Welcome aboard, Joseph! It sounds like your family is getting ready to set sail with Disney Cruise Line! And not only sail with Disney, but make it a true surf and turf vacation with a stay at the Walt Disney World Resort before your cruise! My family and I try to do that each time we sail, as we want all the Disney magic we can get!
While your ride from the Orlando International Airport on
Disney's Magical Express to your Walt Disney World Resort is complimentary, the
Disney Cruise Line ground transfers do carry an additional cost. Currently, the price is $35 per person each way. The cruise transfers run between the resorts at Walt Disney World and Port Canaveral, and also between Port Canaveral and the Orlando International Airport. I promise that using the cruise transfers is the easiest way to transition from land to sea and back again. The agents at Disney Cruise Line at (800) 951-3532 are happy to add these transfers to your reservation.
Since you're staying at a Walt Disney World Resort first, the night before you set sail, you'll receive notice in your resort room letting you know the exact pick up time for the next day, as well as the checked luggage pick up time. When we use the service, our luggage is picked up at 8:00 a.m., and then we board the motorcoach at our assigned time and we're off for the hour-long ride to the port! The motorcoach pick up times are normally between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., but it varies based on number of guests using that service and which resorts they're staying at prior. So, you will get specifics the night before.
I hope that helps as you begin to plan your exciting cruise! Stop back if we can help you with anything else before you head out to sea, Joseph!
Marcy