Disney Wish DISembarkation

Is it debark or disembark?  Either way, after an incredible last three or four days aboard the beautiful Disney Wish, it’s not something you’re looking forward to.  Fortunately, Disney makes the process, however you want to say it, efficient and painless.

Pro Tip:  try to complete any purchases at Shutters or any loose ends with Guest Relations on the last night vs. the morning of disembarkation.  Yes, we are calling it DISembarkation.  DEbarkation sounds like something one would do to a tree, or that the Witch Ursula would do to a dog that wanted to become a human.

As you may expect, Disney provides no shortage of information on the disembarkation process.  On the last night of your cruise, you will find a detailed letter in your stateroom and receive helpful tips from your dining team.  Also, the TV in your cabin will offer disembarkation information courtesy of your cruise director.  Once you come to terms with the fact that you do actually have to leave, you just need to make a few decisions:

1) Do I want to carry my own bags or let Disney do the heavy lifting?

2) What time do I want/need to disembark?

3) Do I want to eat breakfast before heading ashore?

First up, packing.  What you pack, and when, will depend on whether you want Disney to handle your luggage or if you will do so yourself.  Or, perhaps you’ll share the load.  If you would like Disney to take your bags off the ship, have them outside your stateroom (usually between 8:30 and 10:30pm) on the last night, with the color-coded character tags provided by Disney affixed.  When you disembark these bags will be easily retrieved in the terminal’s color coded areas (i.e. red luggage tags, your bags will be lined up in the red baggage area).  If you’ve packed light and/or don’t mind lugging your own stuff, simply bring your bags with you to breakfast (if you’re breakfasting) in the morning.

Pro Tip:  if you’re a heavy packer, consider leaving at least one bag for Disney to handle and carry off the rest (clothes from night before, toiletries, etc.).  Elevators can be crowded so if your bags are light, and you’re up for some extra exercise, using the stairs may be a time-saving option.

Next, what is your post-ship day looking like?  If you have an early flight, or need to disembark as early as possible for any reason, Disney offers an Express Walk Off option, usually about 7:30am (possibly a bit earlier depending on when the ship clears customs).  For this option, you will need to carry all luggage off the ship yourself and make your way to the Grand Hall where you’ll be among the first to disembark.  If you’re in no rush to leave, you’ll just need to be out of your room by 8am-ish, and off the ship somewhere between 9 and 9:30.

Pro Tip:  if it fits your schedule, linger a bit at breakfast, then find a seat in The Bayou (or elsewhere), finally joining the line as late as possible.

Speaking of breakfast, it will be table service at the same restaurant to which you were assigned on the last night of your cruise.  For those in the main dinner seating, it will be served around 6:45-7:00am.  Second dinner seating guests will have breakfast start at 8am.  Should you prefer a buffet, or to have some timing flexibility, Marceline Market will be open until 8:30am.  Note that selections will be slimmer than on previous mornings.  And, since it is one of our favorite spaces aboard, I must mention that if you need one last fix of Cove Cafe coffee, it also will be open until 8:30am.

Pro Tip:  for second seaters, as long as the timing works for you, opt for the table service over Marceline.  It will be much more relaxing and give you one last chance to interact with your dining team one last time.

At this point, all that is left is to follow the line, or crew members’ directions, toward the exit.  Once inside the terminal, retrieve your luggage (if Disney handled it) and head over to customs inside the terminal.  Porters are available to carry bags for you.

Pro Tip:  have your Key to the World Card and Passport/ID handy as you will need both.  Also, remember, no photos or videos while going through the customs process.

Overall, from the time you are ready to disembark to the time you are through customs should take anywhere from 15-45 minutes.  And then, for better or worse, you’ll be on your way to the ground transportation option of your choice, marveling at the efficiency of Disney’s process for disembarkation (or debarkation, if you prefer) process.