Which do you prefer - - DCL bus or Limo

[Kim&Chris]

I made my DCL reservations to include transfers, but now I'm thinking about getting a limo instead.

Since you guys are the experts (this will be our first DCL cruise), I was hoping for some opinions.

Also, if we do hire a limo, do they make a stop if requested? Here's why: I am a Diet Pepsi person. Since I know Pepsi products are a no-no at Disney, I'm assuming the same goes for the cruise line. If I hire a limo, the driver may be willing to stop & let us pick up a case for the cruise. Have any of you ever asked the driver to make a stop?

Any opinions would be great!!

 

[kristen821]

We used happy limo and we were very happy with the service. They make a 15 minute grocery stop. We ordered the 10 passenger van since it was cheapest, but were upgraded at no charge 2 out of 3 trips.

 

[tvguy]

We did the DCL bus.........they make it so easy I don't think even consider any other way. From the time I set foot in the airport, to the minute and stepped back in 7 days later, I didn't have to think.

 

[brack]

Like anything else at Disney the DCL bus is an experience; a part of the whole trip.

I had considered taking one of the limo services this time but have decided to stick with the DCL bus so our DS and his wife can "experience" the ride.

 

[chasbos]

I have also booked a Limo (white stretch - not a van) with Southern Elegance. This will also be our first time so I have no experience, but from booking online they do allow a stop. I was also told that the driver meets us at baggage claim and they take things from there. I think it will be a nice and quiet ride (aside from own kids shrills!) to the port from the airport. I am going for the whole relaxation thing this trip!

 

[Dreamer04]

I used DCL transportation in Jan '03 and it was fine. Then I found these boards and went with Happy Limo my past two trips. For our upcoming cruise in Feb, we're using Souther Elegance.

Here is why I prefer the car service.

In most cases it is cheaper and they do allow a grocery stop.

I can be picked up whenever I like.

Most of all, when I fly in the day before the cruise, I don't have to shuttle back to the airport to get on a bus.

Good Luck!

 

[TooPure4u]

My first cruise I took the bus because I arrived same day. This trip I have rented a car. I am getting in a day and a half early but as far as price, for 3 of us, the bus ride is 75 dollars one way. We can rent a car for the 2 days for almost half that cost and I can drop it off a mile or two from the ship. Even the day we get off the ship, I have rented a car so that I dont have to wait at the airport for 6 hours to catch my flight. Again, it is cheaper than the cost of the bus for 3 people and I dont have to sit around and wait anywhere....I can do what I want in the rental for the day.....

 

[PiperG]

I used DCL transportation in Jan '03 and it was fine. Then I found these boards and went with Happy Limo my past two trips. For our upcoming cruise in Feb, we're using Souther Elegance.

Dreamer04,

We are curious about your experience with Happy Limo. We are using them for the first time next month. Why did you switch to Sourthern Elegance?

Thanks.

 

[4formickey]

I prefer the car rental, it is cheaper and the drive is a straight shot. The drop off point for budget is close and the tip still is cheaper than a limo and dcl.You can stop where you want to and stay as long as you want.In sept we arrived at the boat at 10 am, before the bus and before the limo.

 

[scrappermcl]

I agree with 4formickey-- car rental! This works out well for us because we are arriving at MCO Friday before and leaving Sunday after our 7 night cruise. The cost for a one day rental before and after the cruise is costing us about $90 total (Costco discount codes) compared to FLTours car service $160 (plus tips) round trip. Plus, this way we have the freedom to visit Downtown Disney or Boardwalk Friday night.

 

[lildeb724]

I really felt like it was part of the experience. See is you can do it only getting to the cruise and the way back use a car service

 

[kar313]

How do the rental cars work? Is there a charge for parking? How far away is the parking lot?

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

My DW and I rented a car our first time. To us it was a hassle, parking the car in the lot and getting the luggage over to the cruise terminal. Then returning it back at the airport.

The next two times, DW, DS and I used Disney Transportation and love doing it this way. We don't mind spending the extra money. They take care of the luggage, you get the Disney cruise video and cartoons to watch on the way, plus we don't care about making an extra stop along the way for a grocery run. For us it's all on the ship, why go shopping?

It's all Disney from the airport to the Disney resort to the cruise terminal. And to the airport, this is the sad part, vacation over.

 

[ahoff]

We used the DCL bus for the trip to the boat. Very easy, you are met as you come past the security point at MCO, you don't even have to go pick up your luggage. Make sure you put the special baggage tags on your luggage. We forgot, and a CM took them with a description of out luggage and took care of it.

We used Budget for the return to WDW.

 

[thatmom]

Hi,
we used Sourthern Elegance on our last cruise. George was our driver and he took care of everything. We really did love our ride.
Carla

 

[inkkognito]

We usually use Happy Limo, and occasionally we rent a car (one way rentals via Budget). It had been a long time since we used the DCL bus, but we ended up using it for the return leg of our "hurricane cruise" which departed from Ft. Lauderdale (where we drove) and returned to Port Canaveral. After such a long time, the bus felt like a real cattle call. It was already mostly full, so our party had to split up into scattered available seats. The kid in front of me spent the whole trip playing with the recline button on her seat. It made me long for a nice towncar or to just be driving myself. No more bus for me! The bus is okay, but I prefer being driven or driving.
Barb

 

[Kim&Chris]

We usually use Happy Limo, and occasionally we rent a car (one way rentals via Budget). It had been a long time since we used the DCL bus, but we ended up using it for the return leg of our "hurricane cruise" which departed from Ft. Lauderdale (where we drove) and returned to Port Canaveral. After such a long time, the bus felt like a real cattle call. It was already mostly full, so our party had to split up into scattered available seats. The kid in front of me spent the whole trip playing with the recline button on her seat. It made me long for a nice towncar or to just be driving myself. No more bus for me! The bus is okay, but I prefer being driven or driving.
Barb

Yup, that's it. We're getting a limo. THANKS

 

[Dreamer04]

Dreamer04,

We are curious about your experience with Happy Limo. We are using them for the first time next month. Why did you switch to Sourthern Elegance?

Thanks.

Sorry. I would have responded sooner, but I took a break for the holidays

I used Happy Limo in Feb '03 and in Aug '04 (not during a hurricane) and we had no problems at all. I wanted to try another highly rate limo company, so we went with Southern Elegance.

 

[chasbos]

inkkognito - that is us too. We used the hotel transportation the last time we went to Disney and we really liked it - our van did not move from the time we arrived at the hotel until the day we left for home. That being said it was a 10 minute drive to all the parks and there were times that a couple of kids had to sit on our knee or they were seated way at the back of the bus away from us. So for the ride all the way to the Port we are guarenteeing ourselves good seats in our own Limo. And as I said before, DH is going to get a real vacation this time too. Now maybe we will miss having our own vehicle, I will let you all know when we return!

 

[9-11mommy]

Since we are 1st timers and I will be travelling alone with my toddler son I would love to know which is easiest? The limo? Do you bring a car seat in the limo? Does anyone know the cost of the limo from Orlando Airport (MCO) to the port?