A few questions for December About This Page:

[graceandaudrey]

My 2 daughters (7 and 2) and I are going on our second Disney Cruise 12/13-12/20 and are staying 4 nights at the Grand Floridian before we go. My sister is joining us for the cruise portion of the trip. We are undecided about where to meet her--the day before or the day off at the resort or at the port that morning. Has anybody had any difficulty doing that? Can I check in at the port without her?
What about transportation? I'll use the Magical Express from MCO to the Grand Floridian. Should I use Disney transp. from the resort to the port and then the port to MCO? Price wise for 2 adults and a 7 year old and 2 year old--isn't it about the same?

Now that we are Castaway Club members, what exactly are the benefits?

[emtpej]

Just wishing you welcome to the boards!
We have not yet been on the cruise, but if your sister wants to use the Disney transfers to / from Port, then it might be easier for her to meet you there, instead of at the GF. I am sure someone else will have better advice!

[Colexis Mom]

I don't believe you'll be able to check in at the port without her as they will need to see her Photo ID or Passport for Immigration purposes

[HeatherD]

I'll use the Magical Express from MCO to the Grand Floridian. Should I use Disney transp. from the resort to the port and then the port to MCO?

This is what we did in reverse. We took Disney transp from MCO to port and from port to AKL, then ME from AKL to MCO. Some people prefer to rent cars or hire drivers in cars, rather than a big bus. However, I really liked that the Disney bus put us in the mood immediately. They showed a cruise video on our way there and a movie on the way back. They were fun to look at and had hidden Mickeys on the seats. But, if you are unsure, you'll need to research the cost yourself to see if it would save enough money.

Regarding your sister, is she driving or flying? And is her reservation different from yours? You guys can do different transp and meet up at the port, provided you will arrive around the same time. The only reason you'd need to check in together is if she's on your ressie. Otherwise, you could just make plans to meet up at XXX.

Now that we are Castaway Club members, what exactly are the benefits?

Earlier booking time for excursions, Palo, etc. Gift in your stateroom. Not sure beyond that....

[DrDolphin]

You can not check in for your room until your sister arrives at the port. So if you want to check in as soon as you get there - you should have her travel with you. You can purchase transfers for her from the resort to the Port. You didn't say if you already have transfers to the port for you and your children. OR you could have your sister meet at the GF and you could all take a towncar to the port - it might cost less than transfers from Disney.

[dmpyron]

If she's flying in, I strongly, most wholeheartedly, urge you to have her fly in the night before. December usually has flight delays all over the country. Remember the bad evening at JFK? It messed up airlines for almost a week. And taking the first flight out in the morning from a warm weather city may not work, either. That plane waiting anxiously for you had to come from somewhere. Like JFK.

[Dave Marx]

It's easy to arrange to meet inside the terminal (you do not have to enter the terminal together). The terminal is not so large that you can't find each other. For example, plan to meet on the right-hand side of the terminal, where there are seats and TVs to watch while you wait. You can check-in together, whenever you're ready. Since the ship doesn't start boarding until about Noon, so long as you meet-up before then, your boarding won't be delayed by very much (the later you check-in, the higher your boarding number, but even those with the highest boarding numbers don't have to wait all that long to board).

For four passengers, Disney transportation is almost always more expensive than private transportation. Three passengers is the typical break-even point.