Private transport or DCL transfer

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We will be going from AKL to the port.

Which is more cost effective?

Will the DCL transfer get us there early? We like to board asap.

Thanks!

 

[apathetic]

Most people estimate 4 as the tipping point. It is cheaper on Disney bus for 4 or less, but probably better to get private transport on 5 or more. But doesn't matter, the bus won't get you there until about 1230-1pm. We've done bus from AKL several times and usually get there in that range. You generally check-in and get right on the ship. If you want earlier, then go with the private transport.

 

[RysMomma]

We did Disney transportation in 2016. The only pain was that you had to have your bags ready go to by 8 am (other than any carry on that you wanted to take on board yourself). We just waited in the lobby of AOA until the bus came to take us at around 12:15. We got there at around 1:30ish or so (stopped at one or two other resorts). We walked right on the ship, which was awesome, but the only thing was that we missed the good buffets (and it's really all about the food! LOL!) We were debating doing private transport this year so we could get there earlier, but I think we may stick with the Disney transport. If something is delayed, it's on Disney, ya know?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I've read that DCL will transfer luggage from WDW only for $25. However, no one has reported actually trying to do it, so I don't know if it's something they do, or ever did offer, for sure.

We were going to test this out, and then take DME to MCO around 9 am, and then the DCL bus from there, for an early arrival to port. If the baggage transfer didn't exist, we would probably be renting a minivan 1 way (with 5 people, we would have had to seriously think about taking our luggage with us on DME).

But, we picked a different cruise (8 day on June 22 instead of 7 day July 13), so we're doing WDW after the cruise. Problem solved! (We will be taking the DCL transfer to WDW)

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We did Disney transportation in 2016. The only pain was that you had to have your bags ready go to by 8 am (other than any carry on that you wanted to take on board yourself). We just waited in the lobby of AOA until the bus came to take us at around 12:15. We got there at around 1:30ish or so (stopped at one or two other resorts). We walked right on the ship, which was awesome, but the only thing was that we missed the good buffets (and it's really all about the food! LOL!) We were debating doing private transport this year so we could get there earlier, but I think we may stick with the Disney transport. If something is delayed, it's on Disney, ya know?

This is what I was afraid of! For us it is all about the food and we simply cannot wait to board and eat at the buffet! Might have to rethink DCL transfers and go with private.

 

[Trera]

Mmmmm.................crab legs and chicken tenders!

 

[seacruise]

We did private transfers (5 of us) in Feb for our Wonder cruise. Got picked up from our hotel near MCO at 10:00 and were at the port by 11:00. Wasn't overly busy yet and we got boarding group 5 which got us onboard within 10 min of the first folks. Cost was a push versus doing the DCL transfers.

 

[Billinaz]

Cost effective? Rental car. I get a full size from Avis for about $45 total. Its at the Holiday Inn at Disney Springs.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Cost effective? Rental car. I get a full size from Avis for about $45 total. Its at the Holiday Inn at Disney Springs.

Thanks, I will look into this!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We have taken DCL transfers from the resorts and didn't miss the buffet. I like the fact that I can drop my stuff off right away in my stateroom after boarding and not carry it all around the ship for an hour.

 

[Billinaz]

Thanks, I will look into this!

get the discount codes from flyertalk, mousesavers, or costco

 

[seacruise]

I would definitely recommend a rental if you had a day or two to kill, but its a bit of a pain if all you are using it for is the hour drive from WDW to the port. Your going to waste an hour getting from AK to the car care center, Disney Springs, or wherever to pick up the car. Then you have to drop it in Coco and shuttle to the ship. Plus you have to deal with the tolls. Well worth the extra $100 for the convenience of a private car service IMHO of course.

 

[Ihatesunshine]

Thanks for posting this! We'll be staying at the Contemporary and I was wondering the same thing. After reading the replies here, we'll get a private car service. I want to get there early!