DCL Bus Transfer Opinions

[BR5499]

Would love to hear others opinions on their experience with DCL Bus transfers between Orlando airport and the port. Is there a lot of time wasted, waiting for the bus to load up? We're hoping for a hassle free experience without a delay. Want to hear good and bad. Thanks!:confused:

[Ginamarie]

We've done two Disney cruises.. the first time we drove from NY to FL and parked in the lot at the pier. The second time, we had a lot of people along with us and used the bus transfer option. It was a joy! MUCH easier than trying to load people/luggage into a taxi or rental car.

 

Basically, you tag your luggage before leaving from home, and Disney takes care of getting it from baggage claim and putting it at your stateroom. We had NO wait for a bus. The cruise line reps ushered us right to the check-in area, checked our names off on a list, and we got right onto a bus with our carry-ons (+ a stroller and two wheelchairs). My grandparents had to take two steps onto the bus, but they're mobile enough to handle that, so it wasn't a problem.

 

Once on the bus, we had air conditioning, comfortable seats, and a video of some cartoons to keep the kids busy while we filled out the proper customs forms.

 

It WAS more expensive than getting to the pier on our own, but we thought the convenience was well worth it. This year we took the same big group on a cruise out of NY, and it was far more difficult manuevering all the people and luggage simultaneously, even though we only had to drive to the pier.

 

Hassle free? YES. Delays? None. I do think that Disney could provide this service for less money though, but I think of it as a shore excursion booked through the ship.. they're always more expensive, but also more secure.

[OliverTheCat]

The Disney transfer bus gets rave reviews all the time. You should have no problems with this at all. If you do, it will be a rare occurance.

[danblinn]

We usually go down a day before the cruise and stay at Cape Canveral. Gives us a chance to relax a bit before hand, and we don't have to worry about cancelled flights, missing the boat, etc. So, the shuttle isn't an option. Here's what we do - we rent a car from Hertz at MCO, the Orlando airport. The morning of the cruise, I drop it off at the CC Hertz, who has a shuttle to the port. We reserve a car for the return to be picked up at CC and returned at MCO. WIth our family of 4, it turns out to be cheaper than the transfer bus, and it gives us the flexibility to do something in Orlando before our flight if time allows.