Preferred Travel from WDW: Bus or Hired

[cariann77]

We're flying into MCO and taking the Magical Express to WDW for a few days prior to our cruise. I wish cruise transfers were included because this cost is killing me. There are 5 of us and we'll need transportation from WDW to the port and then back to the airport. DCL transfers are $350.

I'm not really wanting to rent a car since our return flight is at 11:55am. I've started pricing and once I tip Happy Limo is about the same as Disney. Is it easier w/pre-board check-in/luggage to stick with Disney transportation or better w/hired car service? I've searched some posts and read that leaving WDW will be a little later if we go with them, but it just seems easier.

Which do you prefer? Favorite hired car companies?

TIA. Sorry, I'm a little overwhelmed with the cruise planning. I have a million questions.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're flying into MCO and taking the Magical Express to WDW for a few days prior to our cruise. I wish cruise transfers were included because this cost is killing me. There are 5 of us and we'll need transportation from WDW to the port and then back to the airport. DCL transfers are $350.

I'm not really wanting to rent a car since our return flight is at 11:55am. I've started pricing and once I tip Happy Limo is about the same as Disney. Is it easier w/pre-board check-in/luggage to stick with Disney transportation or better w/hired car service? I've searched some posts and read that leaving WDW will be a little later if we go with them, but it just seems easier.

Which do you prefer? Favorite hired car companies?

TIA. Sorry, I'm a little overwhelmed with the cruise planning. I have a million questions.

Typically, for 5 people, it's much cheaper to do your own transportation - either a rental car or private towncar.

Don't know if you have small children, but you also need to allow for car seats in car-type transportation, but not buses.

About using DCL transfers:

The DCL transfers from WDW resorts pick up once at each resort sometime in the 10:45-12:30 window. You will receive a letter in your resort room telling you what time your check in/pick up are. And they will take your (checked) bags from your room directly onboard the ship, showing up at your room later in the afternoon.

If you're flying on a participating airline, you can do the Onboard Airline check in for domestic flights (as long as your flight out is the same day as debarkation, and you use DCL transfers). You leave your (checked) luggage outside your room the last night and the next time you see it is at your home airport.

 

[cariann77]

Don't know if you have small children, but you also need to allow for car seats in car-type transportation, but not buses.

Not sure about FL laws, but I think I'll at least need a booster seat if I hire a car. My youngest will be 5 when we leave.

 

[mernin]

We haven't gone yet, so we are in the same position as you (but 4 in our family). We've chosen the DCLbus transportation so we don't need to bring our booster seat or worry about getting the directions right. I would rather be at the port a bit earlier than we will be by using the bus and I know it would be a bit cheaper but for our first cruise we are doing it this way. If (when) we go on another cruise we'll have something to compare it to ourselves.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We haven't gone yet, so we are in the same position as you (but 4 in our family). We've chosen the DCLbus transportation so we don't need to bring our booster seat or worry about getting the directions right. I would rather be at the port a bit earlier than we will be by using the bus and I know it would be a bit cheaper but for our first cruise we are doing it this way. If (when) we go on another cruise we'll have something to compare it to ourselves.

We prefer arriving from WDW resorts on DCL transfers. Yes, you get there after boarding had started (that begins around 11:30-11:45), but the terminal has basically no crowds and Open Boarding had pretty much started by then and you can board immediately upon check in.

Also agree - don't want to be saddled with playing navigator for the driver getting there. I'd rather just watch the scenery and videos playing on the bus.

 

[Steve Dexter]

We have done many Disney cruises, and we used to always use the DCL bus from the resort to the port. I finally got sick of getting to the port so late. We are platinum so we can be among the first on the ship. We were getting there so late that some ticketed events we all gone by the time we got there. We will just get some kind of car service from now on, using Happy Limo next week. There were times when our bus didn't leave the resort until 1:00 or after, we were very aware that there were people on the ship well before we even got on the DCL bus.

 

[Shanti]

We're flying into MCO and taking the Magical Express to WDW for a few days prior to our cruise. I wish cruise transfers were included because this cost is killing me. There are 5 of us and we'll need transportation from WDW to the port and then back to the airport. DCL transfers are $350.

I'm not really wanting to rent a car since our return flight is at 11:55am. I've started pricing and once I tip Happy Limo is about the same as Disney. Is it easier w/pre-board check-in/luggage to stick with Disney transportation or better w/hired car service? I've searched some posts and read that leaving WDW will be a little later if we go with them, but it just seems easier.

Which do you prefer? Favorite hired car companies?

TIA. Sorry, I'm a little overwhelmed with the cruise planning. I have a million questions.

If the price is equivalent, definitely stick with the DCL transfers on the return trip. No hassle, the bus will be there waiting whenever you disembark from the ship, and if you're able to do Onboard Airline Check-In (most major airlines except Southwest & the more extreme budget airlines participate), you'll save a lot of time at the airport, not having to check your bags and yourselves in, just walking straight to security upon arrival.

For the trip from WDW to the port, as others have indicated, the bus will get you there relatively late. Maybe hire a car for that portion of the trip instead (assuming you don't need a car seat) if you're in a hurry to get on the ship? Unless you want to make a dining change or sign up for a rare activity like gingerbread house making on a Merrytime Cruise, there is no need to get there early, though. Most ticketed events (like the princess gathering & character breakfast) you now sign up for online.

You can do DCL transfers just one way (for half the price). It doesn't have to be round trip. All you have to do is call DCL to set that up.

 

[tee11]

Consider Uber XL. They also provide car seats (specify what's needed). It was around $110 for us from an Epcot area resort (one way). Then on the way back (to MCO) we used DCL. That was a good combination.