Disembark time & early return flights?

[TroyWDW]

Need a little help from experienced Disney cruisers.

1) Typically, how early can you disembark from the ship on the last day? Are there frequently delays in getting off the ship? Is there a crowd of people waiting to be the first off or do folks hang around the ship?

2) If you use the Disney buses, what time do they arrive at MCO airport? I assume there must be many buses heading to the airport. Is it easy to get on one the first buses or is there a long line of people with the same idea?

3) If you rent a car at Cocoa Beach, how long does it take to get on a shuttle, ride to the agency parking lot, do the paperwork, and get on the road? How long can the lines get?

4) Are there taxis waiting at the terminal building typically?

5) Is it possible to skip collecting your luggage at the terminal by doing carry-on luggage (we travel light)? Any restrictions on what you can take on the ship directly?

Troy

 

[dinnysuw]

Hi, we just experienced this on 10/2-never having done it before we didn't know what to expect. we had to change our flight to 11:45 am from 7:40 pm because my husband was ill, we had originally planned on renting a car, but because we had changed flight we didn't know what we were going to do. we arrived at the dismbarkation door (in the atrium right outside Lumiere's) around 8am they opened the doors around 8:30 we were out of the terminal, through customs and walking out to find a shuttle or cab by 8:45. there were shuttles,vans and taxis waiting to be used. the van cost 85.00 for 4 plus tip. I did hear that the shuttles to the rental car agencies were long waits and there was quite a long line behind us waiting to disembark. finding your luggage is sooo easy-all color coded and even grouped together.
my advice is if you have a late afternoon or early flight take your time getting off the boat (you have to be off by 9:30 I think) grab your luggage and rent a car or have one waiting for you. if you have an early flight arrange for transportation-renting a car might be cutting in to close. hope this helps.

 

[TroyWDW]

Thanks for the response. Which transportation route did you choose? Were you able to make the 11:45 flight easily?

 

[Auntmeme]

We also just returned on 10/9.

1. we had the early b-fast at 6:45 am and we're out of our room by 8am. Waited to disembark about 20 min. Had trouble finding all of our luggage as a tag had fallen off of one. There was a line to get through customs, another 15 min or do. (Grab a porter as they push to the front of the lines)

2. Rented a budget car. Made it to their line and waited at least 30-40 min. They only had 2 shuttles going. Once we were on one and arrived at the Cape Canaveral office, it only took 20 min to get car and on the road. Arrived at airport about 10:30ish. Very easy to return.

3. We had a 1pm flight and they do recommend nothing before noon. We had a bite to eat, after walking over to the terminal & cheching in, and then made our way to another line at secruity. We were ready for our flight about 12:15ish.

I have heard there was an accident on the highway to the airport & one disney bus driver got lost So be careful about booking a too early return flight.

For me - I did not like waiting in line for the budget car. Though the price was right - I will spend more next time and have a private car service(we did this last year & had no wait).

 

[Princess'Mom2]

It looks like our best flight home will leave MCO around 4:30 p.m. Anyone have any suggestions as to what to do between the time we leave the ship (with our luggage) and when we can check into MCO?

Thanks!

 

[dinnysuw]

Originally posted by TroyWDW
Thanks for the response. Which transportation route did you choose? Were you able to make the 11:45 flight easily?

Yes, we had no problem making the flight-security lines moved very quickly-we ended up using a van that was waiting-very nice guy-independent driver don't remember the name.for the next cruise i am planning on private limo or town car, don't want to mess with the busses and you can get a private one for sometimes less. we were the very first ones off the boat though, i am sure the later you leave the longer the lines and waits are.i will try to book late afternoon flight next time-nothing befor noon as i still felt very rushed to make it there. i am a worry wort. whn i asked guest service how early we could disembark, i was given a broad span-it all depends on when customs clears us. if those non us citizens take ther time getting cleared-it could delay customs clearing us. if you go to mousesavers.com or dcltribute.com they have various transportations methods for you.
good luck
darcy