Transport from MCO to Port and back?

[Andrea D]

I am debating taking the Disney Bus vs. a private transport from MCO to the Port and back. There are 5 of us so the private transport might end up being cheaper, but if the Disney transport is a fun experience and less stressful then I am thinking I should do that. We are planning to stay at the Hyatt at MCO the night before the cruise. What do you think?

 

[fredandkell]

Getting from MCO to the port isn’t stressful no matter the type of transport. It’s a straight shot that is well-signed. We always do a one-way car rental. That way you can stop and buy snacks or whatever for the cruise. Dropping off the car at the port is a breeze as all the car companies have locations there and shuttle you over for free.
But if you don’t want to rent a car, there’s no reason to pay more for the Disney transport. It’s literally just riding a bus with a bunch of people.

 

[OKW Lover]

But if you don’t want to rent a car, there’s no reason to pay more for the Disney transport. It’s literally just riding a bus with a bunch of people.

Exactly! Nothing special about the DCL bus experience. The only advantage is that your PAT doesn't matter if you arrive by bus.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Exactly! Nothing special about the DCL bus experience. The only advantage is that your PAT doesn't matter if you arrive by bus.

This is true. We use the DCL bus for convenience, no PAT is required, and a low boarding number (we were #3 for boarding Fantasy on July 21st).

 

[loislane]

There are just two of us, but we also like DCL bus for the above stated reasons and also not having to handle our own luggage. If it was more than just the 2 of us, however, I'd probably look at other options.

 

[tvguy]

Do they no longer play the orientation videos on the Disney buses on the way to the port? That was part of the vacation for us.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Do they no longer play the orientation videos on the Disney buses on the way to the port? That was part of the vacation for us.

No orientation videos anymore. It's just a few cartoons, trivia questions, and guess the character. There is only one video (go to the port and return) that just keeps looping. Not entertaining after the second cruise (twice going to and twice to MCO).

 

[Cheburashka]

We always liked watching the video where Goofy finally finishes filling out his port forms, only to look outside and see the ship sail away. It sounds sad but it was funny in the video. Wish they'd add more touches like that instead of taking them away.

 

[Calantha]

We decided to rent a car one way this time, we arrived one day before and then departed at dinner time upon return. While we did wait in line a long time at the Budget counter at MCO, we went through Enterprise on the way back and there was no line at all. I appreciated the flexibility of the car to go have lunch where we wanted. Also, our flight was delayed on the return so we stayed at Disney Springs a little longer and didn’t spend eight hours sitting at the airport.

I had thought about having private transportation but it was almost twice as much as we paid in 2019, and comparable to renting a car. (I became discouraged after I contacted two different town car providers so maybe there was a cheap one out there that I didn’t find.)

 

[clb79]

Getting from MCO to the port isn’t stressful no matter the type of transport. It’s a straight shot that is well-signed. We always do a one-way car rental. That way you can stop and buy snacks or whatever for the cruise. Dropping off the car at the port is a breeze as all the car companies have locations there and shuttle you over for free.
But if you don’t want to rent a car, there’s no reason to pay more for the Disney transport. It’s literally just riding a bus with a bunch of people.

Do you do a one way rental back to MCO too or something else? Just wondering how crazy the rental car counters at Port Canaveral are and want to make sure we get back to the airport for a 1:45pm flight. I was considering the DCL transportation back just to make sure we get to the airport without having to check bags or have other delays. Maybe private transport (Uber or Lyft) would end up being cheaper and be just as fast?

 

[slindamood]

I am debating taking the Disney Bus vs. a private transport from MCO to the Port and back. There are 5 of us so the private transport might end up being cheaper, but if the Disney transport is a fun experience and less stressful then I am thinking I should do that. We are planning to stay at the Hyatt at MCO the night before the cruise. What do you think?

Staying at the Hyatt and taking the bus is a long-time DCL favorite tradition of ours. For our September Wish trip we will take the bus after a Hyatt stay. It is easy - no luggage to haul to the bus - convenient, and now an extra benefit - NO port arrival time needed. That means I did not have to stay up half the night to check in. There are 7 of us so it is pricey. But OH so easy.

 

[anjuan]

Staying at the Hyatt and taking the bus is a long-time DCL favorite tradition of ours. For our September Wish trip we will take the bus after a Hyatt stay. It is easy - no luggage to haul to the bus - convenient, and now an extra benefit - NO port arrival time needed. That means I did not have to stay up half the night to check in. There are 7 of us so it is pricey. But OH so easy.

I echo this. I love being able to just leave my luggage in the room, going down to the lobby and getting on a bus. Just make sure if you didn't book through the Hyatt that you call DCL and get on the Hyatt bus list.

 

[fredandkell]

Do you do a one way rental back to MCO too or something else? Just wondering how crazy the rental car counters at Port Canaveral are and want to make sure we get back to the airport for a 1:45pm flight. I was considering the DCL transportation back just to make sure we get to the airport without having to check bags or have other delays. Maybe private transport (Uber or Lyft) would end up being cheaper and be just as fast?

Yes, we’ve always done two one ways and it’s never been an issue.

 

[clb79]

Yes, we’ve always done two one ways and it’s never been an issue.

Awesome.
Thanks

 

[Capt_BJ]

how bad the lines are at the rental places depends a good bit on the 'port load' for the day ... how many cruise ships are expected. Some days there's just one ship and the load is low & the rental places are not crowded.

this coming Monday will find FIVE ships doing turn around so each has X folks trying to exit the port and the same X trying to get in ... according to port officials that's 20,000 each way ... 40,000 total (Today's local paper warning us ...). Trust me, on a 5 ship day the rental places get crazy!!!!! The schedule thru mid Dec is here so you can see how many ships are scheduled for your day <they used to put pass' counts in this but have stopped. I guess they scared people> https://www.portcanaveral.com/getat...site-Schedule_Aug22-Dec22.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US

The port kinda sorta keeps this up to date and it can be found on https://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Cruise-Lines-Schedules ... click where it says "CLICK HERE to view Cruise Schedule"

and btw, while not everyday,, this Monday also has a BIG space launch which is expected to bring 100,000 plus trying to look see ... anyone expecting a fast ride to MCO on Monday ... if the launch happens .... close to on time ... will be dealing with an extra 100,000 plus trying to get home which for MOST means the ONE highway between the Port and Orlando/MCO ....... I plan to watch the launch from my pool and stay far away from the roads > it is worth checking the KSC launch schedule ..... most launches to not draw crowds any more but something new or one manned (risk of death) brings out more.

 

[clb79]

how bad the lines are at the rental places depends a good bit on the 'port load' for the day ... how many cruise ships are expected. Some days there's just one ship and the load is low & the rental places are not crowded.

this coming Monday will find FIVE ships doing turn around so each has X folks trying to exit the port and the same X trying to get in ... according to port officials that's 20,000 each way ... 40,000 total (Today's local paper warning us ...). Trust me, on a 5 ship day the rental places get crazy!!!!! The schedule thru mid Dec is here so you can see how many ships are scheduled for your day <they used to put pass' counts in this but have stopped. I guess they scared people> https://www.portcanaveral.com/getat...site-Schedule_Aug22-Dec22.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US

The port kinda sorta keeps this up to date and it can be found on https://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Cruise-Lines-Schedules ... click where it says "CLICK HERE to view Cruise Schedule"

and btw, while not everyday,, this Monday also has a BIG space launch which is expected to bring 100,000 plus trying to look see ... anyone expecting a fast ride to MCO on Monday ... if the launch happens .... close to on time ... will be dealing with an extra 100,000 plus trying to get home which for MOST means the ONE highway between the Port and Orlando/MCO ....... I plan to watch the launch from my pool and stay far away from the roads > it is worth checking the KSC launch schedule ..... most launches to not draw crowds any more but something new or one manned (risk of death) brings out more.

I will definitely keep an eye on all of that. Thank you for the links and info. Our cruise is mid January so we will have to wait a few more weeks for the schedule. I will use that info to help decide what transportation to sue to get back to MCO and to decide if we need to take a later flight out than we currently have booked.