First timer question

cadale

cadale

New Member
Original Poster
So excited we just booked our first cruise! We will be coming in the night before and staying at Pop. What are the pros/cons of using Disney transfers versus a private car service? How does the private car work and how do we handle the luggage when we arrive at port?

Thanks, I'm sure I'll have more questions. :)
 
Figgy1

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
cadale said:
So excited we just booked our first cruise! We will be coming in the night before and staying at Pop. What are the pros/cons of using Disney transfers versus a private car service? How does the private car work and how do we handle the luggage when we arrive at port?

Thanks, I'm sure I'll have more questions. :)
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Welcome!!!! Congrats on your cruise!!!!
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
You're going to love it!
Disney transfers can be a little more expensive, depending on how many people are in your party, and they get you to the port a little later than some people like.
They are, however, very relaxing and convenient. :)
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
This seems to be a favorite subject of mine.

Disney transfers are run by Disney. If something happens they will make every effort to get you to the ship on time. They are also very easy, they will pick you up right at PoP - no worries.

Disney transfers are a per person charge - each way. Depending on the number of people in your group and the car service you choose, the car service may be cheaper or more expensive. 3 or 4 people seems to be about the point where a car service is cheaper. Then, depending on luggage, 5 people may need a larger car (remember, the driver is in there too) and then it becomes expensive again untill you get more people into the mix. You really have to price it out to see.

A car service is also easy, as they will pick you up right at the resort. One benefit is you can arrange for the car to get to the port earlier than the bus. Disney busses leave in the 11:30 - 12:30 range and arrive about an hour later. That can have you getting on board as late at 2:30 - 3:00. It is up to you to deicde how important getting on board up to 4 hours earlier is. It does matter because Palo/Remy can book up, as can spa treatments, and if you want to switch dining seating it is better to be early.

One other option is a rental car. You can get one at the airport and drop it off in Port Caneveral. The rental places are all within a mile or so of the port and have free shuttles. You can drop off everyone else with the luggage and get that taken care of while someone returns the car and takes the shuttle back - that would take maybe 45 minutes tops if there is a line at the rental place, you just miss the shuttle and have to wait for the next one, etc. Some people have said that when they do an open jaw rental like that, they get charged more. Me, I have never been charged more for renting at one loaction and returning at an other. I usualy go with National for the record.

-dave
 
cadale

cadale

New Member
Original Poster
Thanks. There will be four of us and hopefully not that much luggage! :)​
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I really like the idea of getting to the port earlier rather than later. How early do they let you on board ship? We are working through a travel agent and she said she might be able to make some of the reservations for things for us ahead of time.​
​
If I use the car service which means I move my luggage how soon does the luggage show up in your rooms? I am assuming the luggage goes through security like in the airport, right? Will we just be dropping it off at the counter and seeing it later or does it move with us through the whole process?​
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Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
cadale said:
Thanks. There will be four of us and hopefully not that much luggage! :)​
​
I really like the idea of getting to the port earlier rather than later. How early do they let you on board ship? We are working through a travel agent and she said she might be able to make some of the reservations for things for us ahead of time.​
​
If I use the car service which means I move my luggage how soon does the luggage show up in your rooms? I am assuming the luggage goes through security like in the airport, right? Will we just be dropping it off at the counter and seeing it later or does it move with us through the whole process?​
​
​
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The port opens around 10:00 AM I want to say. I have been there as early as 9:30 and had to wait outside for a while. When you get into the port you get in line and check in. At that point you are given a boarding group number. They start calling boarding groups around 11:30 AM. That is when you board, when your group is called. They call a group every 5 to 10 minutes.

You will give your luggage to a Disney porter outside of the cruise terminal, either where your bus drops you off or your car drops you off. They will tag it and put it on board. You keep your carry on with you. When you enter the terminal you will go though security, kind of like at the airport but not quite as insane. When you get on the ship all of the staterooms will be off limits - they will have the halls roped off. Most of the time the staterooms open around 1:30 PM. Luggage arrives sometime after that. Most of the time it is there by 4:00 or so - at least for me it has been.

When you board, the pools are open, the buffet restaruant is open, as are the quick service places by the pool (and the Aquaduck if your ship has one). There are public bathrooms available if you want to change into a swimsuit (or your stateroom after 1:30) but you have to have that swimsuit in your carryon. We usualy get on board early, do any dining changes or other reservations we need to do, grab some food, and then check out the spa (it is open at this time for you to wander around in), the kids areas are also open to all at this time so adults can check them out. Once the staterooms open we go and put our carry ons in there and change into swimsuits and hang out by the pool.

-dave
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
cadale said:
Thanks. There will be four of us and hopefully not that much luggage! :)​
​
I really like the idea of getting to the port earlier rather than later. How early do they let you on board ship? We are working through a travel agent and she said she might be able to make some of the reservations for things for us ahead of time.​
​
If I use the car service which means I move my luggage how soon does the luggage show up in your rooms? I am assuming the luggage goes through security like in the airport, right? Will we just be dropping it off at the counter and seeing it later or does it move with us through the whole process?​
​
​
Click to expand...


Boarding the ship depends on your boarding group number. Boarding group numbers are given out as people are checking in at the port but also in accordance with their pre-selected online port arrival time. So, for instance, if another person with a 1:00 port arrival time and I with an 11:00 port arrival time walk into the terminal and stand next to each other to check-in at 11:00 a.m. we will not be given the same boarding group number. I will receive a low number such as group 3 whereas the person next to me will receive a higher number such as group 22. Why? Because of the port arrival time.

I'll assume you are a first time Disney cruiser. You can login on Disney Cruise Line's website 75 days prior to sailing and complete your online check-in. If you aren't a first timer and are Castaway Club members you would go online to do your online check-in when your window opens according to your level. Anywhoo, part of the online check-in process is selecting a port arrival time. Select the earliest time available! This port arrival time is NOT the same as a boarding time. It's basically a time you and Disney are suggesting you'll arrive at the port. If you arrive earlier it doesn't mean you'll automatically be denied entry to the terminal. If the terminal becomes overcrowded and nearing capacity (according to the fire marshall's code) Disney *can* enforce the port arrival time and deny entry to people who are not yet within their time. I haven't yet heard of this happening.

Generally boarding begins around 11:30-11:45. First onboard will be the chosen 'Family of the Day'. Next, platinum Castaway Club members and concierge level guests will board. Following those groups, boarding group numbers will be called one at a time. I've read that the boarding group numbers progress rather quickly with open boarding being called either near or before 12:30. It's amazing how fast Disney can get people onto the ships!

If you hired your own car service you'd really not have an advantage or disadvantage luggage-wise. All your checked bags you would put the DCL luggage tags (come in your cruise docs) on before you got to the port. When your hired car drops you curbside there are plenty of porters waiting right there to take those checked bags for you. It IS customary to tip these folks since they don't work for the cruise line. The rule of thumb I use is $1 per bag. The porter will whisk your bags away while you and your family take your carryons with you and procede into the terminal building. The next time you see your checked bags will be later after you've gone to your stateroom onboard. Staterooms are generally not open to passengers until about 1:30. Luggage delivery will take place throughout the afternoon even after the 4:00 muster drill. If you have early seating dinner you may consider puting your dinner clothes into a carryon just in case. All your bags should be delivered by 5-ish, though. Just keep looking outside your stateroom door because they will set them right by your door. Trust me, you'll see lugguge-lined hallways on embarkation day and know what I'm talkin' about!
 
cadale

cadale

New Member
Original Poster
Thanks so much for the great information. It seems so far away but I am sure it will be here soon!
 
heatherkatheleen

heatherkatheleen

Well-Known Member
Disneyfalcon said:
You're going to love it!
Disney transfers can be a little more expensive, depending on how many people are in your party, and they get you to the port a little later than some people like.
They are, however, very relaxing and convenient. :)
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I'm gonna chime in here with a question for you Tammy, since I've never seen you fail to answer a cruise related question ;) I'm taking the Magical Express from OKW the morning of the cruise to Canaveral... will I have to personally take my luggage from the bus to the ship/to a porter? Or will it be taken directly from the Magical Express for me? Merci in advance!
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
heatherkatheleen said:
I'm gonna chime in here with a question for you Tammy, since I've never seen you fail to answer a cruise related question ;) I'm taking the Magical Express from OKW the morning of the cruise to Canaveral... will I have to personally take my luggage from the bus to the ship/to a porter? Or will it be taken directly from the Magical Express for me? Merci in advance!
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Uh oh. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Lol
Disney will pick up your luggage from your room. Usually around 8-8:30.
The cruise line transfers are separate from Magical Express, but they have some of the same benefits. :)
 
heatherkatheleen

heatherkatheleen

Well-Known Member
Disneyfalcon said:
Uh oh. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Lol
Disney will pick up your luggage from your room. Usually around 8-8:30.
The cruise line transfers are separate from Magical Express, but they have some of the same benefits. :)
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It's a great thing! You are so helpful and I speak for plenty of people when I say it's helpful beyond words and MUCH appreciated!
So my luggage will be picked up from my OKW room and be taken straight onto the cruise ship for me?
 

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