Welcome back, Laura! Disney Cruise Line features special offers quite often, so keep an eye on
Disney Cruise Line's Special Offers page. Quite often, you'll see discounted rates on certain ships for a certain time of the year. You might like to know, however that even if you're already booked and a new special comes out, the agents at Disney Cruise Line are happy to work with you to incorporate that special onto your existing reservation. When we had our cruise booked and a Kids Sail Free promotion for the same sailing came out, I did have to switch staterooms, but we were still able to sail at the same time we'd already planned without much hassle at all and take advantage of this special. If after your first cruise, you want to sail again, the best discounts are offered onboard, so consider booking your second cruise while on your first to take advantage of reduced deposits, a nice percentage off the next cruise and an onboard credit for the next cruise too!
I do highly recommend using Disney Cruise Line's ground transfers from the airport or the resorts at Walt Disney World. If you're staying at a Walt Disney World resort the night before you set sail, you'll receive a call or letter in your room letting you know when and where to have your bags ready in the morning as well as your pick-up time. Normally the bags need to be ready around 8:00 a.m. and pick up times tend to be between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., however these can vary based on the number of guests taking advantage of this service, so you'll get specifics the night before. Your ride, once you leave Disney property, is about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the port. Lunch will be served once you board the ship and then your cruise vacation can begin!
I hope those details help as you look forward to booking your first cruise, Laura! Let me know how else I can help!