A day in Port Canaveral

kingpinpearce · Oct 25, 2016

So the airline we're using (which we're using because they fly out of a small airport direct to Orlando without having to go to Pittsburgh to do it) switched our leave time on the day of our flight from 6:00 PM to 8:05 *AM* on that day, putting us in Orlando at 10:30 AM. Earliest we could probably get into our hotel that day is 3 PM.

Recommendations for how to spend that day? The cruise leaves the next day, but I've read enough horror stories to not want to move the flight (that airport has 1 flight to Orlando and 1 flight back each day, always at the same time.). We've already spent a significant amount of money setting up the vacation to this point, and will need to have more ready for the vacation proper (3 days on the Dream, four days in the parks), so we don't have a ton of extra money to spend - a day at Universal is probably out.

Also...good places to eat in Port Canaveral that don't break the bank? We're taking hotel shuttle service from Orlando so we won't have a car to work with.

Thanks, everyone!

Weedy · Oct 25, 2016

Here's a thread I wrote awhile back.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/fun-things-to-do-in-port-canaveral.3388210/

newbydisney · Oct 25, 2016

kingpinpearce said:
So the airline we're using (which we're using because they fly out of a small airport direct to Orlando without having to go to Pittsburgh to do it) switched our leave time on the day of our flight from 6:00 PM to 8:05 *AM* on that day, putting us in Orlando at 10:30 AM. Earliest we could probably get into our hotel that day is 3 PM.

Recommendations for how to spend that day? The cruise leaves the next day, but I've read enough horror stories to not want to move the flight (that airport has 1 flight to Orlando and 1 flight back each day, always at the same time.). We've already spent a significant amount of money setting up the vacation to this point, and will need to have more ready for the vacation proper (3 days on the Dream, four days in the parks), so we don't have a ton of extra money to spend - a day at Universal is probably out.

Also...good places to eat in Port Canaveral that don't break the bank? We're taking hotel shuttle service from Orlando so we won't have a car to work with.

Thanks, everyone!

I'm sorry maybe it's obvious, but what hotel? And spend the day in Port Canaveral?

Keyser · Oct 26, 2016

Without a car, this might not be an option (you'd need Uber or something, and I'm not sure how it is in that area), but there's always Kennedy Space Center. You can easily spend a full day there!

When we were delayed from going to the port on our first cruise (there was a bomb threat that closed the port, so we had several hours to kill, but fortunately had a car), we ended up spending some time at a beach nearby. It's not Castaway Cay, but I thought the beach was nice (and I think there are more developed beaches a short drive away). It's probably a long walk (but walkable) from most hotels, though I don't remember for sure. Just walk east.

I also saw this Hollywood car museum, right near the port (though I don't know how walkable it is): http://parkerbrothersconcepts.com/hollywood-auto-museum/
I've never been, but the cars parked out front were pretty interesting.

As for places to eat, on our last trip we ended up at a place called Kelsey's pizzeria. It was a pretty standard Italian place (more than just pizza - in fact, none of us had pizza) - nothing outstanding, but not bad, and I don't remember it being too expensive. It's on the main street, close to several hotels. Overall, there weren't as many restaurants around as I would have expected. I get the feeling that a couple of the seafood places near the port are the ones that are considered the "best" restaurants, but the timing and our kids' tastes had us go for Italian...

kingpinpearce · Oct 26, 2016

newbydisney said:
I'm sorry maybe it's obvious, but what hotel? And spend the day in Port Canaveral?

We're going to be at the Radisson. And given I've never BEEN to Port Canaveral, I'd love some more specifics than "Port Canaveral" if you have them to provide. :joker:

kingpinpearce · Oct 26, 2016

Keyser said:
Without a car, this might not be an option (you'd need Uber or something, and I'm not sure how it is in that area), but there's always Kennedy Space Center. You can easily spend a full day there!

When we were delayed from going to the port on our first cruise (there was a bomb threat that closed the port, so we had several hours to kill, but fortunately had a car), we ended up spending some time at a beach nearby. It's not Castaway Cay, but I thought the beach was nice (and I think there are more developed beaches a short drive away). It's probably a long walk (but walkable) from most hotels, though I don't remember for sure. Just walk east.

I also saw this Hollywood car museum, right near the port (though I don't know how walkable it is): http://parkerbrothersconcepts.com/hollywood-auto-museum/
I've never been, but the cars parked out front were pretty interesting.

As for places to eat, on our last trip we ended up at a place called Kelsey's pizzeria. It was a pretty standard Italian place (more than just pizza - in fact, none of us had pizza) - nothing outstanding, but not bad, and I don't remember it being too expensive. It's on the main street, close to several hotels. Overall, there weren't as many restaurants around as I would have expected. I get the feeling that a couple of the seafood places near the port are the ones that are considered the "best" restaurants, but the timing and our kids' tastes had us go for Italian...

Just looked at KSC, and rack ticket prices for the 4 of us would be $180 not including transportation. Any ideas where I might be able to look into discounted ticket rates? KSC would be ideal to spend the entire day at, just want to limit the extra expenditures.

newbydisney · Oct 26, 2016

kingpinpearce said:
We're going to be at the Radisson. And given I've never BEEN to Port Canaveral, I'd love some more specifics than "Port Canaveral" if you have them to provide.

I just wasn't clear if you wanted to spend the day actually in PC or someplace along the way. There are often discounted tix available for KSC through your hotel, some even offer free tix and transportation. I think you said you were taking a shuttle to your hotel. You can usually get a rental car for 24 hrs for under 40 dollars thru Disboards or Costco. Otherwise from the Raddison you can get to the beach via very short taxi ride or even walk. There's quite a bit to do and there are buses. Ron Jon is a popular spot in the middle of town and there Starbucks and a restaurant or two nearby. The port area is mostly restaurants sometimes you might catch a fishing boat coming in and that can be interesting or gross depending on your point of view. If you would like more specifics just let me know.

newbydisney · Oct 26, 2016

kingpinpearce said:
We're going to be at the Radisson. And given I've never BEEN to Port Canaveral, I'd love some more specifics than "Port Canaveral" if you have them to provide.

Also the Raddison has a nice pool area that I am sure you can use prior to check in time

Anchors Away 2016 · Oct 26, 2016

newbydisney said:
Also the Raddison has a nice pool area that I am sure you can use prior to check in time

This. Even if you can't get your room until 3PM, you can still hang out at the hotel, use the pool, etc. Many hotels will at least have a room they can lock your luggage in.

Plus, you MIGHT be able to get into your room sooner than you think. We stayed in a hotel the day after our cruise, and we arrived around 11 AM. We figured we'd just get the paperwork out of the way, and maybe ask them to take our bags, (though we had a rental car we could have left them in) but when we checked in they said, "Your room is ready, you can go up now." So that was great. It doesn't always happen, but don't count it out.

Bryan6868 · Oct 26, 2016

You can visit Teresa in the welcome center

Capt_BJ · Oct 26, 2016

We're going to be at the Radisson. And given I've never BEEN to Port Canaveral, I'd love some more specifics than "Port Canaveral" if you have them to provide

WOW, I would say that it is hard to establish a 'profile' from a few posts on a web site, but you busted that theory!!!!

would I be anxious to ans your ?????

hahahahahah

kingpinpearce · Oct 26, 2016

Capt_BJ said:
We're going to be at the Radisson. And given I've never BEEN to Port Canaveral, I'd love some more specifics than "Port Canaveral" if you have them to provide

WOW, I would say that it is hard to establish a 'profile' from a few posts on a web site, but you busted that theory!!!!

would I be anxious to ans your ?????

hahahahahah

Well, there has been more than a few instances I've seen on here where people answering have done so without really reading the OPs post. In fairness, I didn't post in bright neon colors "I'll be in Port Canaveral" but I thought the one person's reply was redundant. His follow up post was excellent, though. Sorry about the confusion on my end.

And I wager you still don't know me as well as you think. I'm a complicated man...like Shaft.

newbydisney · Oct 26, 2016

kingpinpearce said:
Well, there has been more than a few instances I've seen on here where people answering have done so without really reading the OPs post. In fairness, I didn't post in bright neon colors "I'll be in Port Canaveral" but I thought the one person's reply was redundant. His follow up post was excellent, though. Sorry about the confusion on my end.

And I wager you still don't know me as well as you think. I'm a complicated man...like Shaft.

" a day at Universal" in your original post was the only thing that made me ask...seemed you were considering other places besides PC....maybe I read the original post too carefully lol.....I didn't take offense at your response.....try not to judge peeps on emails, texts, posts and the like......

Keyser · Oct 27, 2016

kingpinpearce said:
Just looked at KSC, and rack ticket prices for the 4 of us would be $180 not including transportation. Any ideas where I might be able to look into discounted ticket rates? KSC would be ideal to spend the entire day at, just want to limit the extra expenditures.

We weren't planning well, and we ended up just showing up, but did manage to find a small discount in one of those books of coupons that you can find all over the place outside of Disney when you visit. It was not much - maybe saving a grand total of $10-20 for the 4 of us.

If you haven't done so and you have some time, you can probably request info from the Orlando and Kissimmee visitor's bureaus (usually there's an online form), and they'll send you some brochures that will have coupons in them (also will be useful if you are not staying on Disney property, though they will have lots of these brochures in your hotel lobby, also). But, that might give you some coupon for KSC ahead of time.

As someone mentioned, I did see lots of hotels in Port Canaveral with special rates related to KSC. I didn't look at the details, though (they weren't free tickets, but the total was probably a discount). If you don't already have some special rate at the Radisson, it's worth checking to see if they have any KSC packages you could get.

Otimon · Oct 27, 2016

I would recommend Grills restaurant along the ship channel in Port Canaveral as a good place to eat. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

A day in Port Canaveral

kingpinpearce

A Cappella Guy, Disney Fan

Weedy

DIS Veteran

newbydisney

DIS Veteran

Keyser

DIS Veteran

kingpinpearce

A Cappella Guy, Disney Fan

kingpinpearce

A Cappella Guy, Disney Fan

newbydisney

DIS Veteran

newbydisney

DIS Veteran

Anchors Away 2016

DIS Veteran

Bryan6868

Earning My Ears

Capt_BJ

So Many Times

kingpinpearce

A Cappella Guy, Disney Fan

newbydisney

DIS Veteran

Keyser

DIS Veteran

Otimon

DIS Veteran

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