We usually go the day or days before our cruise and usually rent a car. Currently have one through Thrifty which was the least expensive even with the drop off charge. We will pick up at MCO on a Wednesday, stay at WDW for 2 nights then drive to Port Canaveral the night before our cruise. We will have the van to make any last minute trips to pick up items and have it to go out to dinner, will drop most of our group at the terminal with the luggage and then return the car to the rental office and hop on the rental shuttle back to the terminal to meet up with everyone.
MJ