First time flying to Orlando for cruise questions

[momcloud]

My hubby and I are planning to fly into Orlando on a Friday to stay at All Star Movies or Music before a cruise. Usually we drive and have to leave a day early, stay somewhere on the way, then pay and park at the port. This time we want to fly down on the day before and use Disney transportation to get to the port. Do I still have to book my flight and hotel thru Disney or can I book my own flight and hotel and link them to our cruise? We’re going in December and I’m nervous about waiting till 60 days out to book it then. Just looking for advice as I have done 2 cruises, but have never flown. Plus how do we get back to MCO after the cruise, can we use Disney transport or not?

 

[lanejudy]

Most cruisers book flights and any land portion separately, not through DCL. You can do it either way. There is nothing really to "link" to your cruise reservation. Your online check-in will ask for your pre-cruise plans, and you give the flight time (if flying on embarkation day) or resort plans. You will need to call DCL to book DCL Transfers, if that's how you plan to get from WDW to Port Canaveral, and for the post-cruise PC --> MCO transfers. DCL transfers cost $35 per person one way ($70 round trip).

Can I ask why you are waiting until 60 days out to book? Depending on when in December, you may run into availability challenges at WDW. And I'd recommend booking flights once they are released; I know discounts can occur, but I never have luck waiting for airfare to drop.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[dcassetta]

My hubby and I are planning to fly into Orlando on a Friday to stay at All Star Movies or Music before a cruise. Usually we drive and have to leave a day early, stay somewhere on the way, then pay and park at the port. This time we want to fly down on the day before and use Disney transportation to get to the port. Do I still have to book my flight and hotel thru Disney or can I book my own flight and hotel and link them to our cruise? We’re going in December and I’m nervous about waiting till 60 days out to book it then. Just looking for advice as I have done 2 cruises, but have never flown. Plus how do we get back to MCO after the cruise, can we use Disney transport or not?

You can book your own and it will probably save money, although you could call DCL and ask them to price it out for you with airfare.

From the airport to the All-Stars you can use the free Magical Express service. From the All-Stars to the port you can use cruise line transfers. It is $35 person and they will pick you up at the resort. Transfers also from the port to the airport for $35 per person.

 

[momcloud]

Most cruisers book flights and any land portion separately, not through DCL. You can do it either way. There is nothing really to "link" to your cruise reservation. Your online check-in will ask for your pre-cruise plans, and you give the flight time (if flying on embarkation day) or resort plans. You will need to call DCL to book DCL Transfers, if that's how you plan to get from WDW to Port Canaveral, and for the post-cruise PC --> MCO transfers. DCL transfers cost $35 per person one way ($70 round trip).

Can I ask why you are waiting until 60 days out to book? Depending on when in December, you may run into availability challenges at WDW. And I'd recommend booking flights once they are released; I know discounts can occur, but I never have luck waiting for airfare to drop.

Enjoy your cruise!

I thought you couldn't make flight registrations until 60 days before your trip.I must have confused this for something else. Do I have to use Disney partner airlines or can I do Southwest?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I thought you couldn't make flight registrations until 60 days before your trip.I must have confused this for something else. Do I have to use Disney partner airlines or can I do Southwest?

No, if you purchase your airfare through DCL, they won't make the actual purchase until 60 days, from what I know.

If you're purchasing your own airfare, you can buy it at any time, from any airline.

 

[Shanti]

I thought you couldn't make flight registrations until 60 days before your trip.I must have confused this for something else. Do I have to use Disney partner airlines or can I do Southwest?

No, if you purchase your airfare through DCL, they won't make the actual purchase until 60 days, from what I know.

You can fly in using any airline you want if you book independently. DCL only books flights via the legacy carriers (American, Delta & United).

Booking flights via DCL, you can book flights at the same time you make the initial cruise reservation, or any time after that (although I assume there is some cut-off date prior to sailing). You do not need to wait until 60 days. You can choose your exact airline, itinerary & seats several months before the cruise.

They'll go over options of flights with you, listing prices & options for dates, times, seats & airlines of the flights. The cost of the flights is refundable up until your cruise's PIF date, which makes DCL-booked flights a good option for those who aren't 100% sure way in advance that they'll be able to take the cruise.

 

[diznymom]

I recommend you book your own flights and resort. (We love AS Sports). Southwest is great, but they are not an airline that participates in the Onboard Airline Check-In service. This means that w/ Southwest you will have to claim your luggage in the warehouse before you go through customs. It is easy and there are porters everywhere that help out. The porters are very nice and very efficient. (Our porter even walked us through customs. It was so quick and easy) Then, when you get to the airport you will have to take your luggage to check in for your flight. If you do Southwest, I recommend you pay the extra $ for the "Early Bird Check In", especially for the way back home.

We tip the porters $2-3 per bag. I usually round it up...We had 2 large suitcases and I gave him $5