason I chose a Disney cruise was this- after a 16 night SoFla/WDW combo in September. 9 of those nights being at WDW..I swore that next year we would do something a little more relaxing yet still Disney. Aulani or DCL. I picked DCL. THEN I had the brilliant idea to combo in 5 nights at WDW- enter the non relaxing zone, yet again.lol.

Luggage is always a huge deal for me when our vacations are more than 7/8 nights..I just can't handle it all myself.
The other option would be a car service, are there any pros to that over the transfers?

We are going even crazier than you...the last 3-4 years we have done DCL trips. Well next year we (well I guess me) decided to combine my planned 7-day retirement cruise with 7 days in Orlando. 4 days at WDW and 3 at Universal. So 14 days of vacation. But at least we (and that means me again LOL) added the land portion to the front of the trip so we will have 7 days of relaxation after the non-relaxing portion of the trip LOL I will be going insane as my DH, DD, and DS bask in the fun of the vacation I will fret over!

 

[hanscarlet]

Kimberly - based on your needs I would echo others and say the DCL transfers are a no brainer - totally Seamless and you'll love it. You will put your tags on your luggage once you're out of the airport and in Florida and then once you give them to the bus driver, you will not see them again until they are delivered to the stateroom on day 1.... as far as leaving, they have porters greeting you at the bottom of the escalator as you leave the ship and they push a cart and you show them where your luggage is (You will get new luggage tags the night before the cruise ends to show you where to pick up the luggage) and the porter will put all of the luggage with you on the cart, push the cart for you through customs and then escort you back to the DCL bus and just tip him $10 or whatever you're comfortable with.

The luggage gets tricky at the MCO but we find sky caps are the fatest way to check the luggage, if you are flying SW you get dropped off at side B on the DCL bus and will have to walk across the airport to the A side, so it can be annoying but doable, especially if you pay $5 for one of those luggage carts that are available right outside of the bus


For those who rent the car - how convenient is it? How do you pick it up at the Dolphin and then you just drop it off at the port? Do you drop your luggage with the porters before or after you drop off/return the car?


for PP Meet and Greets tickets are like what another PP said, they are ticketed character events, free but they run out of them after day 1, so if you are interested in getting some timed character experiences, then be sure to pick them up at the port adventures desk on day 1, the line will be long but moves quickly, you don't need tickets to experience characters but we find them more convenient than following the character times in the navigator

 

[Kimberly9701]

We are going even crazier than you...the last 3-4 years we have done DCL trips. Well next year we (well I guess me) decided to combine my planned 7-day retirement cruise with 7 days in Orlando. 4 days at WDW and 3 at Universal. So 14 days of vacation. But at least we (and that means me again LOL) added the land portion to the front of the trip so we will have 7 days of relaxation after the non-relaxing portion of the trip LOL I will be going insane as my DH, DD, and DS bask in the fun of the vacation I will fret over!

That sounds like a wonderful trip!!!! Congrats on the retirement!!!

Kimberly - based on your needs I would echo others and say the DCL transfers are a no brainer - totally Seamless and you'll love it. You will put your tags on your luggage once you're out of the airport and in Florida and then once you give them to the bus driver, you will not see them again until they are delivered to the stateroom on day 1.... as far as leaving, they have porters greeting you at the bottom of the escalator as you leave the ship and they push a cart and you show them where your luggage is (You will get new luggage tags the night before the cruise ends to show you where to pick up the luggage) and the porter will put all of the luggage with you on the cart, push the cart for you through customs and then escort you back to the DCL bus and just tip him $10 or whatever you're comfortable with.

The luggage gets tricky at the MCO but we find sky caps are the fatest way to check the luggage, if you are flying SW you get dropped off at side B on the DCL bus and will have to walk across the airport to the A side, so it can be annoying but doable, especially if you pay $5 for one of those luggage carts that are available right outside of the bus


For those who rent the car - how convenient is it? How do you pick it up at the Dolphin and then you just drop it off at the port? Do you drop your luggage with the porters before or after you drop off/return the car?


for PP Meet and Greets tickets are like what another PP said, they are ticketed character events, free but they run out of them after day 1, so if you are interested in getting some timed character experiences, then be sure to pick them up at the port adventures desk on day 1, the line will be long but moves quickly, you don't need tickets to experience characters but we find them more convenient than following the character times in the navigator

Thank you for explaining all of that! I always do the carts at the airport. It is getting easier now that he is getting older...this year I can bring a high booster instead of a huge car seat when we go on our summer trip...so that alone is an exciting milestone for me!!lol

 

[cheapster316]

We did DCL last January for the first time. We did transportation from AOA to the cruise. It was a hassle. You have to checkout by 11 and the bus was scheduled for 12:30 meet and was late. We got to port carnival and were told by DCL to go right up to eat as they were closing cabana at 3:00 (maybe can't remember exactly). We ate quickly went to the room, did the muster drill and went back to the room where I finally read the navigator . I did not know about meet and greet tickets. Saw the part where it said to get them before the drill at port excursions. Raced down there and got princess and Snna and Elsa tickets. We were not getting off the ship in Nasssu so it was fine that they only had port days left. Disney Jr tickets were gone.
Next January we are doing a limo to the port and transfer back

 

[kickash]

If you have more than one adult I would consider dropping your party (and bags) off at the port and then returning the car alone. The shuttles can get busy and it's easier to get one person with no bags on a full shuttle than to have to wait for room for your whole family and your bags.

YES! Great idea!

 

[Billinaz]

My idea of a hassle = dealing with luggage. Lol.

So you're saying I can drop everything to a porter before returning the rental?

Some people do that but I like to just bring our bags on the shuttle from the rental car agency to the port.

 

[Billinaz]

YES! Great idea!

I dont want to make 2 trips. I get to the rental car place and usually get on the first shuttle with out bags.

 

[Billinaz]

We always go to WDW for 2 days before the cruise.... I am more relaxed when we are there and not worried about travel issues and free Magical Express and little baggage issues.

There is usually just us 2 and the DCL bus service is cheaper then renting a car/car service and its continues the Disney magic and pixie dust. We have always been at the Ship at about 1130 to 1200. Again not baggage issues.

Another example of Disney service and ease.

Have a great cruise.

AKK

We go to WDW before the cruise as well. With 3 kids using DCL busses cost way more than a rental car. We also stay the night in Cape Canaveral, and like to be able to get any last minute items we need to.....

On this trip our Avis full size car is about $40

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We go to WDW before the cruise as well. With 3 kids using DCL busses cost way more than a rental car. We also stay the night in Cape Canaveral, and like to be able to get any last minute items we need to.....

On this trip our Avis full size car is about $40

The difference is your talking 5 people and not just 2, this is why the DCL buses are cheaper and better over all and they have the Disney magic ....At $40.00 for the car I would bet your not using the rental car company insurance, which is a dangerously expensive error. God Forbid you damage the car, the days it takes to be repaired, your daily rate keeps running, this can be a long time and get very expensive fast. Your own insurance or credit card insurance almost always does not cover this and you will have to pay up front and then file with them to get your money back as some point in the future, often way in the future

So that is why Disney trans is over all better. I can lean back, enjoy the ride and Disney cartoons and videos and in the end pay less and not be risking a big problem.

However to each their own.


AKK

 

[Kimberly9701]

I decided to go with Happy Limo. Don't have to deal with rental car return, and will still arrive early to the port I am going to cancel my DCL transfers and use the car service to and from WDW...allowing for earlier arrival on our 1st day after the cruise.

I know that I'm not the OP, but ty to anyone who responded to my questions as well!

 

[Billinaz]

The difference is your talking 5 people and not just 2, this is why the DCL buses are cheaper and better over all and they have the Disney magic ....At $40.00 for the car I would bet your not using the rental car company insurance, which is a dangerously expensive error. God Forbid you damage the car, the days it takes to be repaired, your daily rate keeps running, this can be a long time and get very expensive fast. Your own insurance or credit card insurance almost always does not cover this and you will have to pay up front and then file with them to get your money back as some point in the future, often way in the future

So that is why Disney trans is over all better. I can lean back, enjoy the ride and Disney cartoons and videos and in the end pay less and not be risking a big problem.

However to each their own.


AKK

No, we never get the rental car companies ridiculously expensive "insurance". With my insurance company covers the rental car as if it were my own car, and the credit card I use picks up anything my insurance company does not , so I am fully covered. If you crash the car, you get another one. You dont pay for a continued rental day when you have an accident. You return the car to them (or to their yard).

https://www.esurance.com/info/car/myth-rental-car-coverage-is-always-necessary

DCL (Mears) bus for 2 =$70 still more expensive than the rental car. And we have the flexibility to stop where we want.

I usually get to the port at 10AM to get my vacation started.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

No, we never get the rental car companies ridiculously expensive "insurance". With my insurance company covers the rental car as if it were my own car, and the credit card I use picks up anything my insurance company does not , so I am fully covered. If you crash the car, you get another one. You dont pay for a continued rental day when you have an accident. You return the car to them (or to their yard).

https://www.esurance.com/info/car/myth-rental-car-coverage-is-always-necessary

DCL (Mears) bus for 2 =$70 still more expensive than the rental car. And we have the flexibility to stop where we want.

I usually get to the port at 10AM to get my vacation started.

Please just ask the car rental place the next time...........you will see you are wrong, their is indeed a rental charge continuing until the car is repaired and on the insurance. I looked at the article you linked, seems to be there is a whole lot of check your policy, this maybe covered, this may not...So I would suggest you do just that..check....for the type of problem I mentioned and ask....As soon as you add it on, your way up there in costs. This is the famous little *got cha* so many people never hear about until its to late.


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-you-should-buy-rental-car-insurance-10-08-2012/

I took the time to find one article for you, please note para below:


That's shortsighted. In many states, auto insurance policies don't pay for a rental car company's "loss of use." This is the "cost" the rental car company incurs due to the loss of rental fees while their car is in the shop for repairs. If you want to cover this, then you need to buy the rental car insurance.


My vacation actually started when we arrived as WDW......so the luxury of the DCL Express, which I don't have to drive, ...just adds to the fun. I will very happily pay the $70.00 and not have to go the the rental car agency and fuss around there and then use a shuttle.

Your free to do as you please and I will do as I please....I hope this type of problem never bothers you.

I bite the bullet and pay the extra insurance money, happily knowing if there is a problem, I just hand the keys to the rental car rep. and walk away, knowing I am not going to debating and fighting with the claim depts. of various insurance and credit card companies for months.

I won't owe a penny. That peace of mind makes the extra money look cheap.

AKK

PS.........One thing I forgot..........yes your insurance will cover repairs to the rental car, just like you said.......however..........if the rental car company spends more to fix the rental car then your insurance says it should, your on the hook for the extra money and if they take days to battle over the bill.......your on the hook for that as well.

 

[bumbershoot]

That sounds like a wonderful trip!!!! Congrats on the retirement!!!

Thank you for explaining all of that! I always do the carts at the airport. It is getting easier now that he is getting older...this year I can bring a high booster instead of a huge car seat when we go on our summer trip...so that alone is an exciting milestone for me!!lol

In case you don't know, you can't use the booster on the plane.

No, we never get the rental car companies ridiculously expensive "insurance". With my insurance company covers the rental car as if it were my own car, and the credit card I use picks up anything my insurance company does not , so I am fully covered. If you crash the car, you get another one. You dont pay for a continued rental day when you have an accident. You return the car to them (or to their yard).

https://www.esurance.com/info/car/myth-rental-car-coverage-is-always-necessary

DCL (Mears) bus for 2 =$70 still more expensive than the rental car. And we have the flexibility to stop where we want.

I usually get to the port at 10AM to get my vacation started.

What tonka is talking about is the loss of use charge. I've never once heard of it being charged at the daily rate. I don't think that's correct.

But I would be VERY surprised if the CC coverage covered it. And I can say with a high amount of security that your car insurance won't either. They'll cover the costs to fix it. But not loss of use.

We have a rate that includes the loss of use insurance when we book national (hubby's work code and he's allowed to use it for personal trips too) so that's nice.

In Ireland we paid or the insurance. If you've ever driven in Ireland you'll understand why!

And the one time Alamo tried to tell me I damaged their car I asked them to prove it was me and they could not. So that was good.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

In case you don't know, you can't use the booster on the plane.



What tonka is talking about is the loss of use charge. I've never once heard of it being charged at the daily rate. I don't think that's correct.

But I would be VERY surprised if the CC coverage covered it. And I can say with a high amount of security that your car insurance won't either. They'll cover the costs to fix it. But not loss of use.

We have a rate that includes the loss of use insurance when we book national (hubby's work code and he's allowed to use it for personal trips too) so that's nice.

In Ireland we paid or the insurance. If you've ever driven in Ireland you'll understand why!

And the one time Alamo tried to tell me I damaged their car I asked them to prove it was me and they could not. So that was good.

Hi There bumbershoot:

I forgot just what they called it. I found an article I put in my earlier post.......it indicates it is *rental fees loss*


To me the peace of mind to walk away is worth the extra money.


AKK