Ship to MCO

[lanegayle]

After the cruise, on Sunday morning how much time should we allow to get from the ship to MCO by Disney Bus?

 

[Missytara]

I haven't been on the cruise in a while, but I believe it was about a 35 minute ride from the actual port to MCO.

But you have to factor in what time you get off the ship (they exit the ships by sections); then locating your luggage in the terminal and then going through customs. Then you have to wait for everyone to board the bus.

That adds a lot of extra time. I usually allot about two hours for the entire process.

 

[Jestocost]

I personally wouldn't book anything before noon and generally try for a flight around 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. Yes, you generally will be able to get off of the ship on time and efficiently, get through customs/immigration quickly, board your bus in short order and be at the airport well before noon, but there are so many possible delay points that I don't want to take the chance of missing my flight.

Plenty of people will post about how they always book an 11:30 a.m. flight (or whatever) and have never missed it--and I'm sure that's true--but it only takes one problem for that track record to come to a screeching halt. If you hate waiting at the airport and are someone who is willing to take risks and accept the consequences, that's great. If you aren't, then I wouldn't take the gamble.

 

[Missytara]

I agree - I always book a noon or 1:00 pm flight; I would rather sit in the airport longer, than hope I make my flight.

 

[lanegayle]

That is about what I thuoght. We will have a 2-5-7 year old so we want to shoot for a nonstop. that narrows things a bit.

Thank You for the info this is a wonderful community


Virgin WCL

 

[Missytara]

That is about what I thuoght. We will have a 2-5-7 year old so we want to shoot for a nonstop. that narrows things a bit.

Thank You for the info this is a wonderful community


Virgin WCL

Another word of advice, since I see you have young children.

The couple next to us had their children eat a "hearty" breakfast, since it was going to be a long period of time to get off the ship, go through customs, and catch their plane and get home.

It is quite warm down (I mean like a sauna) in the terminal area where you retrieve your baggage to go through the customs line. The family was just a few people ahead of us.

Suddenly the five year old just absolutely blew his cookies - too much food, too much excitement, hot, hot, hot, and they were already in the line for customs. A customs agent would NOT let the parents stop to help him/clean him up, etc. They had to keep moving and couldn't stop until they got past the customs agent and outside. And we unfortunately all had to step over it. The poor child was probably more embarassed than anything else. But it is just very unfortunate, once you get in that line you are not even allowed to stop to adjust a bag on your shoulder (like I did after I stepped over this poor kid's vomit).

 

[lanegayle]

I forgot that we will need a stroller for the ship and shore leave. Can we rent one from Disney?

 

[sdjen]

I believe you can rent one on the ship with a large deposit.

If you are going on a Disney cruise, here is a very helpful link. THe experienced cruisers there are VERY knowlegable and helpful!

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

[plutospup]

Stop at Guest Services onboard ship. Years ago there was no charge, but there was a deposit that was placed on your shipboard account, and removed upon return of the stroller. They only had a few strollers, so first come first served!