Best Plan for R/T MCO/disney cruise line

[stampinot]

There are 3 of us going on the Fantasy in June. Just trying to find a good plan for getting to and from the Orlando airport to cruise. Any suggestions?
Thanks

[MaleficentRN]

If it's only the three of you, I would use Disney's buses.That's the most hassle free. It is however $70 r/t pp. If you want inexpensive, you can rent a car. But you'd have to return/rent it at port and that is around five miles away and you'd take a shuttle back.

[mmouse37]

Originally Posted by stampinot

There are 3 of us going on the Fantasy in June. Just trying to find a good plan for getting to and from the Orlando airport to cruise. Any suggestions?
Thanks

Round trip transfers through DCL are $70 pp and would be the most convenient and hassle free.

Another option is a rental car one way to the port and take DCL transfers back to the port....one way transfer if $35 pp.

Another option would be a rental both ways.

Another option would a limo service.

Price wise the rental car would probably be the least expensive. But honestly, for 3 people I would just do the DCL transfers for convenience. If you chose a rental car the rental agencies by the port are: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty/Dollar and Enterprise.

If you are flying on a participating airline and your flight falls into the time frame required you can take advantage of DCL's ONBOARD AIRLINE CHECK IN PROGRAM which is outlined below. it is very convenient and Disney handles your luggage all the way through. You don't see your luggage from the ship to your home airport and they check you in for your flight.

Onboard Airline Check-In

Enjoy the comfort and convenience of Onboard Airline Check-In when you purchase air or ground transportation through Disney Cruise Line.

When you register for Onboard Airline Check-In, you are entitled to:
" Receive your boarding passes and check your luggage for your return flight before you disembark the ship.
" Skip luggage claim at the port terminal.
" Bypass the airline check-in counter at the airport.

Here's how it works:
1. Reserve air or ground transportation through Disney Cruise Line and sign up for Onboard Airline Check-In when you check in for your cruise at the port.
2. On the day prior to disembarkation, your airline boarding passes and valet luggage tags will magically be delivered to your stateroom, along with a letter answering common questions you may have.
3. Attach the tags to your luggage and leave your bags outside your stateroom on the evening prior to disembarkation. Disney Cruise Line will collect and deliver your luggage to your airline.
4. When you arrive at Orlando International Airport, proceed to security with your boarding passes already in hand and continue on to your scheduled departure gate.

Available to Guests flying out of Orlando International Airport on domestic flights (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) on AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines and US Airways.

Pre-registration is required and scheduled flights must be after 11:25 a.m. On the day your cruise ends. Guests are limited to 2 bags per person and each piece must not exceed 50 lbs. Additionally, some Guests may be selected to check in at the airport and will be unable to use this service.

We recommend that you allow a minimum of 4 hours at the beginning and end of your cruise for travel time, customs/immigrations clearances and security checks at Port Canaveral and the airport. Additionally, on the day of your sailing, all Guests must board the ship no later than 3:45 p.m. Please plan your arrival accordingly to avoid the possibility of not being permitted to sail with us.

For more information, please call (800) 951-3532. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.


MJ

[stampinot]

Is it better to stay at the Hyatt MCO or to stay near port canaveral?

[mmouse37]

Originally Posted by stampinot

Is it better to stay at the Hyatt MCO or to stay near port canaveral?

No correct answer to that one. It is what you prefer. We have done both. If you don't have a rental car staying by the port means you are pretty much stuck there at the hotel. If you want to stay at the port area I would suggest renting a car as the DCL buses do not run to the port on non cruise days.

You could also take a limo service to the port area but again, you want have a way to get around.

When we stay at a port hotel (we prefer the Marriott Residence Inn but there is also the Country Inn and Suites and the Radisson) we do a one-way car rental. We stop at the ABC liquor store and pick up what we want to bring onboard, usually stop at Walmart for some last minute things, go out to eat, etc.

We return the rental in the morning before the cruise and hope the car rental shuttle to the port. Or, if there is a large group of us we will drop everyone and luggage off at the port and one or two people will go return the rental and take the shuttle back to the port and meet us in the terminal.

The Hyatt at MCO is a very nice hotel but can be costly. You could also stay at another airport hotel and take that hotel shuttle back to the airport to catch the DCL bus to the port the morning of the cruise. I have done Priceline and paid $45 for a hotel near the airport that was very nice.

MJ

[Mandersons04]

Originally Posted by stampinot

Is it better to stay at the Hyatt MCO or to stay near port canaveral?

I think it's definitely more convenient especially if using DCL transportation. We always stay at the Hyatt MCO and take DCL transportation the next morning. More expensive, yes, but totally worth the convenience for my family. And if you find a great deal for the Hyatt MCO, then the price difference for staying somewhere else decreases. For our March cruise, I was able to get the room for $110/night total but we've never paid more than $150.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

[erinfarber]

Originally Posted by Mandersons04

I think it's definitely more convenient especially if using DCL transportation. We always stay at the Hyatt MCO and take DCL transportation the next morning. More expensive, yes, but totally worth the convenience for my family. And if you find a great deal for the Hyatt MCO, then the price difference for staying somewhere else decreases. For our March cruise, I was able to get the room for $110/night total but we've never paid more than $150.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Just curious, how often does the Hyatt MCO offers discounts? I have been watching the prices for months now and they have remained steady at 152.00. I have an alert through Yapta to alert me if there is a price drop, but again it has been months with no drop in price. What type of room did you receive for $110 and was that recently?

[MaleficentRN]

Originally Posted by erinfarber

Just curious, how often does the Hyatt MCO offers discounts? I have been watching the prices for months now and they have remained steady at 152.00. I have an alert through Yapta to alert me if there is a price drop, but again it has been months with no drop in price. What type of room did you receive for $110 and was that recently?

They don't. You have to look on sites like Travelocity or lastminutetravel.

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by stampinot

Is it better to stay at the Hyatt MCO or to stay near port canaveral?

It is not "better" or "worse." It is VERY convenient, but also expensive to stay at the Hyatt MCO.

Another thought is that there are several area hotels that offer a package of overnight stay, cruise transportation, and breakfast. I know there are available thru the Hyatt Place NW (off site hotel), and the Wyngate; I've read that the Hampton now has a similar service. Hyatt Place has changed their "deal." It used to be transfers for up to 4, they now have a separate price for 2 vs. 4 people. We spent $121 for a package that took care of 2 of us, but was "up to 4." Recently I priced the deal for 4 at $189.

SO, figure out what matters most to you--cost? convenience? If convenience wins, hands down you want the Hyatt MCO and DCL transfers. However, if you are looking to save a bit of money, consider an off site hotel with either their transportation services or a rental car.