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

 

[OKW Lover]

Keep in mind that the train is priced per person when comparing to the cost of driving.

 

[mcd2745]

We just went to WDW for a few nights after getting off the Destiny this past Thursday. I tend to agree with the idea of doing WDW before a cruise, but since this cruise was Sunday-Thursday it made more sense to do WDW after. We walked off early with our luggage, grabbed a taxi to the airport (had planned on Uber, but taxis were lined up and it was going to be faster than waiting for the Uber) where we picked up our rental. We got a one-way rental with Alamo (compact SUV, but they gave us a midsize SUV) for about $65, returning it at the WDW Car Care Center. From the airport, the drive was just about 3 hours. We had looked into the Brightline train, and while it would have been easier from the standpoint of me not having to drive (and hopefully get in a nap!), the cost - for three people - was much higher and didn't get us to WDW any earlier. I even looked at flights. SW actually had a flight from FLL to MCO (to reposition the plane, I guess) but it unfortunately left too early - around 7am. If it left at about 9-9:30, i think we would have went for that as it was $49 at one point.

As to what hotel is best by the port prior to the cruise? Certainly seems like the Omni (which opened about a month ago) will be a popular choice since it's practically within spitting distance of the ship. However, I suspect it is going to a pricey option. We like the Embassy Suites. It's still less than a $10 Uber to the port, has a nice pool area, good included breakfast and afternoon reception with drinks/snacks. Plus, there's a large shopping center literally right behind it with a Publix and several dining option. Can also be pricey. We didn't stay there this time as it was approx $500/night. Prices, though, depend on time of year. While it was $500 for January, we stayed there in May and August for less than $200.

 

[Bunnybears1019]

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.

This is helpful - we also prefer to drive and almost always rent a car anyways when at WDW. Sounds like we’ll have to forgo our usual Boma Breakfast on day of departure!

 

[Bunnybears1019]

We just went to WDW for a few nights after getting off the Destiny this past Thursday. I tend to agree with the idea of doing WDW before a cruise, but since this cruise was Sunday-Thursday it made more sense to do WDW after. We walked off early with our luggage, grabbed a taxi to the airport (had planned on Uber, but taxis were lined up and it was going to be faster than waiting for the Uber) where we picked up our rental. We got a one-way rental with Alamo (compact SUV, but they gave us a midsize SUV) for about $65, returning it at the WDW Car Care Center. From the airport, the drive was just about 3 hours. We had looked into the Brightline train, and while it would have been easier from the standpoint of me not having to drive (and hopefully get in a nap!), the cost - for three people - was much higher and didn't get us to WDW any earlier. I even looked at flights. SW actually had a flight from FLL to MCO (to reposition the plane, I guess) but it unfortunately left too early - around 7am. If it left at about 9-9:30, i think we would have went for that as it was $49 at one point.

As to what hotel is best by the port prior to the cruise? Certainly seems like the Omni (which opened about a month ago) will be a popular choice since it's practically within spitting distance of the ship. However, I suspect it is going to a pricey option. We like the Embassy Suites. It's still less than a $10 Uber to the port, has a nice pool area, good included breakfast and afternoon reception with drinks/snacks. Plus, there's a large shopping center literally right behind it with a Publix and several dining option. Can also be pricey. We didn't stay there this time as it was approx $500/night. Prices, though, depend on time of year. While it was $500 for January, we stayed there in May and August for less than $200.

I’m looking at the same things, rental car, flight, brightline… good to know, thanks for sharing!

Will definitely check out Embassy suites .. we’ll be there in May so hopefully can get some good deals on hotels including the Omni!

 

[jimmymc]

For 1 or 2 people, I like the convenience of the brightline. You can take an Uber or Mears shuttle to the airport and take an Uber or taxi to the port or hotel in Ft Lauderdale.

More than that and renting a car becomes more economical, usually. Check the prices for both. If you're renting a car anyway, I'd probably just go with that.