Magical Disney Express - After the Cruise Questions/Experiences

[IndyJammer]

I apologize if this has been asked 100X, but I could not find exactly what I was looking for. We did our first cruise last year - and drove to Port Canaveral. It was fine, but the drive back to Indy post-cruise was a mess (I'm talking about you Atlanta!) - so we have vowed to fly from now on!

I know that MDE runs back to MCO after PC cruises - and I've read that flights should be after 11:30 am. So, my question is: How much After? We have the options of 2:00, 4:30 & 8:00 pm.

Do they pretty much run continuous buses back? Can you just have a leisurely morning and leave later? What is the Best way to set it up post-cruise?!? TIA!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I apologize if this has been asked 100X, but I could not find exactly what I was looking for. We did our first cruise last year - and drove to Port Canaveral. It was fine, but the drive back to Indy post-cruise was a mess (I'm talking about you Atlanta!) - so we have vowed to fly from now on!

I know that MDE runs back to MCO after PC cruises - and I've read that flights should be after 11:30 am. So, my question is: How much After? We have the options of 2:00, 4:30 & 8:00 pm.

Do they pretty much run continuous buses back? Can you just have a leisurely morning and leave later? What is the Best way to set it up post-cruise?!? TIA!

Actually, no, Magical Express only runs between MCO and WDW resorts (and that's free). DCL transfers operate between the port and MCO. That has a cost - $35.00 per person. 2:00 will be fine. Or 4:30, or 8:00, whatever you want to do.

The buses start loading as soon as the ship is cleared for debarkment. Once a bus is full, it departs for the airport. You have to be off the ship, at the latest, by 9:30. The CMs will start encouraging you toward the doors by 9:00. You don't have "set up" anything. You just purchase DCL transfers (either now by contacting DCL directly, or onboard). Once you've got the transfers paid for, when you actually get off the ship, and get through customs/immigration, you go to the bus loading zone and a CM there will direct you to the next bus.

 

[ceecee]

We have a 1:20 afternoon flight after our cruise. You should be fine with the 2:00. I don't like spending hours in the airport.

 

[TestingH2O]

First, here are some bits of info. Buses are continuous and it takes about an hour to the airport. You have to be out of your room by 8:00 and off the ship by 9:00 or 9:30 at the latest.

Here is my experience. Last year we didn't rush but were still on a bus by 8:15. However, we were first time bus people and, not knowing how the DCL transport would go, we booked a 5:00 flight. To make our wait comfortable, we booked a day room at the Hyatt. This time, I think we will book a 1:00 flight and plan on a very similar debarkation schedule. We still want rush, but we also probably won't worry about a day room.

 

[IndyJammer]

So - we are planning on coming down Thursday night and spending Fri at MK (we have APs) - and then heading over to PC Sat morning before the cruise (not worried about getting to the pet early).

Will they pick us up from a Disney Resort and take us straight to the Port or do we have to go back to MCO first?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So - we are planning on coming down Thursday night and spending Fri at MK (we have APs) - and then heading over to PC Sat morning before the cruise (not worried about getting to the pet early).

Will they pick us up from a Disney Resort and take us straight to the Port or do we have to go back to MCO first?

DCL transfers also run from WDW resorts to the port - again, for $35.00 per person.