Viring - Transfers & DTD Check In

[Andy Lou & Meg]

We decided to bite the bullit and as staying onsite at ASM in Jan for 2 weeks.

As we are staying onsite we decided not to hire a car.

Does anybody know if we can still use DTD check in (I figue we can get a bus from the hotel to DTD then a bus from DTD to whatever park we wanted to go to).

My other problem is that does anybody know the times that the coach leaves for the airport?

I am now seriously thinking about hiring a car for the last week just so we dont miss out on the extra few hours magic.

Can anybody help

 

[jen_uk]

Yes you can still check in at DTD when you dont have a car and its great. Each time Ive stayed at ASMO Ive never bothered with a car and have never felt I needed one as their transport is so good. The bus times back to the airport are available in reception of the hotel, there are several times to choose from and as you have already checked in you dont need to get to the airport too early. Its all run very well so I wouldnt worry that you are going to miss out on time in the parks on the last day, if anything you will probably have more as you dont have to worry about returning the car.

 

[wilma-bride]

As jen-uk has stated, yes, you can still use DTD check-in. If you tell the Virgin rep in advance that you are planning to use DTD they will arrange for the airport transfer to pick you up from DTD instead of your hotel.

The other thing you can do, though, and it is an extra expense but well worth it IMO is to book the Virgin DTD Breakfast/check-in package (if I remember rightly, it cost us about $30 each last year). We were picked up early in the morning by transport, taken to Grand Floridian for a character breakfast (Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Mary Poopins, Mad Hatter, Alice and a couple of others) then taken to DTD for check-in. We just spent the rest of the day at DTD, did some shopping, went to DisneyQuest, saw a film and then were picked up from DTD later that evening. The only downfall was that we had our hand luggage with us, that we had to cart around, but DinseyQuest have bag check so we went there first, checked our bags, spent an hour or so, went shopping, brought the shopping back and checked that also, did another hour, went for lunch and a film, then came back and spent the rest of the day there.

This year, we are going to be slightly more adventurous and try to get to a park for the day, given our airport transfer isn't until later in the evening (am just about to post a question about how to get from DTD to the parks).

HTH
Joh

 

[Goofyish]

You could always forget the Virgin transfer and hiring a car and go for a towncar transfer instead.

You met in baggage claim by your driver, then get dropped direct to your resort hotel with a useful grocery if required. You can then arrange to get picked up for the return from anywhere you like.

 

[gilld]

Since we always have a car for the convenience and freedom even though we always stay on site, I can't speak from personal experience. But I do remember ages ago hearing from a bus driver, that you weren't allowed to take luggage on the Disney transport. This may have changed, but it might be worth you checking for sure - at least then if it is true still, you'll be prepared and can make alternative arrangements.

 

[Claire4dpins]

As Gill has said, I don't think you are allowed to take luggage on the ordinary Disney bues - so you would need to get a taxi to DTD with your bags.

If you want to double check this, there is a very helpful cast member, who used to drive the Disney buses that answers questions on there!

 

[minniemouseuk]

wilma-bride - that DTD package including a character breakfast at The Grand Floridian sounds wonderful!
I've never heard of it before. We're travelling with Virgin for the first time in December, staying at All Star Movies.

I assume the Virgin holiday rep. will mention it to us so we can book it?

Any more information would be appreciated...

Lara

 

[wilma-bride]

minniemouse, we were told about it at our Welcome meeting. It was also detailed in the little booklet we got showing the different trips you can book. I've had a quick look at the Virgin Holidays website and there's no info there on the excursions list but I'm pretty sure it wasn't mentioned last year until the Welcome meeting.

The best thing to do is to ask the Rep at your first meeting.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[minniemouseuk]

Thanks for that very quick response. I'll do that.

 

[gilld]

DEAR ANDY ,LOU,MEG,
I HAVE TO AGREE WITH "GOOFYISH" A PRIVATE DOOR TO DOOR DIRECT TOWNCAR IS THE BEST WAY TO GO , .....
YOU GET MET INSIDE THE TERMINAL, DIRECTLY BY YOUR DRIVER, AND THERE
ARE NO LINES TO GET ON THE BUS, AND NO LINES TO GET OFF THE BUS,
AND YOU AND YOUR LUGGAGE ARRIVE TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME.
YOU GET TO STAY AS LATE AS YOU WANT, EXCEPT THE DRIVE TO ORLANDO
AIRPORT IS 30 MIN AND THEY SAY YOU SHOULD ARRIVE 2 HOURS FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AND 3 HRS FOR INTERNATIONAL.
THE RATE FROM ORLANDO AIRPORT TO DISNEY WITH FLORIDA TOWNCAR IS
$95 TO $105 AND THE RATE FROM SANFORD AIRPORT TO DISNEY IS $160 TO
$170. ALL PRIVATE, DOOR TO DOOR DIRECT. THEY ALSO GO TO ALL THEME
PARKS, SHOPPING, RESTAURANTS, AND IF YOU ASK THEM TO WORK UP A PACKAGE PRICE FOR MULTIPLE TRANSFERS, THEY ARE VERY GOOD TO ACCOMADATE YOUR PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, AND THEY ARE WITHOUT A DOUGHT VERY COMPETITIVE$$
JUST LET THEM KNOW FROM WHICH AIRPORT BEFORE YOU ASK FOR QUOTE!
SANFORD TO DISNEY IS 1HR AND 15 MIN / ORLANDO TO DISNEY IS 30 MIN..
"BTW" THE MAGICAL EXPRESS BUS, IS MEARS PAINTED BLUE, AND IT IS NOT
FREE!!!! IT IS BUILT IN YOUR PACKAGE FOR FEE$$$$
FLORIDA TOWNCAR HAS 18 YEARS IN THE BUISNESS, ALWAYS COMPETITIVE
AND THEIR PRICE IS UP FRONT, AND THEY DON'T HIDE PRICEING IN PACKAGE
WITHOUT TELLING YOU ITS ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE, UNLIKE THE TRAGIC!!
DISTRESS!!
GOOD LUCK!!
SINCERLY TRAVEL WORLD KING!!

Actually, the Magical Express bus is free. My son and his girlfriend used it last week. They haven't paid Disney anything as they are using our DVC poits - they paid nothing! So it wasn't built into any package.