Disembark as a family?

[SarahandPaul]

I have searched up and down, but can't seem to find the answer. Does my family have to get off the ship together? We thought it would be easier to send my husband ahead to get the rental car, but weren't sure if that was kosher!

Thanks in advance! 3 weeks til we cruise!

 

[mmouse37]

Yes, he can leave ahead of you. Each member of the family must have their KTTW card scanned as they leave the terminal but you don't have to be all together.

MJ

 

[lovedisney123]

I am not sure how easy it is to get back into the terminal then to pick you up. Maybe it won't be a problem. In the past, we have always gone to the rental car place together as a family (but when we arrived he would drop us off and then return). I would love to hear if this works out OK. I thought you have to show you were arriving as a passenger to get into the terminal.

 

[Quellman]

An interesting question. I suspect you would have to fill out two declaration forms. He would need one to pass through customs and you would need one to pass through customs. DO NOT fill out both forms identically. Only declare what each person is taking through customs. If your husband is not taking any bags with him through customs, his form would be blank. But if he was grabbing the bag with the duty free alcohol and cigars he would claim that, but you would not, since you are not taking the bag with those items through customs.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am not sure how easy it is to get back into the terminal then to pick you up. Maybe it won't be a problem. In the past, we have always gone to the rental car place together as a family (but when we arrived he would drop us off and then return). I would love to hear if this works out OK. I thought you have to show you were arriving as a passenger to get into the terminal.

"Entering the terminal" is different than "entering the port". You can drive in to pick up people, without actually going into the terminal.

 

[mmouse37]

He would not be able to get back into the terminal building but would be able to pull in and up to the pick up/drop off curb. You would have to wait at the curb for him to pick you up. It has been done many times before as reported on this board over the years. Make sure he has his ID and KTTW card to show the guard at the terminal gate so he can be let back in to pull up to the curb.

Here is a pic of where he will pull up to pick you up.



MJ

 

[lovedisney123]

Oh OK! Good to know!

 

[Weedy]

If he didn't pick up the bags you would have to gather the bags (there are porters there to help). Wait in line ( it can be long)and go through customs. Depending on the ages of your kids this may be harder then all getting the shuttle.
Suggestion- maybe all of you get off together get a cab to the car rental??

I don't know if he could leave the car and re enter the terminal

 

[jahber]

My family has done this twice and it works fine. We had a 6mo both times (1 week apart), so we figured it would be better for my husband to go deal with the car off property and come pick us up. Even with a baby and 2 other kids I managed fine. It was definitely better to have the little one on the ship, sitting in nice AC, than waiting for a shuttle and so on. Plus, we didn't bring the car seat aboard, so that meant no shuttle ride without a car seat. Little things, but it was worth it. It all worked out fine.

 

[SarahandPaul]

A porter can help me with the luggage as far as that pick up area right? I'll tip whatever it takes!

 

[Weedy]

Yes a porter can help.

The night before get off the ship you will pack all your bags and attach a Disney tag on each bag. The tag will have a Disney character on it. You will then leave your bags outside your cabin. Disney will pick up all the bags and take them off the ship.
In the morning when you get off the ship you will be in a large warehouse area. There will be overhead signs with the different characters. If you attached a Donald Duck tag to your bag your bags will be by the Donald sign.
Your bags won't be next to each other you will need to walk around (usually 3-4 rows) and find your bags. Put ribbon or tape on the handles to help find the bags. Once again the porters will help and then will walk you to the car.

Be sure to keep a bag with you for the things you will need the last night and the next morning. Shoes!! What you will wear the next day. Also the paperwork to get through customs everyones key cards, passports/birth certificates.