Debarkation Day Debate - PC to MCO

[kwwdw]

Hi! I'm going on the Wish in October with one other person. We're staying at WDW pre-cruise but heading straight back to the airport post-cruise. I'm debating between booking a DCL transfer from PC to MCO (definitely doing a WDW to PC transfer on the front end) or pre-booking an Uber/Lyft. Our flights home are closer to 2:30 so I am a tad worried with the DCL transfer that we'll have to leave by 9 AM and then just sit at the airport for hours. Does anyone know if there is a bus that goes later (more like 10 or 10:30) or would we be better off getting a ride share and just enjoy our morning? Price wise they seem comparable so that's not really a factor for us.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Kwami]

Enjoy your morning where, though? You have to be off the ship no later than 9:30am anyway.

 

[Mommb]

Disney buses to the airport leave as they fill. Since everyone needs to be out of their rooms by 8 am, it is unlikely a bus will wait to leave until 10. However, you will need to be off the ship well before 10 anyhow. You could book a car to Kennedy Space Center or Downtown Disney for a few hours, or just head to the airport.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi! I'm going on the Wish in October with one other person. We're staying at WDW pre-cruise but heading straight back to the airport post-cruise. I'm debating between booking a DCL transfer from PC to MCO (definitely doing a WDW to PC transfer on the front end) or pre-booking an Uber/Lyft. Our flights home are closer to 2:30 so I am a tad worried with the DCL transfer that we'll have to leave by 9 AM and then just sit at the airport for hours. Does anyone know if there is a bus that goes later (more like 10 or 10:30) or would we be better off getting a ride share and just enjoy our morning? Price wise they seem comparable so that's not really a factor for us.

Thanks for any advice!

In any way you'll be off the ship by 9:00, regardless if you do DCL transfers or book your own transportation.

How would you be "enjoying your morning"?

MCO has shopping, and food opportunities to kill time. Plus, there's no guarantee that you'll make it through TSA in a timely manner. I've been there when it took close to 2 hours to check in/clear TSA.

It seems to me you're talking about 2 hours, or a bit more. If you head to, say, Disney Springs, it'll take you an hour from port to DS, then another hour from DS to MCO. That kills your 2 hours. Or, just head to MCO (about an hour) and hang out there. A "quick trip" to Cape Canaveral doesn't really exist.

The only time we went somewhere after the ship before flying from MCO, our flight wasn't until 7pm.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Disney buses to the airport leave as they fill. Since everyone needs to be out of their rooms by 8 am, it is unlikely a bus will wait to leave until 10. However, you will need to be off the ship well before 10 anyhow. You could book a car to Kennedy Space Center or Downtown Disney for a few hours, or just head to the airport.

You mean Disney Springs. Honestly, it’s not worth it in this case for them to go to Disney Springs then the airport. I-4 and 528 traffic is no joke!

Besides, there are plenty of shops and restaurants, including Magic of Disney, at MCO. If their flight departs out of terminal C, there is also a legit Disney store post security.

 

[Girl of the South]

They do want you off the ship by 9. There really isn’t anything you can do with a spare hour or two before needing to go through security. The MCO Hyatt does have a nice restaurant if want to have a nice brunch there.

 

[DCLMP]

If you don't have lounge access check into buying one.

 

[Doingitagain]

When we have flights about 2, we head to the airport, not really enough time to do anything else. We have a leisurely breakfast up top (not in the main dining rooms, those are rushed) and make our way off when we are ready (but always by 9 when they try to get everyone off the ship). When leaving, we find the DCL transportation the easiest since you just get off when ready and grab a bus. We don't have to worry about trying to connect with another type of transportation and having to worry about timing.

Going to the port for embarkation, we use private transportation. But going back to the airport, we find DCL transportation the easiest.

 

[sponica]

Since they need you off the boat by 9, you may as well just take the DCL transfers. If you really wanted to, you could book a day use room at the hyatt, but that doesn't really make sense because you'd only be in the room for a couple hours.