Driving to Port

[disneyagain]

We're staying at the Country Inn and Suites right by Downtown Disney the night before our Cruise. We have a rental car and will be driving to the port (Thursday 7/8). Which way should we go, I-4 to the 528-bee-line or 417-Greenway to 528-bee-line. I'm looking for the fastest/least congested route. I know that there are tolls on the 417, but they are minimal, so I'm not concerned about that.

Also, internet says about 1hr drive time...Our thoughts are to leave around 9:00 am, will that get us there too early? I'd rather wait in line until 10:30 and get on early, then wait in line at 11:00 and get on late

Thanks for your opinions and advice!

 

[FLGalInTN]

I-4 is usually a nightmare so I think 417 would be a better bet. It intersects with 528 (Bee Line Expressway) east of the airport. That way you would miss most of the airport traffic and the hefty airport tolls.

 

[disneyagain]

That's what I thought...

Any idea on arrival time to the port?

How's the traffic getting out of the port after the cruise...we want to be on our way to Universal.....Yeah! July can't come soon enough!

 

[gometros]

I'm not sure what you meant by arrival time in port (arrival of the ship on the last day, arrival on day of departure?), but getting out of port on debarkation day is a breeze.

 

[schrei]

I would highly recommend you get there early. I would rather wait in line at the terminal too. If you have an older child traveling here is a tip. Ask him/her to stand in line while you check in. We were the 1st family (other than special needs and concierge). By doing this you get right to Palo and or the Spa to book your treatments. We got to the terminal at 10:00 and had to wait for about 30 minutes in line to park, but no biggie!
Hope it helps.