**It's UNOFFICIAL** The '13 Unofficial WDWMagic Girls Cruise!

PolynesianPrincess

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
I have a question!!! For those of you gals who have cruised before, we are looking at 2 scenarios in getting to port: 1 - taking the Disney transfers straight from the resort to port (I read though that this does get you there a little later..) or 2 - Taking DME to the airport and then taking the cruise bus from the airport to the port. Has anyone done one or the other? Or both? I know the second option would be 2 transfers instead of 1 but we'd rather get to port earlier and it seems like most of you gals will be getting to the port from the airport.
 
plaz10

plaz10

Well-Known Member
derelicte19 said:
Jess, I picked up the Disney cruise guide at my local Books A Million. I've been reading it non-stop lol has lots of helpful hints.
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I got a guide in my stocking for xmas and I was like obsessed with it!! I find myself slipping into Disney World readings instead of cruises! Maybe after this little trip next week I'll be able to focus on cruise only!!
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
derelicte19 said:
I have a question!!! For those of you gals who have cruised before, we are looking at 2 scenarios in getting to port: 1 - taking the Disney transfers straight from the resort to port (I read though that this does get you there a little later..) or 2 - Taking DME to the airport and then taking the cruise bus from the airport to the port. Has anyone done one or the other? Or both? I know the second option would be 2 transfers instead of 1 but we'd rather get to port earlier and it seems like most of you gals will be getting to the port from the airport.
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You could do either option. It was particularly common to do just what you said in option 2 when DCL was doing the actual cruise check-in at the airport kiosks because this got you a great boarding group number if you got there when they opened. So, technically, people were checking-in for the cruise and being given boarding group numbers starting at like 8:30 or 9 a.m. while guests weren't even allowed to enter the terminal at the port to check-in until 10:30 or so. It gave the airport transfer people over an hour advantage. However, (@plaz10, you might be interested in this because it might conflict with info in your book) check-in at the airport has recently been discontinued. I don't think they issue the boarding group numbers there anymore. So to take the transport from the airport you'll still get on an early bus and likely be early getting into the terminal but that's not always the case (as I can testify to because we were on the 1st bus from the airport last September and the terminal was already loaded with guests when we arrived). Once you arrive at the terminal you still need to go do your check-in and (probably) get your boarding group assignment.

If you want to be absolutely certain you'll get to the terminal and check-in early your best bets are to be the master of your own schedule vs. subject to the timing of the buses. You could rent a car for the drive or arrange private transfers. With so many people already in the area, it's not that big a stretch to think of maybe arranging a mini-bus or van service which would get you there early and cost equal or less than what Disney's transfers do.
 
PolynesianPrincess

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
You could do either option. It was particularly common to do just what you said in option 2 when DCL was doing the actual cruise check-in at the airport kiosks because this got you a great boarding group number if you got there when they opened. So, technically, people were checking-in for the cruise and being given boarding group numbers starting at like 8:30 or 9 a.m. while guests weren't even allowed to enter the terminal at the port to check-in until 10:30 or so. It gave the airport transfer people over an hour advantage. However, (@plaz10, you might be interested in this because it might conflict with info in your book) check-in at the airport has recently been discontinued. I don't think they issue the boarding group numbers there anymore. So to take the transport from the airport you'll still get on an early bus and likely be early getting into the terminal but that's not always the case (as I can testify to because we were on the 1st bus from the airport last September and the terminal was already loaded with guests when we arrived). Once you arrive at the terminal you still need to go do your check-in and (probably) get your boarding group assignment.

If you want to be absolutely certain you'll get to the terminal and check-in early your best bets are to be the master of your own schedule vs. subject to the timing of the buses. You could rent a car for the drive or arrange private transfers. With so many people already in the area, it's not that big a stretch to think of maybe arranging a mini-bus or van service which would get you there early and cost equal or less than what Disney's transfers do.
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Yeah, we looked at doing a private transfer but it was too expensive. Maybe we will look into renting a car and driving then. I just checked out Budget and they are $93 from MCO to Port Canaveral. I'll check into it a bit more. Or maybe someone staying on property that night will have a vehicle and we can carpool!! How much is parking at the port?
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
derelicte19 said:
Yeah, we looked at doing a private transfer but it was too expensive. Maybe we will look into renting a car and driving then. I just checked out Budget and they are $93 from MCO to Port Canaveral. I'll check into it a bit more. Or maybe someone staying on property that night will have a vehicle and we can carpool!! How much is parking at the port?
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Parking at the port in the structure for Disney's terminal is $70 for the 4 day cruises.

Let's do a headcount of ladies needing transport and where they will need the pickup. We should seriously look at a mini-bus or van service. It'd be great to do private transport because then you can negotiate a "supply stop" at a liquor store on the way. It'd be awesome if everyone got in the same boarding groups so we'd all be boarding together, etc. You know? Even if the cost was a wash to what Disney's transfers are, there's definitely an advantage to KNOWING you're getting to the port early!
 
PolynesianPrincess

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
Parking at the port in the structure for Disney's terminal is $70 for the 4 day cruises.

Let's do a headcount of ladies needing transport and where they will need the pickup. We should seriously look at a mini-bus or van service. It'd be great to do private transport because then you can negotiate a "supply stop" at a liquor store on the way. It'd be awesome if everyone got in the same boarding groups so we'd all be boarding together, etc. You know? Even if the cost was a wash to what Disney's transfers are, there's definitely an advantage to KNOWING you're getting to the port early!
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That's what I'm thinking. Cause we could rent a car, but then we have to get to the airport, drive to Port Canaveral, drop the car off then get a shuttle to port. It would make more sense (I think) to do a transfer service right from your resort to port. It might be a little more expensive but I would feel more comfortable knowing I'm going to be picked up at my resort and dropped right at the port and not have to make 8,345 transfers or stops!! :D

I think it would be great if we could get a group of people who are staying at WDW the night before to go in on a bus or something. Happy Limo is a company I have heard good things about and they have everything from Town Cars to full sized motor coaches!
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
derelicte19 said:
That's what I'm thinking. Cause we could rent a car, but then we have to get to the airport, drive to Port Canaveral, drop the car off then get a shuttle to port. It would make more sense (I think) to do a transfer service right from your resort to port. It might be a little more expensive but I would feel more comfortable knowing I'm going to be picked up at my resort and dropped right at the port and not have to make 8,345 transfers or stops!! :D

I think it would be great if we could get a group of people who are staying at WDW the night before to go in on a bus or something. Happy Limo is a company I have heard good things about and they have everything from Town Cars to full sized motor coaches!
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Yep!

@Disneyfalcon, I know you & I visited the transport thing once before but decided it was one of the many things we'd address closer to sailing. Should we also start organizing a list of ladies needing transport to the port? I'd imagine resort/location would also be pertinent info. If we get a large-ish vehicle we could do multiple pick-ups or arrange 2 smaller vehicles and split the stops between the two. I'd love for us all to rally at the terminal as close to 10:45 as possible!
 
Tiggerish

Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
Parking at the port in the structure for Disney's terminal is $70 for the 4 day cruises.

Let's do a headcount of ladies needing transport and where they will need the pickup. We should seriously look at a mini-bus or van service. It'd be great to do private transport because then you can negotiate a "supply stop" at a liquor store on the way. It'd be awesome if everyone got in the same boarding groups so we'd all be boarding together, etc. You know? Even if the cost was a wash to what Disney's transfers are, there's definitely an advantage to KNOWING you're getting to the port early!
Click to expand...

Brilliant!!! I'm in. I'm at Bay Lake Tower on Saturday night.
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
Yep!

@Disneyfalcon, I know you & I visited the transport thing once before but decided it was one of the many things we'd address closer to sailing. Should we also start organizing a list of ladies needing transport to the port? I'd imagine resort/location would also be pertinent info. If we get a large-ish vehicle we could do multiple pick-ups or arrange 2 smaller vehicles and split the stops between the two. I'd love for us all to rally at the terminal as close to 10:45 as possible!
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Yes! Let's make a list. I'll send out an email. I was thinking of emailing everyone to confirm which dining everyone wants. I think 90% of us want late, but I need to double check. :)

Anything else we should organize a this point?
 
MagicMegan

MagicMegan

Active Member
I feel so lost right now... I haven't been reading this much cause of school and stuff and now I'm like wait, what was I supposed to do? :/ GAH!
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Yes! We need Fish Extender!

And don't worry, nothing is permanent at this point! I'm going to send out a list of what people have signed up for. Then people can move around if they want. Like maybe if 4 people are signed up for Remy and 12 are signed up for Palo and you'd rather be with a big group, you can move!

That's one of the reasons I wanted to get an idea early so we could adjust. I'll send that out, and the other sign ups tomorrow! :)
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Tammy, also put in your email the date/time for next chat. I'll throw together a separate email reviewing what the fish extender is & get sign ups going for it.
 

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