Who has taken DCL transfers from MCO?

[TestingH2O]

With only 4 people traveling this time, we are at the break even point for DCL buses or private transportation. A grocery stop isn't a factor for us.

What was the experience like at MCO? Were there long lines? How long did you have to wait on the bus? What time did you arrive at the desk, catch the bus, and arrive at port?

How about the return trip? Was loading the buses pretty smooth? How does luggage work? Will porters help you get your bags to the buses?

 

[dcassetta]

You'll go downstairs on B side at the terminal. The Disney area is very easy to find. As long as you're not arriving between 830 and 9 am, there shouldn't be much of a line. They fill the buses and as soon as it's full or very close to it then it goes off to the port. Last cruise out of PC, we arrived at the check in about 930, and were at the port before 11.

Returning to the airport is very similar, you'll be told which bus to board, and as soon as it's full it will head off to the airport. I've always done onboard airline check-in, so have not had to deal with bags on the way back to the airport.

 

[RHSTigerMom]

We stayed the night before at the Hyatt MCO so our bags were picked up in our room and we didn't see them again until they appeared in our stateroom. We ate a leisurely breakfast in the airport food court, picked up our carry-ons from our room then went down to the Magical Express/DCL loading area. We were in line around 9:15 or so and boarded a bus about 9:30. We arrived at the port about 10:30 or so and went straight into the terminal.

On the return, we utilized the on-board check-in process so our bags were picked up the night before and we saw them at our home airport. There were porters available in the customs area for those that needed assistance. We disembarked at 8:00, through customs and on the bus by 8:15, maybe? We had to wait a little bit for the bus to fill up, but we were at MCO by 10:00. There are plenty of cast members to direct you to an MCO bus, WDW bus, etc., depending upon your destination. Be sure to tip the porters as they are not DCL cast members.

 

[mrkyyyle]

Had pretty much the same experience as the previous two posters (done the night before @ the Hyatt MCO all 4 DCL cruises). Smooth and easy process, especially if you utilize the Hyatt/On-board check-in on the way back.

 

[bumbershoot]

What was the experience like at MCO?

Easy.

Were there long lines?

Nope.

How long did you have to wait on the bus?

Not long enough for me to remember it.

How about the return trip?

Easy.

Was loading the buses pretty smooth?

Couldn't be smoother.

How does luggage work?

If you can't be part of onboard checkin (if booked with certain airlines you put your bags out the last night of the cruise and see them again at your HOME airport), you put your bags out the night before, and you reunite with them in the big customs building. If hiring a porter they'll grab them for you and put them on their cart and walk with you through the line. Go through the lines, go outside, the porter will take care of you and will pass your bags off to the bus driver who will put them under the bus.

Will porters help you get your bags to the buses?

YES.

 

[mmouse37]

Very easy process. We arrived at the airport from WDW the morning of our cruise (dropped off a rental car) and headed to the Cruise Desk. You check in there (make DCL reservations in advance) and drop your luggage. We waited just a few minutes and were loaded in the second bus. Got to the port before 11:00 am.

On the return, if you are not taking advantage of the Onboard Airline Check In program, you will put your checked bags out in the hall for pick up and then claim them in the luggage hall once you leave the ship. You certainly can use a porter and they will walk you through the customs line and out to the bus area. A CM will direct you the proper bus. Your checked bags will be loaded under the bus for the trip to MCO. You would check your luggage at the airport like normal.

If you are eligible and are participating in the OAC program then you would put your checked bags out in the hall the last night of the cruise but not see them again until your home airport. You would leave the ship with just your carry ons and head out to the bus for the trip to the airport. You will have already been checked in for your flight and issued your boarding passes by DCL the night before and you will have already received your airline luggage tags (again the night before). You must book DCL transfers and your flight must not leave before 11:30 am and be a domestic flight on participating airlines.

Here are the details of DC'sL Onboard Airline Check In Program (OAC):

Disney's Convenient Onboard Airline Check-In

Enjoy the comfort and convenience of Onboard Airline Check-In* when you purchase air or ground transportation through Disney Cruise Line, such as:
•Receive your boarding passes ahead of time.
•Check your luggage for your return flight before disembarking the ship.
•Skip luggage claim at the port terminal.
•Bypass the airline check-in counter at the airport.

Here's how it works:
1.Reserve air or ground transportation through Disney Cruise Line, then request to sign up for Onboard Airline Check-In when you check in at the cruise port.
2.On the day prior to disembarkation, your airline boarding passes and valet luggage tags will be delivered to your stateroom.
3.Attach the tags to your luggage and leave your bags outside your stateroom on the evening prior to disembarkation. Your luggage will be collected and delivered to your airline for you.
4. Upon arrival at Orlando International Airport, you can proceed to security and continue to your departure gate.

*This service is available to Guests flying out of Orlando International Airport on domestic flights (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines.

Pre-registration is required and scheduled flights must be after 11:30 a.m. on the day your cruise ends. Airline specific baggage fee may apply and can vary by airline. Each luggage piece can weigh no more than 50lbs. Additionally, some Guests may be selected to check in at the airport and will be unable to use this service.


MJ

 

[Sir William]

We've done it three times from MCO and it was very easy. First time was direct to the ship after landing and it was pretty much check-in, get on the bus, and get off at the port. The next two times we stayed at an airport hotel (not the Hyatt). We took the hotel shuttle back to the airport after breakfast, about 9am or so. The shuttle dropped us off at the Disney loading area, porters took our luggage (already tagged), and we quickly checked in and waited perhaps 10 minutes to board. We waited perhaps 15 minutes as other passengers boarded, carryon luggage was loaded below, and we were off.

On one of those trips we had our two "young adult" children along. Price for 4 people was about the same for the DCL shuttle or a towncar. We opted for the shuttle as my kids wanted to do it (having seen the coaches for many years when we visited WDW). They enjoyed the (aging) video on the bus, and overall we felt our cruise began the minute we stepped onto the bus.

We've used the return to MCO service 2 times but only once checked our luggage through. First time we were flying on a non-partner airline so had to take our bags ourselves. We retrieved our baggage at customs and walked out to the bus where our bags were loaded. Retrieved them at MCO and went to check in for our flight. We did the same thing when we went to WDW after the cruise. The second time we let DCL do the work and I'll gladly do it again. We put our bags outside our room and picked them up at our home airport. I was a bit worried (not about DCL but about MCO), but all went as promised.