Transportation ?

[Lovewinnie]

thinking of flying down early to stay a few days at POR before our cruise. I've read that the Disney bus gets you to port rather late. What other transportation options have others used? 2 adults and 2 kids. TIA

 

[PrincessShmoo]

thinking of flying down early to stay a few days at POR before our cruise. I've read that the Disney bus gets you to port rather late. What other transportation options have others used? 2 adults and 2 kids. TIA

Rental car; private limo; towncar.

 

[Lovewinnie]

What companies for private car or limo? We will not need rental car

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

What companies for private car or limo? We will not need rental car

We've used HappyLimo many times with great results. For our family of 4 we either get a town car or minivan depending on how much luggage we have. Last time when we reserved a minivan they brought us an 8 passenger limo instead

 

[starousse]

Following. We're doing the same thing. Spending two nights at POR prior to the cruise. When we did land and sea two years ago, we took the bus from WL and we were on board by 1:30. As much as the bus was comfortable, I'd really prefer to get on board earlier this time as I want to be able to change dining seatings and get tickets for events.

 

[mareed]

I did this last month, but was solo so Disney Cruise transfers were the most economical, but I wanted to get to the port earlier than they'd get me there. I did 2 steps of transportation taking free Magic Express from the resort to the airport and then DCL transfer from the airport to the port. I just selected flights for both transfers that fit the times needed. For example, I picked a flight leaving Orlando around 11:30 so that I was assigned to a Magic Express bus around 8:30. This put me at the airport around 9:15, so I was then on one of the earliest DCL transfer busses from the airport. For DCL transport, I selected a flight that arrived to MCO around 9:15. This way, Disney had the timing needed for my reservations and expected me to be at the airport for the DCL transfer. Might not be worth it for everyone, but it was a short 3 day cruise, so I wanted to maximize my time on-board rather than spending an additional few hours at my resort the morning the cruise started.

 

[Starwind]

The solution I used this past December for my sister and myself, and which we will probably use for future cruises:

We arrived 3 nights before the cruise (arrive tuesday, cruise friday) because it was winter and we were coming from Canada.

Night 1 and 2 were at Wilderness Lodge. Night 3 was at the Hyatt inside MCO.

We took Magical Express from MCO to WL on arrival day. I had already spoken with DME before the cruise and since we did not have a flight for our return DME trip, we needed to call them the day before we needed to go back to arrange the time for the return to the airport. What I actually did was early in the morning after our first night, I went down to the front desk to get their help. Unfortunately the CM did not know how to book us a reutn-to-airport time since we did not have airline tickets and DME did not answer their phone at the very early time I went down. So, I came back later in the morning when the conceirge front desk was open and that CM had no problem booking me a time in the system (they knew how to do it when there are no return airline tickets involved). We just explained what time we wanted to roughly leave WL and arrive at the airport and we got a time close to when we had expected it would be.

So, around dinner time after our two nights at WL, we took Magical express back to the airport. Checked into the Hyatt inside the airport , explaining we were taking a Disney cruise the next day and was given the letter explaining what we were to do in the morning.

The next morning we went for breakfast at about 630 am (it was included in out Hyatt rate) and were back in the room before 8, when they came for our checked luggage. We next saw that luggage in our stateroom on board ship. We finished up in the room, grabbed out carry-ons and headed down to the DCL bus area (close to the DME area, just follow the signs to the DME and as you get close you will see the DCL signs).

We got in the existing line and close to 9 the DCL CMs arrived and started checking people in for the bus. We were the first two on the second bus (yes, at 830 there was a busload of people ALREADY in line!). The second bus left MCO at maybe 15 minutes after the first.

We got to the port nice and early (10-something), got through security and checked in and then **had time to sit and relax; get a character photo; get a good look at the ship model; go to the washroom; take pictures; and did i mention sit and relax??** we had an early pat (1030-11whatever) and were in i think group 2 or 3. Easy onto the ship and then we had plenty of time to get accomplished what we wanted to; only downside was schlepping the carr-ons, btu I am used to that now

Bonus: the Hyatt rate is less than a night at WL and included breakfast

This worked for us. it may or may not work for you.

For our next cruise in fall 2017 we are CONSIDERING staying at the WDW 3 nights and then early in the morning taking the bus back to MCO then right onto the DCL bus. BUT that is an early morning and even earlier breakfast and I am not sure I want to be rushed like that. So we will prolly do the 2 + 1 nights thing again.

SW

 

[danzma]

We've had Happy Limo pick us up at POFQ. They'll stop at a grocery store near the port if you need to pick up wine, beer, special food/beverage items, etc.

We've used Disney transport from WDW hotels in the past, but prefer being able to get to the port much earlier. One sailing, we arrived so late we were practically the last people at the buffet. Never again, we want every second on board we can get.

 

[CScott095]

thinking of flying down early to stay a few days at POR before our cruise. I've read that the Disney bus gets you to port rather late. What other transportation options have others used? 2 adults and 2 kids. TIA

I do not know what POR is, but we fly down the Thursday night before and spend two days at the parks. We then return the car at the airport, jump on the bus around 10 or 11, and get to the ship about an hour later. It's easy.

 

[TheCoconut]

We used Happylimo to get from the airport to port and back. They include a complimentary stop at a grocery store so we were able to pick up a couple bottles of wine to take onboard.

 

[waggles02673]

We use Happy Limo and the last several cruises we have used Tiffany town car. Both cost the same we have found Tiffany cars aren't as tired as Happy Limo. No complaints with either.

 

[TestingH2O]

We used FL Tours last year from WDW to port. The driver was great and, for a large group, it was much more economical.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I do not know what POR

Port Orleans

 

[Whodedo]

My family has used Happy Limo and also Tiffany Town Car service. Never had a problem with either of them. Although we did LOVE our driver with Happy Limo. Sadly I cannot remember his name. I would use a private car service instead of Disney's transportation though. That's just me. I don't like waiting for group transportation, I like to go at our own schedule.