Disney World Before Destiny?

[Bunnybears1019]

We have a 5 night planned on the Destiny in May and have both the weekend before and after to consider adding on a Disney World trip.
We’ve done the trip of DW then cruise plenty of times from Orlando/Port Canaveral but this is our first time cruising out of Ft Lauderdale.

Logistically - what’s the most efficient way to travel? Drive? Brightline? We’re likely renting a car anyways but it’s a 3.5hr drive and we would need to have a one way rental. Or to get from hotel back to MCO to take the brightline seems like a hassle too.

Don’t know if anyone feels like spending time in Miami or surrounding area is better?
Also, what’s the best hotel to recommend before getting on the Destiny?

 

[apathetic]

We've done WDW to Everglades a few times. Usually we are in a rental car. You have to leave a bit early (6am) but have plenty of time to get down there, drop the car (airport) and get to the cruise port. You have pay a drop fee, but if you shop around it may not be bad. Also, you have tolls from the turnpike. Traffic can be heavy, but does move. They have express lanes the closer you get that charge like 50 cents or a dollar per segment if you are feeling late. I like the flexibility of the car instead of other modes. Like I said, we leave around 6 am and it's an easy drive down.

 

[Dug720]

I highly recommend parks BEFORE cruise so you can relax on the cruise and recover from busy park days. I've not done Brightline, but I've heard good things about them