Night before, stay at Disney or Port Canaveral?

[JimGA]

Originally Posted by westjones

We have done both and for us it all depends on if we want to visit the parks. If we go to the parks, then staying at Disney is best.

But if you aren't going to the parks, then it is SO nice to stay at the port and wake up without any worries about car problems or traffic problems getting to the port. You are just there and you can sleep in that morning, get a late breakfast, and then head over to the port and feel very rested and less stressed.

I would never choose to stay at Disney unless we are visiting the parks the day before.

Lots of great advice, we would not be able to get to Disney until around 2 pm so going to the parks is not really worth it. I like the idea of not adding the extra stress on the morning of the cruise. Sounds like it is best to drive to the Port and forget Disney and just hang out at the beach and watch the ships go by. I already booked Country Inn and Suites, so got our room reserved.

[EPCOTatNight]

I've been wondering about the same thing. My port arrival time is 11:30, so I'm not concerned about driving one hour to the port. We'll probably leave at 9, so that's more than enough time. I wouldn't go to the park, but maybe just chill at the resort and go to Downown Disney. I'm not sure if we will stay on property, but it would be a nice way to get into the Disney mood.

[poohj80]

Originally Posted by JimGA

Lots of great advice, we would not be able to get to Disney until around 2 pm so going to the parks is not really worth it. I like the idea of not adding the extra stress on the morning of the cruise. Sounds like it is best to drive to the Port and forget Disney and just hang out at the beach and watch the ships go by. I already booked Country Inn and Suites, so got our room reserved.

Good deal!

Jetty park is a great place to watch the ships go out but they will charge you an entrance fee per car. You can go to the beach and park for free and then walk closer to the Jetty for a good view as well.

[SunLuvr321]

There are also quite a few restaurants at the Port that have decks and outdoor seating. We love to take visitors there for dinner and watch the cruise ships sail out.

The restaurants we have been to include Rusty's Seafood and Oyster Bar, Fishlips, Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar and Baja Tavern. They all have indoor and out door seating. Rusty's has a great deck.

[QuiltTeddy]

We always stay on site at DW as it gets you "ready" for the cruise.

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Yes we had the same decision but always decide on staying at WDW if only for a brief time. If you are getting Disney transportation to the terminal its nice because they take the luggage from outside your room and the next time you see it its in your stateroom! Even when we drive ourselves we still stay at SSR our home resort ( DVC ) because it gets us in that Disney mood like OP said :-)

[Four Swampers]

Well, you really need to be at the ship by 2 pm. Earlier, if you want to grab lunch on the ship and start exploring early. That makes it hard to go to a Disney resort that morning, because you would have to walk out of the park at noon to reach your car, drive to the port, park, and board.

As others have mentioned, you can stay at a hotel in Port Canaveral and leave your car parked at the hotel. Very convenient.

Also, you could choose to visit the Kennedy Space Center. Twice, we have spent the morning at KSC before our cruise. Three or four hours at KSC is time to do a lot, then leave at 12:30, a twenty minute drive to the ship, be on board and eating lunch by 1:30.

[sgc1107]

We're driving down in 24 days! First time driving... We are staying at the comfort inn. In cocoa beach With parking for cruise, free shuttle, 300ft from the beach! Priced around $147ish

[Fjobe]

We plan to arrive at our WDW resort on the evening of the Thursday before our cruise and hit the parks that Friday and Saturday, so we will just stay at WDW resort. Before we had decided to go to the parks, we planned on doing the CI&S thing.

This is our first time cruising, so I have no idea how this will work for our family.

[EMTMICKEY]

Definitely go over to Port Canaveral. Visit the Welcome Center, grab a bite to eat at Simply Delicious, and watch what's going on at the port. The morning of the cruise is so much easier and less stressful when you are only 5 minuets away. You can sleep in a bit, grab some breakfast and go to the port . Don't get me wrong I love Disney, but the relaxed morning is worth not being at a Disney resort.

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I was looking at the Comfort Inn Port Can as a few mentioned it included cruise parking and transfers. Could somebody be so kind as to let me know how this works? Do you book a transport time for drop off and pick up? DW and I like an early cruise check in ( usually the first they have at 11:30 ) would they drop us off at this time? We also like to disembark early do you have to wait like on the ME till the bus is full when returning to the hotel?

One more detail I am disabled are the buses accessible?

Tia

[poohj80]

Originally Posted by Paula Sedley-Burke

I was looking at the Comfort Inn Port Can as a few mentioned it included cruise parking and transfers. Could somebody be so kind as to let me know how this works? Do you book a transport time for drop off and pick up? DW and I like an early cruise check in ( usually the first they have at 11:30 ) would they drop us off at this time? We also like to disembark early do you have to wait like on the ME till the bus is full when returning to the hotel?

One more detail I am disabled are the buses accessible?

Tia

Not sure how it works at Comfort Inn, but at the Country Inn and Suites, you select a shuttle departure time when you check in. When you return, you call Duane the driver and he's usually there to pick you in within 5 minutes (he's already been there waiting when we have called).

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Originally Posted by poohj80

Not sure how it works at Comfort Inn, but at the Country Inn and Suites, you select a shuttle departure time when you check in. When you return, you call Duane the driver and he's usually there to pick you in within 5 minutes (he's already been there waiting when we have called).

Thank you for your reply. That sounds great I will check them out also :-)

[sgc1107]

Originally Posted by Paula Sedley-Burke

I was looking at the Comfort Inn Port Can as a few mentioned it included cruise parking and transfers. Could somebody be so kind as to let me know how this works? Do you book a transport time for drop off and pick up? DW and I like an early cruise check in ( usually the first they have at 11:30 ) would they drop us off at this time? We also like to disembark early do you have to wait like on the ME till the bus is full when returning to the hotel?

One more detail I am disabled are the buses accessible?

Tia

We have the 11:30 check in, not sure yet about shuttle times but I know every time we've had a question someone is there 24/7 to help, so you can give a call! Oh, and the price I said earlier is for a king bed suite w/breakfast of course. I recommend calling them, they are pleasant to deal with.

Here ya go...

tel321)783-2221

http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-coco...-florida-FL521

I could always let you know our experience when we get back! Good luck!

[CaskPeg]

Booked a 7 day Eastern Caribbean in May 2013, since you have stayed at WDW before your cruise....do you know current charge for the bus to the port for boarding? I am flying down and staying the night before at OKW. Would love your input!