1st dcl trip - planning question

[glewis1123]

Hi everyone - we just booked our first DCL cruise - figured we'd do a 3night due to ds - 10 - has never cruised before.

Anyways, we'll also be bringing our 2 nephews with us - so I know its going to be a great trip!!!!

Just a couple questions please

Since we are going to be at WDW prior to the cruise what are my transportation options to the ship - we don't want to rent a car - so what are the alternatives?

Since we will be flying home (Calif) the day we disembark what is the earliest you would recommend we book our return flight?

Thanks to all in advance

 

[westjones]

This is from Barb & Tony's website under transportation:
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http://www.castawayclub.com

Disney offers transfers on its buses as a part of all its cruise packages. The buses are quite nice, with reclining seats and onboard restrooms, and they show videos to help pass the time. Some of the drivers are quite entertaining, while others just concentrate on driving. If you purchase transfers with Disney, you will meet the bus at your hotel if you are on a land/sea package, or else you will pick it up at the far end of Terminal A in the airport (there are Disney reps. scattered around to direct you if one is not there to meet your plane).

The major drawback is that the buses leave pretty late from the Disney resorts, which can cause problems if you want to get prime Palo and spa reservations. As you can see by the schedule below, the earliest bus leaves at 11:15, which means you'll get to the port around 12:15 if you are on the first bus from that resort (it usually fills, so they send several), and boarding may have already begun. If you're leaving from Caribbean Beach at 12:45, you won't get to the port till 1:45, which means you can easily miss the Palo and spa ressies.

Note: The bus schedule below needs to be updated. If you have the newest information, please email it to me at disneycruise@yahoo.com Grand Floridian 11:15 Boardwalk 11:30
Contemporary 11:30 Port Orleans 11:30
Beach Club 11:45 Polynesian Noon
Swan Noon Dixie Landings 12:15
Dolphin 12:30 Caribbean Beach 12:45
Wilderness Lodge 11:30

Buses leave continuously from the airport, but you will usually have to wait until the bus fills up if you arrive during a quiet period. Conversely, if you arrive in the midst of a crowd, you may have to wait for a couple of buses before you are able to board (this has only happened to us once, but we usually fly in very early).

If you are extending your vacation by returning to Disney World after your cruise, be aware that you will most likely be on a Mears shuttle van rather than on a cruise line bus, and you will have to wait until it's full and will probably stop at other hotels on the way to yours (just like taking Mears from the airport to WDW).

 

[westjones]

Oh, and from what I have heard, they suggest not booking flights prior to 12:00 noon. Before that is cutting it very close.

DJ

 

[glewis1123]

Thank you for the info

Thats a great website too!!!

 

[musicgirl]

I've done the bus transfers and it is convenient. Would I do it again? Probably not!

We have also taken towncar services. This is much better!

First, you can arrive at the port anytime you want.

2nd, you don't have to wait for the bus to fill up when going to or from the port. This is very important if you have an early flight time. When we took the bus, we waited at least an hour to check in with the airline (some of the airlines provide check-in
at the port). Then we had to wait until our bus filled up-about 30 mor minutes because we were the first on that bus. It was nice to just walk right in at the airport without having to worry about our luggage. But I think it would have been faster by car service and then check-in at the airport.

3rd, I think if you run the numbers it probably is cheaper. I t seems that the more people you have, you can get a better deal.

Have fun!