Port Canaveral: Flying in night before cruise

[Sara Faught]

Where is the best place to stay?

 

[CaseyCruiser]

I stayed at Walt Disney World resort before a cruise and also the Hyatt Regency at MCO. Both were good but next time I think I will stay on Coco Beach for a couple days.

 

[susan4875]

We have stayed in Orlando and Cocoa Beach. If we get in early in the day, we prefer Orlando. There's more to do that we enjoy. Outside of the parks, we've done a swamp tour, pool day at the hotel, Disney springs and dinner at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium near Universal. This time we're staying at the Swan so we can walk down to the boardwalk for dinner and catch Illuminations. However, Orlando is in the opposite direction from the airport to the Port.

The time we spent in Cocoa Beach, we were not overly impressed. The beaches are ok, but compared to what you'll see in the Caribbean on the cruise, they're not great. There are some waterfront restaurants near the port that many like, but you're paying for the view. Many people stay there pre-cruise so the wait is long and the price is high, similar to the restaurants on property at Disney. We typically stay at Hilton properties and thought the Homewood Suites was pretty run-down. You can tell they cater to people that are only staying one night pre-cruise.

 

[LizGirl]

It depends on when you'll arrive in MCO. Our last few cruises, we've landed around or after dinner time so we just stay in the MCO Hyatt. It's nice and so easy to just roll your bags over there. In the morning, you can rent a car or take the Disney bus out to the port.

 

[AeroKU]

It depends on when you'll arrive in MCO. Our last few cruises, we've landed around or after dinner time so we just stay in the MCO Hyatt. It's nice and so easy to just roll your bags over there. In the morning, you can rent a car or take the Disney bus out to the port.

So if we stay near the airport the night before, there is a Disney Bus from the Airport to Port Canaveral in the morning that we can take?

 

[LizGirl]

So if we stay near the airport the night before, there is a Disney Bus from the Airport to Port Canaveral in the morning that we can take?

Yes. There is a cost for the shuttle and I believe you have to reserve it beforehand. The Hyatt will even transfer your luggage for you if you tell them that's what you want.

FWIW, renting a car and then returning it at the port was way cheaper for 4 people.

 

[TrishaK]

As stated above, we usually fly in around or after dinner time. So we just stay at the MCO Hyatt and grab dinner in the airport. Breakfast buffet at the hotel, grab our bags, and walk down to the Disney bus to take us to the Port.

 

[jdb in AZ]

So if we stay near the airport the night before, there is a Disney Bus from the Airport to Port Canaveral in the morning that we can take?

DCL transfers cost $78 per person round trip so if you have four or more people, it's cheaper to rent a limo. As mentioned above, renting a car is the cheapest way to go, if you're willing to drive and deal with the hassle of returning the car.

 

[AeroKU]

Where do you reserve the shuttle?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Where do you reserve the shuttle?

Call DCL or your travel agent, if you used one to book the cruise.

 

[diznymom]

Very subjective. We like to stay either at All Star Sports on WDW property or the MCO Hyatt (if arriving later) and take the DCL bus to the ship the next morning.

 

[pixiedustedme]

We book the airport Hyatt via DCL, and from there take the DCL transfer bus to the ship. It's effortless.

 

[DisneyKrayzie2]

We stay at the MCO Hyatt, it’s so nice the hotel is actually in the airport, so you have the airport food court and shops accessible to you. You can pay for the Magical Express bus for transport (arrange ahead of time) from the airport and leave your luggage in your hotel room and it magically appears in your stateroom later in the day. Buses start leaving airport at 9am and you end up being among the first to get into the port terminal.

 

[emmabelle]

I have stayed at both of these and they were fine, nothing amazing but good for the night before


La Quinta Inn & Suites Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel & Suites

 

[mamaode]

We’ve stayed all over and our most recent favorite is the Radisson Resort at the Port. Reasonable cost airport shuttle and inexpensive shuttle from resort to port. Also awesome pool area.