New here, doing 1st cruise in Jan, have ???s...

[happythoughts]

Hi All! I've been reading and getting great info but I have a few questions.
1.We're doing the land/sea package January 4-11 and are curious about the weather for both portions. We went to WDW for our honeymoon 9 1/2 years ago and I remember it being pretty rainy. Any thoughts on that?
And how's the weather in the Bahamas and on castaway cay that time of year?

2. What time does the cruise return to port Canaveral on the last day? We haven't settled our flights yet since we've hit some snags with our United miles and we need to know what time we should plan on being able to leave Orlando on the day the boat returns. How long does it take from disembarking the ship to get to the airport?

I appreciate any responses/help. I'm sure I'll think of lots more questions over the next few months too!
Thanks,

 

[Jeanny]

Originally posted by happythoughts
Hi All! I've been reading and getting great info but I have a few questions.
1.We're doing the land/sea package January 4-11 and are curious about the weather for both portions. We went to WDW for our honeymoon 9 1/2 years ago and I remember it being pretty rainy. Any thoughts on that?
And how's the weather in the Bahamas and on castaway cay that time of year?

2. What time does the cruise return to port Canaveral on the last day? We haven't settled our flights yet since we've hit some snags with our United miles and we need to know what time we should plan on being able to leave Orlando on the day the boat returns. How long does it take from disembarking the ship to get to the airport?

I appreciate any responses/help. I'm sure I'll think of lots more questions over the next few months too!
Thanks,

Welcome Happythoughts! you'll find A LOT of information here.

Now, I'm not an expert, as I'm going on my first cruise next January, but learning from these boards... the ship returns to port early a.m. and you disembark 8-9 a.m. Most people & DCL say don't get a flight before noon just in case, but I've read where some people have had 11 am flights, and didn't have a problem. If you get a later flight, you can always get a day room at the Hyatt/Airport. If you're renting a car, you can go to KSC or DTD or if you had enough time, even one of the parks!

As to the weather, I think some Dis-er's said Castaway Cay was too cold for them to swim, but naturally some people were in the water!! Maybe one of the past January cruisers will post what their weather was like.

We're from New England, so I'm just hoping there isn't any snow in Florida next year like we have up here!!!

Jeanny

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Welcome to the Dis, happythoughts.

We're doing the land/sea package January 4-11 and are curious about the weather for both portions.

Have you ever invested in stocks, bonds or mutual funds? In the prospectus is a statement which reads something like, "past performance is no indication of future returns." Same with the weather. Pack appropriately for the season/region...

We went to WDW for our honeymoon 9 1/2 years ago and I remember it being pretty rainy. Any thoughts on that?

No... well, wait. Oops, hold on. I think WebmasterMichelle just had heart palpitations...

we need to know what time we should plan on being able to leave Orlando on the day the boat returns.

If you plan on arriving/checking-in/being ready-to-depart MCO by noon, you will be fine and not have to rush.

Oh, and if you happen to run into the Captain, don't call it a boat. He might push you overboard...

JUST JOKING, folks.

 

[WDWLVR]

1.We're doing the land/sea package January 4-11 and are curious about the weather for both portions. We went to WDW for our honeymoon 9 1/2 years ago and I remember it being pretty rainy. Any thoughts on that?
And how's the weather in the Bahamas and on castaway cay that time of year?

Really hard to predict the weather in January. We've been at WDW in January and needed to buy extra sweatshirts and pants because we were so cold. The next day we were in shirt sleeves.
As for the Bahamas and Castaway Cay. We were on the DVC Member Cruise in early February and the weather was beautiful. Definately shorts the whole time. Unfortunately the water at CC was a little cold for our tastes (and we were there for 2 days) but others did brave it.

2. What time does the cruise return to port Canaveral on the last day? We haven't settled our flights yet since we've hit some snags with our United miles and we need to know what time we should plan on being able to leave Orlando on the day the boat returns. How long does it take from disembarking the ship to get to the airport?

The ship arrives in port about 5-6 am. You should be ready to disembark around 8 am. We've made 11:30 am flights with no problems, but if there are any delays it could be risky. Anything from noon onward and you should be fine.

 

[happythoughts]

"Oh, and if you happen to run into the Captain, don't call it a boat. He might push you overboard..."

As I was typing my original post I just KNEW someone would have something to say about the word "boat." I didn't bother to change it though...


Thanks everyone for your replies, even the sarcastic one.

 

[moinab]

I'm a MA native now living in NE FL. Water temperatures here in January are similar to water temps on the MA coast in summer. Weather here in January is similar to MA in October. Some days are beautiful, warm, and sunny, but other days are chilly enough for coats and gloves. We get rain all year, more predictably on summer afternoons, but otherwise no rainy season, as such. It's generally slightly warmer in Orlando, and more so in the Bahamas, of course. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. You can't know what you'll get until you're there, unfortunately! I hope you have a great trip, regardless!

 

[moinab]

Oops! I mixed up your location with Jeanny's. Guess the New England comparisons won't do you much good. Sorry! I do hope you have a great trip!

 

[mat526]

Looks like we will be doing the land/sea at the same
time as you Jan. 4-11. We've never been on a cruise before
but go to WDW every January at this time. For the past two
years, we have had crisp, cool weather, but no rain. We
needed sweatshirts, but still swam at the hotel pool
every evening after dinner. I don't know if it will be an OK
time to cruise, but it is a great time for WDW as there are
almost no crowds.
(We also don't have air yet, still trying to get good fares).
Can't wait! -Maggie

 

[happythoughts]

Thanks for the info Maggie. I'm glad to hear you still swam in the evenings. My 16 yo sister and her best friend are coming with us and swimming at the hotel is a priority for them. I told them not to get their hopes up, but maybe it'll be warm enough.
On another topic,
Do you know if there's a way to find out how full our cruise is? Do most of the Disney cruises book to capacity? Not a big deal, I'm just curious. I imagine I could ask our travel agent but if anyone else knows, let me know!
Thanks,

 

[mat526]

I don't know how to check on the capacity of the
ship. But it would be interesting to find out!
Also, I called Disney to ask about the pool at WDW, and
they assured me it was heated and swimmable
in January. So we can keep our fingers crossed!
(We always stayed at Vistana in the past, and
that pool was definitely heated. This is our first
time at a WDW resort, so I hope it is heated
well enough.) Of course, it is probably fine for
your 16 yo sister and my 5yo twins! -Maggie

 

[happythoughts]

Maggie,
Our son will be turning 5 2 weeks before the cruise, I bet our kids will be playing together! How fun!
My sister turns 16 our first day in the park so we're trying to figure out something special for her. And our 10th Anniversary is our first day on the ship! We're thinking of doing Palo that night but it depends on our dinig rotation, we don't want to miss Animator's Palette.

 

[dianedisney]

I cruised the Eastern 7nt in January this year and it was wonderful at Castaway Cay, in the shade it was a little cool but very comfortable. People were swimming and having a blast. We walked in and the water was wonderful. The Bon Voyage Celebration/Party up on the pool deck was chilly. I would highly recommending wearing jeans/slacks and a sweatshirt or sweater over a t-shirt. Once you get out on the Caribbean it is beautiful and the weather temp is perfect.

Diane.....member of the Fidelio-Rocks Fan Club