Return Flights

[bartoscowabunga]

What time should I book my return flight when returning from the cruise? If I book an 11:35 a.m. flight, will that be too early. What time has Disney gotten you back to the airport? What time do you leave the ship?

Thanks.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

The ship is usually cleared for debarkation between 7:30 and 8:00am. An 11:35am flight is about as early as I'd book a return flight. In all probability, you will be able to make this flight. BUT..... on the off-chance that the ship is late getting in to Port Canaveral, you might be cutting it close. The latest (in 4 cruises) I've ever gotten to the airport and through security, using the DCL buses, was 10:15am, and that was when baggage check at the port was suspended. Our return flight is always on Delta at 12:45pm. This usually means a bit of a wait at MCO, but that doesn't really bother me.

If you eat breakfast early and are among the first off the ship, you should make this flight. You'll get all kinds of opinions on when to book, in the end you have to weigh how much time you're willing to wait at the airport, vs. how confident you want to be that you'll make your flight.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Our flight isn't until 2 pm. What's the latest you can leave the ship? Do you have an assigned time in meeting your transportation back to the boat? I would assume Disney does it by time of flight leaving.

I'd figured we would spend time in the airport. I thought we would check out the disney store and eat an early lunch. Oh, and I want to do a sit down breakfast on the last day if possible.

I can't wait! I am so excited!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Opps, I meant back to the airport! Look all I can think about is boat!

 

[castawayfan]

Are you driving or taking disney transportation? We have driven 3 of the 4 times we have cruised and have made it to the airport with plently of time to spare for a 9:50 flight. One time, the disney bus pulled up right as we were getting into the terminal - around 9:15. You do run the risk of the ship getting in late, but if I had the decision of an 11:30 flight or later in the day, I would take the 11:30.

 

[bartoscowabunga]

We are taking Disney transporation. We have the early breakfast that day, so I am hoping we get there in plenty of time.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

In an attempt to answer some of the various questions.....

-I believe they want everyone off the ship by 9:00am.

-There's no assigned time for the busses back to the airport. They load pretty much continuously from the time the first passengers come off the ship and leave when full. They have different busses which will leave you at different terminals, based on what airline you're flying.

-If you have the early dinner seating and consequently the early breakfast, and you eat in the dining room as opposed to the buffet, you should be finished with breakfast well before the ship is cleared. Probably a half-hour or so. If you leave the ship when it is cleared, you'll have plenty of time.

I think I agree with Castawayfan, if I had to choose between 11:30 and 2:30, I'd take 11:30. Our return flights are usually at 12:45 because that's the connection that works best for us, with a minimum of time waiting for our connecting flight in Dallas.