Welcome aboard, James!
I love that you're staying at the Walt Disney World Resorts before you head out to sea. My family and I do this each time we sail from Port Canaveral, as it really extends the magic! If you book ground transfers through Disney Cruise Line (which you can do by calling the agents at (800) 951-3532,) you'll enjoy a stress-free transition from land to sea and back again. The night before you set sail, you'll receive a note in your resort room letting you know the exact pick up time for your transportation on embarkation morning. Usually, the motorcoach pick up times are somewhere from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. I love that by the time we arrive at the port, there isn't much of a wait to get onboard, so we can usually walk right onto the ship! Also, around 8:00 a.m., your checked luggage will be picked up from your resort room to head to the ship. You can then keep a day bag with you as you continue to enjoy your resort that morning before boarding the motorcoach for the port.
Your four-night sailing includes three Cruise Casual
dining attire nights (one of those will be Pirate Night, so pack some swashbuckling accessories!), and one Optional Dress-Up Night. The Disney characters will be out in their formalwear that night, so it's a great night to dress up your family for photos!
Finally, the ship does not use MagicBands. The
Youth Clubs onboard, however, use a band that is similar to a MagicBand, for the kids. They'll receive those at check-in at the port or in the club onboard. They'll scan the bands to enter the clubs and when parents pick them up from the clubs. Other than that, all guests will use their Key To The World Card for purchases, identification, and as their stateroom key onboard.
Have fun planning, James!
Marcy