WDW to Port Canaveral

[pmurph]

Please walk me thru what would happen (with luggage, arrival, etc.), if we decided to hire a car/limo service from AKL to the port rather than taking the Disney transfer bus (which we have already paid for, but could I still cancel for a July trip???)

We are having a late night the night before our cruise at AK, and if they still have you put out your luggage in the hallway of your resort at 8:00 am (if you are taking Disney transport to the port), that doesn't really afford us an opportunity to get a little bit of sleep-in rest in the morning.

 

[openwater]

With a private transfer you just have to figure about 1h15 to 1h30 of driving to Cruise Terminal 8. Just sync this with your PAT and you are all set.

(Unfortunately) the DCL Bus process still works like this:

• About 75 days out, go online to tell Disney Cruise Lines which Resort you will be staying and the transfer needed.
• About 60 days out you will receive a blue booklet from Disney with your luggage tags. Take a good look at those and do not confuse the different tags! There will be tags for Magical Express to the Resorts from Orlando Airport. And there will be tags for Disney Cruise Lines from the Resort to the Ship.
• When you arrive at Orlando Airport, your luggage is handled by the Magical Express bus system using the first set of tags. The Magical Express bus takes you to your resort.
• The night before your cruise, you will receive a letter in the room (around 7pm) telling you when to have your luggage ready (usually a porter picks it around 8am from your room) and the time/place of your DCL bus pickup (usually the lobby between 11am and 11:30am) where staff will be on hand to assist you. TIP – Make sure you use the correct DCL tags and you’ve kept everything you NEED out of those bags, and keep your carry-on bags well away from the checked bags if you are not in the room at pickup time. Swimsuits, medications, passports, sunscreen…the things you need for that first day, should all be in your carry-on.
• When the bus arrives your ID will be checked. After you boarded the bus, expect 2 or 3 more stops at nearby resorts then a 1.5 hour drive to Port Canaveral. You can expect to arrive between 12:30pm and 1:30pm. Your luggage will appear in your cabin later the afternoon (around 4pm)
• On the ship you will get new tags in your cabin the night before disembarking. Then porters meet you at the bottom of the escalators and assist you (they have carts) through customs and to the DCL bus.

 

[pmurph]

I forgot that I would have to pick a PAT! I was thinking around noon if it's still available for our cruise in July.

If I do decide to do a private car / driver, how does the luggage situation work when you arrive at the port?

 

[erionm]

If I do decide to do a private car / driver, how does the luggage situation work when you arrive at the port?

The car service would drop you and your luggage off at the drop off location at the port. There will be porters that will take any items you are not going to carry onto the ship. The items you leave with the porter will be in the hallway in front of your stateroom.

 

[pmurph]

So recommendations for an awesome car and/or limo service?!?

 

[openwater]

As you can expect there are many good transport companies so it depends on your budget (and size of your party?).

Uber - can pick you at Animal Kingdom and is growing in popularity - but it is a long way for them however.

Cheapest - To do it really cheap you can take the Magical Express early to the airport then hop on a shared shuttle bus (same size as the DCL bus) for as little as $14.50 per person (see goportcanaveral below)!

Cost-effective- You can also rent a car one-way.

Others -

who are mentioned often and positively:

Cocoa Beach Shuttle – based near Port Canaveral. The “go to” shuttle for many cruisers. Also offer scheduled shared shuttles. Preferred by many Canaveral hotels for port and airport transfers.

Happy Hour Shuttle – based near Port Canaveral. Small local company slowly building a solid reputation.

Executive VIP Limousine – based near Port Canaveral. Many good reviews on the internet.

Happy Limousine – Recommended by some Disney travel agencies.

Orlando Chauffeured Services – Based in Orlando, Good reviews on the internet.

Mears Shuttle – With a desk at Orlando Airport ensuring personal service. Operates the Disney and Carnival transfer buses.

Groundlink – A nation-wide value-add service trusted by many travelers. Also has exclusive agreements with some cruise lines. Often more expensive but you can trust the service.

Travelynx Stylus – A large company with a good reputation. The preferred transfer company for many Canaveral hotels. Parent company is based in Orlando.

888-Transportation – based in Cape Canaveral with an exclusive agreement with Port Canaveral, allowing hail services. They have taxis waiting at the cruise terminals. Call ahead to ask about shared shuttles from the airport ($25 per person) or private shuttles for $90 (up to 5 persons). Also from the resorts.

Cortrans Shuttle – Consistently one of the cheaper shuttles with good reviews. Also offer scheduled shared shuttles. Based in Orlando.

AA Access Transport – One of the most popular shuttles with shared scheduled services and vans of all sizes. Based in Orlando.

Goportcanaveral – A local travel agency with really low cost transfer and hotel packages. Some of their rates are the lowest available. Based near Port Canaveral.

FL Tours – Recommended by several Disney Travel Agencies. Based in Orlando

 

[pmurph]

As you can expect there are many good transport companies so it depends on your budget (and size of your party?).

Uber - can pick you at Animal Kingdom and is growing in popularity - but it is a long way for them however.

Cheapest - To do it really cheap you can take the Magical Express early to the airport then hop on a shared shuttle bus (same size as the DCL bus) for as little as $14.50 per person (see goportcanaveral below)!

Cost-effective- You can also rent a car one-way.

Others -

who are mentioned often and positively:

Cocoa Beach Shuttle – based near Port Canaveral. The “go to” shuttle for many cruisers. Also offer scheduled shared shuttles. Preferred by many Canaveral hotels for port and airport transfers.

Happy Hour Shuttle – based near Port Canaveral. Small local company slowly building a solid reputation.

Executive VIP Limousine – based near Port Canaveral. Many good reviews on the internet.

Happy Limousine – Recommended by some Disney travel agencies.

Orlando Chauffeured Services – Based in Orlando, Good reviews on the internet.

Mears Shuttle – With a desk at Orlando Airport ensuring personal service. Operates the Disney and Carnival transfer buses.

Groundlink – A nation-wide value-add service trusted by many travelers. Also has exclusive agreements with some cruise lines. Often more expensive but you can trust the service.

Travelynx Stylus – A large company with a good reputation. The preferred transfer company for many Canaveral hotels. Parent company is based in Orlando.

888-Transportation – based in Cape Canaveral with an exclusive agreement with Port Canaveral, allowing hail services. They have taxis waiting at the cruise terminals. Call ahead to ask about shared shuttles from the airport ($25 per person) or private shuttles for $90 (up to 5 persons). Also from the resorts.

Cortrans Shuttle – Consistently one of the cheaper shuttles with good reviews. Also offer scheduled shared shuttles. Based in Orlando.

AA Access Transport – One of the most popular shuttles with shared scheduled services and vans of all sizes. Based in Orlando.

Goportcanaveral – A local travel agency with really low cost transfer and hotel packages. Some of their rates are the lowest available. Based near Port Canaveral.

FL Tours – Recommended by several Disney Travel Agencies. Based in Orlando

Thanks for all the good info , everyone!

 

[mdgineok]

It appears that for our family of four it is cheaper to rent a car one way from OKW to Port Canaveral. Especially since there is a stop we want to make on the way to the port and I don't want to arrive at the port as late as the Disney transfers arrive. Can I drop my family and the luggage off at the port and then return the rental myself and take the rental shuttle back to the port? I guess the parking lot at the Disney port doesn't open to the public until 1030 or so? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread but thought the answers may help the OP too.

Mark in MN

 

[Billinaz]

It appears that for our family of four it is cheaper to rent a car one way from OKW to Port Canaveral. Especially since there is a stop we want to make on the way to the port and I don't want to arrive at the port as late as the Disney transfers arrive. Can I drop my family and the luggage off at the port and then return the rental myself and take the rental shuttle back to the port? I guess the parking lot at the Disney port doesn't open to the public until 1030 or so? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread but thought the answers may help the OP too.

Mark in MN

Yes you can. I have never done this with our family of 5. We return the car and all ride the shuttle to the port. They are big enough for you and your large bags. We have large hardside bags, and hardside carry ons and never had an issue.

 

[Weedy]

It appears that for our family of four it is cheaper to rent a car one way from OKW to Port Canaveral. Especially since there is a stop we want to make on the way to the port and I don't want to arrive at the port as late as the Disney transfers arrive. Can I drop my family and the luggage off at the port and then return the rental myself and take the rental shuttle back to the port? I guess the parking lot at the Disney port doesn't open to the public until 1030 or so? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread but thought the answers may help the OP too.

Mark in MN[/QUOTE

The parking garage/ luggage drop off area opens about 10am and the terminal at 10:30.
Yes you can drop everyone and the luggage off and return the car and then catch the shuttle back by yourself.

 

[BrerNashville]

For a data point -- uber xl (minivan) was about $132 from BLT to Port Canaveral. It is a long way for them, as someone noted, and there's not much opportunity for them to catch a return fare. Make sure you tell them where you are going (preferably via text immediately), and tip accordingly. I've also used happy limo on several occasions and have been very pleased with them.

 

[mdgineok]

Thank you!