Baggage carts at MCO

[archers]

First time arriving at MCO airport. Are there free baggage carts at the carousel? Me and DW and DD (just turned 4) are arriving at 6am and my DD will be probably asleep as that is only 3am in my local timezone. I am contemplating on bringing a stroller or not. If I won't bring a stroller, my DW can pull the 2 spinner carryons and I can try carrying my DD, my backpack camera bag, and pushing the checked spinner baggage. If there was a baggage cart, then it's going to be easier. We will be going straight to the Budget rental place, which if my research is correct, the place is right there in the airport and no need to ride a shuttle. We are going to Fantasy on May 25.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

First time arriving at MCO airport. Are there free baggage carts at the carousel? Me and DW and DD (just turned 4) are arriving at 6am and my DD will be probably asleep as that is only 3am in my local timezone. I am contemplating on bringing a stroller or not. If I won't bring a stroller, my DW can pull the 2 spinner carryons and I can try carrying my DD, my backpack camera bag, and pushing the checked spinner baggage. If there was a baggage cart, then it's going to be easier. We will be going straight to the Budget rental place, which if my research is correct, the place is right there in the airport and no need to ride a shuttle. We are going to Fantasy on May 25.

It has been a while since I have used them, but as I recall, they are not free - I think they are about $5, you can use a cc and I think you get a dollar credit back if you return them.

But, and again, not sure, I think Budget is just one floor down from the baggage claim. And if their cars are onsite you need to go down another floor, through an underground tunnel, and then get the car.

If you can't find the cart or it is too much, either you or your DW can go get the car, then pull it around and pick the rest of the family and luggage up.

 

[bumbershoot]

$5, yep. Worth it, too!

 

[jdb in AZ]

$5, yep. Worth it, too!

International airports, including incoming international flights at LAX have them for freebie. Paying $5.00 is a rip-off.

 

[noahdove]

Do you need a car rental? If it's just for the sake of driving to the cruise I would let another type of transportation help me...just a thought.

 

[adellel]

We just got back, and the carts are $5. To me, they are worth it when you have to travel to the car rental area. Made for a less stressful time, especially with a little one.

 

[lanejudy]

A sleeping 4-yr-old might be heavy to carry all throughout MCO! I'd suggest the stroller - it can be gate-checked and not count against your luggage allowance. You'll have a good distance to walk from the gate, to the monorail that takes you to the main terminal, then down to baggage claim, and if I recall Budget is downstairs and all the way at the far end of the car rental area.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[southerngirl528]

Yes, they have carts & as said, they are $5. Worth every penny! I'll have to check out those free ones next time I'm at LAX. I've never seen free luggage carts. If for no other single reason, they would need to charge to pay someone to go FETCH the doggoned things. Folks leave them all over the place, rather than return them. And I have to admit, if there's not a return reasonably close. I have been one of those folks. And occasionally, we have been blessed enough to snag one left behind when parking our car for a trip, so we were able to throw all our stuff on and zip into the airport! My back is worth $5.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Yes, they have carts & as said, they are $5. Worth every penny! I'll have to check out those free ones next time I'm at LAX. I've never seen free luggage carts. If for no other single reason, they would need to charge to pay someone to go FETCH the doggoned things. Folks leave them all over the place, rather than return them. And I have to admit, if there's not a return reasonably close. I have been one of those folks. And occasionally, we have been blessed enough to snag one left behind when parking our car for a trip, so we were able to throw all our stuff on and zip into the airport! My back is worth $5.

The free ones are to help incoming international passengers get through customs. LAX does charge for the ones in domestic flight areas.

Yes, your back is worth $5. But since the airports offer them for freebie in some areas, you'd think they could offer them free in all of them, since your plane ticket includes airport fees. Just sayin.

 

[bumbershoot]

International airports, including incoming international flights at LAX have them for freebie. Paying $5.00 is a rip-off.

Since I haven't flown internationally since the mid '90s I wouldn't know, but I'll be sure to have DH check the international areas on his next few work flights.

If true, I figure if you're paying international fees, that's what funds the carts. in the absence of free carts, if it's a choice between lugging all of your stuff yourself or paying $5 for a cart (or tipping a porter), I'm going the "paying for convenience" route.

 

[sdjen]

Another option would be to grab a porter. First time I traveled to MCO it was me and my 5 year old. I had a porter grab our bags, load them on a cart and he brought them out to the car and loaded them for me (in the garage) after I had the rental car paperwork done. It was well worth the $10 or so. one of you could get in line for the car and the other could get the luggage. If you have a porter, that would be super simple. Have fun!

 

[Weedy]

My family and I will be on the May 25th Fantasy also. Have you seen the May 25th "Meet" thread? This is other Disboards people who are sailing on the same cruise

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2819378

Have a fun cruise.

Another suggestion:
Are you arriving the day of your cruise? The port doesn't open until 10:45-11:00ish. the earliest PAT (Port Arrival time is 11:00-:11:30) You need to register for this online. The don't start boarding the ship until 11:45. You will receive a boarding # that is tied to your PAT. Depending on your PAT you may not get on the ship until 12:30ish. And then at 4:00 everyone in your has to go to the lifeboat drill.
The Hyatt Hotel is located at the airport. They have day room rates. You may want to see if they have anything available and grab a few hours sleep. It's a little less then 1 hours drive to the port. You can't get into your stateroom on the ship until after 1:30. Traveling all night just makes you wiped out for the first night of the cruise and you will miss some activities.

 

[archers]

Do you need a car rental? If it's just for the sake of driving to the cruise I would let another type of transportation help me...just a thought.

The rental car option seems to be the most cost effective. Our first option actually is the Disney shuttle, but then we don't wanna wait 4 hours at the airport to be picked up. I guess we could check out the rates for the Hyatt day room, but then the costs add up fast.

 

[archers]

A sleeping 4-yr-old might be heavy to carry all throughout MCO! I'd suggest the stroller - it can be gate-checked and not count against your luggage allowance. You'll have a good distance to walk from the gate, to the monorail that takes you to the main terminal, then down to baggage claim, and if I recall Budget is downstairs and all the way at the far end of the car rental area.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for the detailed terminal route. I think we'll bring the stroller and pay 5 bucks for the cart.

 

[archers]

Another suggestion:
Are you arriving the day of your cruise? The port doesn't open until 10:45-11:00ish. the earliest PAT (Port Arrival time is 11:00-:11:30) You need to register for this online. The don't start boarding the ship until 11:45. You will receive a boarding # that is tied to your PAT. Depending on your PAT you may not get on the ship until 12:30ish. And then at 4:00 everyone in your has to go to the lifeboat drill.
The Hyatt Hotel is located at the airport. They have day room rates. You may want to see if they have anything available and grab a few hours sleep. It's a little less then 1 hours drive to the port. You can't get into your stateroom on the ship until after 1:30. Traveling all night just makes you wiped out for the first night of the cruise and you will miss some activities.

Will check out the day room rates. Thanks for the suggestion.