transfer questions????????

[bpd196]

I'm trying to book my airfare for my May 13th 06 Magic trip. If I take a 8:40 AM flight from Newark and arrive in Orlando at 11:15 and take the Disney transfer I will have plenty of time to board before 5:30pm. My question is on the return May 20th it states disembarkation is at 8:30 am. Does that mean everyone is off the ship at 8:30am? I have a choice of 2 flights one at 1:20pm and another at 5:40 pm. I called Disney and they said the 1:20 flight should be fine. I'm just looking for anyone that has used the transfers and how long of a ride is it and what time everyone got off the ship. Is the transfer waiting for you as you get off the boat and how soon does it leave? Can you request a early disembarkation?

 

[woj68]

We're taking our first cruise in Sept. But from what I've read on these boards, everyone is usually off the boat by 9ish and it's a 45 min ride to the airport.
We scheduled a 2:00pm return flight for our cruise and are expecting to be at the airport by 10:30am.

I would book the 1:20 flight.

 

[TheWog]

1:20 p.m. flight will give you plenty of time.

 

[Jsme]

Do the 1:20 flight otherwise you will have loads of time on your hands.

 

[mommasita]

I agree with the flight home at 1:30..Just a thought, a really BIG one...I would, along with MANY MANY others, arrive the day before..GOd forbid something happened, and you missed the boat...IT happens, not all the time, but very risky IMHO..

Try a search, and you will see some nightmare posts about it...

Sorry, just adding my 2 cents..

 

[DrCavin]

We are booked on that cruise!!! Come check out our Yahoo group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DisMay2006/
We also have a thread at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=705789

You will be fine on your return flight of 1:20, but I would NOT fly in the day of a cruise. Way too many things could delay your arrival... Yes many people fly in day of, but I would rather be relaxed & ready to enjoy the first day than tired/stressed from a day of flying....

 

[cass'mom]

Hi! We're on the May 13 '06 cruise as well!

We took everyone's advice and even did it for our last cruise and got to Orlando the night before. We're too afraid something funky would happen and we'd miss the ship! I can't deal with the stress of hurrying! We have to get in to Orlando late in the evening so we most likely will use Priceline and get a cheap hotel near the airport.

As for the return, when we cruised the last time our flight was at 1:30 pm and we had TONS of time to kill at the airport so you shouldn't have any problems there! We didn't use Disney transfers though, we used a town car/van. We were off the ship before 9 a.m. and got to the airport after 10 am. If you have main dining/seating throughout the cruise, then you'll be at breakfast by 6:45 am.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Take my word for it...FLY IN THE DAY BEFORE! Years ago, we cruised Carnival and was flying the day of the cruise. Our flight was delayed from the very beginning and it turned out to be the day from heck. We missed the ship and they had to fly us to the first port the next day.

 

[bpd196]

Might sound like a stupid question, but if I fly in a day early then I'm going to have to lug the luggage back to the airport to get the transfer. Is that correct or do they have hotels that they stop at?

 

[jhorstma]

Yup, you'll be schlepping luggage from MCO to your hotel the night before and then back again Saturday morning, UNLESS:

a) You stay at WDW, or
b) You stay at the MCO Hyatt

The Hyatt is superduper convenient though a tad overpriced (as you'd probably expect). They have an arrangement with DCL where cruise guests leave their tagged luggage outside their room Saturday morning and then walk downstairs to meet up with the DCL transfer folks. When you sign in with DCL they doublecheck your room number and then make sure to get your luggage. You end up being on 1 of the 1st buses to PC - although you'll wait a bit after checking in at the terminal it's still kinda neat to experience the building anticipation just a couple feet from the ship, then being one of the 1st allowed aboard. It's a great way to go!

 

[E&BMom]

I would most definitely fly in the day before!!! We sailed in March and people on our ship missed the ship because of a mechanical problem with the plane. They had an early flight and still missed it. I don't want to scare people but it does happen. Good luck!!!

 

[MLC]

How Much Is It For The Disney Transfers?

 

[kcashner]

Fly in the night before. You can get a room at the Hyatt (expensive) . If you do this, DCL will handle your luggage if you are using DCL transfers (about $30 per person one way). We get a room thru Priceline. You can learn about priceline bidding at biddingfortravel.com. We get a 3* room because all 3* have complimentary shuttles to/from the airport and there is a really nasty La Quinta at the 2.5* level.

You have a couple or alternatives in the morning. You can take the hotel's complimentary shuttle back to MCO and catch the DCL shuttle (they start about 10 am). Alternatively, you can book a private limo service which will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the port. Or, you can rent a car and drop it off at the port area (there is no extra charge for this drop off.) The break even point between DCL transfers and private limo is usually right at 3 people. Rental cars can be even cheaper since it is only a one day rental. Of course, then you have the hassle of picking up/dropping off the car. Most limo services allow a 15 minute grocery or Walmart stop, which can be a real blessing if you've forgotten anything.

There is nothing that makes up for the assurance of flying in the night before. You don't have to worry about late flights, connections, lost luggage, etc. My logic is that if I am in the Orlando area, somehow I will be on that ship.

 

[Big MacK]

We flew out of Newark also. Took the first flight out, usually around 6:20 am, arrived at Orlando around 9:30 am.
There will be a Disney Rep to meet you in the rotunda, which is where the shuttle train takes you, and you will be directed downstairs to the shuttle buses. Arrive at terminal around 11 am.

I especially like the feature that you check your luggage at Newark, and will not see it again untill it arrives at your stateroom.
Coming home is much the same. After clearing customs, there is a Airline agent to give you your boarding passes, and will take you luggage right there at the terminal.
Get on the shuttle back to the airport, and proceed though secrity to you gate.

 

[cruzings]

you should have no problem making it to the 1:20 pm flight. when you step off the ship, there are busses to take you to MCO. you are actually checked-in right there so you do not have to check in at the airport.....at least that's what they did with us before. it is sooooooo easy.

 

[cass'mom]

MCL-- I believe the Disney transfers are $59 per person round trip and $49 for West Coast cruises.

 

[Bee]

Ok I have a Question... If we have to be off the ship by 9 at the latest.. and our flight doesnt leave till 3 and we also have an option of leaving around 5.. would it be best to try to go to Kennedy Space center 1st then to the airport.. and rent a car or just go to the Airport and hang out for what will seem like several hours? Dont we have to be at the airport at least 2 hrs in advance? I am not sure what we should do? Kennedy Space center being right there and all.. and dont know when we will have that oppurtunity again.. what should I do?

 

[Big MacK]

The tour at NASA is definitley worth it. You pay admission to get in, where they have exhibits, the rocket garden, and I think at least 2 different films concerning space flight, about an hour each. It is worth seeing at least one.
For a additional charge, they have 2 seperate bus/walking tours that take you to the launch pads, and many other very interesting sights. At many places you get off the bus and tour assembly buildings and such. The entire facility is on a state wildlife preserve, where you will see alligators everywhere, and I mean everywhere. They also take pride in the bald eagles that reside there and will show you the nest, from a distance, but it is huge.
The visit in all however, can be very long, and you do not have time to do both bus/walking tours, plus the attractions with the minimal admission.
If it were me, I would book a later flight, and get off the boat as early as possible. Also, now that the shuttle program is underway again, you will see much more activity in the various assembly buildings, etc. I was there a year ago on a weekday, and it was pretty quiet, but still very interesting.

 

[Bee]

I want to thank you for your help. I think that it would be very nice to be able to tour it.. I just think the added cost and the rental car might be too expensive for such a short time to actually enjoy it.. That would be great to see.. Are there things to keep people occupied at the airport.. cause I have a feeling we will be there for a long time..
Thanks so much Big Mack.. We have DD10 and DD9 at the time of the cruise.. thanks, B

 

[scrapperjill]

Just like everyone else (or atleast alot of others) I have to agree with flying in the day/night before...You just never know when a delay will happen...So much could happen...either with weather or trouble with the plane. (We sat on a plane before take-off one time...for 2 hours because of a saftey issue that came up...then we had to get off the plane...and board another one...only to have to get off again and catch a flight the next day ....Really....anything can happen..and I for one would rather have that 24 hour window to work in.

Another thing...if you do decide to fly in the SAME day as you sail....you'll have to be checked in and ON the ship before 4pm...for the manditory boat drill. The ship sails around 5:30...but everyone onboard has to attend the safety drill at 4pm.

And....depending on how many are in your group....it may be cheeper for you to do a towncar or limo service instead of the DCL transfers....I think I've seen r/t towncar service for $150...so if you have more than 2 people in your group...it would be as much or less to have a personal driver.

We opted to fly in the evening before our cruise...stay at Embassy Suites...use their FREE shuttle service to their hotel...then have a car service pick us up the next morning and drive us to the port....on our schedule...not DCL transfers schedule.

Another option....if your wanting to use the DCL transfers...is to stay at a WDW resort...because they do pick up at some of their hotels...and with the ME service right now...you'll also get free transfers from MCO to the resort hotel.