arriving at port a day early

[findingnemofan]

We are planning on arriving at port a day before our 7 day eastern. I have heard on the boards that the Raddisson is a great place to stay--they have a shuttle over to the ship--and you can actually see the ship from the hotel.....
??how expensive is it? Can you park your vehicle there--and how much is that?
when would you recommend going over to start the boarding process? they told me no one is on the ship till 1pm--but when do you start lining up? Can one in your group hold the line--while the kids play somewhere else?
is there anything to do while waiting in line to embark? we have a son with ADHD--and he is unable to wait in very long lines....appreciate any input---

amy

 

[bahama97]

We stayed at the Radisson, but I don't recall being able to see the ship. They do have a shuttle, but I preferred leaving my car in the terminal lot where there is security. I did all the check in stuff while everyone else walked around the terminal.

 

[Karel]

Check the Radisson website to see if you can get a good web deal. I think we paid around $89 for the night a few years ago but I don't know what the going rate is now. We were on the opposite side of the hotel but on the other side you can see the port and ship from the upper floors. But it's still pretty far away. We left our car at the hotel for free and I felt it was safe. They do have you move it up closer to the front of the hotel.

You have to sign up for a shuttle time and the best times go fast. If you are concerned about entertaining your son then wait till later in the afternoon so you can walk on board and not have to wait in line. I did hold spots in the line while my kids went off exploring but there's not much to do at the terminal. The characters do put in appearances.

 

[eva]

We are planning on staying at the Radisson next May before our cruise. When can you sign up for the shuttle? Can you do this when you make a reservation? Or do you have to wait until you check-in?

 

[webray]

Raddison's website has an internet rate of $85 per night...I just made our ressie for our Sept. cruise.

 

[webray]

They also have a rate if you want to leave your car there..it is $100 something per night instead of $85 if you want to leave your car.

 

[Karel]

From what I know, it doesn't matter what rate you book, you can always leave your car there for no charge. I don't know why they have the 'cruise rate'. Maybe to make a few bucks of the uninformed? They'll wash and wax it for you? You get a specially cleaned 24 hours secuity spot? I guess maybe you should go in knowing there's always a chance that they will a. charge you b. not let you park there and budget extra money in case you need to park at the port.

Buuuuttt...when we went down, we reserved our shuttle time at check in, made sure that it was ok to leave our van and had no problems. Buuuuttt things change so always be prepared!

 

[CGC33A]

An idea to make that "shuttle" trip a bit easier both ways is to drive your family to the port from your off site hotel then return your car to the hotel (take your ticket/passport etc with you) & only 1 person needs to be shuttled, freeing up space for others. The main part of the group can start the check in process or just wait at the terminal (characters are often there, there is a coffee shop, for a fee, available etc).
On the return, the driver can exit & shuttle back to the hotel, get the car & pick up the rest of the group(& luggage). Again, only 1 person on the shuttle & more can fit.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We paid $109 booking the Radisson on the internet, but we have 3 kids and they gave us a whirlpool suite--one bedroom with two queen beds, plus a foldout in the living room. We could see the ship although it was a gloomy morning and it was pretty far away.
Robin M.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We stayed at the Radisson last Nov before our cruise on the Wonder and we just reserved a 10:20 shuttle the night we checked in. It was on time and got us too the ship right away.
We checked in and got in line about 10:45 and we were allowed to start boarding about 12:00pm. We were about the 10th family on and it was so nice!!!! We got up to the top deck and had the buffet before the crowds and I got pictures of my DD standing by the Mickey pool EMPTY!!! Not too often you see that! Then we went to our rooms and made Palo and Spa ressies. Worked out perfect. We are staying again before our Oct 26 cruise. The Radisson is very pretty and has a nice pool. We are going down early so we can spend the day relaxing there. You can see the ships from the top floor,but not real good. It is only a few minutes from the port. We are going to all go down to watch the MAGIC sail away on that Sat night...... I am so excited. By the way I found a coupon for the Radisson on ROOMSAVERS.COM and it was for $79 per night. They also have a special VISITFLORIDA rate if you ask. Good luck ALL!!!

oops sorry..... ROOMSAVERS.COM

 

[lovethatdisney]

I just went to roomsavers.com (there is no hotelsavers.com) and printed out the coupon. That is cool! It will save me $20 cause I now have a rate of $99. Thanks! I love saving $!

By the way, I dont have to make the reservation through roomsavers.com to take advantage of the coupon, right?

 

[Tonyspad]

We are doing something different, We arrive at MCO at 3:30. I have reserved a room at the Boardwalk Inn, I figure we can spend sometime in the pool and on the Boardwalk instead of at the Radisson. We normally stay at the GF so this gives us a chance to try an Epcot resort. Then the next morning we will take Tiffany to the pier. This gives us the evening and the morning at the Boardwalk, we will be P/U at 11:00 am to check in at 12:00- 12:30.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

The lady at the Radisson told me to just print the coupon and bring it and they will adjust the rate when we check in!!! Makes me happy too!!!!

We are actually spending two days at WDW after the cruise! We will be at MNSSHP on Halloween night!!!

We have never been to the Halloween party. I have been to the Christmas one and had a great time.....

 

[joyowen]

I just looked at roomsaver.com and they have a coupon for $79 when you check in. I called the Radisson and he said that it was only for walk-ins and they would not take reservations for this rate. When we booked our room a month or so ago for Sept., they didn't have any standard rooms available. Also, I have read on here that if several people are going at the same time we are and want to stay at the Radisson too, that you could get a "group" discount. Does anyone know about this and how many rooms and how much it will save?

lovethatdisney, how did you save $20? We got a rate of $109 plus tax for a 1 bd. suite.

Thanks!!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Well, I was also told the same thing about them not giving you a guarantee on the rate.... I booked the VISITFLORIDA rate for $89 and they said bring the coupon and they would apply it when we actually checked in. I guess standard rooms were still available when we booked. We have a total of 11 family members going and all have rooms booked at the Radisson? Did not think about a group rate??? Doesn't hurt to ask...

 

[lovethatdisney]

My room rate is currently $99 so with the $79 coupon, I save $20.
And, I have three rooms so that adds up even better.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

LUCKY LOVETHATDISNEY!!!

Have a great time and post and let us know if they gave you the discount with your coupon.....So we will know if it works or not!

We are almost under 100 days....It goes so fast....

 

[lovethatdisney]

I know - I cant wait! But even 18 days seems like forever. This is my 1st DC! We are swimming with the dolphins (on our own, not the Disney excursion) and taking the new Seahorse Snorkel Adventure on Castaway Cay.

I will try to report back on my many experiences. Hopefully, all positive comments!

 

[Camping Disney]

lovethatdisney,

We will be at the Radisson at the same time!!
How many people are in your room and where did you get that rate/coupon from?? There are 5 of us and we were told the rate would be $109. Thanks for any help!!

Michele

 

[lovethatdisney]

We have three people in our room (2 adult, 1 child) but my sister has four in hers (2 adults, 2 children).

The rate ($99) I got by calling directly to the hotel
(321-784-0000) but it was months ago. Probably Jan or Feb.

The coupon I got at www.roomsaver.com. It is for a rate of $79. Not sure if the coupon will work, someone said its only applicable to walk-ins but I dont see that anywhere on the coupon. Im going to give it a try and see what happens.

Good Luck! Are you also going on the Aug 3rd, 4-night. If you are, Hurrah! Ive been asking if there is anyone out there going on our cruise. I have a twelve year old son - how about you?