Process at MCO for DCL checkin when not staying night before at Hyatt

[WDWDeb]

We have always either rented a car or taken DCL bus from WDW resort to the port for our cruises in the past. This time, we are flying in the night before the cruise and staying near MCO (not Hyatt). We will be checking in the next morning at the DCL desk at MCO. This is our first time doing this process, and I am having problems finding recent info regarding details of MCO checkin. Could anyone help with answers to the below?

1) Is DCL checkin at MCO near the Magical Express area?
2) Do we provide our tagged luggage (put tags on that am) at the DCL desk?
3) Do they check us in at the MCO desk (get room key, laynards, etc) and we don't have to check in at the port?...or do we still check in at the port?
4) What time does the first bus leave MCO for the port?

 

[cheermom2four]

1) Is DCL checkin at MCO near the Magical Express area? Yes
2) Do we provide our tagged luggage (put tags on that am) at the DCL desk? we put them on as we were getting to the DCL transportation area
3) Do they check us in at the MCO desk (get room key, laynards, etc) and we don't have to check in at the port?...or do we still check in at the port? No you will still do that at port
4) What time does the first bus leave MCO for the port?

The line to check in opens about 9am so shortly after the first bus fills up it will leave.

 

[bumbershoot]

#3 isn't done anymore. Hasn't been done since before our first dcl cruise in Feb 2013. Sadly.

 

[TestingH2O]

I would add that, while the line officially opens at 9:00, people are hanging out in the area by 8:30 and start lining up in front of the stanchions by 8:45 or so. If you REALLY want to be on the first bus, make sure you are in the ME area before 9:00. One our last trip, we were in the area by 8:30 because we were so excited to get vacation started and try the bus. We were definitely not the first family.

 

[WDWDeb]

Thank you so much for the info!! This really helps. It would be a little easier if we were staying at the Hyatt, but the best rate for the night we would be there was 317...and our party would need 2 rooms. OUCH! Hampton Inn up the street was only 107/nt so we will just do the airport shuttle thing and drag our bags.

 

[CurtisB]

Last week there was a separate truck that was loading luggage and taking it to the port. It wasn't getting loaded on busses. You put your tags on them then handed to the guys at the truck.

 

[TestingH2O]

Thank you so much for the info!! This really helps. It would be a little easier if we were staying at the Hyatt, but the best rate for the night we would be there was 317...and our party would need 2 rooms. OUCH! Hampton Inn up the street was only 107/nt so we will just do the airport shuttle thing and drag our bags.

We did the Homewood Suites which is next door to the Hampton. They share a shuttle. Very easy to get back and forth. There are several reliable restaurants on the same block for dinner the night before.

Make sure you follow the signs to ground transportation. My dad refused to ask directions/follow the signs and we spent an annoying amount of time wandering around MCO when we arrived.