How to kill time after the cruise??

[katyblue04]

Hello!
I can't believe how soon my cruise is!! We're flying down on Friday morning!

So then, if I'm not mistaken, we have to disembark the ship at 8 am?? (Isn't that a tad bit early? lol...) We have a rental car for the day, and we have to be at the Orlando airport by 6pm, for a 7:30 flight. I'd like to stop by Downtown Disney (because I've never been there!) and have lunch, but now I'm wondering if we have enough time. Also, do you pay admission to Downtown Disney? And what exactly is there to do? I can't seem to find many pictures or info about it online.

What are some things you've done while you had some extra hours to spare?

Thanks!
-Katy

 

[NCRedding]

You'll have plenty of time for going to DTD. If you have late seating, you can actually stay onboard til closer to 9 am. It takes around an hour to get from port to the disney area. DTD is a shopping area, with lots of stores, etc. There is no admission cost to go into DTD. There are numbers of good restauarants in the area.

We've also spent time at Kennedy Space Center after a cruise and before a flight, or at the outlet malls around town.

 

[mommasita]

What are some things you've done while you had some extra hours to spare?

Thanks!
-Katy

After I got off the Magic? I spent a few hours crying and trying to figure out how to get back on !!

There is also the Hyatt at the airport..Day rooms are around 75$, and great for resting, eating, and winding down...

 

[Robert and Kelley]

We always go to Dowtown Disney or go visit some of the Disney resorts. We also love to stop at Disney Quest in Down Town Disney..That can kill the whole time and is very fun.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

We dropped DS's off at DIsney Quest and shopped at Downtown Disney for the day, had an early dinner and went to the airport.

 

[YippySkippy]

We're actually apparently going to see some ancient Indian burial grounds near Cape Canaveral. This will appease my husband's need for esoteric Historical significance. (Don't misread me, I'm part American Indian -- however this burial ground is apparently just an unmarked plot of land)

I'm curious to read about the timeframes that people are dealing with once the disembark. I believe my flight is something like 5:40 that evening, so I'm not sure how much we will have time to do.

Also, what type of transportation are you relying on to get to the airport?

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Howdy,
downtown disney is shopping, no charge. Disney quest is 5 stories of video games and interactive stuff that the younger ones love. There is food available inside at a minimal price, but admission is close to $30. per person. There is a 24 plex amc theatre there that opens around noon. Matinees are about $7. for adults, don't know for kids. There are 3 miniature golf courses at disney too. Miniature golf opens at 11:00 a.m.. One course is by blizzard beach, it's the best one. The other one is called fantasia gardens,it's by the swan and dolphin hotel. That's almost across from MGM studios.$10. for adults.
In Kissimee, not too far from the airport is Gatorland. If your interested in our local wildlife it's a great place to go. It takes about 4 hours to see everything and the shows. The gator wrestling is the best show there. It's on Orange Blossom Trail. a main road that is easy to get to. Costs around $20. per adult, less for kids.You can but gator to eat there. I recommend the sampler plate at the BBQ place, Enough for everyone to have a taste, and not too expensive to throw out if you don't like it.
Space center is great but need all day and you still can't see it all.
Have a magical time, no matter what you choose.
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[katyblue04]

Thanks everyone,

So we've made a plan!

Since we'll have a rental car for the day, it looks like we'll be going to Downtown Disney from the Port, having lunch and having some end of the trip Disney fun, until we drive ourselves to the airport.

I'm so excited! (Well, mostly about the cruise, but ending with a stop at Downtown Disney sounds like fun!!)

-Katy

 

[spotdog]

You have made a wise choice to rent a car.

I, foolishly, departed the cruise and took the bus to the airport thinking Alaska Airlines would check my baggage and I would be a free woman until my flight left for Seattle in the evening.

Since the only Alaska flight out of Orlando is the Seattle evening flight they weren't even open until late afternoon. I dejectedly sat with my luggage, it even accompanied me to the restroom, for about seven hours.

To make matters worse my "direct flight" had to make an emergency landing in Tulsa. We waited there, on the plane, for several hours. I was so exhausted I did consider a permanent relocation to Tulsa, but went on to arrive in Seattle in the early AM.

Next time I will plan better.