Driving but have questions about parking at Port

[mickeyluv]

We are driving down to FL for our upcoming Disney Dream cruise and I want some opinions. I was thinking being we are driving and the drive to Cape Canaveral is about 10 or 11 hours we should maybe drive 3/4 of the way and then stop for the night and drive the rest the next morning. If we did this we would be parking at Port Canaveral. For a 3 night cruise what would the price be per vehicle (we will have two)?

Or we could drive straight through, stay at one of the hotels that has the Park and Cruise package, and take the hotel shuttle to the terminal the morning of the cruise and not pay for parking at the Port.

I am leaning towards driving straight through and staying at Cape Canaveral the night before our cruise. I also like the idea of being in Cape Canaveral the morning of our cruise. This way we pay for the hotel and not the parking at the port. If we don't drive straight through then we have to pay for a hotel and to park at the port.

Which would you do?

 

[dorkeemn]

For 2 cars - I'd do the park and stay (or stay and park) and the shuttle to the ship. You might pay a little more for a hotel - but in the end it will be less than staying someplace else and then paying again for parking.

 

[KSandbergFL]

For a 3 night cruise what would the price be per vehicle (we will have two)?

Last time I parked at the port, it was $17/day per vehicle.... $51 for 3 days. If you're staying at a hotel anyway, I'd just leave your cars at the hotel.

 

[kcashner]

It has been posted that parking is increasing to $20 per car; not sure when that takes effect. WOW, the first time I put a car in the lot, I thought $7 per day was expensive!

What I would do--I'd stay at one of the hotels that allows you to leave a car at their lot (like the Radisson, CI&S, or Renaissance.) 11 hours is very possible to do in one day, you'll KNOW you're at the port should anything happen, and you can have a leisurely morning rather than needing to get up early to drive several hours. (and that doesn't even consider car trouble, etc. that could slow you a bit)

On our 7 day, the cost of the hotel was almost exactly equal to the cost of parking at the port---but the hotel included the parking and breakfast.

 

[mickeyluv]

Thanks so much!! I think I will recommend to the rest of our family that we indeed drive down straight through and stay in Cape Canaveral! Now to find a room...I've looked and the Residence Inn doesn't show anything available. I've read some pretty bad reports about the shuttle at the Radisson and I would hate for my sister and her kid's 1st Disney cruise (2nd cruise ever) to get off on a bad start. Has anyone ever stayed at the Days Inn? My niece was telling me that her and her DH stayed either there or at the Comfort and they offered a shuttle. Anyone ever stayed at either of these two places?

 

[jenseib]

Does the residence inn have a shuttle to the port? If so does it cost more? (which is fine, just want to know) And how do you book it?

 

[mammacaryn]

We are driving for the first time ourselves this year(from NY). We are going to park at the port though. Our thoughts, you are still paying extra for the "park" part of your package at the hotels(sure it might be a bit less than the total you pay for parking)...then have to wait for the shuttles etc. when you come back. We just want to be able to leave when we are ready. Also, I feel a little safer leaving my van with out of state plates at the port rather than a hotel-even though most of the reviews of people that leave their vehicles at the hotels have been super. Just our preference.
We are going to stay one night at a hotel, then take our time that morning and head to the port when we are ready.

 

[CocoaCup]

Hey,
I have a suggestion, depending on when you are going you should look at country inn and suites. Many people have booked them through priceline and named there own price at like 50 bucks and it was accepted by them. They have parking there and a great breakfast free. If you get a priceline deal you only pay $20 extra for each car to park there the duration of the cruise. Or you can book through them directly and have it included. I sure hope this helps.

Kiki

 

[nokidz]

It has been posted that parking is increasing to $20 per car; not sure when that takes effect. WOW, the first time I put a car in the lot, I thought $7 per day was expensive!

Where did you see this posted?

 

[mickeyluv]

There are 5 in our group. I didn't think you could book on priceline with 5 to a room?

I just called CI&S to check availability and pricing. Because we have a 20yo going, he is considered an adult. So she gave me a quote for a suite which has 2 queen beds, and a separate living area with queen sleeper sofa. She did ask me how many vehicles we would have and I told her 2. She said that the room price of $166.00 + tax included 1 vehicle for park and cruise and that we could pay $20 + tax for the 2nd vehicle. Hope this helps someone else. Not sure that we're going to keep that but booked it just in case we don't find anything cheaper!!

 

[kcashner]

The $20 was posted on these boards--so can't confirm the accuracy.

I've read of one person who had issues with the Radisson shuttle on the way home from the cruise. While I have met the individual who posted, and totally believe his post, it does not reflect my situation.

We rode the Radisson shuttle--had reservations in advance. Guy doing check in for the shuttle was GREAT (college grad, major in French and music if I remember correctly...he and DD had quite a chat). We actually left 10 minutes early because everyone on the list was on board and all seats were filled. On the way home we did have to go to Carnival to pick up some of their peeps, but on the positive side, the driver took us all the way to our car in their lot. The only downside is that the Radisson does not have free breakfast.

CI&S--free shuttle and breakfast.

Renaissance I believe has a small fee for shuttle, free breakfast. Of course, you can have the driver take the family to the terminal and only pay for 1 on the shuttle if you wish.

Quality Inn and Suites-sister hotel to Radisson, you will drive to Radisson and park in their lot, ride their shuttle. Free, but very basic breakfast.

Days Inn--I wouldn't touch them.

Best Western--decent hotel, reasonable breakfast. We didn't need parking on that trip, so don't know if they have it (doubt it!)

 

[serrem]

The $20 parking fee seems to be an unsubstantiated rumor. Parking at the Port is still $15 per night, see the portcanaveral.com website (search Google for "Port Canaveral Parking").

 

[kcashner]

There are 5 in our group. I didn't think you could book on priceline with 5 to a room?

I just called CI&S to check availability and pricing. Because we have a 20yo going, he is considered an adult. So she gave me a quote for a suite which has 2 queen beds, and a separate living area with queen sleeper sofa. She did ask me how many vehicles we would have and I told her 2. She said that the room price of $166.00 + tax included 1 vehicle for park and cruise and that we could pay $20 + tax for the 2nd vehicle. Hope this helps someone else. Not sure that we're going to keep that but booked it just in case we don't find anything cheaper!!

Priceline is technically for 2 people, Hotwire for up to 4.

Have you looked at the Radisson (you can leave 2 vehicles there free). And their shuttle starts at 10 rather than 10:30...since you posted elsewhere that you want to be there early. The Renaissance Inn is also nice--free breakfast but a fee for their shuttle.

 

[mickeyluv]

Priceline is technically for 2 people, Hotwire for up to 4.

Have you looked at the Radisson (you can leave 2 vehicles there free). And their shuttle starts at 10 rather than 10:30...since you posted elsewhere that you want to be there early. The Renaissance Inn is also nice--free breakfast but a fee for their shuttle.

Does the Radisson have rooms for 5 people? Maybe I should give them a call! Thanks!

 

[mmouse37]

There are 5 in our group. I didn't think you could book on priceline with 5 to a room?

I just called CI&S to check availability and pricing. Because we have a 20yo going, he is considered an adult. So she gave me a quote for a suite which has 2 queen beds, and a separate living area with queen sleeper sofa. She did ask me how many vehicles we would have and I told her 2. She said that the room price of $166.00 + tax included 1 vehicle for park and cruise and that we could pay $20 + tax for the 2nd vehicle. Hope this helps someone else. Not sure that we're going to keep that but booked it just in case we don't find anything cheaper!!

Country Inn and Suites on Priceline automatically gives you the kids suite rooms (we asked and were told this and other Diser's have reported the same thing).

There is a king bed and a separate nook with 3 twin beds (1 bunk bed and and another twin.

I did take some pics of the kids suites at the CIS....and I am sure kids would love this little section of the room to sleep....











MJ

 

[vegs1]

Country Inn and Suites on Priceline automatically gives you the kids suite rooms (we asked and were told this and other Diser's have reported the same thing).

There is a king bed and a separate nook with 3 twin beds (1 bunk bed and and another twin.

I did take some pics of the kids suites at the CIS....and I am sure kids would love this little section of the room to sleep....











MJ

What city do you put in for this? Port Canaveral? Cocoa Beach?

Thanks!