NY Cruise - Park Hopper & Transportation

[SmileMom]

The 2017 NY cruises includes a complimentary park hopper with transportation to the parks for each guest. Has Disney done this before? If so, how does it work? Do they have timed bus tickets? With 2000+ guests being transported to WDW, this would require a lot of buses.

 

[WeLoveStitch42]

We were wondering about this as well.

 

[angelinaxox]

Yes, I did this itinerary in 2012 and it was great. Here is how it worked then. When my reservations opened, I picked a bus time to go to the park. However, my mom and I got down to the buses earlier than our time. The cast members said it didn't matter; they were sending buses as they filled. It was very well organized. We used our cruise key for park admission. My cruise was before fast pass plus, so not sure how that will work.
We spent our day in Magic Kingdom so I can't comment on park hopping. When we wanted to return to the ship, we went to where the Disney buses are and waited for the cruise one. Cast members were stationed there and swiped our keys. We were given water bottles.
Buses were constantly running back to the ship til the all aboard time.
Dinner was open seating.

 

[Aimee219]

I didn't see this, is this posted on their website, just curious what the dates are. Thanks


Never mind, I found it, pretty cool! Thanks

 

[SeaSpray]

Yes, I did this itinerary in 2012 and it was great. Here is how it worked then. When my reservations opened, I picked a bus time to go to the park. However, my mom and I got down to the buses earlier than our time. The cast members said it didn't matter; they were sending buses as they filled. It was very well organized. We used our cruise key for park admission. My cruise was before fast pass plus, so not sure how that will work.
We spent our day in Magic Kingdom so I can't comment on park hopping. When we wanted to return to the ship, we went to where the Disney buses are and waited for the cruise one. Cast members were stationed there and swiped our keys. We were given water bottles.
Buses were constantly running back to the ship til the all aboard time.
Dinner was open seating.

We did this in 2012 as well, and we're doing it again this October. In 2012 we were on the inaugural NYC cruise so we didn't know what to expect regarding how efficient the buses to WDW would be, since it would be the first time that DCL had Port Canaveral as an excursion port. The CMs had this down to a science! lol Hardly any wait to get on a bus, no matter what time you chose.


To add a little more info, before the cruise you choose which park you want to go to first, and what time you want to leave the port. Once there, your ticket is just like a regular park-hopper. We know people who did all 4 parks that day! My DH and I chose to spend a leisurely day at the Magic Kingdom, having a late breakfast at the Kona Café at the Polynesian, and then dinner at 'Ohana. It really was a perfect cruise experience for us.

 

[KristiMc]

We also did this itinerary in 2012. We ended up going to 3 parks that day.

 

[ivanp91]

My cruise was before fast pass plus, so not sure how that will work.

I am on one of this year's NYC cruises, and with less than 5 months to go until my cruise (and 4 months until the first of these cruises takes place) there is still no word from Disney how they're going to be handling the fast passes, if we will be able to book FP+ in advance, etc. The last time we contacted them it was a simple "still working it out, stay tuned".

I personally don't mind all that much as the day we debark the cruise we are flying straight back down to WDW for a week, but on the cruise page on facebook there's been a lot of confusion over what's going on and Disney doesn't seem to be answering anyone's questions

 

[angelinaxox]

I am on one of this year's NYC cruises, and with less than 5 months to go until my cruise (and 4 months until the first of these cruises takes place) there is still no word from Disney how they're going to be handling the fast passes, if we will be able to book FP+ in advance, etc. The last time we contacted them it was a simple "still working it out, stay tuned".

I personally don't mind all that much as the day we debark the cruise we are flying straight back down to WDW for a week, but on the cruise page on facebook there's been a lot of confusion over what's going on and Disney doesn't seem to be answering anyone's questions

Wow! Interesting that they haven't figured it out yet and haven't been able to tell you. Hope you post how it all works when you do the cruise.

Lucky you that you get to go Disney when you finish the cruise!

 

[MaineChapmans]

Actually it worked pretty well for us, because...well, Disney.

We also signed up for the buses, it was easy-peasy in to Epcot (they even played America's Funniest Videos to entertain us--although I tend to find it more cringe-worthy than funny), then we did Epcot. A friend from Florida even met us there and stayed all day with us.

DO NOT MISS LA CAVA DEL TEQUILA.

After Epcot, wheelchair notwithstanding, Mom-in-law had enough and took an early bus back. Disney took care of her (wheelchair and all) and all we had to do was hand her off. Then we went to Magic Kingdom via the monorail--again, easy-peasy.

We knew we didn't have much time since it was so late, so I popped into Guest Services (two reasons--one, for a deck of cards for the game you play in the park, and two, to get some recommendations). I explained that we were in from the cruise, we had about an hour and 15 minutes before we had to be back on the bus, and Disneyland is our home park. I asked which rides were the "can't miss" rides so we wouldn't waste time. We were thinking of Pirates, and the cast member at Guest Services told us to go because it was different from California. We did three rides--Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and something else (I forget what), a bit of shopping, the game, and then that was it for the Magic Kingdom. We took the bus back to the cruise and off we went!

I remember our cruise card was our pass to the parks, and I think it may have even been our photo pass as well. I bought a photo of all of us in front of the castle, and used the photo mat signed by all the characters onboard as part of the frame. Such fun!

I just remember being nervous about it, but it ended up being very simple. They know how to do this--they've done it before and I'd be surprised if it weren't well-organized.

Have fun! We're envious--wish we could do NYC again, but we teach...so we're out. Our principals would never let us go!

--Karina

 

[SmileMom]

Thanks, everyone, for all the information! We booked today!

Ivan, please keep us updated about this year's cruise and FP+. Hopefully Disney figures it out and you will be able to book them when the 60 day mark hits.

 

[cscream13]

We have this cruise booked for this October, too. Does anyone know if there is any sort of food voucher included? For example, one quick-service meal per person, etc.?

 

[jskacoc]

This was posted on the cruise group I'm on:

We will be receiving ticket media on Tuesday, before we go to WDW. The tickets will be...wait for it...PRELOADED with THREE fastpasses to be used at ANY attraction at ANY time at WDW!!!! After the three are used, you will be able to obtain additional fastpasses from a kiosk or from MDE as the tickets will be linkable.

No magic bands will be given for this cruise. It is advised NOT to link up your ticket media for WDW to existing magic bands you have.

 

[jskacoc]

We have this cruise booked for this October, too. Does anyone know if there is any sort of food voucher included? For example, one quick-service meal per person, etc.?

You are on your own for food as far as I've heard. Just like a regular excursion.

 

[mathgeek]

We also did this itinerary in 2012. We ended up going to 3 parks that day.

Me too! This was my favorite cruise so far.

We have this cruise booked for this October, too. Does anyone know if there is any sort of food voucher included? For example, one quick-service meal per person, etc.?

You are on your own for food as far as I've heard. Just like a regular excursion.

Yes, in 2012 you were on your own for food. I went to MK, had lunch at Capt. Cook's at the Poly, monorailed to Epcot, then walked to DHS. Was going to stay for Fantasmic but decided I'd had enough of the hot sun after a full day at CC the day before and took the bus back to the ship in time for dinner. Loved having the chance to just wander through the terminal at my leisure and get a pic of it completely empty!

Have fun! We're envious--wish we could do NYC again, but we teach...so we're out. Our principals would never let us go!

Me too! Why do they keep scheduling these for the fall???

 

[byejou]

Question..... I just booked NYC to Bahamas 11/2017, of course no excursions listed yet. How does the WDW one work? Are the passes included in the cost of DCL transfers that day? If so, any idea how much, just planning. We may just rent a car and do Kennedy Space Center. We are from NJ and even with the price high we save money not traveling and doing WDW before and after.........

 

[jskacoc]

The WDW park hopper ticket and transportation are included in the cruise fare. It's basically use or lose it. Can't be used on another day.

 

[byejou]

The WDW park hopper ticket and transportation are included in the cruise fare. It's basically use or lose it. Can't be used on another day.

I wasn't told this when I called and book the cruise.

 

[jskacoc]

This is from the website

 

[MGD2007]

Received this notification for my October 2016 cruise:

As part of your sailing, a 1-day Walt Disney World® Resort ticket with Park Hopper® option is included and will be delivered to your stateroom the evening prior to our arrival in Port Canaveral. This ticket will include three FastPass+ selections that can be used at any attraction of your choosing. You do not need to make FastPass+ selections in advance.

 

[byejou]

I went and fully read the website. Thx for the info it was a nice surprise!! I'm now trying to get my family members to join in!!