Welcome aboard, Susan! My family and I try to squeeze in as much extra Disney magic as we can when we set sail with
Disney Cruise Line. That definitely means adding a few extra days before or after our cruise at the
Walt Disney World Resort.
It sounds like you've already pre-booked the optional cruise
Ground Transfers that Disney offers between the resorts and the port. That's the best way to transition from land to sea and back again. You won't find out the exact pick up time at your resort until the night before you set sail. There will be a note or a call left for you in your resort room that will give you exact details for your departure. It will let you know what time you'll be picked up, and also that they'll take any checked luggage ahead to the ship. I love that the luggage is picked up directly from our resort room at about 8:00 a.m. We don't even need to be there when they come to get it. Then, our bags meet us in our stateroom later in the afternoon. My family and I keep our day bags with us and spend the morning enjoying a bit more exploring around the resort and a leisurely breakfast before hopping onboard the motorcoach to take us to the port. Usually, pick up will be between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., but again, your exact time will be given the night before.
Upon your return, all guests must be off the ship by 9:00 or 9:30, after breakfast, (though debarkation usually begins by 7:30 a.m.), so that will give you plenty of time after taking the motorcoach back to your resort, to then hop over to one of the parks for more fun! You can expect to make it to the parks by lunchtime for sure!
Have fun planning and please stop back if we can help with anything else as you continue to count down to your cruise, Susan!
Marcy