To anyone thts done a Dcl

[crabbie1]

I am wondering whether to pay and get the transfers to the port? We will b at okw . Anyone know what time they come? We cant hire a car due to DB dui but would it b better to get a taxi? Anyone done this and found it better. Never hvg done a cruise im not too sure. I hv heard some people say u need to b there early but Im sure they wont go without us plus as we are not planning on doing any shore excursions except CC my mom wont b taking her wheelchair but dont want her hvg to stand queuing for ages.
Also I dont hv a Cc so whats the best option for leaving the $500 when qe check in? I hv heard tht a faifx card might not be a good option as if they swipe it may take all the funds and if not spent will hv issues getting it back in time. As my mom will be with us in the same room can we hv 2 checking
accounts? If we spend the $500 will they let us know so we top up?
Soz for all the questions but its getting closer and hvg not done one before i feel like a fish out of water.

 

[crabbie1]

Bump.Any uk cruisers

 

[disneyholic family]

the DCL transport is nice as you are already with other cruisers and the movie they show sort of gets you in the mood..

on the other hand, if there are several of you, the cost of the DCL transfer adds up and sometimes it work out the same or cheaper to get a towncar to take you to the port (i would never take a taxi - the taxi drivers in orlando are the bottom of the barrel - the good drivers are all driving town cars....)...

for town cars you can check the price at the following link to see how it compares to DCL transfers for all of you together: http://www.fltours.com/reservations.htm

the town car will also stop along the way for a 30 minute grocery store stop if you like.

i just checked the price - the maximum number in a town car is 4 (i don't know how many you are) - anyway, for 4 people, round trip from disney to the port and back to disney is $270 - if memory serves, that's cheaper than 4 people using DCL transportation..

 

[Celestine]

You do not need to be there early - just be there before the leave! Advantages of getting there early are limited, especially as most things can now ben done on line. If you couldn't score Palo on line, get there early to queue. If you don't have the dinner rotation you want you may wish to get there early to swap. Getting there early makes no difference to shore excursions - you can only do that when their desk is open & again, most can booked on line. There is not much to do at the terminal and the only other advantage of getting on board early is a choice of places to eat, but is you've never been before you'll want to try them all & will have preconceived notion of what is "best".

In terms of the room & spending. Fairfx are not good for that. You can leave cash & they will let you know when you are running short of funds. You can also request a print out at any time from guest services. No idea if you can split the spending between the party

Have a great cruise

Celestine

 

[ohana7]

You can leave cash/tc as a deposit against your account, or you could make a credit against your account before you leave by contacting dcl with your debit card details, if you know your excursions costs for example.

The cruise line busses are fine to use.

 

[wayneg]

We like to be at the port for opening time or just after to be among the 1st onboard but this Aug will be the 3rd time we have a DISmeet mid afternoon so we need to have lunch and be ready for that.
Others don't mind arriving later. cruises are short enough I want to be 1st on last off

 

[crabbie1]

Oh thankyou all. I have worked out from your answers and sorting through the cruise forum that in theory it wold be more convenient I think to have a town car BUT it is infact dearer than the transfers for us. As Beth said as its our first cruise it will be nice to get in the mood and meet other cruisers. Towncar with the 20% gratuity is $314 return where as DCL transfers are less. I dont know if it is cheaper for children under 10 on the dcl transfer. Thanks for the Info about the CC. We will definatley use our TC not fairfx for this then.
Wayne I can understand your rationalle for getting there very early but what is there to do there Didnt think we could board till 1300hrs? I think if it was just the three of us I would opt for the towncar but my mom cannot stand for long periods. I presume there is somewhere to get a drink and somewhere to sit Im not bothered about being there first as mentioned above but dont want to be last either.

 

[wayneg]

Disney transfers are $69pp any age.
Towncar might be cheaper going thru the DIS link, try here http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-transportation.htm

We usually arrive around 10am, drop bags, park car, go thru security, chat to the CM who checks you have everything who then directs you to the desk you need to be at. Check in, take photos(and more photos) Characters appear for pics, model of ship to look at, TV's for kids to watch, cafe, toilets & Meet people off DIS.
By the time we get to sit down we are not long off the first people being called but they have always started around 12 noon or slightly earlier, never known 1pm in past 5 cruises so maybe they have changed.

 

[crabbie1]

Disney transfers are $69pp any age.
Towncar might be cheaper going thru the DIS link, try here http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-transportation.htm

We usually arrive around 10am, drop bags, park car, go thru security, chat to the CM who checks you have everything who then directs you to the desk you need to be at. Check in, take photos(and more photos) Characters appear for pics, model of ship to look at, TV's for kids to watch, cafe, toilets & Meet people off DIS.
By the time we get to sit down we are not long off the first people being called but they have always started around 12 noon or slightly earlier, never known 1pm in past 5 cruises so maybe they have changed.

Thanks Wayne.Its $270 + the 20% tip so no cheaper through the link and $276 for the transfers. Db just suggested getting the town car there and the dcl transfers back Will see we have a while to decide. Its good there are things going on and characters around. I think being our first cruise we will be shell shocked and my mom will probably cry as has always wanted to do a cruise and never thought she would ever do one. It will be such a suprise when we tell her she has to pack as not staying at OKW for 9 nights..

 

[gemmybear83]

For your first cruise I would go with the DCL transfers on the way there - they make it so easy for you and stress free. Its like the magical express with videos all the way to port to keep everyone entertained too!

We were not bothered about getting there early - would rather head to the park/swim for a couple of hours then sit around in the terminal. When we used the dcl transfers after check in we all just walked on board the ship - no waiting around.

On your journey back if your heading back to WDW you will probably be on a mears shuttle bus and not a DCL coach as the DCL coaches all seem to head back to the airport - just to make you aware!

We were in 12 seater mini bus, had a nap for the hour and there was only one drop off so was faster then a coach but did not have the disney videos etc.