I am thinking of going to Epcot for a half a day after we return back to Port Canaveral from the Fantasy. How early could I reasonably expect to disembark, get through customs, pick up our rental car and drive to Epcot? I'm trying to decide if it would be worth a trip to Epcot. I'd like to ride Test Track as it was closed when we were there over Thanksgiving. My oldest also really wanted to ride Soarin' again and it didn't work out for us timing wise to do it. She'd also love to do another Perry mission or 2. We have to be heading to the gates by 4pm to get to the airport and return our car for our 6:30pm flight. Adding a day to the tickets is basically like buying a full day since we will be going from 1 day to 2 day tickets. I have one AP so that part is covered.
I've enjoyed a nice 2nd seating breakfast, gone through the luggage room, taken the shuttle back to park-n-cruise and driven to meet a friend at Epcot by 12N
We didn't have our luggage with us and we disembarked at our own pace around 8:00. By the time we went through customs and got our bags, it was about 8:30. We were at the rental car counter (Dollar) by 9:00am (had to wait awhile for the shuttle) and we were pulling in the MK parking lot at 10:15.
We have disembarked around 7:30 am, brought our luggage with us, picked up our car and been to the gates of MK by 9:30am.
The fastest way is to keep your luggage with you and get off as soon as they open the doors--typically 7 or 7:30. However, your car rental place may not be open that early (sorry)..so check in advance. It is about a 75 minute drive to WDW. You COULD take a taxi to the car rental place and be there the minute they open...or be out there for the first shuttle, and be at Epcot by 9:30 or 10. Single day tickets are too pricey for my blood.
I agree - single day admission is crazy expensive...especially if you have to leave by 4:00. It's a good thing you have 1 AP. I would also check to see what time Epcot opens the day you're talking about going. I would think you could be there between 10 and 10:30 without rushing around too much. If you want to get there early you'll have to do as kcashner suggested and keep your luggage with you & disembark as soon as they start allowing people to get off.
If you park at the Port and disembark as soon as you can, you can practically open the park if you drive straight to Epcot. You should be able to have a full day instead of a half day.
