Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is Express Walk Off?

Express Walk-Off is an option for debarking the ship at the end of your Disney Cruise Line sailing. If you would like to be off the ship as early as possible, then Express Walk-Off is what you’re looking for. Here’s what to know about timing, luggage, and breakfast if you’re considering this rapid exit option.

For sailings that end in U.S. ports, Disney Cruise Line ships typically debark passengers between 8 am and 10 am. Express Walk-Off allows you to leave the ship as soon as it’s cleared by local authorities. This is usually by 7:30 am and can be as early as 7 am. Your Navigator app will not have a time for Express Walk-Off, but you might receive information about Express Walk-Off timing along with your luggage tags on the last day of your cruise. Or you can check with Guest Services the night before to find out when to go down for Express Walk-Off. You will usually be asked to arrive in the ship’s atrium about 15 minutes before you’ll be able to leave the boat.

Note that if you plan to use Express Walk-Off, you won’t be using those luggage tags! Instead of placing your bags outside your stateroom the night before, you’ll carry all your luggage off the ship yourself. No luggage assistance will be available on the ship or in the terminal.

For breakfast, you’ll have a couple of options. The early breakfast seating in the restaurant is usually at 6:45 am. If you had the early dinner seating on your cruise, this is the one you’ll be assigned on the final morning. But if you want to get off as early as possible, this is still longer than you want to spend on a meal. Instead, head to the buffet; options will be more limited than usual but all the basics will be there. For the fastest morning food, get a continental breakfast from Room Service delivered the previous evening. All staterooms have a small fridge that’s good for keeping any cold items cold. And for coffee, the carafe will usually keep it hot for several hours.

When you’re ready, head down to the atrium and wait until Express Walk-Off opens. Then simply walk off the ship. Clearing Customs is usually very rapid when you use Express Walk-Off. That’s because you’ll have all your luggage with you and not that many people ahead of you. Express Walk-Off is great for those with early flights, and you can use it even if you have a cruise transfer to the airport. It should put you on the first departing bus.

Express Walk-Off isn’t for everyone. If it was, it wouldn’t work so well to get you off quickly! You might not want to use it if you have a large group and a lot of luggage. Or, you might just like to have a nice breakfast in the dining room and a more relaxed exit experience. For more details about getting off the ship on your last day, see What to Expect on a Disney Cruise Line Debarkation Day.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a question about a term that’s unfamiliar to you? Suggest it in the comments below! If you’ve used Express Walk-Off, share your best tips!