Transportation Help Please

[DnA2010]

Closer to your sail date, you do online check-in. It opens at midnight, Orlando time. At that point, you are able to pick your Port arrival Time (PAT) and Boarding Group (BG). The BGs are to get you on the ship. They move fairly quickly once boarding begins. Many people like to get to and board the ship as early as possible.

If using a Disney bus transfer, you are automatically assigned an early PAT and Boarding Group. No need to do computer work in the middle if the night.

I guess I could try to get an early time, if I don't, then I could add the Disney transfers?

 

[auntlynne]

I guess I could try to get an early time, if I don't, then I could add the Disney transfers?

Yes. Typically, you can get them until very close to sailing.

 

[redturtle74]

You could rent a car at MCO and return it at Port Canaveral before the cruise, and then rent another car after the cruise - pick up at PC then return to MCO at the end of your trip.
I rented a car once after a cruise at PC, and I don’t believe there was an extra ‘one way’ cost between PC and MCO

For the post cruise car rental, did you have to call for the car-rental shuttle? How long did it take for them to arrive?

 

[MissLiss279]

For the post cruise car rental, did you have to call for the car-rental shuttle? How long did it take for them to arrive?

I can’t remember if I had to call. I rented from Budget, and looking at their website, it says ‘The shuttle will meet passengers at the pier. If not, call the location for pick-up service.’
So, I may have called. I want to say that I did have to wait a while, but I wouldn’t think more than 30 minutes…

 

[Husker Mike]

It's tougher to justify on a seven night cruise, but on a 3 or 4 night cruise, it's sometimes cheaper to rent a car for an entire week and pay to park it during the cruise. It's certainly the most convenient, fastest option (no dealing with shuttles, plus you can leave car seats in the car). Less so in the post COVID era, but weekly rates can be the same as renting a car for 2-3 days at the daily rate.

And sometimes you just bite the bullet and do it anyway because it's your vacation, and you figure it's a family Lightning Lane to get out of a couple of lines and onto something fun.

 

[DnA2010]

And sometimes you just bite the bullet and do it anyway because it's your vacation, and you figure it's a family Lightning Lane to get out of a couple of lines and onto something fun.

Meaning booking the more expensive Disney transfers right? Something I was thinking for sure if it gets us on the ship earlier and easier

 

[sponica]

Meaning booking the more expensive Disney transfers right? Something I was thinking for sure if it gets us on the ship earlier and easier

We booked the resort transfers. We were on the bus from Port Orleans just before 10:30 and it looks like we were past security at the bathrooms around 12:10? We were sitting down in Arrendelle by 12:30. Based on my photo timestamps.

We did have an issue at check in with the magic band plus, so after the restrooms we had to go to another desk, which added some time.

 

[Girl of the South]

How much is 90 extra minutes, sitting around waiting for the cabins to open up, really worth?

 

[sponica]

How much is 90 extra minutes, sitting around waiting for the cabins to open up, really worth?

By the time we finished at Arendelle the cabins were open

 

[Husker Mike]

Meaning booking the more expensive Disney transfers right? Something I was thinking for sure if it gets us on the ship earlier and easier

Actually, just the opposite. Book the rental car and park it at the port. While yes, Disney transportation can get you onto the ship earlier...that's the ONLY advantage for a family.

I was a one-and-done on Disney's "free" transportation after Magical Express shut down, because I've wasted WAAAAY too much vacation time waiting for a Disney bus. I might take a monorail or a boat for the novelty, but I rent a car now so I have the flexibility to do what I want. For example, cruise morning, what do you want to do? If you are doing the DCL bus, you are hanging out in the lobby waiting for a bus. If you have a car...the whole world is open to you. Go do a character breakfast. Heck, rope drop a park, if you are feeling adventurous. Go shopping. All of Orlando (and Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach) is open to you. Yeah, you might get on the boat 90 minutes later...but you get to do something more fun that morning than wait around for a stinkin' bus.

And yeah, I pay to park a rental at the port because again, I want to do something fun and not deal with rental shuttles or wait in more lines.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Usually price and convenience are inversely proportional. You pay for convenience and accept some inconvenience if you want to save money.

 

[DnA2010]

How much is 90 extra minutes, sitting around waiting for the cabins to open up, really worth?

Well, given we haven't been on a Disney ship in like 9 years, and it will be my DD7's first time, I suppose getting on early to explore might make it worth it, and also trying to get a Palo brunch booking in person I was thinking, if DH and want to get it

Actually, just the opposite. Book the rental car and park it at the port. While yes, Disney transportation can get you onto the ship earlier...that's the ONLY advantage for a family.

I was a one-and-done on Disney's "free" transportation after Magical Express shut down, because I've wasted WAAAAY too much vacation time waiting for a Disney bus. I might take a monorail or a boat for the novelty, but I rent a car now so I have the flexibility to do what I want. For example, cruise morning, what do you want to do? If you are doing the DCL bus, you are hanging out in the lobby waiting for a bus. If you have a car...the whole world is open to you. Go do a character breakfast. Heck, rope drop a park, if you are feeling adventurous. Go shopping. All of Orlando (and Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach) is open to you. Yeah, you might get on the boat 90 minutes later...but you get to do something more fun that morning than wait around for a stinkin' bus.

And yeah, I pay to park a rental at the port because again, I want to do something fun and not deal with rental shuttles or wait in more lines.

Thanks for the summery, I think honestly what we would want to do is get on the ship the quickest- we wouldn't be doing a park as that would cost a fortune for a few hours, no interest in shopping or beach, but wouldn't there be a scheduled time for pick-up? Sounds like no, given your mentioning waiting and waiting?