post cruise transportation timing

[hnthomps]

The short question here is a version of "what's the latest we can get off the ship?"

context - we are going on the Fantasy (3/12) and then to the Galactic Star Cruiser (3/19) (aka the star wars hotel experience). We cannot check in to the star cruiser until 1pm, and can't even drop luggage until 11am, apparently. Given the overall scope of these back to back adventures, we are not going to pay for park tickets for all of us on the day we off/on board. We have paid for DCL transfers, but now I'm v confused about what to do. Where should the transfers even take us? What do we do with our luggage? Is it possible to spend so much time getting off the Fantasy that we don't get to the Galactic Star Cruiser until 11am? If that's the case, we just drop our luggage there then take the bus to Disney Springs and spend a few hours there before coming back to immerse ourselves in star wars world...

Almost everyone on this forum has done this more than I have (I've done 2 Fantasy cruises and 2 weekends at WDW as an adult). What do you suggest? 3 adults, 2 children (8&10) with a week's worth of luggage. 1 child is reluctant about the whole SW situation. We'd prefer a solution that does not involve spending $500+

I've never been to Disney Springs, but my husband has, and assures me we could spend a few hours there happily.

I've considered trying a day room at the MCO hotel so we could use the pool -- go there post cruise, drop our stuff, take kids to the pool, then transport to WDW in the afternoon. But that seems like adding extra driving? I'm not entirely clear on the geography....

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The short question here is a version of "what's the latest we can get off the ship?"

context - we are going on the Fantasy (3/12) and then to the Galactic Star Cruiser (3/19) (aka the star wars hotel experience). We cannot check in to the star cruiser until 1pm, and can't even drop luggage until 11am, apparently. Given the overall scope of these back to back adventures, we are not going to pay for park tickets for all of us on the day we off/on board. We have paid for DCL transfers, but now I'm v confused about what to do. Where should the transfers even take us? What do we do with our luggage? Is it possible to spend so much time getting off the Fantasy that we don't get to the Galactic Star Cruiser until 11am? If that's the case, we just drop our luggage there then take the bus to Disney Springs and spend a few hours there before coming back to immerse ourselves in star wars world...

Almost everyone on this forum has done this more than I have (I've done 2 Fantasy cruises and 2 weekends at WDW as an adult). What do you suggest? 3 adults, 2 children (8&10) with a week's worth of luggage. 1 child is reluctant about the whole SW situation. We'd prefer a solution that does not involve spending $500+

I've never been to Disney Springs, but my husband has, and assures me we could spend a few hours there happily.

I've considered trying a day room at the MCO hotel so we could use the pool -- go there post cruise, drop our stuff, take kids to the pool, then transport to WDW in the afternoon. But that seems like adding extra driving? I'm not entirely clear on the geography....

They want everyone off the ship by 9:00. Most times they start "gathering" those stragglers and heading them toward the door about 8:30.

I'd probably wait until the latest and head over to the hotel at that time. If you're arriving via DCL transfers, in my experience with WDW resorts, they will still take your bags and let you do a pre-check in. You can then go where you wish, and they'll notify you when your room is ready. They'll hold your bags until your room is ready and then transfer them to your room.

 

[hnthomps]

thanks, so you think the transfer will hold the bags?
We've been told the galactic starcruiser -- since it's "not a hotel" -- does not take luggage before 11am, but I cannot find a way to verify that.

 

[Kwami]

Keep in mind that if you're using DCL transfers, then the bus leaves at 9am and you need to be on it. They don't run multiple buses to WDW resorts.