1st time Disney cruise - car/hotel questions

[radiojon]

We're going on our first Disney Cruise (3-night) in a few weeks, and I'm wondering how much of this makes sense, given that we've never been to Port Canaveral. There are 4 of us (dad, mom, 5-yr-old, and 1-yr-old).

* We're going to rent a car to drive to the port instead of taking a car service or DCL transportation, because it's actually cheaper (car rental $65 + 3 days' parking $30 = $95 ... vs ... $150-$180 for car/bus), and it gives us more flexibility. Makes sense, right?

* Our "going-home" flight leaves at 345p, but there's an earlier flight at 1010a that we'd REALLY like to catch, IF we can get to the airport in time (it's Super Bowl Sunday). It would only cost $75 total for us to take the earlier flight. I've read that most times, you can be off the ship by 730a, which may give us the chance to make that flight, no?

* If we don't make the earlier flight, we can just get a day room at the MCO Hyatt for ~$60 and relax until the later flight. Or since we have the rental car, perhaps a little sight-seeing (Kennedy or a Disney Park). Good idea?

Again, I have no experience with timing from Orlando to the dock, or from the dock to the airport to the rental car return, etc. I'm just looking for confirmation from others that it's a good plan.

THANKS in advance!

 

[Cruisin]

Hi radiojon and welcome to the DISBoards

I think you have a good plan there.

I agree that you have more flexibility if you rent a car. You can come and go as you please. You also have some time available before your flight if you choose to do something this way.

It takes about 1 hour from the airport to the port. You have to allow about 1 hour to get your rental car and also to return it before your return flight. Most rental car places are not on site at the airport and you have to take a shuttle to get to them. This works really well, but it takes time.

I think you would be pushing it to make it to your earlier flight time but you could try it. If you don't make it then your alternate plans of getting a room or using your rental car for sight seeing works.

By the way which cruise date are you going on, we are going on the 3 day cruise leaving Jan 29.

Have fun on your cruise

 

[kcashner]

You have the flexibility to make things work. We made a 9:30 flight ONCE. We were actually booked on a 12"30 flight, but got to the airport early and they let us on the earlier flight with no "change fee." However, this was just luck...I certainly wouldn't have planned a flight that early!

You will have the kids up early on the last day. Why don't you just "hang loose" and see what they are ready for? You would have a few hours to do a Disney park, but they're expensive for only a few hours. You could walk around Downtown Disney (free). I don't think the Space Center will be a great place given the age of the kids. Yes, you could do a "day room" at MCO, or go to the Florida Mall and do lunch. You will need to plan on an hour from the port to MCO. Plan on 45 minutes + for return of the rental car. Also, the airport is suggesting that you arrive 2 hours early for all the security stuff. That's used up a lot of your time!

MCO to Disney world is about 30 minutes, to FL Mall is about 15 minutes. There are tons of food places everywhere.

 

[radiojon]

Yes, we're on the 1/29 sailing of the Wonder!

I specifically rented from Alamo, since they are in the airport terminal, rather than off-site, so that should help to save some time in trying to catch that early return flight.

Any suggestions to getting OFF the boat asap? I understand that Disney doesn't disembark like other cruise lines, right?

THANKS again for the input!

 

[Cruisin]

I think you have been misinformed about Alamo. They are not on site at the airport as far as I know(unless it has changed and I didn't hear about it). You will have to take the shuttle bus to get to their location. It is really no big deal to take the shuttle bus.

As to disembarking the ship, as soon as the ship has been cleared for disembarkation they will make an announcement. You can then just walk off whenever you wish to. If you want to get right off you can, if you prefer to linger you can do that too.
Sometimes there are big crowds waiting to get off quickly, so I would think you would want to go down and wait early so you didn't get caught up in the crowds.

Maybe we will see each other on the ship! We are counting down the days and very much looking forward to going. We will have my husband, myself, our 16yold daughter our 16 yold niece and friends with a 9yold son.

Have a great trip.

 

[alex1963]

Hi Radiojon, just had to write as my family also lives in Frederick! I am looking for similar info and was surprised to see someone from the same town. We were on the Magic Eastern in Oct. The best vacation ever!!! You're in for a treat! Have a great time, wish we were going too, but we just have 9 more months to wait for #2.
Alex