Transfers from WDW to Port Canaveral - TwoStep or Direct?

[shortnsweet435]

I'll start by saying this is our 2nd trip to WDW and 1st Disney cruise, we're native Disneylanders.

Basically, our priorities are #1 Visit the Dreams Welcome Center in Port Canaveral before we embark and #2 Get on the Ship asap. And I have a few questions:

• If our Port Arrival Time is 12:00-12:30, is it possible that if we arrive early, like at 11, there is a chance for us to wait in line to embark earlier?
• If we are staying at WDW (SSR specifically) how do transfers work? I have been using THIS PAGE as a guide and they say they've never seen a Resort Pickup Time from WDW before 11 or 12 AND it's like over an hour to the port... how does that work if people have port arrival times at 11? Doesn't Disney know they need to get them there early?
• They say you can get a 2-step transfer free via ME from WDW>MCO and schedule it in early morning and then take the same rate transfer from MCO to the port and they start leaving MCO at 9:30am - a possible 10:30ish arrival! Is this our best option and how can I schedule this extra transfer? Will I have to lie about having a flight?

Thank you guys so much, seriously!

 

[sambycat]

Someone will post in detail, but if you want to do the visitors center and be to the port early, you'll need to rent a car or use a car service. While ME is "included" in your WDW resort stay, there is no version I've encountered where anything makes port transfers free. Depending on the size of your group a rental or car service may also be more affordable but we like taking DCL transfers for the ease of it.

Yes if you arrive a bit early likely you can get to the port and depending, you could get on the ship earlier than your PAT (theoretically), but that depends on a lot and usually port time is kind of a giant waiting cranky line.

If you weren't heart set on going to the dreams welcome place, I'd highly recommend doing DCL transfers for the first trip. You will be on the boat usually about 130ish.

 

[jdb in AZ]

The resort pick up times are late because the same buses are used to take the disembarking passengers from the ship to the airport and/or resorts before taking the new passengers to the ship.

If you take the DCL transfer bus, your PAT doesn't matter.

Yes, the two-step process would get you there earlier, and you'd have to pretend to have an early flight that morning. ME is free but you'd still have to pay the $35 per person to take the DCL bus transfer from MCO to the port. And I'd rather sleep late instead of getting up early enough to juggle the luggage, take a bus to the airport, juggle the luggage, then take another bus to the port, then wait around in the crowded port terminal.

Can't say I've ever heard of making it a priority to visit the Dreams Welcome Center, and yes, as PP advised, you'd need your own transportation to do that.

 

[lanejudy]

I agree with the advice of both PP's. I also wanted to add that arriving at 11am with a 12-12:30 PAT is not likely to get you onboard any earlier. While the port terminal opens at 10:30, boarding doesn't begin until about 11:15 or 11:30am. You'll be given a boarding number when you check-in at the port, and that number is directly tied to your PAT regardless of when you actually arrive. So you'll stand around watching everyone with earlier PATs board before your number is called. Open Boarding often starts around 12:30, and I suspect that is about the time you would board even if you arrive early.

Arriving by DCL Transfers you will be allowed into the terminal regardless of your PAT. But as noted above PAT will still impact your boarding number. If you arrive by another means (rental shuttle, car service, drive yourself, etc.), and arrive early, there is a possibility of being held outside the terminal until your PAT if it is particularly crowded inside before boarding begins.

If you'd like to visit the DU Welcome Center and arrive early, have you considered spending the night before at a hotel in the Port Canaveral area? You could rent a car from the CCC at WDW (they'll pick you up at your resort to get the car) on the day prior to embarkation, check out of your resort, and drive yourselves to Port Canaveral at any point that day. Visit the Welcome Center either that day or the morning of embarkation prior to returning your car rental and taking the shuttle to the port. Just something to consider.

For me... the whole 2-step approach (WDW -> MCO -> Port) is too much travel and too early in the morning. But I know others do it. So if you are up for an early departure from WDW and lugging your bags, it is an option; but you wouldn't get to the Welcome Center with that option.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[shortnsweet435]

Thanks everyone! Yes a few things, I know DCL transfers are not free, I was meaning they are the same rate from MCO as from WDW and wouldn't cost more for the extra leg vs going direct. So... I guess I have been misled, on the DU website it says the Welcome Center is a convenient 1 mile from the terminal. I assumed this was within walking distance, that's like a 20 min brisk walk, and I assumed we could get our luggage direct to the ship from our transfer leg at either WDW or MCO, and be luggage-less for the walk. But when I google map it, it says its over 5 miles, a 12 min drive, and that walking directions aren't possible.

• Is this really true? Is there any normal way that people get to the Welcome Center that take the DCL transfers?
• Shuttles or public transportation from the terminal?
• And as a last resort if we think it's worth it, is it possible to board at our normal time (12:30ish), eat lunch, and get off the ship to visit the center (they close at 3) somehow and make it back before embarkation?

Thanks so much! Your experience is invaluable!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks everyone! Yes a few things, I know DCL transfers are not free, I was meaning they are the same rate from MCO as from WDW and wouldn't cost more for the extra leg vs going direct. So... I guess I have been misled, on the DU website it says the Welcome Center is a convenient 1 mile from the terminal. I assumed this was within walking distance, that's like a 20 min brisk walk, and I assumed we could get our luggage direct to the ship from our transfer leg at either WDW or MCO, and be luggage-less for the walk. But when I google map it, it says its over 5 miles, a 12 min drive, and that walking directions aren't possible.

• Is this really true? Is there any normal way that people get to the Welcome Center that take the DCL transfers?
• Shuttles or public transportation from the terminal?
• And as a last resort if we think it's worth it, is it possible to board at our normal time (12:30ish), eat lunch, and get off the ship to visit the center (they close at 3) somehow and make it back before embarkation?

Thanks so much! Your experience is invaluable!

DCL transfers only go between MCO and the port or WDW resorts and the port. The Welcome center (don't know if it's a mile or not) is in Cape Canaveral, 6550 N. Atlantic Blvd. Roughly about where the red star is here:


In my estimation, it's not easily walkable. If you want to stop there, I'd suggest a rental car or private transportation (they usually include one stop) and go there before heading to the terminal.