Happy Monday everyone! We have 21 Mondays until we are sailing away with Mickey.
But our vacation doesn't start and end at the gang way. So, this week's Forget Me Not is about your pre and post cruise Vacation time.
I can not speak for everyone, but I have not had my wish to live at Disney World granted YET (I still believe in the magic of wishing on a star, so I am holding on to that dream!!!!). For those of you that are like me, and have to find your way to Florida, and then on to Cape Canaveral, will also have to find their way back home after the cruise. And, I believe that the vacation begins when I leave home, and goes until I return home. This leaves a portion of our vacation that needs to be planned for.
Getting to Orlando will take one of 2 forms usually - there is the possibility of the arrival by train as well though. If you are flying in, you will then need to plan for transportation from and to the airport. If you are driving in, you will probably need to plan for a nights stay and then make arrangements for your vehicle while you are away. Here are a few things to get your mind thinking about the pre and post portion of your vacation -
Flying -
in and out the day of boarding and return
- arrange an early enough flight to make sure you can make the 1 hour journey and be able to board no later than 2 ( I know this is earlier than Disney
requires, but this will allow for any hiccups or delays).
- and arrange for a late enough flight that will allow you to leave the port by around 10 AM, make the 1 hour drive, and then still be able to be 3 to 4
hours early, giving you enough time tho navigate security. This airport is large and crowded, and your will appreciate the cushion of time.
in or out a day early or a day after
- arrange for a hotel stay (if you use Disney as a before or after, you can use their free Magical Transports to and / or from the airport)
Both -
- arrange for transportation to and from the port
-
Disney Cruise Buses pick up at the airport and Disney resorts. They will also pick up at the port and take you back to either Disney or the
airport
- private cars (limo, sedan, or shuttle type bus) can be arranged from the airport, area hotels, and Disney. Keep in mind though when arranging
a pick up at the airport, make sure they have clearance to do airport pick ups. Private car companies have to get a permit to operate at the
airport. These will also pick up at the port (check to see if they need to get permits at port, and if they charge for tolls)
- Car rentals can be reserved as a one way rental going to and / or from Cape Canaveral. The car companies run shuttles to drop off and pick up
renters at the port. Cars can be rented at the airport, or at many of the area resort locations.
- Ride sharing. Some shuttles or private companies have lager vehicles that can carry up to 10 - 15 passengers. Two or 3 families could arrange
for a ride and share the cost.
Driving -
Arriving early / staying after -
- arrange for hotel stay
- for those of you choosing Disney, you can usually leave your vehicle at the Disney resort you are staying at and arrange for a ride on the Disney
cruise bus if you prefer this to parking at port.
- if you stay closer to the port, look for a hotel that provides cruise parking and a shuttle to the port
- if you time your arrival for the morning of the cruise, make sure to allot some extra time for hiccups or delays. You can also look into parking at the
port.
And for anyone that that may be coming in with a camper / RV (and you don't choose to stay at Fort Wilderness, or you want to leave Fort Wilderness a
day early) There is an RV camp named Jetti park. It is located at the end of the canal that the Dream will enter and then later leave through when heading to the port. The bonus of this stay is that you can get up early in the morning and see the Dream coming in to port close enough that you could almost reach out and touch it. I have been promised a stay here once we hit the road in 2 years!
Happy planning.
~Tink~