Dover Debarkation Advice

[Ema Nymton]

Is it reasonably feasible to make an 11:55 a.m. flight out of London-Gatwick when debarking at Dover? In answering, please assume the following: normal arrival time at port on an early-September Sunday morning, Concierge Level guest, Express Walk Off, private car transfer to the airport, and premium/fast track security at the airport.

Disney recommends departures no earlier than 13:45 (1:45 p.m.). Thank you.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is it reasonably feasible to make an 11:55 a.m. flight out of London-Gatwick when debarking at Dover? In answering, please assume the following: normal arrival time at port on an early-September Sunday morning, Concierge Level guest, Express Walk Off, private car transfer to the airport, and premium/fast track security at the airport.

Disney recommends departures no earlier than 13:45 (1:45 p.m.). Thank you.

I'd be really nervous about booking a flight earlier than what DCL recommends.

 

[Steve Kriese]

I think it may be tight, but doable. We easily made a 1:00pm departure with Disney Transportation a year ago....we were there by 11:00 am. That being said, on the way to Dover, it took us forever because it was the same day as the London Marathon.....just make sure there are no big events happening that day.

 

[ScooterScott44]

It does seem possible but it will not be easy. Too many “What if’s” are the issue. Any delay At any point in your scenario will mean a missed flight.

I reviewed the photos on my phone from the 2015 Copenhagen to Dover for times just to give some perspective. While the clock times are off due to the time zones, I can share the sequence by time intervals.

First pics that day are time stamped near the top of the hour so call that the start. Those pics are pulling into port.
- last pic from veranda is around 15 minute after the hour
- 1 hour 15 min later (1h 30 min total) have a pic in the car
- 1 hour 59 min later (~3h 30 min total) pic is from the car in downtown London.

Some things to consider from our timeline. We were staying in London a few days so no rush to depart the ship but we didn’t linger either. There was a little additional time added getting bags as one of our DCL bag tags tore off so it wasn’t in the character section and had to be claimed separately. Traffic wasn’t too bad but did get very heavy in London, seemed to be a little more construction plus the queen’s big anniversary parade and RAF flyover was that day. (The jets flew over us as we sat in traffic in town).

 

[FSU Girl]

I wouldn't risk it. You'll be so stressed out if any little thing delays you, even simple traffic could become a problem. Are there no later flights you could book instead?

 

[CarolynU]

I live about 20 minutes away from Dover so do the journey from Kent to and past Gatwick regularly.
Some points to bear in mind.
The M25 is notorious for coming to a complete standstill at regular intervals.
Right now there are 50 mile per hour speed limits and roadworks which are set to last for years on that route.
The only plus is that you would be making the journey on a Sunday morning early. However, for an 11.55am flight you’d need to do check in or drop off no later than 10.30am really so you are pushing it.
It’s doable if nothing goes wrong. It usually takes me an hour and a half.

 

[mmmears]

We disembarked in Dover last month. Customs was cleared (on our cruise) before we docked in Scotland, so it was a simple thing to just walk off the ship and go to our booked driver. Not concierge, but we did express walk off. There was no line or anything. I think as others have said, you are really pushing it time-wise. Any accident on the road or road construction can mess up your plans. Also, don't forget how long airport security can take (even though we could go through the premiere line or whatever it was called there, there were issues in that line and they made us all move to the very slow, regular line which was getting backed up). So I'm in the camp saying it's too easy for something to go wrong and I wouldn't risk it personally.

 

[dcassetta]

Is it reasonably feasible to make an 11:55 a.m. flight out of London-Gatwick when debarking at Dover? In answering, please assume the following: normal arrival time at port on an early-September Sunday morning, Concierge Level guest, Express Walk Off, private car transfer to the airport, and premium/fast track security at the airport.

Disney recommends departures no earlier than 13:45 (1:45 p.m.). Thank you.

As others have said, this would be too risky. What is your backup plan if you miss the 11:55 flight?

 

[Ema Nymton]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. Other option is a 16:40 (4:40 p.m.) flight out of LHR.

 

[Dug720]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. Other option is a 16:40 (4:40 p.m.) flight out of LHR.

That is what I'd go with. I'd be far too worried and stressed about making the earlier one - and that is no way to end a vacation IMHO.

 

[Geomom]

I'd go with the 4:40PM one myself. A lot of airlines will change the flight times before the actual date, especially when you're booking this far out. Our Delta flight from Copenhagen to JFK was originally at 3:20PM...it changed to 1:30PM--which was fine as 12:30PM was Disney's suggested earliest flight time. I think I'd only be comfortable with having a flight 1/2 hr before the suggested time...not close to 2 hrs, especially with the London airports being so far from the Dover port.

 

[xiphoid76]

I would risk it personally - we were off the ship by 7:30, express walk off - no customs to go thru - it was super quick. We had a car waiting for us from blackberry car service and was at Heathrow by 9 ish. Our flight was at 12:55 and we were bored out of our minds at Heathrow waiting for our flight. Would have loved to leave earlier if we could.

 

[EllinK]

I did something similar last year but we were traveling to Gatwick, I think. I don't recall the exact times but I think our flight was noon. My experience was the same as Xiphoid's. We had plenty of time. But as others have mentioned, that's when nothing goes wrong.