What to do - Late Flight after Disembarking

[TeaBee]

Hi, we have a 6 p.m. flight on the day we arrive back in port after our 3-night cruise on the Disney Dream. Prior to our cruise we will be spending two days in the Parks. I am debating what the best thing to do will be. I have considered the option of getting a day room at the hotel at the airport. However, I just read that we will be off the ship around 8:15 a.m. on the morning that we get back into port. We will have our own car at the Port, so I assume that will we we will be able to leave Port Canaveral fairly quickly. I am also curious about the option of buying another ticket and spending one more day in the Parks. Assuming we got off the boat at 8:15, and arrived at the parks around 9:30 or 10 a.m., we could have about 5 hours before we have to head to the airport period I am curious what other people have done who have had this stretch of time to spare before their flight home. Thanks!

We're leaving on a 6 p.m. flight after our next cruise too and considered a park day, but ultimately decided on a day pass at the Hyatt. Both of my kids were exhausted after the last cruise because they were up really late for last goodbyes to their new friends and then had to get up early for breakfast and off the ship. A park is definitely doable, but we decided against fighting the kid crankies and just plan for a relaxing day of napping and pool time before heading home.

 

[bumbershoot]

However, I just read that we will be off the ship around 8:15 a.m. on the morning that we get back into port.

Where did you read that?

While you *can* be off that early, you don't have to be. We've waited until they do their "you don't have to go home but you can't stay here" sort of spiel, which is at 9am. That happens, you head to the ramp and get off the ship.

I am also curious about the option of buying another ticket and spending one more day in the Parks.

Gracious, you [robably don't want to do THAT. Your cruise is a short one, so assuming your first and last days at the parks will be inside of 14 days of each other, just put the total number of park days you need on the tickets. So if you're doing 3 days in the parks, then the 3(?) night cruise, then another day, buy 4 day tickets. Buying a whole other ticket would be the most expensive way to do it.

I had checked into this for my last trip. I was told you could not check in your luggage before four hours prior to boarding time. At least that's the way it was for my airline you could check with yours.

If you participate in onboard airline checkin (which means you have to have booked Disney transfers to the airport), you can have them sent off to the airport that early morning even if your flight isn't until 11pm that night.



OP as long as you remember that a 6pm flight means a 3 pm departure *at the latest* from the parking lot of the parks (giving you time to fill up with gas, return the car, and get everything checked in and still have time for security) (and writing all that I'd go for 2:30 IN the car, driving out of the lot), it can be done. If you're doing that, then you DO want to get off the ship ASAP, of course.

We've had later flights and since we keep Universal APs at all times, we have gone there twice after cruises to wander, have butterbeer, maybe one last ride... Lovely way to end the vacation when we've been silly enough to book a flight that same day.