WDW Resort to PC Cruise Line - Early Bus?

[johnsouthjersey]

1st time cruisers staying at WDW Resort (AoA), then going on DCL. What time does the Disney Cruise Line Bus come to pick you up at your hotel and take you to Port Canaveral? Hoping to get on the ship early, but don't know what is the earliest time guests coming from the WDW Resorts can get on the ship. Can you request to be on an early DCL bus to PC, or does Disney control when you leave for the ship?

[CanadianWDWFan]

We too are first time cruisers! :thumbsup:We looked into taking the DCL bus for our upcoming cruise. We found that the bus doesn't pick you up until late morning and were shocked at the $70pp cost. Like you we wanted to get to the terminal early but the bus would not get us there early. We looked up car services and discovered that not only will they pick you up whenever you want, they cost less than what DCL bus would. For the four of us it would be $280 to take the bus or around $235 for a car service from OKW to the port. For us it was a no brainer, we booked the car service and chose to have a 10:45 arrival time.

[DizneyRox]

Yeah, you're at Disney's mercy for transportation (well, Mears), and they are more interested in saving money than getting you there early, so you'll be on a bus that first drops off those coming from a cruise.

I agree with the above, get a towncar if you want to get there early. However, you may not get on the boat all that early. I've heard the earliest is 11am, but may be later, and you won't be able to get to your cabin before 1pm (they bock off the staterooms). So, don't pack a heavy carry-on, you may be lugging it around more than you hoped.

I don't recommend getting there before your assigned time though, they do board people based on the arrival time you select during the online check-in, NOT when you actually check in.

[shellyc]

We are frequent DCL cruisers, are 65+ and if staying at WDW pre-cruise we found it better for us to pay $35 pp and use DCL transfers. It includes luggage handling and that is a big plus for us. They pick up your checked bags at 8AM and they are taken to the ship via truck. We have gotten to the pier as early as 12:30PM and as late as 2:00PM. Pick up times will vary from 11:00AM to 12:30PM. On our next cruise we will pay for transfers from our resort, but on the way back we will rent a car at the port and drive back to the resort for another short stay before heading home.

[faline]

Having just done a Disney cruise and having done another cruise several years ago, there really isn't an advantage to arriving early.

When we cruised several years ago, we wanted to get on the ship early. We ended up standing in line for about 45 minutes or so before they started letting passengers board. Even when you are on board, you are not allowed to go to your cabin but are directed to the buffet dining area until cabins are opened up for entry.

On the Disney Fantasy, the time cabins opened for entry was at 1:30 p.m. The hours prior to that are used for cleaning the cabins and getting them ready for incoming passengers.

Having learned from our earlier cruise, we arranged for a town car to pick us up at Disney at 11 a.m. for the drive to the port. There were 4 cruise ships (including the Fantasy) in port when we arrived. At least one other ship was leaving port the same day so we did sit in some traffic while waiting to be dropped off in front of the ship. The traffic backs up as they will not allow vehicles to enter the offloading area until there is an open area for drop off. In other words, if there are enough vehicles already in the drop off area, your vehicle isn't allowed in until a vehicle already there departs.

After waiting in traffic, we were dropped off right around 12:30 p.m. We had enough time to get our luggage (except carryons) to the porter for deliver to our cabin, go through security and the check-in process line, and get something to eat at the buffet before the cabin areas were opened up for entry.

Once on board the ship, expect long lines at the elevators.

[BrerGnat]

Getting on the ship is tied to the boarding group number you are given when your check in at the terminal, which is dictated by your PAT (Port Arrival Time) chosen during online check in. You will have choices for PAT in increments of 30 min starting at 10:30am and going through 2:30pm. All aboard is 4:00pm.

I recommend picking the earliest arrival window available to you. This will secure you at early boarding number. Boarding begins around 11am with Group 1 which is Platinum level cruisers and Concierge guests. Then they call numbers and people line up to board accordingly. "Open Boarding" is called once they run through the group numbers. At that point, people can board as they arrive. This usually happens around 12:30 or so.

There is definite benefit to boarding early. The buffet will be less crowded, Guest Services will be open but empty, allowing you to book any alcohol tastings you might be interested in, work out any billing or room key issues you might have, etc. You can head to Palo/Remy or the Spa and see about making a reservation if you couldn't get one online. You can visit at the kids club and get your child's bracelet there rather than dealing with the line in the terminal. You can swim and ride the waterslides at an uncrowded pool area. Sure you won't get into your room before 1:30 but here's a tip: wear your swimsuits under your clothes and simply make sure your carry-on bag has sunscreen!

If you take DCL transport to the port, you will be among the latest arrivals, coming in well after noon. I would recommend a private car service so you can arrive earlier! You are paying a pretty penny to be on that ship so you might as well maximize your time aboard.

[Yungbuck73]

We took the Dream on the Sunday of the WDW full marathon this past january and the pick up time was 12 or 1230. With all the traffic from the race, we didn't get to the port until about 3pm. We missed the DVC meet and greet and by time we got on, dropped our bags in room, tried to get to buffet, it was time for the drill. Not a big deal but next time, which will be this January we are doing a 7 nighter on the Magic, we are getting a rental car from wednesday and returning it at 10am to MCO then taking the Disney Cruise transfer.

[Butters]

We took the Dream on the Sunday of the WDW full marathon this past january and the pick up time was 12 or 1230. With all the traffic from the race, we didn't get to the port until about 3pm. We missed the DVC meet and greet and by time we got on, dropped our bags in room, tried to get to buffet, it was time for the drill. Not a big deal but next time, which will be this January we are doing a 7 nighter on the Magic, we are getting a rental car from wednesday and returning it at 10am to MCO then taking the Disney Cruise transfer.

What is the DVC meet and greet? Our first cruise is in September and I have heard of this.

[DizneyRox]

Haven't made them the past couple cruises, but it's pretty much a little "Isn't DVC great!" type get together. Not really a sales push, although I think they do slightly discuss some of the promos. Also a few gifts and such.

If Anna and Elsa are on board, there is usually a sign up that happens earlier in the day so that you can get a meet and greet appointment.

Personally, we won't be using Disney transport to get to the port, rental or towncar is the way to go. Just make sure you do online checkin ASAP to get an early boarding number. You aren't allowed onboard until your boarding group number is called, regardless of when you show up at the port.

[faline]

What is the DVC meet and greet? Our first cruise is in September and I have heard of this.

Before we boarded, we received an e-mail inviting us to this the day we boarded. It was fun, actually. There were quite a few people there. They had a couple of small giveaways (lanyards, bags, caps), a chance to have pictures with Stitch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and entertainment. It was, of course, a sales pitch to purchase more points but wasn't pushy.

[Butters]

Haven't made them the past couple cruises, but it's pretty much a little "Isn't DVC great!" type get together. Not really a sales push, although I think they do slightly discuss some of the promos. Also a few gifts and such.

If Anna and Elsa are on board, there is usually a sign up that happens earlier in the day so that you can get a meet and greet appointment.

Personally, we won't be using Disney transport to get to the port, rental or towncar is the way to go. Just make sure you do online checkin ASAP to get an early boarding number. You aren't allowed onboard until your boarding group number is called, regardless of when you show up at the port.


Before we boarded, we received an e-mail inviting us to this the day we boarded. It was fun, actually. There were quite a few people there. They had a couple of small giveaways (lanyards, bags, caps), a chance to have pictures with Stitch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and entertainment. It was, of course, a sales pitch to purchase more points but wasn't pushy.

Thanks for the info I'll have to try it out:mickey:

[Yungbuck73]

Thanks for the info I'll have to try it out:mickey:

We are hoping to make it for our Jan cruise.

[CanadianWDWFan]

Our car service couldn't have gone smother. We paid $250, including tip, round trip from WDW back to the airport. We arrived pretty close to 10 and there was a short line in the parking garage to get into the terminal. Once the terminal opened we were through security and checked in pretty quick. Once your boarding number is called you will be on the ship in no time!

As for the DVC questions, on our Christmas cruise, the DVC folks were just inside the terminal handing out lanyards to DVC members. The first meeting on the sailing day, there was a draw for an on board credit as well as beach bag giveaways. They also have meetings pretty well every day. While on board, everyday after 4:00 they would also give out gifts to members from their desk on Deck 4. We got mugs, a Christmas ornament a couple of pictures and drink holders for the beach.

[DizneyRox]

Car service is the way to go, and the cost is almost nothing compared to the cost of the cruise.