Disney Cruise Line Bus to Port Canaveral?

[skibum123]

Hi all,

Long time lurker here. My family is going to be taking their first cruise out of Port Canaveral next March on the Treasure. We are going to be staying at the Boardwalk the night before boarding the ship. What's the best way to get to Port Canaveral? Is taking the DCL bus the way to go? Or should we rely on Uber/Lyft? There will be 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 kids (6,7,10). If we have an early boarding group, does the bus get there in plenty of time to board (I'm sure it does, but just looking to confirm).

Appreciate the feedback!

 

[EOD K9]

Hi all,

Long time lurker here. My family is going to be taking their first cruise out of Port Canaveral next March on the Treasure. We are going to be staying at the Boardwalk the night before boarding the ship. What's the best way to get to Port Canaveral? Is taking the DCL bus the way to go? Or should we rely on Uber/Lyft? There will be 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 kids (6,7,10). If we have an early boarding group, does the bus get there in plenty of time to board (I'm sure it does, but just looking to confirm).

Appreciate the feedback!

Congrats. I’m sure you’ll have a great time. There are pros and cons to each. The DCL buses generally leave the resorts anywhere from 12ish to 1ish at the latest. The bus doesn’t care about your boarding group. They don’t depart early. Depending on the amount of cruisers at the resort, you may be just the one bus or have to make a few stops. That’s one of the downsides coupled with the fact that you will be getting there by 130ish. Having said that, by the time you get there, generally you can just board and the rooms are ready. Other down side, is that you are gettimg there with the other DCL busses. The other plus is that Disney MUST wait for you if there is an issue. In 2018 our DCL bus broke down on the way. Driver said they will send another one, and even though we had plenty of time, the driver assured us that the boat would wait if there was a time crunch.
In reference to Uber/Lyft, you can get there for the early boarding and have plenty of time on the boat. Sometimes the terminal is crowded and you will have to wait to board. Additionally, if there is a timing or traffic issue, Disney is not obligated to help you in any way. I hope that helps.

 

[cjkeating]

To share my two recent experiences from 2023 and 2024 I travelled from AKL timings were consistent each time... roughly...

Meet at 0900 in the Jambo House lounge
Departed by 1000 (1st cruise was one coach, 2nd cruise was two coaches and we were on the first one)
Arrived at Port Canaveral around 1110
Checked in and in the waiting area by 1130

I have a photo on the wish at 1145 and on the Fantasy at 1155.

I don't believe this happened before COVID (when port arrival times weren't adhered to) but on both occasions we were automatically assigned a low boarding number during online check in because we had a transfer. I think we were group 5.

I would note we alway seemed to be one of the first coaches to arrive, I have heard rumours that the coaches are scheduled in Deluxe/Moderate/Value order but can't verify that myself. Also AKL is a huge resort so a smaller Deluxe may make multiple stops for example I can imagine Boardwalk sharing with Yacht and Beach however boarding is quick as you have already 'checked in' with a Cast Member beforehand so extra stops shouldn't add too much time.

Don't forget your checked luggage will get transferred as well, so that is one less hassle.

 

[EOD K9]

To share my two recent experiences from 2023 and 2024 I travelled from AKL timings were consistent each time... roughly...

Meet at 0900 in the Jambo House lounge
Departed by 1000 (1st cruise was one coach, 2nd cruise was two coaches and we were on the first one)
Arrived at Port Canaveral around 1110
Checked in and in the waiting area by 1130

I have a photo on the wish at 1145 and on the Fantasy at 1155.

I don't believe this happened before COVID (when port arrival times weren't adhered to) but on both occasions we were automatically assigned a low boarding number during online check in because we had a transfer. I think we were group 5.

I would note we alway seemed to be one of the first coaches to arrive, I have heard rumours that the coaches are scheduled in Deluxe/Moderate/Value order but can't verify that myself. Also AKL is a huge resort so a smaller Deluxe may make multiple stops for example I can imagine Boardwalk sharing with Yacht and Beach however boarding is quick as you have already 'checked in' with a Cast Member beforehand so extra stops shouldn't add too much time.

Don't forget your checked luggage will get transferred as well, so that is one less hassle.

That’s interesting about getting there early. All of my experiences were pre-Covid. Any of our departures were from the DVC resorts and left around noon. If this is the new nor, that’s a good thing.

 

[G00fyDad]

We were on the fence about either staying on property the night before and taking the DCL bus or staying at a hotel right by the Cocoa Beach Pier and taking an Uber over to the port in the morning. Seeing that the DCL may not get there until closer to noon I might opt for the Cocoa Beach hotel and Uber over in the morning.

 

[cjkeating]

We were on the fence about either staying on property the night before and taking the DCL bus or staying at a hotel right by the Cocoa Beach Pier and taking an Uber over to the port in the morning. Seeing that the DCL may not get there until closer to noon I might opt for the Cocoa Beach hotel and Uber over in the morning.

Remember Port Arrival Times have been enforced since COVID so make sure you get an early port arrival time.

 

[jme]

I have arrived in a number of ways; DCL Bus from MCO, DCL Bus from WDW, Hotel in Cocoa Beach with Shuttle transfer, Self drive/parking, Car Service, etc.

I will say the "easiest" way I have ever done it is via the DCL Bus - but all of those experiences were Pre-COVID and may not hold true today. We were among the first to arrive (especially from the airport because they buses depart depending on your flight arrival times or if you are staying at the Hyatt within MCO you can get on the first one).

The only time I got there earlier was with self parking. But we waited in line in our car to even enter the port. Obviously this requires having one of the earliest PATs.

 

[G00fyDad]

Remember Port Arrival Times have been enforced since COVID so make sure you get an early port arrival time.

It would be nice if they let you choose the arrival time. But I guess everyone would try to choose the first ones and they'd go as fast as the Cabanas with the concierge guests. LOL

 

[cjkeating]

It would be nice if they let you choose the arrival time. But I guess everyone would try to choose the first ones and they'd go as fast as the Cabanas with the concierge guests. LOL

Haha... they do let you choose your PAT but as you say everyone chooses the earliest ones.

As you move up the Castaway Club levels you get to check in earlier which is the biggest perk of it in my opinion.

 

[EOD K9]

Haha... they do let you choose your PAT but as you say everyone chooses the earliest ones.

As you move up the Castaway Club levels you get to check in earlier which is the biggest perk of it in my opinion.

I got group 7 for my upcoming cruise.