What time do you think we will arrive at port?

[NC State]

No rude answers please.....we can't arrive a day before the cruise so we are having to fly in the day we leave port. Our flight will arrive at MCO at 10:20 am. What time do you think we will arrive at Port Canaveral? (Disney will be taking us to port.)

 

[BartmanLA]

If you're taking the Disney Magical Express from MCO, you should arrive at the port about 45-50 minutes after the bus departs the airport, if you're having your bags transferred to the ship directly from the airport make sure you put your DCL luggage tags on the bags before you check them on your flight to MCO, they should be picked up at the baggage claim and transferred to the port for you. All you would need to do is make your way from your gate to down to B Side Level 1 Transportation area, it's very well marked so follow the signs! Once you arrive there depending on how many others are using DME as well you just check in and usually board the bus directly, when the bus is full the driver departs usually immediately, then it's a short 45-50 minute ride to Port Canaveral terminal. Enjoy your cruise!!!

 

[NC State]

We have ever arrived this late. We're usually the first ones at the door waiting to enter. I worry about entering the ship late. I do remember on our last cruise people were entering the ship while the drill was going on....I don't want to be that late!

 

[BartmanLA]

If your flight arrives at 10:20am There's a good chance you'll be at the port well before 2pm, they start boarding the ship usually around 12-12:30pm, barring any serious traffic delays, you should make it in plenty of time. Just be sure you take all your documentation that you'll need with you on the DME so you can check in when you get to the port right away.

 

[diznymom]

Are you using the DCL bus? If so, and you have the DCL tags on your luggage.......DCL will pick up your luggage and transport it to the ship for you. You will get off the plane, go down to 1st floor, B side and get on the bus. The bus ride is approximately 1 hour.

If you are not taking the bus, you will have to go pick up your luggage on the 2nd floor then get the transportation you arrange. Again the ride / drive to the port is approximately 1 hour. There will be more time in the terminal for you this way by having to wait and pick up your luggage.

 

[NC State]

We have always taken DCL bus. We love their service.

 

[mmouse37]

Just a clarification.....the DCL bus is not called Magical Express......ME is a complimentary bus service that only runs from MCO to the WDW resorts and back to MCO.

The bus to the port is called DCL transfers and costs $35 pp each way.

MJ

 

[Laundress]

for our trip in March the kids and I arrived at WDW a few days ahead but my husband flew in the day of. His flight came in at 10:15am and he was on board by 11:45am. We were just leaving CR when he called to say he was pool side.

 

[JWG]

You'll very well be there at the same time as or before the hotel transfers from WDW. They start pick-ups at MCO before WDW, so you should be fine. You'll miss the early port/terminal rush which in my mind is fine. While we've always been in a single digit boarding group (8 this last time), we've found getting on the ship that little bit early hasn't really made our day so much better. We didn't do Cabana's for lunch this past trip, so didn't need the jump on the buffet lines (ate at EG).

I think you'll be fine and won't miss out on anything except the early morning chaos in the terminal.

 

[mevelandry]

We have ever arrived this late. We're usually the first ones at the door waiting to enter. I worry about entering the ship late. I do remember on our last cruise people were entering the ship while the drill was going on....I don't want to be that late!

You do not need to worry. I'd be surprised if you arrived after 1:00 PM and at that time, the check-in is a breeze.

 

[Rabb it]

Hmm, if you land at 10:20, time getting off the plane, no baggage claim since you're taking Disney transport, I'm thinking you will get on a Disney bus around 10:45-11am. Sadly you will prolly have to wait around another 10-15 minutes for other passengers, that always seems to be the case when we go to Disney World. I would GUESS, you'd get to the port around 12:30-1pm, plenty of time!

 

[bumbershoot]

Assuming your flight is fine you'll arrive possibly before the all WDW transfers get to the port.

PLEASE keep an eye on your flights. Keep an eye on the weather. You say you can't go a day early BUT if suddenly there's weather looming and your airport/airline is allowing people to change their flights for free, it means there's about to be a problem. So keep an eye on that and if it becomes a problem, change that flight. If there's absolutely no weather problem or issue that would allow you to leave early? Then please get travel insurance now*. Once there's a named weather system you can't get it for weather anymore, from what I've read.

And if by chance it's just a money thing; that the flights the day before are far more expensive, but you would LIKE to leave early...also keep an eye on the flight! If the flight is changed by approx an hour or more, you can get it changed with no fees or extra charges.


*actually, just get it anyway if you haven't already, no matter what the work/school/whatever situation is... It'll give you peace of mind that at least you won't be out everything if something goes awry before or on your travel day.