What to do after disembark?

[Deniseibase]

Hi there! We are planning our first cruise ever as a 7 day land and sea at the beginning of October. I understand from reading all the posts that generally you can count on being back to the Orlando airport by noon or so, which is great, except that our flight leaves at 9PM that night and we have a two year old. Nine hours in an airport with a tired toddler who we have to try to keep confined just sounds like the PERFECT way to ruin our dream vacation to me!!!

So we are trying to figure out what our options are - getting an earlier flight is the most expensive option as our tickets are not transferable But I will do it if we can't think of anything else. What would be a good time to get a flight back - we don't want to have to rush off the boat like crazy people, remember we'll have a toddler with us so we have to make allowances!!

Another option my DH thought of is to go to the airport, check our luggage, and hop a shuttle bus back to Disney for the day. Is that even allowed post 9/11?

Anyone have any other ideas or suggestions? Please help, this is our first vacation in seven years and I am so worried about this aspect of it that it has literally kept me awake at night. Thanks!

Denise

 

[peg2001]

We have some similar questions. You can not check your luggage at the airport more than 4 hours prior to your flight. You MAY be able to check your luggage at the port, depending on what airline you are using. Can anyone clarify if they have the same 4-hour maximum restriction?

You could consider a 1-day car rental for both transportation, and a place to leave your luggage if you want to hit WDW for the day.

Will your 2-year-old need to nap? You could consider reserving a cheap hotel room (think $30 to $40 with Hotwire or Priceline) as a place to leave your luggage and take an afternoon nap. With any luck, the hotel will also have a nice pool and you could actually spend the day there before heading to the airport.

These are just some of my thoughts. Even with the cost of a hotel room or rental car, you'll probably save over trying to change your flights.

What other ideas do people have?

 

[hokie5cruiser]

go to www.hotels.com or orlandodiscountrooms.com to book a cheap room with a pool. Sounds the most relaxing to me. We are staying at one with airport shuttle so we don't have to worry

 

[Katesdad]

We have reserved an Avis rental car, picking up in Port Canaveral at the Radisson, going to Downtown Disney for some relaxation and shopping for gifts, then heading to the airport for a 7:15 flight, all for about the same cost as the Disney Shuttle for DW and I.

 

[Dodie]

We were VERY PLEASED with the AVIS one-way car rental. It ended up costing less than the Disney transfers AND gave us a trunk to store our luggage in all day while we went to the MK from 11 A.M. through 5:30 P.M. This allowed us to arrive at MCO at 6:30 P.M. for our 8:30 P.M. flight!

I would highly recommend going the AVIS route. It's close to the port and the transportation works out great!

 

[Deniseibase]

Thank you!!! I think we will investigate the hotel idea, Harper WILL need a nap I'm sure & that sounds like the most relaxing idea - she can rest & then we can play in the pool until time for a nice dinner, then on our flight & home!

Denise

 

[jj863]

We had the same situation and dealt with it by having Happy Limo pick us up at the Port & drop us at Downtown Disney.
While we shopped,walked, played at Legoland, etc. they held our luggage for us, then picked us up later in the day and got us to the airport in time for our flight. Our airline didn't check bags at the port, if yours does it will be even easier & cheaper!

 

[floridaminnie]

Sometimes airlines will allow you to try to get an earlier flight if there is room. So that wouldn't be a bad option. Also downtown disney would be a fun place for you and your 2 year old. I don't know about dropping off your luggage early. I know you could do it pre-sept. 11th, but I don't know if they have a time limit of when you can check your baggage in. I would think as long as you are on the plane and they can match luggage to a person, you would be ok.

 

[inkkognito]

We once did exactly what jj863 did, except that we also went over to the AK Lodge to look at the animals and wandered around Fort Wilderness checking out the petting zoo etc. We had a nice meal at Puck's at DD and then the towncar brought us back to the airport.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com