Help! WDW to Port Canaveral: sailing the day of next shuttle launch!

[happyatdisney]

We are on the July 1 sailing of DCL, which is the same day as the next shuttle launch. We will be at BCV for 3 nights prior. I am concerned about traffic problems getting to the Port now, due to the launch. Any locals have any suggestions about how much extra time we should allow? And any thoughts also about the best way to go? We will have a rental car that will need to be dropped off at Budget at the port also.

I want to allow enough time to not panic about missing the ship, but don't want to have to get up at 5 a.m. that morning if it can be helped! TIA.

 

[JC Butterfly]

I don't know your situation and can't advise on traffic patterns. But would this be a case of where using Disney transportation might ease your concerns of missing the ship?

 

[safetymom]

The highways leading to many coastal locations will be bumper to bumper in the hours leading up to and after the shuttle launch. I don't know what time the ship sails but allow plenty of extra time.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I still haven't figured out the shuttle launch time--but if you plan to be the "first one to board" then you will be fine. You may not get there first--but you certainly won't be late.

Before shuttle launch traffic heading east will be affected.

After shuttle launch traffic going west will be affected.


528 will be your best bet.

 

[happyatdisney]

Thanks so much. The shuttle is scheduled to launch at 3:48 p.m., so hopefully planning to get there in the morning (I don't mind waiting to board! ) will be ok. We did think about changing to Disney transportation though, because the ship won't leave until those busses arrive, however I think I want to have a bit more control over when we actually leave WDW. Not only do I not want to miss the sailing, but we would like to board earlier than taking Disney transportation may allow us...

 

[Edd]

The traffic to the launch will be horrendous that day starting early. If you could you might consider a night in Cocoa Beach. One shuttle launch two years ago the Beeline was jammed all the way to the Port. Somehow I wonder why they set the launch up for a Saturday over there. The best thing that could happen is that they get postponed for three or four days, making a launch during the middle of the week.

PS - You can start boarding the ship around 1000.

 

[safetymom]

The last shuttle was during the week and it was terrible on the Beachline. I was stuck in it but seeing the shuttle liftoff was awesome so it was worth it.

 

[Edd]

What do you think it is going to be like on a weekend when everyone is off!

 

[safetymom]

Once the road is filled with cars it isn't going to make much difference whether it is a weekend or a weekday. The point is to allow plenty of time. There is still time for them to delay the launch also.

 

[JC Butterfly]

If you go on over to the cruise board (don't know how to link it, sorry) there is a post by snelsonbrown (she is a Port Canaveral local) with info about traffic patterns, suggestions, etc for the day of shuttle launch.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The DCL terminal opens up at 9:30. I would plan to be there around that time. I think it won't be too bad that time time of day. I would allow myself at least 2 hours of driving time just in case.

Traffic is nuts for launches. I am glad I can watch from my house or work. Close enough.