Disney Magic NYC-FL...help

[JBH]

We head out on the Magic next Sat from NY - has anyone done this one before? My main questions are:

1) When we dock in Port Canaveral, how long does it actually take to disembark, go through customs, and leave on the bus for Disney World? I fear if we arrive at the parks after open, it's just not worth it. Considering getting our own transportation if this is a slow and painful process.

2) With winter-like temps in NY and warmer in Castaway Cay / Orlando, how do you pack for the days at sea? I'm imagining the pools and slide won't be much of an option in the chilly temps (I'm sure they'll still be wall to wall tho!)

Thanks!

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Not NY, but years ago, we sailed from Galveston on an 8 night and WDW was one of our stops. It was QUICK to disembark at PC. I don't remember all of the details (nor the exact time), but I do remember that we docked very early in the morning (it was still dark outside) and each stateroom was able to pick our departure time (earlier, or if we wanted, a later departure time) and pick the park that we wanted to go to/start at. They gave us park hoppers, but my family chose to stay at MK all day. Different buses were at PC for different parks at different times leaving PC.

Also a lot of buses from the parks back to the ship in the evening. We obviously took the last bus back to PC. I loved sailing and having WDW as one of our port days!!

 

[JBH]

Helpful, thank you!

 

[dcassetta]

We head out on the Magic next Sat from NY - has anyone done this one before? My main questions are:

1) When we dock in Port Canaveral, how long does it actually take to disembark, go through customs, and leave on the bus for Disney World? I fear if we arrive at the parks after open, it's just not worth it. Considering getting our own transportation if this is a slow and painful process.

2) With winter-like temps in NY and warmer in Castaway Cay / Orlando, how do you pack for the days at sea? I'm imagining the pools and slide won't be much of an option in the chilly temps (I'm sure they'll still be wall to wall tho!)

Thanks!

Sailed from NYC last year and our WDW day was on Thanksgiving. We were on the first bus going to the the Studios and we arrived at about 8:30. Immigration was fast and many buses were waiting. I do not think even with private transport you would be able to arrive before the parks open. It was absolutely worth it, and we had a great day taking the last bus back at about 10:45 after fireworks at MK.

 

[GrumpySue]

We did this last year and the Disney buses were run like clockwork and there were a lot of them. Get the earliest bus you can, you will have no problems. They have it down to a science

It can be very cold on deck while up north, the sail away party was freezing, but by the time you get down to Castaway Cay it will be beautiful. We never spent much time on deck because of the cold, but there is so much to do on board it was okay.

 

[dwg]

We head out on the Magic next Sat from NY - has anyone done this one before? My main questions are:

1) When we dock in Port Canaveral, how long does it actually take to disembark, go through customs, and leave on the bus for Disney World? I fear if we arrive at the parks after open, it's just not worth it. Considering getting our own transportation if this is a slow and painful process.

2) With winter-like temps in NY and warmer in Castaway Cay / Orlando, how do you pack for the days at sea? I'm imagining the pools and slide won't be much of an option in the chilly temps (I'm sure they'll still be wall to wall tho!)

Thanks!

Hi JBL, I think we are on the same cruise. Thanksgiving week. We did this last year over Halloween. on WDW day you have a time slot that you signed up for. You have to show your passport and will get right on the bus. It was about an hour and half to Animal Kingdom last year. Got there about the time the park opened. I think coming back the bus runs from the park about once an hour.

as for part 2 i expect it to be cold enough the first day for dressing for cold weather.

 

[JBH]

We did this last year and the Disney buses were run like clockwork and there were a lot of them. Get the earliest bus you can, you will have no problems. They have it down to a science

It can be very cold on deck while up north, the sail away party was freezing, but by the time you get down to Castaway Cay it will be beautiful. We never spent much time on deck because of the cold, but there is so much to do on board it was okay.

THANKS!

 

[JBH]

Hi JBL, I think we are on the same cruise. Thanksgiving week. We did this last year over Halloween. on WDW day you have a time slot that you signed up for. You have to show your passport and will get right on the bus. It was about an hour and half to Animal Kingdom last year. Got there about the time the park opened. I think coming back the bus runs from the park about once an hour.

as for part 2 i expect it to be cold enough the first day for dressing for cold weather.

Oh good, I feel better now. TY! See you then

 

[msmama]

Another one who had Thanksgiving day as our Disney day last year. It was crowded, but we still managed to do 3 parks that day (I wanted to do the fourth, but the rest of the group didn't). Manage your expectations. It will be crowded, you will not get to do everything. You can still have a VERY good time. We didn't get there before parks opened (though probably within 30 mins of opening).

As on all cruises (though to be fair, most of mine have been colder weather, or at least starting from colder weather), LAYER. It was COLD (freezing rain) on our departure day, but plenty warm for kids to swim on day 2 and 3. They've got blankets on deck if you get cold.

 

[bobbiwoz]

DCuz is on this week’s cruise. By 11:19AM, she and her family had done Spaceship Earth, Soarin and The Land. They had rested and were on their way to Frozen.

 

[JakeRambo]

We’re on that cruise with you. We did the same itinerary last year.

Customs at PC took a couple minutes, went very quickly. For weather plan for three seasons, NYC winter, spring-ish Castaway, and Fall Florida. Layer. Sea day 1 and 4 will be a little chilly, 2 and 3 will be pleasant and sunny