Ahoy there, Ruth! Thanks for sailing my way here at planDisney!
Oh my! You're so close to your exciting sailing on the
Disney Dream! In just a few days, you'll be embarking on an adventure across the big blue with nothing to worry about sun, sand, and where you want to eat next! Consider me double jealous as my family was originally planning on sailing on the same day! Hopefully, you can have twice as much fun and wave hello to Captain Mickey, Captain Minnie, and their friends for us, too!
Disney Cruise Line
Ground Transportation is my family's favorite way to get from Orlando International Airport to Port Canaveral for a Disney Cruise. The ease and peace of mind that comes from being on official Disney Cruise Line transportation makes it so we can start our vacation as soon as we step on the motorcoach, so let's get to your question!
It sounds like you may be staying at a hotel near, but not AT the airport. We've done this several times as well, but it does take a bit of "reverse Imagineering" to figure out when to return to the airport for your transfers the next day! During
Online Check-In, you should have selected a Port Arrival Time that will work for you and your crew. Depending on what that Port Arrival Time is, I'd count back around an hour and 45 minutes beforehand to allow your party time to get back to the airport, check in with the Ground Transfers crew members, board the motorcoach, wait for others, and take the roughly one-hour trip to the port! OH, and don't forget, NOW is the time to be sure your luggage tags are on your checked bags - you won't see them again until later on embarkation day!
Since Guests must wait to enter the Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal until their Port Arrival Time and must undergo embarkation testing, this amount of time should be roughly perfect for minimizing your wait while not pulling a "White Rabbit" and being late, late, for your very important date! I know it's just a few days away, but I always suggest checking the latest
Know Before You Go Information to be sure you have the most up-to-date info on what to expect on embarkation day!
Thank you so much for your question, Ruth, and I hope this helps you chart the final approach to your whirlwind Disney Cruise Line vacation! If you have any other questions in these final days leading up to your sail date, please drop me a line back here at planDisney! I'm always looking for Guests who need help, because I've been there before, too! I know you and your crew are going to have a shipload of fun making magical memories.
Fair winds and following seas!
Andrew