How Long Can I Linger...

[Disney Obsession]

Our flight out of Orlando isn't until after 3pm (and we are using Disney transportation to get to the airport). I understand that I'm supposed to be off the Dream by 9am, but I also see that you are highly encouraged to be off well before then. Since our flight is later, and the kids will get bored at the airport after a while, I'm trying to maximize some early morning time on the ship. Realistically, how long can people stay on the ship (or can stay on the ship), and is there anything else to do except go to breakfast that morning? Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our flight out of Orlando isn't until after 3pm (and we are using Disney transportation to get to the airport). I understand that I'm supposed to be off the Dream by 9am, but I also see that you are highly encouraged to be off well before then. Since our flight is later, and the kids will get bored at the airport after a while, I'm trying to maximize some early morning time on the ship. Realistically, how long can people stay on the ship (or can stay on the ship), and is there anything else to do except go to breakfast that morning? Thanks!

No, there's nothing going on onboard that last morning except breakfast.

You must be out of your room by 8 and off the ship by 9. They need the time to clean up and turn around the ship for the next bunch of "how soon can I be onboard" people, don'tcha know?

There are reports where some people were pretty much escorted to the main doors by 9:30, but I wouldn't want to be those people.

There's lots to do at the airport. Food services, stores. There's also the possibility of getting a day room at the Hyatt MCO. You can just relax, use the pool, dine in the restaurant there, if that appeals to you.

 

[ImDMous]

They really want you out as soon as possible so they can get it ready for the people who are waiting to board and start their vacations. There isn't anything else open and I would say 9 is the latest. Pools, stores, clubs are all closed. The only thing really open is the photo place since that's when you pick up any disks you purchased.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I put myself in the shoes of the excited passengers waiting to board, and awesome crew who would prefer not to have to clean around me and get my butt off the ship as quickly as I can after breakfast.

 

[AquaDame]

You can get a coffee in Cove Cafe as well. Last cruise we were even treated to one by an officer as a parting gift which I really appreciated. If you have second seating then your breakfast time will be at 8am which is also when they ask you to be out of your stateroom. By the time you eat and grab a cup its about 9ish as others have said - there isn't anything else to do really. Everything else is closed and they don't have movies running up top or anything. "Lingering" sounds good on paper but in reality they do a good job of making you want to leave... nothing is happening, everyone else is lining up to get off, and you have all your "carry on" stuff to cart around.

 

[lanejudy]

I think your kids will be "less bored" at the airport than onboard the ship. Or worse, sitting on the last bus for 30+ minutes while DCL makes sure all passengers are off. I suggest you eat breakfast and head out. You could get a day room at the Hyatt MCO and hang out at their pool, or just investigate the airport shops. Alternatively, you could rent a car and go to Disney Springs or such in your way to the airport.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Dug720]

I put myself in the shoes of the excited passengers waiting to board, and awesome crew who would prefer not to have to clean around me and get my butt off the ship as quickly as I can after breakfast.

Which are the shoes the OP will be in when s/he is in the terminal! (The first set that is.)

 

[waggles02673]

We had a 3:30 flight after our cruise last week and we had a day room at the Hyatt and it was ready when we got there at 9:00am. I have to say it was nice to have the room and much more relaxing then sitting around the airport for hours. I took a nap and we had a nice lunch at Mcoys in the hotel.

 

[dclpluto]

Enjoy the shops at mco. Lots of
Good ships at mco before you go through security. Have one person stay behind with your day bags while the other people enjoy the shops. Than switch off. Just walk around the shops even if your not going to buy anything is better than sitting around.

 

[Bishoparc]

Just FYI this last Friday, we were in boarding group 2 and boarded around 11:30. The "family of the day" was welcomed on board around 11:15.

 

[Dug720]

Just FYI this last Friday, we were in boarding group 2 and didn't board until around 11:30. The "family of the day" was welcomed on board around 11:15.

That's on the standard to slightly early side of the usual schedule.

 

[Bishoparc]

That's on the standard to slightly early side of the usual schedule.

Yeah we normally show up around 1:30 and just walk straight on and to our room. This was the first time we came early (arrived at 10:30). We just wanted to make sure we got tickets for the gingerbread activity.

 

[Disney Obsession]

Thanks all! I'm definitely not looking to be that jerk trying to over extend my welcome, knowing the staff and soon-to-be passengers don't want me to hang out too long. I just also didn't want to rush off the ship at 7am, especially since we will have first seating for breakfast. You are all awesome--I'm going to look into the day room at the Hyatt.

 

[MunFam]

We always leave the ship as early as possible to extend our day at whatever the final destination is...and find something cool to do in that city before we have to get on the plane. Instead of it just being a travel day, we make it an adventure day/vacation day.

 

[Stratus22]

We too get off the ship ASAP and head to the airport were we reserve a day room at the Hyatt. No luggage, no fuss...just relaxation and if you are like me, take in a nap. My kids love the day room because they get to watch TV instead of sitting around not doing anything. Others at the Hyatt take advantage of their swimming pool which is just beautiful.