Ahoy there, Amber!
Welcome aboard planDisney! Starting your vacation with some time at Walt Disney World before sailing off on a Disney cruise sounds like an absolutely magical combination. Going from the parks to the port always feels a little like the opening of Moana when the ocean adventure is finally calling your name!
The great news is that as long as your toddler is under 3 years old and riding as a lap child on
Disney’s ground transportation to Port Canaveral, you will not be charged for them. Guests ages 3 and older are currently charged for the transfer service, which right now is $45 per Guest one-way or $90 round trip.
My crew and I recently used Disney ground transportation from
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, and it really was such an easy and smooth experience. Disney takes care of so many of the logistics so that embarkation morning feels more exciting than stressful. A day or two before your sailing, you should receive an email with all your transportation details, including luggage instructions, meeting times, and where to gather at your resort.
For our sailing, we had to have our checked luggage ready in our resort room by 7:00 AM, and it was picked up shortly after at about 7:10 AM. After that, we didn’t see those bags again until they appeared outside our stateroom door onboard the ship. Because of that, definitely make sure you keep anything important with you in
your carry-on bag for embarkation day, especially toddler essentials. Things like medications, diapers, snacks, swimsuits, favorite comfort items, and travel documents are good things to keep nearby while your luggage takes its own voyage to the ship.
We were then asked to meet in the resort lobby around 9:15 AM for a 9:45 departure, and the whole process ran smoother than Dash sprinting through the savanna. Your exact timing may vary a little depending on your resort and sailing, but hopefully this gives you a good idea of what embarkation morning may look like for your family.
I hope this
helps as you get ready for your land and sea adventure! There’s something extra special about watching the vacation shift from castle views to ocean views all in the same trip.
Sea ya real soon with warm air, calm seas, and a ship that always feels like home,
Dustin