Transfer Question About This Page:

[aubs42]

How long is the ride from the port back to the resorts. Becuase of airfare prices we are staying an extra day at the resorts. Has anyone ever done this? What time did you get to the resorts? I am wondering if there will be time for us to head to the parks that day?

Thanks

[Colexis Mom]

We were off the boat by 7:45 and at the AK gates by 9 AM. You'd have to wait for the bus to fill up, but you should be able to get in park time that day

[marisag]

Even if you have the latest breakfast time and are one of the last of the ship (like we were in April) you can still be at the parks by eleven.

[HeatherD]

We had no problem going from port to AKL, then to DHS (I still type MGM first....) before lunch. To be safe, we planned ADRs and stuff for afternoon/evening, but you will have plenty of time to enjoy one of the parks.

[duck addict]

My trip last December.... (beaware I was lucky as my room was ready )

Left ship approximately 7:45-next get luggage, clear customs.
Was being loaded on a van 8:00 (was first stop)
Drove straight to POR.
(don't remember exact arrival time)... was checked in, unpacked in my room, and waiting at the bus stop for the next MK bus at 9:45.

[wishes]

We had the latest seating for breakfast (8:15AM) and was off the ship about 9:30-ish and in TL by 11. You should definetly get park time that day.

[DrsG]

Remind us, how is it determined how early you can get off the ship? We were just informed that our departing flight has been moved 2 1\2 hours earlier (11:30 now) and we can change to without penalty. Now we are trying to decide if we should stay the extra day and try to do as much in the parks as we can fit in in one day (we are having WDW withdrawal you see). Also, any advice on car rental in this case and how long that process has taken. We'd do a one way/one day rental. Could also use some advice on a fairly cheap hotel for the night.

[duck addict]

You can be off by 8:00 (if you are early dining)... or just go up to the buffet.

[Earkid]

Originally Posted by DrsG

Remind us, how is it determined how early you can get off the ship? We were just informed that our departing flight has been moved 2 1\2 hours earlier (11:30 now) and we can change to without penalty.

We had to fill out some form that asked for our departure information. DCL wanted to know what we were doing after we disembarked, ie. what airline we were taking and when our flight left, whether we were taking a private car, etc. apparently this helps them decide who leaves the ship early and who leaves later.

[dmpyron]

Although you "should" be able to make 11:30, that's a "barely should". If you are one of the first ones off the ship, use DCL transfers and pre-check your bags, you'll probably be okay. But I worry about delays. Getting in to port, clearing immigration, clearing customs, getting a seat on the bus, getting to the airport, getting checked in, getting through security. Almost anything can blow what seemed like a comfortable margin. Eleven-thirty is earlier than all of the cruise lines recommend for Port Canaveral. Paranoid? Sweating bullets and blood? Okay, nothing will happen and you'll have plenty of time. As long as you're afraid you won't.

[DrsG]

Originally Posted by dmpyron

Paranoid? Sweating bullets and blood?

Worrywort is my middle name!! My stomach hurts already just thinking about it. We are now convinced, this is a perfect reason to call Airtran, switch the day and just "HAVE" to spend the Saturday at WDW!!!! Isn't life sad.... Now to just find that perfect hotel and rent a car... It just dawned on me though, I'm not sure we even know how to go to a park with out being there at rope drop!

[kaygee10]

Hey thanks to everyone for the great info. We're planning on a couple of days at the parks after our cruise. We needed to know how much of the day we would have after the cruise debarkation, and all this helped. Thanks again.

[dmpyron]

Originally Posted by DrsG

It just dawned on me though, I'm not sure we even know how to go to a park with out being there at rope drop!

Oh, that's easy. Take about a six foot length of velvet rope (steal it from some way too snooty club). Give five bucks each to two kids and have them stand in front of you about 4 feet apart. And then have them drop it. And they need to remember to tell you "Please walk, don't run".