Cruise from Port Canaveral: Stay at WDW, Orlando hotel, or PC Hotel?

[Mike Marzano]

Our first Disney cruise is coming up and I'm trying to get ideas on where to stay if we fly in the night before. With our cruise being Thanksgiving weekend, it starts Saturday (Nov 25), we are wanting to flying in mid-day on Friday (Nov 24, the day after Thanksgiving) so that we are there.

Initially I was thinking we would do something similar to when my wife and I took a Royal Cruise out of Seattle a couple of years ago. We flew in the day before, stayed over night in a hotel 5 minutes from the port, and used the hotel shuttle to get to the port/ship. After the cruise, when we got off the ship, we took a car service direct to the airport. Therefore I was considering flying into MCO, take a car service/uber/shuttle of some kind, to a Port Canaveral hotel, then go to the ship the next morning. That seems the most logical.

BUT Now I'm seeing that Disney has/had a service from their hotels to the port? so we could stay at Disney Resort, and take that to the Ship? Do they still have this? (and how/where do you sign up?) IF we fly in early enough on Friday, our son and I could go to a park (we have annual passes, my wife doesn't) and my wife could probably hang at a hotel or go to Disney Springs (not worth getting her a 1 day ticket).

If its still and option, how do people feel about staying overnight at WDW and taking their service to the ship vs just going to a Port Canaveral hotel and being there?

If staying at Port Canaveral, what are some good suggestions for hotels and shuttles, that are less expensive? Part of my considering a WDW hotel is because I can get All Star for $200, and the Port Canaveral hotels I've found are $400-500 for the 1 night.

Oh, and if it matters, on the way home, I'm thinking of staying at WDW for a few days, while my wife and our son fly back home so he can return to school.

 

[erionm]

Yes, DCL offers ground transportation between MCO and Port Canaveral as well as between the WDW Resorts and Port Canaveral. The cost is $39 per person each way. If you booked the cruise yourself, you can contact DCL to add transfers. If you used a TA, you have to go through them.

Not sure what Cape Canaveral hotels offer shuttles now. Seems many are dropping the service due to DCLs continued use of Port Arrival Times.

 

[Mike Marzano]

Yes, DCL offers ground transportation between MCO and Port Canaveral as well as between the WDW Resorts and Port Canaveral. The cost is $39 per person each way. If you booked the cruise yourself, you can contact DCL to add transfers. If you used a TA, you have to go through them.

Not sure what Cape Canaveral hotels offer shuttles now. Seems many are dropping the service due to DCLs continued use of Port Arrival Times.

Thank you.

Do you think its ok to stay at WDW and use their ground transportation? Or would be more advantageous to just land and go to a Port Canaveral hotel, even if I have to work my own Uber/Lyft/Taxi? to get to the ship?

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you.

Do you think its ok to stay at WDW and use their ground transportation? Or would be more advantageous to just land and go to a Port Canaveral hotel, even if I have to work my own Uber/Lyft/Taxi? to get to the ship?

I think it’s not only ok, Disney would love for you to stay at WDW and use their ground transportation. And it will be more convenient for you, too, as sometimes arranging transportation from MCO to a Port Canaveral hotel is difficult. It’s much easier to arrange to take the DCL bus from Pop or any other Disney hotel, it’s simply an add-on to your cruise.

 

[LadybugsMum]

If flying and landing late in the day, you could stay at the MCO Hyatt and take DCL transportation from there.

 

[Mike Marzano]

If flying and landing late in the day, you could stay at the MCO Hyatt and take DCL transportation from there.

I was thinking a flight that lands around 1-1:30pm. Hyatt looks a little more expensive, even factoring getting from MCO to WDW.

 

[NAB]

We always fly in and go to WDW resort and get the bus to the port. They used to go later but now the buses leave from the resorts earlier to the port and you don’t need to worry about getting on at Midnight to try and get a good time.

Also get the bus back to the airport at the end. It’s so easy.

You can grab the bus to the resort and your wife and son can grab the airport bus when you get off. Just make sure you mention where you’re going, resort airport. It appears on your Key to the World card .

 

[pearljammer]

Our first Disney cruise is coming up and I'm trying to get ideas on where to stay if we fly in the night before. With our cruise being Thanksgiving weekend, it starts Saturday (Nov 25), we are wanting to flying in mid-day on Friday (Nov 24, the day after Thanksgiving) so that we are there.

Initially I was thinking we would do something similar to when my wife and I took a Royal Cruise out of Seattle a couple of years ago. We flew in the day before, stayed over night in a hotel 5 minutes from the port, and used the hotel shuttle to get to the port/ship. After the cruise, when we got off the ship, we took a car service direct to the airport. Therefore I was considering flying into MCO, take a car service/uber/shuttle of some kind, to a Port Canaveral hotel, then go to the ship the next morning. That seems the most logical.

BUT Now I'm seeing that Disney has/had a service from their hotels to the port? so we could stay at Disney Resort, and take that to the Ship? Do they still have this? (and how/where do you sign up?) IF we fly in early enough on Friday, our son and I could go to a park (we have annual passes, my wife doesn't) and my wife could probably hang at a hotel or go to Disney Springs (not worth getting her a 1 day ticket).

If its still and option, how do people feel about staying overnight at WDW and taking their service to the ship vs just going to a Port Canaveral hotel and being there?

If staying at Port Canaveral, what are some good suggestions for hotels and shuttles, that are less expensive? Part of my considering a WDW hotel is because I can get All Star for $200, and the Port Canaveral hotels I've found are $400-500 for the 1 night.

Oh, and if it matters, on the way home, I'm thinking of staying at WDW for a few days, while my wife and our son fly back home so he can return to school.

Okay, so I honestly wouldn’t suggest you stay by the port the night before as I think you’ll be bored. You could consider staying at one of the Universal Hotels, walk or take the bus to CitiWalk and enjoy your evening there. It’s an approximate 2 hour drive from Orlando to the Port so you would have plenty of time to get to Port on Saturday. You can have dinner at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, Cowfish or elsewhere the night before. Especially if you are doing WDW for a few days after the cruise, this would give you an opportunity to get around the Universal area and experience both (even if you aren’t doing the parks - you guys can browse the few shops there). Also, you can experience the boat rides if you want. You could walk to a hotel, and take a boat to the City Walk area. (Or the bus *wink*). We have done all options. Done parks before and after the cruises. This year we are doing a water park the day prior to the cruise, staying at Universal 2 nights as we enjoy restaurant options at City Walk more and then hitting the port. We’ve stayed at the port to and well….with no car, I think you‘ll enjoy the ability to have somewhere to go and look around; especially after a flight and ride to the hotel. Either way you choose, have a great time!! Safe travels.

 

[Marc D]

I was thinking a flight that lands around 1-1:30pm. Hyatt looks a little more expensive, even factoring getting from MCO to WDW.

Don’t base your decision on the cost of the room on the Hyatt website. DCL can sell you a MCO Hyatt room at a better rate. It is rarely higher than the lowest costing room at WDW plus transportation. The only point of staying at WDW is ‘getting in the magic’ 24 hours earlier. It adds at least 90 minutes of travelling, in the wrong direction.

If that’s not your goal and the Hyatt is too costly, consider getting a room at a MCO-adjacent hotel. You can take their shuttle back to MCO on the morning of the cruise and use the DCL bus from there. There is no point in staying near the port, unless you want to see ships go by when dining at Fishlips or going to the beach. The bus ride from MCO to PC is only 45 minutes.

 

[auntlynne]

A 1 pm arrival does translate to a late afternoon arrival at a park after picking up luggage, waiting for and riding a bus. Your bus might have multiple hotels for drop-off. Check-in and drop off bags. Transport to park.

Then you are at a busy park during a busy week.

Disney Springs could have big crowds on Black Friday, just like any shopping area.

That said, I could see myself doing this same thing. With an annual pass, you aren’t wasting an expensive ticket - and probably just treat it as someplace familiar, where you can just enjoy being there.

Or even just opt for pool time at the resort. Some of the pools at the All Stars are roomy; it could be the best chance for pool time on your vacation. Ship pools are tiny.

I have done variations on all your options. I don’t have one “right” way for lodging or transportation.

Our next cruise includes a very late night/early morning arrival, so we are trying the Hyatt + Disney transportation pre-cruise. Opting for ease and not having to stand outside after midnight watching for rideshare (and many hotel shuttles stop at midnight). Return transfer will be different company.

Staying in Port Canaveral is at the bottom of my list. It just hasn’t clicked for me. I typically look for a good rate at a Hampton Inn or Marriott property on the north side of the interstate 2 miles from MCO.

If you are opting for Southwest, definitely add a cushion or have the car ready to go. With any airline, I would back it up and fly on Thanksgiving afternoon. It’s a low travel day, much like Dec 25.

Hope you all have a great vacation.

 

[Marthasor]

If you think you would enjoy being at WDW for a half a day and you already have APs, I would probably opt to go to WDW. I would calculate all of your expenses though as WDW hotel plus transportation from MCO to WDW and then WDW to the port can add up, whereas, if you go straight to PC, your transportation costs may be less. PC is pretty sleepy, though. We stayed at Homewood Suites before a DCL cruise a few years ago and it was very nice - has a small pool and a nice breakfast, but it certainly wasn't as exciting as being in a WDW park!

 

[tlprice]

Our last cruise we stayed at the port the night before. Other cruises we have gone from WDW, Universal, MCO, or the Hyatt at MCO. All of those were much better than staying at the port. I wouldn't do that again.

 

[Mike Marzano]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm going to have to think about this, and discuss it with the family. I'm not sure what we'll do.

 

[Mike Marzano]

We always fly in and go to WDW resort and get the bus to the port. They used to go later but now the buses leave from the resorts earlier to the port and you don’t need to worry about getting on at Midnight to try and get a good time.

Is that a guarantee? I have a friend telling me they don't leave that early, they hit multiple resorts, and then head to the port, meaning a lengthy time on the bus, and getting to the port later in the day. And if by chance it does get there earlier than our slot to board the ship, we'd have to stand around and wait.

 

[Mommb]

You should factor into your decision-making that the weekend after Thanksgiving will be busy in the parks. On the plus side, the parks will probably be open late, but you may not be able to get on many rides. If you want the atmosphere, it may still be worthwhile.

 

[RedHead0186]

Is that a guarantee? I have a friend telling me they don't leave that early, they hit multiple resorts, and then head to the port, meaning a lengthy time on the bus, and getting to the port later in the day. And if by chance it does get there earlier than our slot to board the ship, we'd have to stand around and wait.

Has this friend sailed post-COVID? Pre-COVID, the buses from the resorts did come later. After COVID, they come pretty early in the morning. Yes they stop at multiple resorts sometimes, but you still get to port pretty early.