Breakfast morning of cruise

[Tulles]

I'm not even going to tell them there's an option of a character breakfast. I find with Disney trips the less they know, the more surprises they get (and the less disappointments too if it doesn't work). I just thought it would be a good opportunity to get to that breakfast if we're staying on site. I'm not married to the idea.

 

[diznymom]

Personally I would not do a big sit down b'fast the morning of the cruise. We usually just grab something from the food court. There is so much food on the ship.

 

[closetmickey]

I would take the 10:25 ADR in hopes of something else opening. If it doesn't, since you are staying at the GF, I would absolutely see if the hotel concierge might be able to help you adjust the time. You can keep the whole thing a surprise from the kids until you know for sure.
We stayed at the BC before we took our first cruise. The morning of the cruise we had a character breakfast there and it really was a great way to kick off the cruise! We were also taking DCL transportation to the port. Good luck!
Ps.... when my kids were younger they thought that bus for our first cruise was so much fun as well! Not only is it cute, but they play a video on approach that gets you even more excited.

 

[5Texans]

I would take the 10:25 ADR in hopes of something else opening. If it doesn't, since you are staying at the GF, I would absolutely see if the hotel concierge might be able to help you adjust the time. You can keep the whole thing a surprise from the kids until you know for sure.
We stayed at the BC before we took our first cruise. The morning of the cruise we had a character breakfast there and it really was a great way to kick off the cruise! We were also taking DCL transportation to the port. Good luck!
Ps.... when my kids were younger they thought that bus for our first cruise was so much fun as well! Not only is it cute, but they play a video on approach that gets you even more excited.

If you're really set on the character breakfast and bus then Id do this. However, Im really glad we got an early PAT and to a car service. We got a good couple hours of the least crowded pool all cruise this way and I would rather have fun on the ship first thing as a kick off than a bus ride.

Also, if you end up with a pick up time that interferes, you can change the reservation online to a later date (assuming there is a later date available...) that is outside of the cancellation window, then cancel to avoid the fine for no showing to your ressie. I've also had luck calling and talking to the desk at the restaurant to get the fine waived.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I think that ADR is too late. And you would be rather rushed. And who wants to rush on vacation? If you keep it, check with concierge or the restaurant itself when you check in and see if they can accommodate you earlier if you explain your situation.

 

[RedSox68]

I'm definitely going to try for earlier. Kids are set on taking the Disney bus.

The bus is exciting for your first cruise. They play a movie and a film about the ship, and the driver always gets everyone set and ready to come up over the hill and see the ship. For your first time, I wouldn't miss it. Are you just coming in the day before? If so, consider staying at the MCO Hyatt. The buses leave earlier from there, which would give you more time to explore the terminal and see some characters. If you want to stay at GF, I would try to do the character dinner the night before and skip the breakfast -- unless you can get first seating. Good luck.

 

[Tulles]

The bus is exciting for your first cruise. They play a movie and a film about the ship, and the driver always gets everyone set and ready to come up over the hill and see the ship. For your first time, I wouldn't miss it. Are you just coming in the day before? If so, consider staying at the MCO Hyatt. The buses leave earlier from there, which would give you more time to explore the terminal and see some characters. If you want to stay at GF, I would try to do the character dinner the night before and skip the breakfast -- unless you can get first seating. Good luck.

We are coming in the day before only. We've done the dinner at the GF and loved it. I wanted to try the Mary Poppins characters this time. I'm going to keep stalking the dining to see if I can move it. We're not going until November so plenty of time for a cancellation.

Is the MCO Hyatt the hotel in the airport?

 

[RedSox68]

We are coming in the day before only. We've done the dinner at the GF and loved it. I wanted to try the Mary Poppins characters this time. I'm going to keep stalking the dining to see if I can move it. We're not going until November so plenty of time for a cancellation.

Is the MCO Hyatt the hotel in the airport?

Yes, it's in the airport and they work with DCL for transportation the next day to the port, taking your bags from your room, etc. When you check in as a DCL passenger, they give you an envelope with instructions. Of course, you have to still pay for the DCL bus transfers, but it really is very convenient.

 

[Dug720]

We are coming in the day before only. We've done the dinner at the GF and loved it. I wanted to try the Mary Poppins characters this time. I'm going to keep stalking the dining to see if I can move it. We're not going until November so plenty of time for a cancellation.

Is the MCO Hyatt the hotel in the airport?

The last time I checked, it's Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and 2 Pooh characters. MAYBE with Mary and Bert outside.

 

[Tulles]

The last time I checked, it's Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and 2 Pooh characters. MAYBE with Mary and Bert outside.

Still sounds good. Those are characters we haven't met yet.

 

[Tulles]

Yes, it's in the airport and they work with DCL for transportation the next day to the port, taking your bags from your room, etc. When you check in as a DCL passenger, they give you an envelope with instructions. Of course, you have to still pay for the DCL bus transfers, but it really is very convenient.

Well haven't booked flights yet but right now the cheapest gets us in MCO at 8pm. If that's what we book I will seriously consider staying at the Hyatt. Thank you for the idea.

 

[RedSox68]

Well haven't booked flights yet but right now the cheapest gets us in MCO at 8pm. If that's what we book I will seriously consider staying at the Hyatt. Thank you for the idea.

It's incredible because at that hour you want to unwind and get some sleep with as little road travel as possible. We arrived that late one time and it was so great to get our luggage and just stay inside and walk to the hotel. We actually grabbed something to eat in the airport to bring to our room.

 

[kiford]

There is ONE bus pick-up per resort, and I'm pretty sure it can be as early as 10:30.

One year we stayed at GF. I assumed we'd be picked up about 11:30-12:30 as we always had been at other resorts. I was going to book breakfast for 9:30 am but decided instead to book breakfast at GF Cafe for 8 am so we'd have time for a leisurely breakfast, chance to pack up carry on luggage and relax in front of the TV for an hour or two and then be down in the lobby 10-20 minutes before pickup to check in. We were at V&A for dinner the night before so didn't get back to the room until about 9:30-10:00 pm only to discover the letter informing us pickup was 10:30 am. Sooo glad I decided on an early breakfast. Otherwise, we would have either been scarfing down food or hoping to do an earlier walk-in.