Speaking of no worries, securing Disney ground transfers helps to take some of the guesswork out of your arrival and insures a smooth trip to the ship. Once you arrive at Orlando International Airport, take the train to the Main Terminal, and proceed to Level 2/Baggage Claim area to claim your luggage. In addition to your luggage, you will also find a Disney Cruise Line airport representative who will escort you to members of the Luggage Assistance Team who will whisk your luggage away and it will magically appear at your stateroom after you have boarded.

Before you drop off your luggage, I recommend that you place anything you may need as soon as you board the ship in your carry-on bag since your luggage will not arrive at your stateroom until sometime after you board. I always include the basics like sunscreen and a water bottle. If you would like to take a dip in the pool, toss in your bathing suit, but leave your towels at home since they are provided. Remember to pack any medications, valuables, and your cruise documents and identification in your carry-on.

Once you drop off your luggage, you will proceed to the Disney Cruise Line check-in location in Terminal B/Level 1. When you check-in, a Cast Member will be able to let you know approximately when you will depart for the Cruise Terminal based on a couple of factors, one being your scheduled Port Arrival time. Departures from the airport are between 9:20 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and vary based on how many Guests will be arriving at the airport at various times. While you may not be able to arrive at the port much ahead of your scheduled time, the Cast Member will be able to assist you with an appropriate departure time.

Once you have disembarked the ship you will grab all bags before customs

Continue on thru customs

Continue to designated buses with your bags

Board the bus and enjoy the ride

Once you put your luggage out the night before debarkation, you will reclaim it in the holding area just before going through Customs. You will then take your bags with you to the motorcoach bound for Orlando International Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, Guests are expected to take their luggage to their airline for transfer. In other words, Disney Cruise Line assumes no responsibility in transferring your luggage to your airline for you. Back in the day, there was a program that allowed for checking bags all the way through to the airport, but that isn’t offered anymore.

If you do not want to have the pressure of packing your luggage and leaving it out the night before, you can always take your bags to breakfast the next morning and disembark the ship with them if you prefer (or head back to your stateroom to grab them before leaving the ship).

The day before embarkation, you’ll receive a letter from the resort detailing your motorcoach departure time and meeting location. If you don’t hear something by late afternoon, I’d stop by the front desk at the resort and talk to a Cast Member. They will be able to track down the information for you.

Motorcoach transportation begins at approximately 8:30 a.m. The exact time is based on how many people need to be picked up. Bell Services will start collecting luggage in the morning – don’t forget to attach your Disney Cruise Line Luggage Tags. The next time you see your bags will be in your stateroom. My family likes to pack our swimsuits in our carry-on bags so that we can enjoy an uncrowded pool after lunch on the ship. Don’t forget to keep your photo IDs, proof of citizenship, and any medications you might need with you as well.

Once you have this transportation reservation secured, here’s how it should work for you next year when the magical day arrives. You will receive a digital letter via email 48 hours prior to embarkation detailing your location and time of pick-up at your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel. This communication will also detail the process for Bell Services to pick up your luggage early that morning, typically around 8:00 A.M. The busses to Port Canaveral are specifically scheduled to pick up Guests like you, so the exact timing is not known until that final communication. You can expect pick-up around mid-morning. You do not need to select a Port Arrival Time (PAT) during the Online Check-In process 30 days prior to sailing as Disney is now managing your port arrival through this ground transportation. The bus may stop at other resorts before heading to your beautiful coastal destination of Port Canaveral.

I love this ride to the port because you can relax and know Disney is taking care of everything! The drive is approximately 60-90 minutes depending on traffic and weather, so you can anticipate a mid-day to early afternoon arrival. Rest assured, embarkation officially begins around 1:00 P.M. so you will arrive with plenty of time to board, explore the ship, enjoy a meal or snack, and be ready for the fun sail away activities by late afternoon.