radisson/budget shuttle to the pier

[canuk8156]

We are leaving next week!!!
We will be renting from Budget at MCO and driving to the Radisson.
In the morning we will return the car to Budget, close to hotel.

I thought I read that shuttles are not allowed into the pier until a certain time (can't remember what time). Could this prevent us from getting there early? Has anyone had experience with this?

In a recent thread I realized the Budget depot is within walking distance of hotel. If there is a shuttle time restriction at the pier, does this affect the hotel/Budget shuttle the same. I guess my question is, should I use the Radisson or Budget shuttle or would I be better off with a taxi.

Thanks everyone for all the great info.

 

[Gina]

It's not a matter of when shuttles can get in, it's just a matter of what time the terminal opens. (10:30, I believe.) Once it's open, it's open for everybody.

I have only taken the Budget shuttle, and both times it is zipped me right there very quickly. (I was also there bright and early.) I do know that with the Radisson shuttle, you must make reservations when you arrive (or ahead of time, as some people have been able to do,) and then I've heard it can get kinda crazy... very crowded.

I'll be at the Radisson again before we cruise, but I'll be back on the Budget shuttle.

-gina-

 

[Chattyaholic]

We just did the same thing you are planning on doing, we spent two nights before our 1/18 Wonder cruise at the Radisson, with a rental car from Budget. The morning of our cruise we dropped the car off at Budget and they took us to the Disney terminal. We got there shortly after 10:30 and the driver dropped us right at the door, no lines, check-in was a breeze. I was surprised it wasn't more crowded at that time of the morning, and the CM that checked us in was surprised as well, usually it's much busier then. The only "problem" we had with the shuttle was another family of four shared the shuttle with us, their little girl was afraid of strangers and she voiced her opinion about having to ride with us, loudly....the whole way to the port....screaming and crying....it was awful!!! I can't imagine that family enjoying their cruise, if the child was THAT afraid of strangers....yikes!!!

 

[dtheboys]

Hi,
We will be using the Budget shuttle after the cruise.

Is the shuttle waiting at the port when the ship arives, or do you need to call them to get picked up???

Is Budget car rental store very busy w/ all of the return cruisers picking up cars that morning?

Thanks
Doug

 

[kcashner]

Actually, there is a regulation about what time the port opens to incoming traffic. It is generally 10:00 if everything went on schedule with the preceeding cruise. The port authority also controls traffic in the port, so IF they get too busy, they will deny access to a bus or shuttle until they are able to handle it.

That having been said, DCL has gotten very good at handling the traffic flow and staggers their own busses so that it hasn't been a problem for several years. Yes, early on, we were on a cruise where the DCL bus was "diverted" to McDonald's because the port authority would not allow any more traffic in at that time. First the driver slowed way down on the Bee Line (hoping that he could be cleared to enter by the time we got there), then just took us to McD's and asked us to be back on the bus within 15 minutes. He just sat there till he got the radio clearance for us to enter the terminal area.

The counters open at 10:30 for check in. Since all the shuttle services know this, they usually don't plan to arrive before then. Unless you just love to stand in line, there's no point in arriving before 10:25 ish.....after check in, you'll get to stand in line to board.

For all the talk here about "rushing" to board to make reservations, etc. some of the reservation places don't open till 1 (like dining changes). Now, in reality, they open about 15 minutes before that....boarding begins at 11:45 to 12:00.

Also, the only places we've seen fill up are Palos, spa appointments (not rainforest), and Flounders. Tea with Wendy tickets can also run out. Even then, you can be "wait listed" at all of these.

Remember that the WDW busses don't arrive till after 12:30 ...by that time, we're on board and probably thru lunch while they are still checking in or standing in line to board.

 

[Nysie]

Has anyone that has rented a car driven to the port and dropped off family members and then went back to return the car? If so, how early can you drop off, and when the person who dropped you off returns, what paperwork will they need to show?( Also will the check in person need to have all the paperwork for everyone?)Can you tell I'm confused!!

 

[Kimer]

We are also booked for the Radisson the night before our cruise - there are 22 of us. Is there just one shuttle? Do we have to make reservations for that shuttle?

 

[lotsofboys]

Nysie, that is how we did it on our first cruise and will do it in two short weeks. We stayed at the Radisson and the next morning DH dropped all of us and the luggage off at the port at 10:00am and went back to return the car. I kept all the DCL paperwork because only one member of your party needs to check in for everyone. He took the shuttle back and was there by 10:20am no problems at all. When we returned, DH disembarked while we finished breakfast and got the luggage. He took the shuttle to pick up the rental car and was waiting for us on the curb as we came out with the luggage. Could not have been easier