When planning a Disney cruise vacation, one of the most asked questions is about the embarkation and debarkation process. I remember our family's first Disney cruise on the Disney Wish (best vacation EVER!), and I also had a ton of questions about how to get on and off the ship. I kinda like to think about it like the first time at the airport — you have no idea how all that works until you're there and learn as you go. But, now that we've been on lots of Disney cruises, we've got the embarkation and debarkation process down, and we're sharing everything we know so you'll have a better understanding and can prepare before you go. Specifically in this post, we're talking about a debarkation process called Express Walk-Off. You'll want to use Express Walk-Off if your travel arrangements require you to get off the ship as early as possible, i.e. you have a plane to catch and you've got to GO. We've got the scoop on what it is, how it works and a few things to consider.
What Is Disney Cruise Express Walk-Off?
We don't usually like to talk about the end of your cruise vacation because that's just sad. But in the spirit of helpfulness, we frogs must press on. ;)
On debarkation day, the debarkation process involves assigning passengers a specific breakfast time and designated meeting location. Guests wait in these areas until their group is called to disembark. The crew collects luggage the night before, where it's available for pickup in the terminal after customs clearance. This process can take some time, depending on the number of passengers and how quickly customs clears the ship.
Express Walk-Off, however, is for those early frogs who want to carry their luggage off the ship and disembark as soon as customs clears, without waiting for their assigned debarkation group to be called.
This means that you can bypass the standard disembarkation process and head straight from your stateroom to the gangway with your luggage. No need to stress about making that early morning flight home! Phew!
Who Should Use Express Walk-Off?
Disney Cruise Line encourages guests with early flights or travel plans to use Express Walk-Off. If you've got a scheduled flight or train before 1 p.m. — this is the debarkation option you'll want to consider. No sign-up or approval is needed — simply follow the debarkation day instructions to participate.
You can find the instructions for disembarkation and Express Walk-Off in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. The instructions also appear on the DCL Information channel on the stateroom TVs and are announced over the ship's PA system on debarkation morning.
How Does Express Walk-Off Work?
As we said above, the Disney Cruise Navigator app contains detailed information about the debarkation process. Listed under Debarkation Info, guests can find everything from U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Luggage to Debarkation Morning, including specifics about Express Walk-Off.
The majority of cruise activities will have set times listed in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Express Walk-Off does not have a specific time listed. We recommend checking with guest services the night before to find out when the crew expects the ship to dock and when guests should be ready for Express Walk-Off. In most instances, you'll be advised to debark as early as 7 a.m.
On our most recent cruise, Express Walk-Off officially started at 7:15 a.m., but guests could begin disembarking as early as 7:09 a.m. Usually, guests who select this option gather in the ship's lobby atrium on debarkation morning. After customs and immigration authorities clear the ship, guests receive the all-clear to disembark.
Benefits of Disney Cruise Express Walk-Off
- Less waiting! By opting for Express Walk-Off, you'll be the first to leave the ship. You'll be on your way to journey home or head to your next destination without having to wait.
- Express Walk-Off is convenient if you prefer to handle your own luggage and debark without waiting for assigned debarkation groups. You also don't have to worry about getting your crew all packed up the night before. We're usually squeezing in as many fun activities as we can on the last night, and don't have enough time to stop and pack up and have our luggage ready for pick up. Sometimes it's just easier for us to stay up late or wake up early to finish the final packing.
- Getting through security within the port will most likely be easier and quicker. As one of the first guests off the ship, security will have little to no queue meaning that you can get through security and on your way with as little stress as possible.
Express Walk-Off — How It Worked for Us
On our last two cruises, we chose the Express Walk-Off option because we had early travel arrangements to return home. In both cases, the Express Walk-Off option was easy, smooth and super efficient. As Mommy Frog likes to joke, "Like butter!"
We even timed our experience to give a gauge of how it all played out. Just keep in mind that the exact timing can vary and you'll want to check with Guest Services for the planned debarkation time for your ship the night before.
Disney Wish in Port Canaveral:
- 6:35 a.m. - Breakfast at Marceline Market
- 7:00 a.m. - Return to the room to get luggage
- 7:05 a.m. - Announcement that Express Walk-Off disembark/debarkation begins
- 7:19 a.m. - No line for Express Walk-Off and immediately exit the ship
- 7:26 a.m. -Through customs and in the parking garage/taxi pick-up area at Port Canaveral
Disney Magic in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale):
- 6:30 a.m. - Breakfast at Cabanas
- 6:50 a.m. - Return to the room to get luggage
- 7:00 a.m. - Get in line for Express Walk-Off
- 7:09 a.m. - Announcement that Express Walk-Off disembark/debarkation begins
- 7:12 a.m. - Exit the ship
- 7:17 a.m. - Through customs and in the parking garage/taxi pick-up area at Port Everglades
Concierge Guests
Guests who are sailing in a concierge-level room will have their own line for debarkation. This line ensures concierge guests have almost no wait during the Express Walk-Off or the regular disembarkation process. Room Service is available debarkation morning for Concierge guests only.
Breakfast Option for Disney Cruise Express Walk-Off
For Express Walk-Off, your only breakfast option will be the buffet-style Cabanas on the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Marceline Market is the buffet on the Disney Wish. Don't leave the ship hungry! Plus, this meal is already included in your cruise package. Ya might as well take advantage of one last meal before leaving the ship. Not to mention, you won't have to worry about trying to find breakfast once you’re back on land.
Cabanas or Marceline Market
The buffet opens early, usually at 6:30 a.m., on debarkation day which gives guests enough time to eat before exiting the ship. Items available for breakfast include eggs, pastries, meats, french toast, pancakes, potatoes, homefries, fruits, yogurts and many other breakfast items.
Guests not using Express Walk-Off have the option to have a sit-down meal in one of the main rotational dining locations. The sit-down breakfast usually takes place in the same dining location where you had dinner the night before, following a set schedule based on your dining time (early or late seating). You can find your scheduled breakfast location in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, and your serving team will typically remind you during dinner the night before.
Cove Cafe
Cove Cafe will be open on debarkation morning for guests who want to order specialty coffees before leaving the ship. You can swing by before heading to Cabanas or Marceline Market if you want something more than the standard coffee that's always available throughout the ship. One last foamy specialty coffee for Mommy Frog? Yes, please!
Disney Cruise Express Walk-Off — Additional Things to Consider
As you're planning your exit off the ship, here are a few more things to consider:
With Express Walk-Off, you will miss your final sit-down breakfast. Since you can still have a full breakfast at either Cabanas or Marceline Market, we don’t think this is a big downside. However, it means that you will not see your service team one last time and that your final morning on the cruise will include a casual buffet breakfast.
- Keep in mind that with Express Walk-Off you'll be responsible for carrying off your own luggage, so be sure to bring only what you can comfortably manage.
- Another downside is that with Express Walk-Off, you are getting off the ship earlier, which means that your vacation ends just a little bit sooner. Boo!
- Make sure to have all necessary travel documents and identification readily available, as you'll still need to clear customs and immigration before leaving the terminal. Have your Key to the World card and passport (or other acceptable ID) ready for you and everyone in your travel party.
- Express Walk-Off happens in the early morning hours, so set those alarms and be prepared to wake up early.
- For more information on Disney's Ground Transportation Services, hop over to this link. You'll want to confirm your travel plans before heading off the ship.
Express Walk-Off is the way to go if you need to get off the ship quickly or you just don't want to wait around. It's especially convenient if you've got early travel plans and can't afford to miss the next leg of your trip. Have you tried Express Walk-Off before? Still have questions? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Disney Cruise Gratuities — Everything You Need to Know
Related: Ultimate Disney Cruise Packing List
Keep hopping!
