Pros/cons of using Disney transportation

[poohbears75]

Good morning….looking for pros/cons on using Disney transportation to/from Beach Club to Port. We have price quotes from Disney and other services but just can’t decide. Any input would be great.

 

[scrappinginontario]

For us, a major deciding point would be cost. We are a party of 2 so using DCL transport to the port from ASMovies was most cost effective. Honestly, that was the only selling point for us. We used it afterwards back to MCO. While there was nothing wrong with using it, there wasn’t anything extra special either.

 

[Budzooka]

We find there is something fun about being on Disney transportation as well. The videos and music are just a precursor for the cruise and feels like it is part of it. Not always cost effective depending on the size of your party.

 

[tinkerone]

We have done Disney transportation as well as private transportation. What we liked about Disney transportation was that you loaded onto a Disney Cruise Line bus, decorated with porthole windows and Disney characters. They played Disney shorts to keep you entertained and as you got closer to the port, they played a short information film about the ship and all the things you could do on it. It keep you in the 'Disney' bubble and builds on the excitement.
Having said that, we just cruised Feb. 25th and took the DCL transportation from our resort. What showed up was a fairly beat up coach bus with no Disney anything about it. They showed a bunch of Disney short cartoons on repeat, by the time we arrived at the port we had seen them each 3 times, some 4 times. There was no information about the ship. It was the most disappointment I had through our whole vacation. There were 7 of us, 2 had never cruised DCL, and had I know what we were going to get I would have booked private transfers. It was a big let down.
I'm sure some DCL buses still pick up from the resorts however don't just expect it like I did or you could be let down.

 

[Dug720]

Granted, I'm solo so DCL transfers are definitely less expensive for me, but the HUGE advantage is you don't have to select a PAT. You're automatically assigned a time (the earliest if you're on DCL transfers from a WDW resort) and boarding group. If you use private transfers, you have to select that PAT and it could be later than you'd prefer.

My parents one time stayed at a hotel near MCO and rather than use DCL transfers from MCO, they got a package through their hotel that was using Go Port Canaveral Shuttle (or something like that - they still operate somehow) but the shuttle never showed up. The hotel called the shuttle multiple times and even they got the run around. Eventually the hotel called an Uber for my parents (and covered the cost since the shuttle was booked through them) and they got there but were practically the last on the ship. They said never again after that - they'd either drive to PC and stay there or they'd fly in and take the DCL bus from MCO.

 

[lklgoodman]

We have done Disney transportation as well as private transportation. What we liked about Disney transportation was that you loaded onto a Disney Cruise Line bus, decorated with porthole windows and Disney characters. They played Disney shorts to keep you entertained and as you got closer to the port, they played a short information film about the ship and all the things you could do on it. It keep you in the 'Disney' bubble and builds on the excitement.
Having said that, we just cruised Feb. 25th and took the DCL transportation from our resort. What showed up was a fairly beat up coach bus with no Disney anything about it. They showed a bunch of Disney short cartoons on repeat, by the time we arrived at the port we had seen them each 3 times, some 4 times. There was no information about the ship. It was the most disappointment I had through our whole vacation. There were 7 of us, 2 had never cruised DCL, and had I know what we were going to get I would have booked private transfers. It was a big let down.
I'm sure some DCL buses still pick up from the resorts however don't just expect it like I did or you could be let down.

Our last cruise was March 2022. The bus before our cruise was the nice Disney decorated one. The bus after the cruise was like you had, just a plain bus. When the porter was taking us to it, I thought he was taking us to the wrong bus. I told him we were suppose to be on a Disney bus. He told me Disney had ended the contract with whatever company they had been using and they were going to just have plain buses now. I was hoping he was wrong. Hopefully DCL will realize people use them because they want the extra Disney "magic". It may seem silly to some, but I want to see buses with the characters faces on them!

 

[gilsan]

We took the Disney transfers last year from the resort and it was great. We were one of the first people in the terminal. One of the families on the bus was chosen to be family of the day.

 

[MamaMermaid]

I think the cons can vary depending on time of arrival, etc. but a big pro is no PAT.

 

[lanejudy]

OP - there are plusses and minuses which may or may not pertain to your family or your particular plans:

PROS for DCL transfers:

• guaranteed to get you to the ship
• if taking from WDW resort or the Hyatt, no PAT needed
• usually early arrival at the port if picked up at WDW or the Hyatt lobby
• from WDW resorts/Hyatt, CMs will collect your bags from your resort room and transport to the port
• easy to book and DCL just informs you what time to show up
• convenient
• entertainment on the ride

CONS for DCL transfers:

• cost, especially if 4 or more in your party
• from WDW resorts you don't get a say in the pick-up time
• may make multiple stops at other resorts before heading to the port
• port terminal may be crowded when you arrive and you may need to wait for boarding
• if taking from MCO you still need to select a PAT
• not guaranteed the special decorated bus

PROS of private transfers:

• may be less expensive, especially if 4+ in your party
• many vendors will make a stop on the way to the port (grocery, liquor store, etc.)
• you can set your own time frame for pick-up, not arrive at the port when it's really crowded

He told me Disney had ended the contract with whatever company they had been using and they were going to just have plain buses now.

If that's what he said it's not exactly correct. WDW did end the contract with Mears for the Disney Magical Express. However obviously DCL still contracts with Mears for the DCL Transfers. But it is a third party (Mears) providing the transportation and the contract probably doesn't guarantee a specially decorated bus, just coach bus service.

 

[soniam]

The only issue we had was a delayed return to our WDW hotel. Most people were on the bus by 8:30. Unfortunately, our bus had to wait for that family. We didn’t leave the port until after 9:30 Long time to sit on the bus. MCO buses usually won’t have this issue, and it is only when leaning after the cruise.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I've done both but for the Disney transportation, I've only used it from the airport. I love seeing the cartoons and stuff on the TVs on the bus. To avoid the crowds, I would recommend trying to get on the first bus if possible. My family has also rented a car in the past

We did have a time with private transportation heading to WDW from PC that wasn't pretty. The people were supposed to come sometime after we got off the ship and we were promised a van. They came late and instead of a van, they brought a smaller car and tried telling us that six people, nearly two dozen pieces of luggage, and a car seat for the next driver's group would all fit. Um, no it wouldn't. It was that bad that my parents had to get on the phone with the company and yelled at them

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

We lived that we arrived at the terminal and walked right in to check in, no waiting for our PAT. And when it was time to leave, right off and on to a bus.

 

[goofy4prez]

I guess I'm missing something about Disney transportation from a WDW resort to the port. My first cruise with DCL was in 2019 on the Fantasy. Prior to the cruise, we stayed at the BWI for 4 nights. Our scheduled pickup time was at 11:30 am, and by the time we were at the port, through the lines, and hearing our name mentioned as we walked into the impressive atrium of the Fantasy for the first time, it was well after 2:00 pm for us. We barely had time to scarf down some lunch in Cabanas let alone explore the ship and try to book some onboard activities. Now granted, this was before all this covid stuff and PATs.

The second time around this past December we (wife and I) were on the Dream. We were staying concierge, stayed two nights in Miami, and hired an outside limo company (more expensive). But it was so nice just the two of us and knowing we were going to arrive at our early arrival time. No fuss, no muss.

We will be once again sailing on the Fantasy in April 2024 (three of us this time), and against better judgment, we will probably do a land vacation in WDW before the cruise. I'm really turned off by the park experience anymore over the last couple of years (another topic for another time), but the things a dad will do for their kids, even grown up. LOL... Our plan will be to hire an outside company to pick us up and take us to the port.

 

[holula]

Best part of the DCL transport from WDW to PC: you automatically get allocated an early PAT.

Worst part: pick up is so incredibly early, I want a nice relaxing breakfast before I head to the cruise!

I will likely only do the transport if I am cruising solo in the future.

 

[mousefan73]

Good morning….looking for pros/cons on using Disney transportation to/from Beach Club to Port. We have price quotes from Disney and other services but just can’t decide. Any input would be great.

Before Covid we used a rental car and avoided DCL because back, then theme park buses got to the porch relatively late. They were actually one of the last arrivals. People would actually do a workaround where they would put a pseudo-flight number in for the bus to the airport to catch the early port buses. now I’ve gotten winds that the buses from the resorts are the first to arrive and that would definitely make us most likely go to the DCL route. Another benefit is if you’re a family like us with tons of luggage you’re not restricted with either a rental car size or a private shuttle size.

For us personally, we see now more pros with Disney transportation.

The other major benefit is that if there were to be a major thing on the highway DCL has you covered. With the car rental we always give ourselves an extreme amount of extra time.

Missing the morning and not having breakfast for us is also a good thing because we really like to stuff our faces at cabanas when we get on lol

 

[Marc D]

I guess I'm missing something about Disney transportation from a WDW resort to the port. My first cruise with DCL was in 2019 on the Fantasy. Prior to the cruise, we stayed at the BWI for 4 nights. Our scheduled pickup time was at 11:30 am, and by the time we were at the port, through the lines, and hearing our name mentioned as we walked into the impressive atrium of the Fantasy for the first time, it was well after 2:00 pm for us.

An indirect effect of COVID was to move forward the pick-up time at the resort, probably to account for check-in procedures when they were still checking vaccination status and the like. They haven't gone back to the later pick-up times at this time.

 

[lanejudy]

I guess I'm missing something about Disney transportation from a WDW resort to the port.

It has changed since your 2019 cruise. DCL Transfers from WDW resorts used to pick-up in the late morning, arriving to port early afternoon -- typically after "open boarding" was called. Since the restart, DCL Transfers from WDW resorts pick-up early- to mid-morning, sometimes arriving at the port before the terminal opens or shortly thereafter. Those taking DCL Transfers from WDW resorts are now among the first to board.

 

[tinkerone]

The other major benefit is that if there were to be a major thing on the highway DCL has you covered. With the car rental we always give ourselves an extreme amount of extra time.

This is a very valid point. When we took DCL transportation in Feb. there was a long line of traffic and I'm still not sure what the cause was, but it took 15 minutes to get over the bridge. If there is an accident on the way to the port you could absolutely be stuck in traffic for a very long time.

I guess I'm missing something about Disney transportation from a WDW resort to the port. My first cruise with DCL was in 2019 on the Fantasy. Prior to the cruise, we stayed at the BWI for 4 nights. Our scheduled pickup time was at 11:30 am, and by the time we were at the port, through the lines, and hearing our name mentioned as we walked into the impressive atrium of the Fantasy for the first time, it was well after 2:00 pm for us. We barely had time to scarf down some lunch in Cabanas let alone explore the ship and try to book some onboard activities. Now granted, this was before all this covid stuff and PATs.

The second time around this past December we (wife and I) were on the Dream. We were staying concierge, stayed two nights in Miami, and hired an outside limo company (more expensive). But it was so nice just the two of us and knowing we were going to arrive at our early arrival time. No fuss, no muss.

We will be once again sailing on the Fantasy in April 2024 (three of us this time), and against better judgment, we will probably do a land vacation in WDW before the cruise. I'm really turned off by the park experience anymore over the last couple of years (another topic for another time), but the things a dad will do for their kids, even grown up. LOL... Our plan will be to hire an outside company to pick us up and take us to the port.

Pick up at resorts right now is early in the morning. Our last pick up, in Feb., was at 9:30. We were the last resort they picked up so I would guess they started pick up at about 8:45. We were at the the port about 10:30ish. Long before they started boarding. We were boarding group 3.
Even when we took DCL transfers before Covid, we never got to the port past 1:00, I guess we were always lucky.

 

[goofy4prez]

Those taking DCL Transfers from WDW resorts are now among the first to board.

In my opinion, this is how it should have been even back then, and glad it's how it is now.

 

[kiford]

In my opinion, this is how it should have been even back then, and glad it's how it is now.

Ugh, no. Not for us. I hate getting up early, getting on early and waiting for my room to be ready, hauling my bag about. I liked being picked up later and going directly to my stateroom after open boarding.