Favorite resort for a one night stay before cruise?

[squirk]

We always drive to PC and stay at the Doubletree the night before. We may try the new Homewood Suites next time.

If I were staying on-property at WDW, and just going to crash, I'd stay at Pop or AoA. Lower cost, clean, comfortable, good food courts. If I was going to spend some time exploring the hotel itself, I would consider AKL/Jambo.

A Boardwalk-area resort would be another good option, I think, especially if you were gonna hang out there the next morning vs. dashing to the port right away.

 

[amjrsj]

Thank you guys for this thread! I was stuck on finding a hotel close to the port but now you have me re-thinking my plans. Our drive to Orlando is about 45 minutes less (which to me makes a difference when you are looking at 8+ hours in the car!!!). I didn't even think about starting off at a Disney hotel, I am planning to hit Disney on our way back but just didn't think about on the way there.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Here's a question: If you stay a night in a WDW resort, would you get transportation to the Port for free? Or do you have to have a special package? Also, if so, is it true the Magical Express to the Port arrives late (we like a PAT as early as possible)? Just trying to weigh all options since it cost us over $200 in transfers from/to MCO and from non WDW resort to Port for 5 of us. Thank you!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Here's a question: If you stay a night in a WDW resort, would you get transportation to the Port for free? Or do you have to have a special package? Also, if so, is it true the Magical Express to the Port arrives late (we like a PAT as early as possible)? Just trying to weigh all options since it cost us over $200 in transfers from/to MCO and from non WDW resort to Port for 5 of us. Thank you!

The Magical Express doesn't go to the port, it only runs between the airport and the hotels. You're thinking of the DCL transfer bus, which charges $35 per person each way and there's no free transportation from WDW to the port. It's the same cost as transfers from the airport.

For a group your size, check out Happy Limo with an online discount from Mouse Savers. They'll probably be cheaper, and get you to the port earlier than the transfer bus, which will often get cruisers to the port around 1 p.m. or later.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

It all depends on what time you plan on checking in and what time you head to port and if you are doing the park at all.

We LOVE AKL concierge level if no parks and then we do either the sunrise or sunset safari depending on times we have going on.

OR if we sail during a holiday season we stay at a monorail resort and go to either MNSSHP or MVMCP on the night before the cruise if it's a party night.

IF we're planning on doing nothing and just hanging out at the resort, we choose the Yacht Club because we love Stormalong Bay!

 

[clten]

Where we stay usually depends on when we arrive. If we are getting in early evening and just going to catch dinner somewhere and hang out, we'll stay at the airport at the Hyatt. If we are arriving in the afternoon and think we will be spending the afternoon/evening at Disney Springs or Boardwalk, we will stay at either Boardwalk or Beach Club - if we are doing Boardwalk or Port Orleans if we are planning on Disney Springs. If we are getting in early and going to do the parks, then we select our resort based on the park we plan to see.

Here's a question: If you stay a night in a WDW resort, would you get transportation to the Port for free? Or do you have to have a special package? Also, if so, is it true the Magical Express to the Port arrives late (we like a PAT as early as possible)? Just trying to weigh all options since it cost us over $200 in transfers from/to MCO and from non WDW resort to Port for 5 of us. Thank you!

Disney Transportation between Orlando and the port is never free. (Even if you have a Disney package that includes transportation, they have added in the $35pp fee each way to the cost.) Yes, if you use Disney transportation between WDW Resorts and the port, don't plan on an early arrival. Typically you arrive about 1-2pm (some a little earlier; some a little later depending on the cruise/resort). Have you checked into renting a car (or SUV) one way? We usually do that through Budget when there are more than 2 of us and it saves money and gives the added freedom of being able to run some errands (store to pick up missing/wanted supplies). Or as a pp said, look into a car service that will probably save you money over the DCL transfers and you can set your pick-up time to arrive at the port early.

 

[Meredisney]

We live in Orlando, so we just get up in the morning and drive the 45 minutes to the port, but I've really enjoyed reading all of the different opinions on this thread. If I had to choose, I'd pick the best place to relax and enjoy the resort amenities without the hustle and bustle of the parks. For me, that place is either Wilderness Lodge or the Beach Club.

 

[Ariel484]

We did a night at Saratoga Springs before one cruise and walked to Downtown Disney (before it became Disney Springs). For our last 2 cruises we flew into MCO later in the evening and stayed at the MCO Hyatt, which is what we'll keep doing - it's cheaper and we get to the port earlier this way.

 

[mevelandry]

Hey all, wondering what everyones top picks are. If you choose to stay at a WDW Resort the night before a cruise and don't plan on going into the parks, what is your top choice and why? We usually choose our resorts for a WDW trip based on proximity, service, and transport. But if we don't have a need, why stay for those reasons instead of branching out. Interested to hear from people

We have tried Doubletree by Hilton Orlando Airport during our last trip. We were so impressed. Staff was amazing. Great pool. Restaurant is not outstanding but good. Excellent shuttle service as well.

Otherwise, we love to stay at Port Orleans Riverside.

 

[amjrsj]

Can anyone tell me how much it costs to park at the port?

 

[GoofyNewfie]

It's probably the room we got and bad timing, but WL was bad for us for a pre-cruise hotel this past April. Would have been great for a Disney Parks stay. We arrived late Friday evening for a Sunday morning Cruise. Saturday morning, the boats horns woke us up after no more than 5 hours sleep. Went to bed early Saturday night (10pmish) so that we wouldn't start the cruise tired and fireworks on the lake woke us up around midnight-1am. We started the cruise so tired...

Probably could have been avoided if only I'd known about the noisy room.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Can anyone tell me how much it costs to park at the port?

Port Canaveral?
https://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Directions-Parking

 

[amjrsj]

Thank you! I had no idea I could reserve a spot online. And it should be $80 so cheaper than taking a $35x3x2 ride from a Disney resort!

 

[Ozarkglittergirl]

First timer here, we are arriving a day early and after agonizing over where to stay we opted for Country Inn and Suites. It's closest to port and you can see the ship docked at port. Since it's not a Disney resort we have to use our own form of transportation from the airport. We can use Disney transportation after the cruise back to the airport though.
My thoughts were, get all the traveling to the port out of the way the day before, because Disney Resorts are a bit of a drive from the port. It's just a matter of preference though. Lots of choices.

 

[Beth06015]

This post has me thinking!! You really can't go wrong...I was leaning towards getting a hotel near the port and maybe going to Kennedy Space center the day before our cruise (since we will fly into Orlando before noon, hopefully). That doesn't give us much time at the space center though.

We just love the Beach Club, our time at storm along bay was the best part of our last Disney trip! My 4 yo son keeps asking to go back to their pool! He turned into a little fish there.

I also really love the idea of spending time at AKL, doing a sunset safari, eating at Sanaa.

I just want to do everything! Haha! So hard to decide!

 

[Sytrace]

We like the Yacht club for Stormalong Bay pool. It is like a mini water park and the food options are good as well. We stay here even when we are not taking a cruise

 

[mcurrence]

We like the Yacht club for Stormalong Bay pool. It is like a mini water park and the food options are good as well. We stay here even when we are not taking a cruise

sytrace, great minds think alike LOL same cruise and same hotel before! We stay at the Beach club every year before our cruise. Cannot say enough wonderful things about SAB! My girls loooove it!

 

[dclpluto]

BWV

 

[Dug720]

I've gone back and forth so many times it seems like the website has said "Nope! You are stuck!" Lol. (I am hoping it is typical Disney website weirdness and not website commentary on my switches, but...)

Seriously. I went in to try to change this morning as I am 95% sure I want the studio at SSR since I plan to spend the day at Disney Springs and the ability to walk there and not have to use transportation is awesome! But either I got a "we ducked out" page or I got ONLY resorts I have not had myself in for this trip.

So at the moment it looks like I'm "stuck" at POR.

 

[Dug720]

FINALLY got mine changed to a studio at SSR, and I am leaving it at that. I've got my TouringPlans fax already set for my requests - I'm giving them a few numbers but in the text saying that really anywhere in Congress Park would be awesome since I plan to be at Disney Springs most of my pre-cruise day, and I can walk from Congress Park.

Edit: HA! I am now back at CBR with a king room reserved. It is my WDW resort home, and it's saving me a ton of money (which will be on my account as a credit!!). Here I will stay!!