Questions About Disney Transfers

[scrappinginontario]

I have a few questions about using Disney Transfers.

Our plan is to fly in a day early, take DME to a Disney Resort and then using Disney transportation to get to the port the next day.

If we wait for the bus transfer from a Disney Resort to the port (PC), I believe this happens early afternoon.

1. Is is possible for us to take DME back to MCO earlier in the morning and then take a transfer from the airport to the port?

2. What would happen with our luggage? Would DCL still pick it up in our resort room and transfer it to the port?

3. If not and we have to take it back to the airport with us, is there somewhere we can check it there or would we have to take it on the transfer with us and then check it at the port?

We would like to book an earlier PAT and board early but it will depend on the above.

TIA!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have a few questions about using Disney Transfers.

Our plan is to fly in a day early, take DME to a Disney Resort and then using Disney transportation to get to the port the next day.

If we wait for the bus transfer from a Disney Resort to the port (PC), I believe this happens early afternoon.

1. Is is possible for us to take DME back to MCO earlier in the morning and then take a transfer from the airport to the port?

2. What would happen with our luggage? Would DCL still pick it up in our resort room and transfer it to the port?

3. If not and we have to take it back to the airport with us, is there somewhere we can check it there or would we have to take it on the transfer with us and then check it at the port?

We would like to book an earlier PAT and board early but it will depend on the above.

TIA!

1) Yes. However, you'll have to make up a flight you are catching to book ME to the airport. Since ME will pick you up 2-3 hours before your "flight" allow for that.

2) DCL transport will only pick up your bags (at the resort) if you are taking DCL transfers from there.

3) If you set up ME transportation, your bags will be collected in your WDW resort room, placed on the ME bus to the airport, you claim them and take them to the DCL transfer check in desk, to check them in. The next time you see them will be at your room onboard.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks for the quick response @PrincessShmoo. (Knew I could count on you for a quick answer. ) Is the DCL transfer check in desk at the Orlando airport?

 

[tinkerone]

you should think about how important it is to get the port early. if you take me back to the airport then it will be about 45 minutes or so on the bus. then you will have to get from the drop off location to the pick up location, i'm only guessing but about 15 minutes. then your going to take the bus to the port, about an hour. all this while moving luggage around.
if you go directly from the resort your only looking at an hour or so, one bus, and not having to bother with your luggage at all.
things to keep in mind.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks for the quick response @PrincessShmoo. (Knew I could count on you for a quick answer. ) Is the DCL transfer check in desk at the Orlando airport?

Yes. Same area as the ME checkin desk.

 

[Weedy]

The Desk is still there but you do not check in for the cruise until you get to the port terminal.

 

[staffieri]

I too would re-think why you want to get to the port so early. On three of our cruises we have stayed a few nights before at WDW and love it. They take your luggage from the room and you see it again in your stateroom . The ride down is easy and we are there by 12:15 at the port. Check in is so fast. I'm talking no lines and 5 minutes. You are on the boat by 12:35. Very easy!!!

 

[wilma-bride]

Would it not be cheaper (and more efficient) to just rent a car for a day, to get form Disney to the port?

 

[Flossbolna]

2. What would happen with our luggage? Would DCL still pick it up in our resort room and transfer it to the port?

I have never done it, but I think there is an option to have Disney just transport your luggage to the port from WDW. I would ask DCL about it. I think the price for one person (35$) would cover up to 8 pieces of luggage. I have read about it a few times.

If you are taking Magical Express between airport and WDW, then there is no seperate luggage transfer, but from WDW to cruise port they seem to offer it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

we are there by 12:15 at the port. Check in is so fast. I'm talking no lines and 5 minutes. You are on the boat by 12:35. Very easy!!!

I'll just point out that isn't the way it always is. Pickup times at the WDW resorts can be anywhere in the 10:45-12:30 window (sometimes even a bit later). Our last DCL transfer pickup was at 12:30. We had two more stops before heading out to the port, arriving around 1:30. I don't recall what time we were actually onboard, but the terminal is less full/busy at that time (compared to when boarding begins around 11:30), so I'd estimate we were onboard easily by 1:50-2:00.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Would it not be cheaper (and more efficient) to just rent a car for a day, to get form Disney to the port?

The cost to rent a car would be similar and possibly a bit less but I'd prefer not to drive ourselves to the port. It will be me with 1 child and 2 seniors so leaving the driving up to someone else is worth it to me. Also, our experiences with cruising is that we don't travel light. We rented a car once when there were just 3 of us and even with that had some luggage in the back seat. Adding the extra person and their luggage would probably mean a larger vehicle. Thanks for the great suggestion but for this trip we're going to do Disney transfers.

I'll just point out that isn't the way it always is. Pickup times at the WDW resorts can be anywhere in the 10:45-12:30 window (sometimes even a bit later). Our last DCL transfer pickup was at 12:30. We had two more stops before heading out to the port, arriving around 1:30. I don't recall what time we were actually onboard, but the terminal is less full/busy at that time (compared to when boarding begins around 11:30), so I'd estimate we were onboard easily by 1:50-2:00.

Our experience was similar. We didn't even meet at our resort until 12:15. From there we boarded the bus around 12:30, left around 12:40 and still needed to pick up at another resort. We were still at the port in plenty of time and similar to you there were very few people in the terminal so it was easy to board quickly.

One of my thoughts with boarding earlier is that we could go to the sit down restaurant for lunch rather than Cabanas yet I must say I enjoyed lunch at Cabanas last time, sitting near the windows and looking out.

As I read through all the helpful information provided it's looking more and more like we will stick with our original plans of taking DCL transfer from our resort to the ship.

Thanks for all your help everyone.

 

[bumbershoot]

With 4 people you might also consider a towncar or limo. We used FLtours to go from Universal to PC for our Royal cruise. Many use happylimo.

Dropping off bags at the port is seriously NO issue at all. If you have a driver, the driver will load the car for you (and you could have Bell Services come help you with your bags from room to front of the resort to be picked up) and unload. Then the porter will take the bags and you are done with your checked bags.

I assume that you have park plans, but if you don't, you *could* just stay at the MCO's Hyatt Regency that night. They'll take bags directly from your room, just like at a Disney resort.

 

[Billinaz]

Would it not be cheaper (and more efficient) to just rent a car for a day, to get form Disney to the port?

Always has been for us. Less cost, and more flexibility to stop at a store, etc.

For a family of 5, the DCL bus was $175 each way. I got a minivan from Budget for about $100. We go on our schedule and not wait for a bus and then take a tour as we go to the other hotels and stops.

The Budget is at the Doubletree, and the Budget at the port will shuttle you to and from the Port.

 

[kiford]

you should think about how important it is to get the port early. if you take me back to the airport then it will be about 45 minutes or so on the bus. then you will have to get from the drop off location to the pick up location, i'm only guessing but about 15 minutes. then your going to take the bus to the port, about an hour. all this while moving luggage around.
if you go directly from the resort your only looking at an hour or so, one bus, and not having to bother with your luggage at all.
things to keep in mind.

Plus the three hours that ME picks you up before your supposed flight. That means that for a 10:30 PAT at the port, you'd need to be picked up at about 6:30 am.

One of my thoughts with boarding earlier is that we could go to the sit down restaurant for lunch rather than Cabanas yet I must say I enjoyed lunch at Cabanas last time, sitting near the windows and looking out.

We've always been able to go to the sit down restaurant taking DCL transfers. Even when we've been picked up at 12:30. It's usually been open until at least 2 pm.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Plus the three hours that ME picks you up before your supposed flight. That means that for a 10:30 PAT at the port, you'd need to be picked up at about 6:30 am.

Well, unless you give them a 11:30 flight, then you get picked up at 8:30, arrive at MCO 9:30, catch DCL transport and arrive at port at 10:30. More or less.

Yes, if you tell them you need to be at the airport at 9:30, they will schedule you for a 6:30 pickup. But just tell them you need to be there at 11:00 or so, you get picked up early enough to catch an earlier bus at MCO.

 

[buzzrelly]

I've been following this thread as I am curious about this too. If we choose to take the Disney transfers from The Poly, can we choose what time we want to get get picked up? Or do they just choose the time and notify us after?

 

[emilymad]

I've been following this thread as I am curious about this too. If we choose to take the Disney transfers from The Poly, can we choose what time we want to get get picked up? Or do they just choose the time and notify us after?

You get a letter in your room the night before informing you of your pick up time. I believe your luggage has to be ready to be picked up at 8am regardless of what time your bus is.

Our pick up time last year was 12. We got to the port around 1:30. No lines for check in and we could go directly to our cabin. It was a much less stressful morning letting Disney handle everything.

We are a party of 2 and other transportation options always come out more expensive.

 

[MaleficentRN]

With 4 people you might also consider a towncar or limo. We used FLtours to go from Universal to PC for our Royal cruise. Many use happylimo.

Dropping off bags at the port is seriously NO issue at all. If you have a driver, the driver will load the car for you (and you could have Bell Services come help you with your bags from room to front of the resort to be picked up) and unload. Then the porter will take the bags and you are done with your checked bags.

I assume that you have park plans, but if you don't, you *could* just stay at the MCO's Hyatt Regency that night. They'll take bags directly from your room, just like at a Disney resort.

Agreed. One way on the DCL bus is going to cost you $35pp. It would cost just as much for a town car. You can leave when you want and never even have to touch your bags.