Please suggest time to leave WDW for the port

[Ursula's Mom]

We are a group of 8 (with two cars) and we will be leaving from WDW to go to the cruise on 8/28/03! I would like some advice from the experts as to what time we should leave WDW to get to the port, knowing that we will have to unload luggage from 2 cars and drop them off for parking before we can get on the check in line.

Also, only 3 of the 8 are returning cruisers. If the castaway club line is shorter than the others, can all check in there? Or do all have to be returning cruisers to use the castaway club check in?

Thanks in advance to all!

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

The trip takes about an hour, maybe a bit more. The port opens at 10:30, so if you want to be among the first in line, you can plan accordingly. Boarding usually begins at 12:15-12:30, so factor in how long you want to wait in line. Some people like to arrive after boarding has begun, say 1:00-1:30, and just walk right on board. I don't mind waiting in line, so I like to get to the port at around 11:00am.

I believe your whole party can check in at once, especially if they are on the same reservation. However, it's been my experience that the Castaway Club lines are not any shorter. In fact, in 9 trips, I've never used these lines to check in. You can almost always find a shorter one.

 

[Ursula's Mom]

Thanks for the info. Lloyd!

 

[darbear]

We left disney at 9:15 and arrive at the port by 10:30. We drove right up to the curve unloaded and got a close parking space. It gave use time to look around before the crowd. We boarded at 12:00, but the time went so fast.

 

[anitad]

We will be sailing on the August 9 Magic. The plan is for my husband to drop the 4 of us off at the port with the luggage and park the car. Can I check in for him if he is not back to meet us in the check in line? Any information on the check in process is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[darbear]

You can get in line and start the process, but they will need to see his photo ID. I start the process and then my husband came over. My children sat down and watched disney video on the other side of the terminal, but with in site.

 

[Ursula's Mom]

Thanks for the replies.

darbear - where is the place where they show videos? Is it near the entrance to the cruiseship or somewhere else in the terminal? Please let me know. Thank you in advance

 

[darbear]

The videos are shown on many different T.v's. on the right when you go in the termial .The check in is on the left.

 

[anitad]

Thank you for the information.