Shuttle from WDW Hotel to Port Canaveral?

[gemduncan]

We are going on our 2nd DCL on Feb 17 on the Dream out of Port Canaveral. Last time we stayed at hotel near the port. This time, we are spending 1 day at MK before the cruise. We are staying at Art of Animnation.

I have the Disney Shuttle booked for us. What time should I get on the shuttle van? I selected the earliest boarding time (10:15am). I did this last time and LOVED the early boarding time! The hotel is 1 hour from the port. Does anyone know how early the shuttles leave the hotel?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are going on our 2nd DCL on Feb 17 on the Dream out of Port Canaveral. Last time we stayed at hotel near the port. This time, we are spending 1 day at MK before the cruise. We are staying at Art of Animnation.

I have the Disney Shuttle booked for us. What time should I get on the shuttle van? I selected the earliest boarding time (10:15am). I did this last time and LOVED the early boarding time! The hotel is 1 hour from the port. Does anyone know how early the shuttles leave the hotel?

The DCL transfer bus only picks up once at each resort. The pick up window is between 10:45-1:00. You will get a letter in your room at the resort the night before telling you what time to be ready for your pick up.

There aren't continuous shuttles from the resorts, like from MCO.

 

[gemduncan]

The DCL transfer bus only picks up once at each resort. The pick up window is between 10:45-1:00. You will get a letter in your room at the resort the night before telling you what time to be ready for your pick up.

There aren't continuous shuttles from the resorts, like from MCO.

Oh no! Not until 10:45am?! Yikes! Any other suggestions how a family of 3 can get to the port? Our boarding time is 10:15am. I did early on our last DCL and loved it! I do not want to board later.

 

[plutolovr]

Oh no! Not until 10:45am?! Yikes! Any other suggestions how a family of 3 can get to the port? Our boarding time is 10:15am. I did early on our last DCL and loved it! I do not want to board later.

To get there earlier, you may want to consider taking Magical Express back to the airport early in the morning and getting the Disney Cruise transfer bus from there. You can give Magical Express a "dummy" departure flight. Something that leaves early so that you are picked up early. Other than that, you would either have to rent a car, or hire a private car service.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Oh no! Not until 10:45am?! Yikes! Any other suggestions how a family of 3 can get to the port? Our boarding time is 10:15am. I did early on our last DCL and loved it! I do not want to board later.

Your options would be to get a rental car, or a private car service, or get you (and your bags) back to MCO and catch the bus there. At MCO the buses start running at 9:00 and depart roughly every 20 minutes.

 

[n2mm]

Thus is why I don't use the resort cruise shuttles. You arrive between 12:00-2:00. We rent a car.

 

[gemduncan]

Can anyone recommend a taxi or car service for 3 people from
WDW to the port?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thus is why I don't use the resort cruise shuttles. You arrive between 12:00-2:00. We rent a car.

I like arriving around that time. By then the massive crowds and lines are gone and you can check in and board immediately.

Even with a 10:15 Port Arrival Time, if I arrive then, I'm not going to be onboard until around 11:30-11:45 at the earliest (that's when boarding begins).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Can anyone recommend a taxi or car service for 3 people from
WDW to the port?

A taxi will cost you around $100. I doubt that you'll find a car service for much less. As long as you don't care what you're paying, you could go with either.

 

[gemduncan]

A taxi will cost you around $100. I doubt that you'll find a car service for much less. As long as you don't care what you're paying, you could go with either.

I'm already paying $105 for the Disney Shuttle! Any good taxis? Do you recommend pre-booking? Or do I just grab any taxi outside the hotel in the morning?

 

[n2mm]

I like arriving around that time. By then the massive crowds and lines are gone and you can check in and board immediately.

Even with a 10:15 Port Arrival Time, if I arrive then, I'm not going to be onboard until around 11:30-11:45 at the earliest (that's when boarding begins).

We are platinum so don't need a PAT anymore. We like to get to cabanas before it gets too crazy.

 

[Marc D]

Happy limo, FL Tours or Tiffany Town Car will get you there at the time you want. Getting back to the airport to catch an earlier bus seems to be a lot of hassle for the few bucks it will save you.

 

[Marc D]

We like to get to cabanas before it gets too crazy.

The other embarkation day option is much less crowded and you get the same food you get at Cabana's, plus they bring you your drinks. It seems they removed the buffet from the Wonder to put in the stage in Tiana's place. I'll know in 8 days !

 

[n2mm]

We are on the February 9 and February 16 cruises B2B. We booked a one way rental car. National, full size for less than $60 for one day rental, drop off at port canaveral

 

[n2mm]

The other embarkation day option is much less crowded and you get the same food you get at Cabana's, plus they bring you your drinks. It seems they removed the buffet from the Wonder to put in the stage in Tiana's place. I'll know in 8 days !

I know, we just like the view from cabanas. We are looking forward to being back on the wonder since the changes.

 

[gemduncan]

Happy limo, FL Tours or Tiffany Town Car will get you there at the time you want. Getting back to the airport to catch an earlier bus seems to be a lot of hassle for the few bucks it will save you.

Agree! Which is why I'd prefer to just get a taxi from hotel directly to the port. Last year, we arrived at the port at 10:15am and it was perfect! We had zero wait at the registration check-in at the embarkment area; and we were able to take our time looking around and getting photos with Mickey and Goofy. This is why it's important to me that we arrive at 10:15am.

Marc D- thanks for the tips on the different car services! Do you know if it's possible to just grab any random taxi car outside of AoA hotel to take directly to the port? Or do I have to have one pre-booked?

 

[Marc D]

Agree! Which is why I'd prefer to just get a taxi from hotel directly to the port. Last year, we arrived at the port at 10:15am and it was perfect! We had zero wait at the registration check-in at the embarkment area; and we were able to take our time looking around and getting photos with Mickey and Goofy. This is why it's important to me that we arrive at 10:15am.

Marc D- thanks for the tips on the different car services! Do you know if it's possible to just grab any random taxi car outside of AoA hotel to take directly to the port? Or do I have to have one pre-booked?

Get the bell person to call a cab and make him mention your destination. If the driver doesn't have two hours to spare, he'll skip your ride. I've never had a problem from the airport.

 

[mevelandry]

I like arriving around that time. By then the massive crowds and lines are gone and you can check in and board immediately.

Even with a 10:15 Port Arrival Time, if I arrive then, I'm not going to be onboard until around 11:30-11:45 at the earliest (that's when boarding begins).

Same for us: No lines at check-in, embark right away, there's already an ambiance on the ship, the line for guest services is reasonable, our room is ready when we arrive (instead of having to wait until 1:00 PM before we can get rid of our day bags), Cabanas is less crazy...

I actually felt like we did more stuff and waited less when we took the resort shuttle.