Renting a car vs. DCL transfers

[woj68]

We'll be taking our first Disney cruise in September (7-day Western 9/10). We automatically booked the ground transfers through our TA but now are having second thoughts.

We're flying down a day early and staying at a hotel 2 mi from the airport. Our plan was to take the hotel shuttle back to MCO around 9:30am Saturday and get on the transfer bus over to PC. But the bus needs to fill up with passengers before it leaves. I'd like to get to the port as early as possible instead of waiting for other cruisers.

Anyway, I'm leaning towards scrapping the transfers and going with a rental car. The rental car will only be about $30 each way. Not sure what the transfers cost us but I want to say they were about $60/person (three of us).

Looking for some thoughts from veteran cruisers that have used either/both the transfers and a rental car to get to and from the port.

Thanks.

 

[lindakmonty]

oh yes, I would definately rent a car than go through all that hassle... we usually stay the night before near the port. DCL transfers are expensive as it is and to go to the extent as going back to mco and all that... no way! that's too much hassle!

having to handle your luggage again either at the DCL bus or at the port..I'd rather be at the port and save the money, time, and hassle!

 

[Favorite Auntie]

We do the DCL transfers and have always found them incredibley easy. We check out bags at Logan, and don't see them again until they are left at our cabin. Not sure if I were flying in the night befoer and staying at a hotel though if I would DCL transfers....

 

[Jsme]

It really depends on what you want. I would save the money and take control of the situation. But I am a little anal about control. You can rent a car for the price of one tranasfer. Plus you can get to the port when you want to, not when you have to due to your shuttle time. You can even go on over to the port and stay there the night before verse the hotel at the airport. I would do the port hotel and see the ships and play a little at Cocoa Beach.

 

[kcashner]

The gains vs the losses....

Since you are flying in early, unless you booked the early night at the Hyatt thru DCL, they will not deal with your luggage. That means you will claim luggage at MCO and take it back to MCO in the morning...then DCL will handle it. Since you are staying 2 miles from the airport, one can assume that you are not staying at the Hyatt. Thus, you have to claim bags and deal with them whether you use a rental car or DCL.

If you use DCL, you have little hassle in the morning. You show up and they put you on the bus. If you use the rental car, you have to get and return the car.

It is very easy to drop off luggage at the port--you get into a (usually short) line, a porter comes over and unloads your trunk. Then you and kids get out and go into the terminal...husband goes to return the car and takes the car place's shuttle back to the port. Just be sure that he keeps his ID so that he can get back into the port. While he is returning the car, you are in the check in line.

As to time....the port area opens about 10, the terminal about 10:30. So, again, it's basically a wash. You'll get there about the same time if you catch the first DCL bus.

That leaves you with cost--the car is definitely cheaper, and hassle--it is easier to jump on the DCL bus than to go to the car rental place. That's really a personal decision. IMHO, the video on the DCL bus doesn't tell you anything you don't already know.

 

[mommyz]

JMO....We have always rented a car...one b/c it is cheaper and two b/c we have some flexibility on stopping at a store and picking some "forgotten" items not feeling super rushed...the drive down is relaxing and the little one usually naps...the rental car places (Avis and Budget i think) are pretty good in service and have complimentary shuttle to the port.

have fun!!!

 

[jeannief]

we rented. Even w/ leaving the car at the port (didn't find this board until after all was booked and had no idea that we could drop of at port!) and paying $40 in port fees on top of the car, gas and extra charge for boosters, we still saved over $100 versus the transfers. Yes we had to handle our own luggage, but that was not a big deal for us.
Loved having the car at Disney too and by-passing the resort bus lines. And being able to go into Orlando to eat/shop.