Things to do before flight/Bus to plane

[fleshju]

We are leaving for our first land/sea trip on October 21, 2004. Whoo hooo!!!! Two questions that I haven't found answers to in the posts yet:

1. Our plane doesn't leave until 6:35PM on the last day (we are doing 3 day land/4 days sea). We have purchased the transportation option. I've read that you should take your time disembarking the ship if you have a later flight (our options were 10:15AM or 6:35PM). What is the latest the bus takes you to the airport are there other options?

2. Which takes me to the 2nd question. Any suggestions for what to do until it's time to catch the plane (besides hang out at the airport)?

I love reading all these posts. They have been very helpful and I've learned a lot for how to make the most out of our trip. Our two boys (ages 10 and 6), oh and us of course, are very excited. My parents are traveling with us and are planning lots of furn. Thank you for all your advice and tips!!

 

[Kalypso]

Hi there fleshju! I have the very same problem - I fly out at 6:35 on United on 9/12 - you're not by any chance flying to O'Hare, are you? LOL

DBF and I have booked a "day room" at the Hyatt in the Orlando Airport - they offer these rooms for $75 and you can check in at 10am and stay until 6pm - use the pool, take a nap, etc. And the hotel is RIGHT in the terminal so you will have no problem getting to the flight on time.

These boards are the best, aren't they? That's how I found out about the day room!

 

[kcashner]

Well, as to "taking your time" disembarking, DCL wants everyone off the ship by 9 am so that they can get ready for the next cruise. Remember that you will want to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.

All that said...options for your day would include cancelling your DCL transfers and renting a car for the day. Most companies allow you to rent at the port (the near the port place) and drop off near the airport without any extra charge. That would allow you to go to Downtown Disney (free), a theme park at WDW or Sea World (pay), Florida mall, space center, etc. Other ideas that wouldn't require a car would be a day room at the Hyatt (you can swim, etc.) There is actually quite a lot to do at the airport, but not enough to keep you busy from 10 am till 6 pm!

You can cancel your transfers for any leg of the trip and keep the others....the cost is $25 per leg if you do it that way.

 

[fleshju]

Thanks for the great ideas. I was just picturing our kids being bored at the airport all day!

We will be sure to disembark by 9:00 am. The Hyatt sounds like a relaxing thing to do and Downtown Disney would be a fun way to end the trip. Uh oh, now decisions have to be made!

Yes, I love these boards. I have been learning so much and thank everyone for being so generous to help us first-timers!

 

[jrabbit]

One other thing to note: If you decide on spending the day in the airport, you wont be able to check you luggage until 4 hours before departure. Its a bummer to have to drag them around with you all day.

I'll second the canceling of the port to mco transfers and renting a car for the day. You should be able to rent one for $50 for the day. We've spent the day at downtown disney (we had a 4:30 departure time). It's one way to start slipping back into reality

With your later time I would consider going to Sea World. Lots of shows to see with sitting and relaxing in the "theaters". Also they have an awesome roller coaster (Krakken) and the fun splash mountain like ride called Journey to Atlantis.

If you have the car you could also just spend a day at the beach near the port.

Lots of choices - Good Luck deciding upon what to do.

 

[hydster]

We did the Hyatt day room after our 5-1 cruise and it was the best thing we did! It was really nice to have them hold our luggage at the bell service until we went to check in. The pool (after being on DCL) felt gigantic and empty! We had "pool" service while the kids swam...meaning we ordered drinks and appetizers from the restaurant and sat in the shade of a patio cover and munched while they swam. Then we went to the restaurant and had a leisurely lunch, took the kids swimming again and then we went back to the room and the kids showered and watched tv. Then we went down and checked us in and the bell service pushed all of our luggage over to curbside check in and proceeded to get us "bumped" to the front of that line (I didn't realize it at the time) and then we went in and did a little shopping at the stores, checked out and went to our gate! It was relaxing, stress free and easy!

Heidi