Is this still true?

[ktglads]

I was reading my Passporter last night and saw that they said that it was possible to be picked up from Animal Kingdom and get a half day in at the parks before you cruise. Is this true? If so, do you have to stay at Animal Kingdom or can you stay at any of the resorts that the cruise line uses? This would be a nice way not to miss a full park day.

Has anyone done this or seen it done?

Thanks!

 

[kcashner]

Most of the busses from the resorts don't leave till after noon. Our pickup at Port Orleans was 12:30, from Poly, it was 11:45. Thus, if you start early, you can do park time before the bus leaves. However, we chose not to rush or worry...just did a character breakfast.

 

[rae519]

We've done that twice already - with our passes. From both Contemporary and Poly - you go over to AK, spend the morning, then get the bus to the Port from there. Very nice.

Busses start boarding early but won't leave til noon (or so we are told) but we left at 11:15AM our last time there.

Rae

 

[Mary Anne]

A word of caution don't over do the first day; craming a 1/2 day in at the park; then using disney trasportation you'll get to the ship later and have to run around there getting settled in; by the time you hit dinner; if you have kids it'll be meltdown city.

Been there done that; Not saying not to do it; just beware of the pitfalls of trying to do it all.

 

[ktglads]

No kids. Our group is 4 girls between the ages of 22 and 27, all of us having been to WDW every summer for the past 3 summers, plus having extra trips in between but never any of us on a Disney cruise.

What sort of running around do you have to do? If I prebook the excursions (which I think I can do through the Disney website), what else would I have to book? Not super interested in the spa, so besides checking in and getting to the room, what else is there that needs to be done right away?

 

[CAMICKEY]

We did this option on our last cruise and it worked like a charm. Allowed us to get another half day at Animal Kingdom and then board the bus directly to the Port. One word of caution - Try to get on one of the first busses leaving to the Port from Animal Kingdom as the people behind us had to wait awhile (They must not have counted right and were short one bus). I'm sure they got there but still. - Mike

 

[Mary Anne]

If you want Palo or any of the spas that has to be booked as soon as you get onboard; also if there is a problem with your dinner rotation you'll need to take care of that too. Plus you'll have lunch on board too that you probably won't want to miss.

I found last time there was so many little things to take care of that I missed the sail away party because we got on board so late (Disney transfers and didn't leave the poly till after 11 am.

This time, I'm going to enjoy the whole crusie! Arriving at the port at 10:30 or so; getting onboard; making my Palo reservations; enjoying lunch; getting reacquainted with the ship (It's been 4 years!) enjoying the life boat drill (Hey you HAVE to do it; might was well enjoy it) doing the sail away and then getting ready for an early dinner.

I've taken lots of cruises (Home Lines 3 times, Celebrity 2 times, Holland American 2times and Disney once before) and the best piece of advice anyone ever gave me was one of the cruise directers. He said he saw too many people ruin a good cruise by trying to do it all the first and last day. They miss far too much unpacking and packing, rushing on board, not taking the time to plan the start and end to their trip. I realized I did that all the time, so now I plan my vacation accordingly.

 

[rae519]

CAMICKEY is right - there is limited shade and seating so the sun can be horrible if you have to wait. PLUS to get water or a bathroom break, you have to walk a bit to get back to AK.

Also, use the bathroom and have water with you for the long wait and long ride to Port - you will also have a bit of a wait to get through the screening then through the embarkation and another wait (possibly) if you get there prior to boarding time.

Long lines, long waits, short fuses, dry mouth, small bladders and HIGH energy kids would make any sane person melt down!

Rae