Resort > MCO > Port Bus Question

[PrincessShmoo]

Please clarify: you can indeed take Disney transport to the port (is it free or cost$$) Once you're on board around lunch time is only one restaurant available for lunch on that day? Or are some of the smaller "snack" counters open as well? Does meal service start upon ariival or just dinner on the first day? Thanks

DCL transfers cost $35.00 per person each way. From the WDW resorts the pickup start around 10:45 through around 1:30-2:00. It takes about a hour to get to the port from WDW. The first buses from the resorts start arriving at the port around 12:30 or so. And continue to arrive until around 2:00. Sometimes buses can be later.

Embarkation day lunch is available at Cabanas (buffet) and one of the Main Dining Rooms (limited hours and buffet also). Poolside quick serve is open until just prior to muster drill. Lunch is usually available beginning around 12:00.

I'm not sure what you mean by "Does meal service start upon ariival or just dinner on the first day?"

 

[Boopuff]

I meant - are all eating venues available like poolside snacks once you board or does the ship kick into full gear on day 2.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I meant - are all eating venues available like poolside snacks once you board or does the ship kick into full gear on day 2.

All the venues that would normally serve lunch onboard during the cruise are open on embarkation day.

 

[mevelandry]

My cousins had driven in from Daytona and had been on the ship for ages and ages, texting me all about what they were doing. It was sad.

Not cool.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not cool.

They didn't know they were making me sad.

We haven't taken that bus from the resort since, though.

 

[RysMomma]

We just went on the Dream two weeks ago. We took DCL transfers from AoA to the Port. The only thing I didn't particularly like was that we had to get our luggage ready before 8 AM and then we just kind of sat around the lobby waiting for the bus. The bus came at around 12:15 to pick us up. We didn't want to carry around wet clothes so we didn't have the kids go swimming at the resort. We played in the arcade and just kind of sat around. Once we got there, the terminal was quiet and was easy to get through check-in which was nice. But, by the time we got on, it was 2:30 and Cabanas was closing. That was the only thing that stunk. (First world problems!) But, we grabbed something quick to eat and then went to the drill.

 

[Googelibear]

First time cruiser here, trying to get my cruise on early, LOL
Ok, if it's been asked, I may have missed this answer: I have an early PAT -10:45; don't they (DCL) coordinate resort pickups so that that PAT can be realized?

 

[dcassetta]

First time cruiser here, trying to get my cruise on early, LOL
Ok, if it's been asked, I may have missed this answer: I have an early PAT -10:45; don't they (DCL) coordinate resort pickups so that that PAT can be realized?

No, DCL coordinates their buses in the way that best meets their needs for getting cruisers from their resort to the ship. I don't think there's anyway you will reach the port by 1045 if you're taking transfers from the resort.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

First time cruiser here, trying to get my cruise on early, LOL
Ok, if it's been asked, I may have missed this answer: I have an early PAT -10:45; don't they (DCL) coordinate resort pickups so that that PAT can be realized?

No.

Resort pickups don't start until the buses from the port have arrived back at WDW to head back out again to the port. Generally, the buses/drivers need servicing and lunch before starting their afternoon work.

Resort pick up window is anywhere between 10:45-1:30. Sometimes it can be later or a bit earlier. But each bus may pick up at up to 3 different resorts, and then it's about a hour from WDW to the port.

There's no way of knowing whether your resort is #1 or #3 on the pick up schedule for your specific bus.

 

[bumbershoot]

First time cruiser here, trying to get my cruise on early, LOL
Ok, if it's been asked, I may have missed this answer: I have an early PAT -10:45; don't they (DCL) coordinate resort pickups so that that PAT can be realized?

Another "nope" answer here.

No, DCL coordinates their buses in the way that best meets their needs for getting cruisers from their resort to the ship. I don't think there's anyway you will reach the port by 1045 if you're taking transfers from the resort.

Yep. Agreed. I'll say that there is NO way to hit that PAT when taking transfers from the resort.

 

[Googelibear]

No.

Resort pickups don't start until the buses from the port have arrived back at WDW to head back out again to the port. Generally, the buses/drivers need servicing and lunch before starting their afternoon work.

Resort pick up window is anywhere between 10:45-1:30. Sometimes it can be later or a bit earlier. But each bus may pick up at up to 3 different resorts, and then it's about a hour from WDW to the port.

There's no way of knowing whether your resort is #1 or #3 on the pick up schedule for your specific bus.

Another "nope" answer here.



Yep. Agreed. I'll say that there is NO way to hit that PAT when taking transfers from the resort.

Thanks everyone. I am going with the flow. Whatever Disney wants to do to get me on that ship is going to work for me. I just have to curb my wanting to be in charge, LOL