OK.. new question.. Flight arrival times.

[ksumom]

If we were on a flight that arrives by 12:10 PM would that be pleanty of time to get to the port using Disney Transportation? I'm starting to debate the whole staying somewhere before the cruise. We can get a non-stop into Orlando (assuming they don't change their flight times next year).

Pros & Cons of arriving the day before & staying the night after the cruise??

One big con is hauling the luggage into & out of the hotels (traveling with a family of 6).

 

[jrabbit]

PRO: Starting the cruise in a much LESS frazzled state. Since we fly in from the northwest we always fly in the day before (at least). We have considered taking a red-eye and arriving at MCO in the morning. We've decided that to many things can go wrong with cancelled/delayed/connecting flights so for our peace of mind we arrive early (PRO #2 peace of mind).

Yea, that luggage issue for 6 will be a huge PITA, but for making sure you're on the ship it's the only way to go. I would have a (one) bag that has all you need for the night in the hotel before the cruise so you don't have to open/go through all of the bags to get clothes for the next day.

 

[TheWog]

I would go day before for peace of mind. It's worth it. You never know the weather.

 

[bassoongirl]

I am the third vote for flying in the night before. You will have peace of mind getting to Florida before the day you sail. There is a thread about staying at the MCO Hyatt the night before your cruise. You should check it out. I would recommend the Hyatt for your family of six. The hotel is located right in the airport. We stayed there the night before our cruise in February and loved it! We got our luggage, went up the escalator and were at the Hyatt! It couldn't have been any easier! Especially getting in late at night! There are plenty of places to eat at the airport including a food court that was near the Hyatt. We ate breakfast there the morning of our cruise.

Since you are taking DCL transfers, the Hyatt is an even better option for you. You can leave your luggage in the hall the morning of your cruise and DCL will pick it up and transport it to the ship for you. So you won't have to deal with moving all that luggage! In addition, you meet the DCL reps in the lobby of the Hyatt to catch the DCL buses. It is very convenient and the Hyatt is a beautiful hotel! My kids loved the outdoor pool located on the sixth floor. It was fun to swim with planes flying over us!

One other pro for flying in the night before is that you will get to the port earlier in the morning so you can make Palo and spa ressies and start enjoying the ship sooner.

Good luck!

Gayl

 

[glindamood]

Another vote for flying in the day before. There are just too many things that could happen to delay your flight and the ship will not wait for you. I understand the problem with hauling the luggage and all with 6 of you but I would rather deal with that then I would the alternative (missing the ship that is).

Another advantage is getting in early enough so that everyone is refreshed and relaxed. Getting up and out with 5 (sorry, only have 5 to compare to) early in the morning is stressful event at my house and not the way I like to start my vacations.

 

[CM_Mom]

Come in the day before. Check out this post http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=533205&highlight=+horror to understand why.

 

[ksumom]

Which type of trip insurance did you buy?

This brings another question.. is AAA's trip insurance better than Disney's like the TA said?