Breakfast time day heading to cruise?

[peaches0313]

Another first timer question... since we can't check in online until after I book ADRs.. (so, assuming we don't know PAT until check in if I'm reading correctly). I have to book ADRs soon though. What time is a "safe" time to book a character breakfast at our resort the day we will be heading to a cruise using DCL transportation from the WDW resort. 9 am? 9:30? We are not super early morning people. So will book an ADR or just order room service that morning.. thanks!

 

[jrabbit]

are you taking DCL transportation from WDW to the port?

If Yes,
then pick up is usually after 11am from the resorts. Routes and times will vary depending upon demand and where people are staying before your cruise.

 

[peaches0313]

are you taking DCL transportation from WDW to the port?

If Yes,
then pick up is usually after 11am from the resorts. Routes and times will vary depending upon demand and where people are staying before your cruise.

Yes, we are.. so sounds like we would be safe with say, a 9:30 AM, reservation?

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Yes, we are.. so sounds like we would be safe with say, a 9:30 AM, reservation?

I think it depends on if your ADR is at your resort or if you have to factor in a lot of travel time. I think that 9am would be the safer time to enjoy a relaxing breakfast, get back to your hotel, check out, and then be at your bus on time. Of course, if you're eating at your hotel, 9:30 would probably be fine. There's also a chance that you won't get picked up until later but you'd still need to check out by 11am.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I would think so as long as your reservation is where your transfer to the ship will occur. In other words, you are not relying on Disney transportation (buses) to go to eat somewhere and then get back to your hotel to be picked up. Just let your server know as well. Have fun!

 

[Dug720]

Yes, we are.. so sounds like we would be safe with say, a 9:30 AM, reservation?

IF the breakfast is at your resort and IF they are not running late... Personally for me that would be too tight for me to be able to relax and enjoy the breakfast. I'm pondering staying on property before my next cruise and doing a breakfast at my resort and 8:30 is the LATEST I'm comfortable with. And I'm traveling solo.

 

[lanejudy]

I think 9:30am could be cutting it close. If you end up with an 11:00am DCL pick-up, that doesn't really leave you time to enjoy a character breakfast. Even with a 9:30am ADR, you aren't likely to be seated exactly at 9:30am; it could be 9:45am or so. I always plan at least one full hour for a character meal, or you run the risk of having to leave before the last character gets to your table (maybe it's just my luck that we get seated just after characters have been through that area). And you should arrive a few minutes early for the DCL pick-up so it can load and depart on time. And there's always the possibility of getting a slightly earlier pick-up time assigned -- some can be as early as 10:30am.

I wouldn't plan a breakfast ADR for any later than 9:00am on departure morning, probably even 8:30am since I tend to err on the side of caution without needing to rush or stress. And definitely only if the ADR is at my own resort; I don't travel to other resorts that morning.

Enjoy your land and sea vacation!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Just for clarification, you won't know what time the DCL transfer bus will pick you up at your resort until the night before your cruise when you receive a sheet of instructions in your hotel room.

Can you do the character breakfast a day earlier? It's a fun time, not to be rushed.

 

[peaches0313]

I think 9:30am could be cutting it close. If you end up with an 11:00am DCL pick-up, that doesn't really leave you time to enjoy a character breakfast. Even with a 9:30am ADR, you aren't likely to be seated exactly at 9:30am; it could be 9:45am or so. I always plan at least one full hour for a character meal, or you run the risk of having to leave before the last character gets to your table (maybe it's just my luck that we get seated just after characters have been through that area). And you should arrive a few minutes early for the DCL pick-up so it can load and depart on time. And there's always the possibility of getting a slightly earlier pick-up time assigned -- some can be as early as 10:30am.

I wouldn't plan a breakfast ADR for any later than 9:00am on departure morning, probably even 8:30am since I tend to err on the side of caution without needing to rush or stress. And definitely only if the ADR is at my own resort; I don't travel to other resorts that morning.

Enjoy your land and sea vacation!

Thank you! Ok, will try to book 9 AM.. It is at our resort I wouldn't want to travel that morning either, even via monorail.

 

[peaches0313]

Just for clarification, you won't know what time the DCL transfer bus will pick you up at your resort until the night before your cruise when you receive a sheet of instructions in your hotel room.

Can you do the character breakfast a day earlier?

No, we are only staying at DW one day prior to the cruise..

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If it's Ohana, 9-9:30 will have you late for the bus.

 

[peaches0313]

If it's Ohana, 9-9:30 will have you late for the bus.

Hmmm.. I guess it depends on which night we end up doing the party. The night before the cruise we are staying at GF as of now, so would do a breakfast at Park Fare, the night after the cruise we are at the Poly. I have the Poly waitlisted for the 1st night though. If we end up getting that, the breakfast would be at the Poly. But as of now, I guess it would be at Park Fare b/c i wouldn't want to travel day of cruise bus pick up. I'm beginning to think maybe sleep in and room service might be best.

 

[Dug720]

If it's Ohana, 9-9:30 will have you late for the bus.

Yeah. I would not do 'Ohana any later than 8 - and my butt would definitely be there the suggested 15 minutes early.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Hmmm.. I guess it depends on which night we end up doing the party. The night before the cruise we are staying at GF as of now, so would do a breakfast at Park Fare, the night after the cruise we are at the Poly. I have the Poly waitlisted for the 1st night though. If we end up getting that, the breakfast would be at the Poly. But as of now, I guess it would be at Park Fare b/c i wouldn't want to travel day of cruise bus pick up. I'm beginning to think maybe sleep in and room service might be best.

By 9ish, Ohana will seat late 80% of the time. If you don't plan on any breakfast cocktail upgrades, you can ask for the bill up front, but may still be rushing at the end to make it down. For an 11/11:15 bus pickup, they do want you there 10:45/11. I wouldn't do Ohana any later than 8 with an expectation of an 11 bus, which may be earlier than you'd like.

 

[peaches0313]

By 9ish, Ohana will seat late 80% of the time. If you don't plan on any breakfast cocktail upgrades, you can ask for the bill up front, but may still be rushing at the end to make it down. For an 11/11:15 bus pickup, they do want you there 10:45/11. I wouldn't do Ohana any later than 8 with an expectation of an 11 bus, which may be earlier than you'd like.

Thanks everyone! Will have to decide if we really want an 8 am breakfast or sleep in/ room service.

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks everyone! Will have to decide if we really want an 8 am breakfast or sleep in/ room service.

Just a heads up that luggage pick-up is at 8am if you take DCL transfers from WDW to the port. You'll either need to be up, or have your bags ready to go with night clothes going in a carry-on once you dress in the morning. But there will be a knock on the door around 8am.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Dug720]

I want to know who can actually sleep in the day before vacation/a cruise?!?!?!?! I'm too excited to sleep!

 

[hanscarlet]

We're doing 8:30 at Cape May but we're staying at the Beach Club and we want to take the transfer from MCO so we built that in

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Have you thought of doing a car service instead of the DCL transfers to the port? You'd be much more in control of your day and timings. Depending on how many of you there are, it may be around the same cost.

 

[jrabbit]

I want to know who can actually sleep in the day before vacation/a cruise?!?!?!?! I'm too excited to sleep!