Changing Method of Arrival To Port - Does it Matter?

[KSL]

Hi all!
We're on a cruise departing Saturday from Miami and coming from upstate NY. I'm sure you've all seen the weather forecast for the end of this week.
We're considering doing the previously-unthinkable and driving to Miami (leaving Thurs), rather than risk our Friday flights being skuttled.
Does it matter to DCL that we may end up driving instead of flying? When we did online check-in we entered all of our arriving flight information, which even then was a day prior and we'll actually be coming by hotel shuttle to the port day-of. Do I need to notify DCL that we might not be flying down?
I'm feeling pretty sure I don't need to do anything (especially since we don't have transfers through DCL to the ship or anything like that), but wanted to run it by all you pros.
Thanks!

 

[NEGeekymama]

Sounds like you're not utilizing Disney's shuttle, so you'll be fine!

I don't envy you that drive at all. I would just say be sure to pad in a lot of extra time for breaks for a drive that long.

 

[KSL]

Thank you for your response!
Yes, we have some idea of how it should go -- we've done the drive to Orlando, but this is even farther and with an extra person in the van, so we're not loving the idea. But now there's this nationwide mega-storm and we very much want to take this cruise, so we're considering the drive. There's another day or so for the weather maybe to change to give us more confidence in flying, but it's looking pretty dubious at this point.

 

[cvjw]

We are in atlanta and the forecast is possible snow/ice. But, our temps aren’t going to get above freezing for multiple days. Plan on wintry driving conditions in states that are normally snow—free!

 

[Mle8308]

Are you able to change your flight to leave a day earlier? You may have to pay for a hotel for the night, but I imagine that would be less than the cost of gas.

 

[KSL]

Are you able to change your flight to leave a day earlier? You may have to pay for a hotel for the night, but I imagine that would be less than the cost of gas.

We considered it, but we wouldn't be able to switch to a flight before 6pm, and the weather for flights on Thursday seems just as tricky as Friday. Still deciding what to do!

 

[dhutchin12]

Good luck. I hope your travels go well. We are in Chicago and have a cruise leaving from Galveston on the 27th. We were supposed to fly on the 26th, changed our flight to the 25th, and might have to drive 17 plus hours overnight to get there. So anxious.

 

[FastPasser.]

A drive that long is my worst nightmare. I'd take my chances with the flight.

 

[kshu2014]

Hi all!
We're on a cruise departing Saturday from Miami and coming from upstate NY. I'm sure you've all seen the weather forecast for the end of this week.
We're considering doing the previously-unthinkable and driving to Miami (leaving Thurs), rather than risk our Friday flights being skuttled.
Does it matter to DCL that we may end up driving instead of flying? When we did online check-in we entered all of our arriving flight information, which even then was a day prior and we'll actually be coming by hotel shuttle to the port day-of. Do I need to notify DCL that we might not be flying down?
I'm feeling pretty sure I don't need to do anything (especially since we don't have transfers through DCL to the ship or anything like that), but wanted to run it by all you pros.
Thanks!

No, you don’t need to update Disney if you change your travel plans - had something similar happen to us for a March cruise a few years ago and drove from Boston down to Baltimore to catch a different flight to MCO. Ended up arriving at MCO later than our original flight and it didn’t impact any of our transportation (Disney ground transportation).

I actually called Disney today for a different question and was told it’s mainly for their own planning purposes too since you can add Ground Transportation until a few days before your cruise. At that point, they begin finalizing number of buses needed, etc. and the schedule for the weekend, which is why people get their ground transportation info so late!

 

[soniam]

Good luck. I hope the drive goes well. Definitely not ideal, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Keep your wits about you with the possible weather conditions.

 

[Mle8308]

We considered it, but we wouldn't be able to switch to a flight before 6pm, and the weather for flights on Thursday seems just as tricky as Friday. Still deciding what to do!

That's too bad. Be very careful if you drive, conditions don't seem to be so great on your route. And the southern states are not very good at snow and ice removal. I'd cross my fingers flights go out on Friday. Wishing you safe travels and hopefully a great cruise!

 

[RedHead0186]

Good luck to those with travel plans for the next few days. With this storm coming through I don't envy you, and hope you make it safely!

 

[Cheburashka]

We're on a cruise departing Saturday from Miami and coming from upstate NY. I'm sure you've all seen the weather forecast for the end of this week.
We're considering doing the previously-unthinkable and driving to Miami (leaving Thurs), rather than risk our Friday flights being skuttled.

I strongly recommend against doing this. As other posters have mentioned, deep Southern states do not have the snow & ice removal/sanding capacities of northern states, and most of their drivers are not accustomed to driving on ice and snow. No one has snow tires and most cars do not have 4-wheel drive. I'm a Texan and went through the long ice storm/power outage of 2020- you might remember that from the news. The reason why hundreds of people froze to death in their homes was that the roads were impassable for ordinary cars in many areas, even in cities and suburban areas, so people were literally trapped.

Winter weather driving conditions in the deep South are nothing like winter weather driving conditions in the North. It doesn't take a blizzard here to create road closures, dangerous conditions, and a much higher chance of accidents. Just a good coating of ice on the roads will do that. It is much safer to fly, both physically (what could be more important than your safety?) and in terms of making it there on schedule.

 

[bobbiwoz]

@KSL are you traveling? Best wishes.

 

[KSL]

Hello from Georgia! We decided to cancel our flight and drive - so far so good. Thanks to all of you who wished us well and safe travel!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Hello from Georgia! We decided to cancel our flight and drive - so far so good. Thanks to all of you who wished us well and safe travel!

Continued safe travels-have a wonderful cruise!

 

[cvjw]

Hello from Georgia! We decided to cancel our flight and drive - so far so good. Thanks to all of you who wished us well and safe travel!

You’re almost there! Have a wonderful cruise!