1/2 a day at Epcot the day before our cruise?

[Mollygirl21]

We are cruising out of Port Canaveral next year and just got the idea that we could go to Epcot when we fly in the day before we sail!

Our flight will arrive at 11:30am on a Thursday. All adults, most of them have never been to WDW.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Wondering about a touring strategy if we hit the park by 2 or 3pm on a day it closes at 9pm.

Considering staying at a value resort to make it affordable for all. Also toying with idea of staying close by but offsite... I want this to fit into everyone's budgets.

Thanks!

 

[_Mickey_]

I've been on quite a few cruises, none out of Port Canaveral, but here are my thoughts for what it's worth...

I'm not sure when your cruise departs, but it is always a good idea to start your boarding process early. If you hit the cruise check-in line at the peak time, you can often end up waiting for hour(s). So assuming you would want to check in with the cruise sometime late morning/early afternoon, keep in mind you will have to get yourself from Disney to Port Canaveral (about an hour away), and may have to get up early (to get your stuff together, check out, etc.).

Another thing to keep in mind is that while your flight is due to arrive at 11:30, you never know if you might get delayed. Also, in my traveling experience, I always seem to get to places later than I expect (either due to delays, waiting for luggage, waiting for rental car, etc.).

If money is tight for the group, but you still really want to go in the park, I would suggest waiting to purchase tickets until you get to the park gate. That way if your flight gets delayed you can decide if park admission is worth spending for x amount of hours in the park.

That being said, keep in mind that if you do purchase tickets at the gate, you won't have the luxury of getting FPs for a large group (at least for the more popular rides).

If your group is on the fence about going into the park, I wouldn't push it too much, as you don't want to stress yourself out before your trip starts!

At any rate, I hope you have a great cruise/trip! Hopefully my ramblings haven't put you off - in the end, if you really have your heart set on something, you should try to make it happen (within reason of course )!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think my biggest concern would be a flight delay. One day tickets to EP aren't cheap and, if you are delayed and that delay cuts more into your touring time, you will be traveling all the way to WDW from MCO for not a lot of park time. Is there any possiblity you could come in one day earlier and spend two nights at a value? Or are your flights already booked? If you gave yourself an extra day, you would give yourself an entire day at EP and, perhaps, wouldn't have to worry about a delay. That extra night at a value split between all guests wouldn't add too much extra to the trip, perhaps? We have cruised out of PC multiple times and I would not want to go all the way from MCO to WDW to PC without knowing I was definitely visiting a park. On our last trip we came in a day early, stayed at Homewood Suites at PC for the night and then did a few days post-cruise.

 

[Cinderella94]

Getting to a park at 2 or 3 pm sounds miserable to me, because we are always gone by then after having done rope drop. I would plan to do Disney Springs on this day. Way less stressful.

 

[texasgingerbread]

I would go! It's the only time you can...so do it! Schedule your FP for the popular rides later in the day just in case of flight delay and do the worlds while you are waiting out FP if you land on time and get to the park. No way would I pass up the opportunity just because you're landing at noonish. OR go to the park that is closing the latest. Enjoy!

PS - this is based on a direct flight. If you have a connection - idk...tough call.

 

[Darcy03231]

Unless you have an AP or unused days on non-expiring tickets, that a lot of money to spend on half a day at Epcot. I wouldn't do it. If you want to plan some time since you'll already be in the area why don't you come a few days earlier and spend a couple of days before your cruise, or tack a couple of days on to the end of the cruise. DH and I are doing that for our upcoming cruise. 7 days cruise and then 4 days/3 nights at WDW.

 

[rwdavis2]

Since you asked, as you said most had never been there I would not (edit) try to rush them around Epcot in half a day.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

I don't think it's worth it to pay for a ticket for 1/2 day of the park.
A 1 day park ticket is expensive as it is, and you would not even get full use of that day.
Unless you can go for a full day, really not worth it for the $$ you will pay.

Better option go to Downtown Disney (Disney Springs) enjoy the atmosphere, have a great meal. Money would be better spent.

You could even go to the Boardwalk in the evening and catch the Illuminations fireworks.
It's free to go to Disney's Boardwalk and Disney Springs

 

[Ambehnke]

I would either plan on giving yourselves more time or just doing Disney springs instead. It sounds like an exhausting travel day and not enough time at the park to warrant one day tickets to me.

 

[Mollygirl21]

I appreciate everyone's input...still on the fence about it all but definitely leaning toward doing Epcot for half a day. For me, it would be worth it, even if it ends up being just DH and me -just for the chance to spend a few hours at WDW. I love it and don't get the chance to go very often.

It is a direct flight and I figure that even if our flight is delayed and we can't go, the money is not wasted because we can use the park ticket another time.

Your posts have me thinking of alternatives though!

 

[mjackson]

Go, go, go. You never know when you might get the chance again. Sounds like you not concerned about the cost so why not.

 

[cleophus12]

Of all the parks, I'd probably be less inclined to try to do Epcot in 1/2 day. It's just too big. However, if you were able to book FPs and an ADR for late in the day, you could make it doable I guess. When we arrive after noon, I usually book DHS which is fairly easy to knock out in a few hours especially with FPs. Regardless of your choice, it's going to be an expensive day including accommodations. I am in the camp with the PP who suggested going on to Port Canaveral and relaxing for the afternoon before your cruise. We like to go to Fishlips for dinner and watch other ships sail away. Have a great time whatever you decide.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We are cruising out of Port Canaveral next year and just got the idea that we could go to Epcot when we fly in the day before we sail!

Our flight will arrive at 11:30am on a Thursday. All adults, most of them have never been to WDW.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Wondering about a touring strategy if we hit the park by 2 or 3pm on a day it closes at 9pm.

Considering staying at a value resort to make it affordable for all. Also toying with idea of staying close by but offsite... I want this to fit into everyone's budgets.

Thanks!

That's exactly what we did before our Jan 16 DCL Bahamas cruise. We arrived late morning at MCO, then after check-in DW and I went to Epcot. We arrived about 2. We had FPs for SE, Soarin and M:S (she sat that one out) and then we spent the rest of the day in WS, had dinner at Rose & Crown, watched Illuminations--it was a great day!