Heading out on a Disney voyage soon and wondering about how Disney Cruise Line disembarkation day works? There are a few things you may want to know before you embark on your cruise! If this is your first Disney Cruise Line vacation, this will be very helpful info. Here are all of my tips from an experienced travel agent and mom of four on what to expect at the end of your (what I hope is) relaxing Disney Cruise Line voyage.

Things to Do Before Disney Cruise Line Disembarkation Day
There are a few things you will want to take care of before your final day on the cruise ship. On our first cruise, I was surprised how early you awaken and how quickly you get off of the ship, so it is important to have a plan for that last morning. Here are some items to keep in mind:
Check your cruise folio
Before Disney Cruise Line disembarkation day, be sure to check your cruise folio for any charges that you have occurred during your cruise. You can find your folio in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. If you have any charges you want to dispute, be sure to visit Guest Services desk before your final day. The line tends to be long on the final morning, and it can be stressful especially if you are trying to catch a flight or meet your transportation. Guest Services can also help you load a different payment method if necessary.

Tip your service crew
Disney Cruise Line is known for exceptional service, and you will want to thank your crew. If you haven’t already prepaid gratuities, they will be added to your cruise folio. If you prepaid, you will find preprinted slips and envelopes in your room to leave for various crew members. Did you have exceptional service? You can add additional money to your envelope or visit Guest Services to add it.
Consider your photo package
If you did not pre-purchase your photo package before the cruise, be sure to visit the photo studio to see if you want to purchase photos before the last day. After the cruise, you will no longer be able to purchase them, so before the final day is the time! Photos are a great way to recall your magical memories!

Read through the disembarkation directions on the DCL app
You will become well-versed with the DCL app during your cruise. Even if you have sailed before, be sure to see if there any changes to the disembarkation process. You will probably receive a paper copy of directions as well as baggage tags, so crew members can grab your luggage the final night of the cruise. Read carefully and make a plan with your family.
Check the safe
As with all cruise ships and hotels, be sure to check the stateroom safe, if you used it. You don’t want to leave important items behind! Ensure that you have your ID, passport, wallet, cell phone, charging cords and more before you leave.
Visit the Kids Club
If your children visited the kids’ club, be sure to return the band used to keep track of your child. The bands are free of charge, but your folio will be charged if you do not return them before the final day.

Check in for your flight and confirm transportation plans
If you need to check in for your flight the day prior, be sure to do so in advance of your final day. Confirm your transportation plans to the airport, if needed, with your meeting time and place.
Return your DCL survey
DCL will give you a survey to complete before you leave. This survey helps them highlight great crew members and also make notes for improvement. Go ahead and complete this on the last night of your cruise. Your staff will remind you to leave the surveys at breakfast or disembarkation on your final day.
Book a Placeholder
If you wish to take advantage of the Disney Cruise Line placeholder, use the app or visit Guest Services before your final day. The placeholder program allows you to make a refundable deposit of $250 for your next cruise. You must take any future cruises within the next 2 years or have your money refunded if you choose not to travel. Cruisers also receive a discounted rate on their next cruise. If your family enjoyed their voyage and you think you may return, it is a good investment.

Pack
Ahh, the saddest part. Take a few minutes before your final day to gather belongings and start packing. It is hard to remember everything when you are groggy that final morning, so give yourself a head start the day before your last morning.
Decide if You Want to Use Express Walk Off or Standard Departure
Before your final morning, your stateroom host will deliver luggage tags and instructions on disembarkation. You may choose to take your own luggage with you to breakfast and off of the ship, called Express Walk Off, or you can use the standard departure method.
Standard departure requires you to have your luggage packed and outside your door the night before your final day, so keep that in mind. Your stateroom host will leave you a set of disembarkation luggage tags. Decide with your party which method you would like to use.

What to Expect on the Last Day of Your Disney Cruise
Standard Departure or Express Walk Off
If you have opted for standard departure, your stateroom host will have already taken your luggage the night before. You will mark the luggage with your name and a character tag. Keep in mind your character (or take a picture) as this will be how your luggage is separated off of the ship. You will also be called to disembark the ship by the character groups. Have your passport, Key to the World card, and important documents on your person as they will be checked as you exit the ship.
Be sure to keep out all of your morning toiletries, clothing, pajamas, medications, and things needed for the next day, as you will need to tuck those away in your carry on. You will meet your luggage after you disembark the ship.

On Disney Cruise Line disembarkation day, we like to take advantage of express walk-off. If you opt for express walk off, you will take your own luggage to breakfast and leave them outside of the restaurant while you dine. Crew members need to start preparing your stateroom for the next guests, so be sure to take all of your belongings.
From there, you can just roll right off the ship once port authorities and the captain says you are cleared, usually around 7:30 AM. You will go through Customs and head out!

Breakfast Options: Dining Room
On your final morning, you can eat a served breakfast in a dining room. It is usually the same restaurant from the rotational dining schedule the night before. If you have main dining (or early dinner seating), you will have an early breakfast time around 6:45 AM.
If you have the later dining slot, your breakfast will begin around 8:00 AM. There are both hot and cold items available, but the menu is reduced. It is also a nice time to say thank you and farewell to your dining room servers. Your head server will remind you of the breakfast procedure the night before your final day.
Breakfast Options: Buffet
The buffet is usually open on your disembarkation day. Check with your server the night before for the hours. As of the date of this answer, the buffet opens around 6:30 AM. If you want something quick, this is a good option. It is also nice if you have the early dining time but don’t need to get off the ship quickly. Our family likes having a bit more time to get to breakfast and get off of the ship.

Breakfast Options: Room Service
Room service will not be available on your final morning (unless you are concierge level guests), but you can order some items the night before up until midnight to keep in your room. Cereal boxes, muffins, donuts, and the like will be fine overnight. Store milk and juices in your room fridge. Coffee in a carafe generally stays hot enough for the morning. It is an option if you need it, and especially nice if you need a quick breakfast to get off the ship early.

Getting off of the Ship
Checking Out and Customs
On disembarkation day, Disney staff will quickly scan your Key to the World card as you exit the ship. Then, all cruisers will go through Customs, showing your travel documents and exiting the port terminal.

Locate Transportation
On your Disney Cruise Line disembarkation day, you will head to your mode of transportation to return to the “real world.” You have a few options here:
- Disney Transportation: If you choose to use Disney transportation for ground transfers, you will have that booked before your cruise. The buses will be in a designated location and will take you to the airport or the Disney resort noted on your reservation. If traveling to the airport, Disney usually recommends scheduling your departure flight after noon.
- Rental cars: If you are renting a car from the area, shuttle services to the rental car agency will be outside of the port. Check with your rental car agency on how to meet up with them and retrieve your car. If you are returning to the Orlando International Airport, keep in mind you will encounter a few toll booths along the way.
- Parking garage: Parked in the garage? Simply proceed to the garage, pay your fee, and head home!
- Ride Share: Uber/Lyft are usually available outside of the cruise terminal. If you are nervous about requesting one on disembarkation day, schedule the pick up through their app. You may seem some surge pricing from the ports, like Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale and others, simply because the ride share app knows many people are exiting at the same time.
- Taxis: Most ports have taxis standing by ready to take cruisers back to the airport or local hotels.
I hope you found this post full of helpful info about your next Disney Cruise Line disembarkation day! Have a magical cruise and keep reading for more great travel content!
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