Arrive in Tampa, sleep at MCO?

[MCK588]

We are arriving in Tampa at 6pm the night before our cruise. We originally wanted to fly into Orlando and sleep at the Hyatt in order to take DCL transfer in the morning. We are now arriving much earlier (and much cheaper!) so I didn't think it would be a big deal to drive the 1.5 hours to the Orlando airport and get a room that night anyway. Does anyone see a problem that I am overlooking?

I could drive all the way to PC and sleep there, but really wanted to take the DCL transfer...since I booked late and have a 1pm PAT, I am afraid I will waste valuable time dealing with rental car dropoffs and overcrowded shuttles if I stay overnight in the port area...it is our first cruise and it's only 4 nights so I want to get on as early as possible and start my vacation right away!

[briarrose1]

Originally Posted by MCK588

We are arriving in Tampa at 6pm the night before our cruise. We originally wanted to fly into Orlando and sleep at the Hyatt in order to take DCL transfer in the morning. We are now arriving much earlier (and much cheaper!) so I didn't think it would be a big deal to drive the 1.5 hours to the Orlando airport and get a room that night anyway. Does anyone see a problem that I am overlooking?

I could drive all the way to PC and sleep there, but really wanted to take the DCL transfer...since I booked late and have a 1pm PAT, I am afraid I will waste valuable time dealing with rental car dropoffs and overcrowded shuttles if I stay overnight in the port area...it is our first cruise and it's only 4 nights so I want to get on as early as possible and start my vacation right away!

Congratulations on your first DCL cruise I read your post several times to visualize this. We live in Tampa and just got back from PC on the Fantasy. We stayed the night before at the Hilton-used our miles and the shuttle was effortless. Left our SUV there and it was our first time doing it this way, and we really loved it. They are pros in that area with the cruise industry and all the hotels do the port shuttle with varying fees-some free. One of the hotels even has a rental car location right in the parking lot and they take you over to the port. Might be the Marriott Residence Inn?

If you have your heart set on taking the transfer, you might as well take it this time. If it doesn't thrill you, next time try something different. Whatever you choose, it will take you eventually to the cruise where you will have a wonderful time--no one does it like Disney

[wendyoconnor]

We like the DCL busses because it's so easy since we always fly to Florida for our cruise. For us the time saved over renting a car is worth the extra cost.

[suzy021372]

We fly into Tampa when we go to WDW. It is so much cheaper...especially coming from the west coast. We found the Tampa airport and car rental to be super easy and convenient. The drive to WDW seamed to fly by...the kids didn't have time for a full nap.

Good luck!