Fly in, Cruise, 2 nights at WDW and Home - EGADS

[AuroraMeansDawn]

I am really hoping one of the famous DIS experts can give me some advice here.

We are flying in and arriving at MCO on Fri, April 8 at 10 a.m. and need to get to Port Canavaral to catch a cruise. It comes back in early on Monday, April 11. We plan to spend Monday at US and then check in late afternoon/early evening at the SSR for two nights.

We need to figure out how to get from MCO to Port Canavaral. How to get back from Port Canavaral to Orlando. Should we check in and stow the luggage at SSR? Or rent a car in Port Canavaral? If we can finally just get to SSR we can take the ME back to MCO.

I hate to rent a car and have it sit for the time we are crusing. I am thinking MAYBE we can take a shuttle to the cruise, rent a car in Port Canavarel and then return it at MCO on our return day? That way we're not tied to the super early Magical Express timeline too. Thoughts? Advice? Suggestions?

I need a logistics expert! TIA!!!!

 

[mikehn]

Im not an expert but will weigh in with my experience:

you can rent a one way daily rental from budget, MCO drop off at Port Canaveral (Budget has an office at the port)

When you return to port, you can rent another one way rental from budget for the remainder of your trip, dropping back off at MCO at the end of your vacation.

Assuming you are cruising disney, you can take DME from MCO to port and then back to WDW and not get a rental at all.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

Thanks Mike...we're not cruising Disney so that's the wrinkle. We're on Royal Carribean. Pretty sure the scenario you just described works best.

The shuttles seem to be around 29 a person and by that time we can rent a car and have some freedom and amass some more points for doing so.

 

[KristiMc]

Thanks Mike...we're not cruising Disney so that's the wrinkle. We're on Royal Carribean. Pretty sure the scenario you just described works best.

The shuttles seem to be around 29 a person and by that time we can rent a car and have some freedom and amass some more points for doing so.

We are doing one-way rentals on both ends of our Disney cruise. We are using Budget. I was able to get a full-size car for $51 for before cruise and $41 for after cruise. Much cheaper than the transfers.

 

[goofy4tink]

A slight correction guys. DME does NOT run to port. It runs soley between MCO and WDW. Disney Cruise Line does run a shuttle bus, for a fee, from both MCO as well as from WDW resorts.

Renting a car at MCO and then returning it when you get to port is a good idea. But, also be aware that a shuttle is involved in going between the ships and the car rental offices. So, drop your group, with baggage, off at the appropriate ship, then take the car to the car rental office and return it. You will then be shuttled back to the ship. Reverse this when it's time to leave.

You can rent through Budget and return the car at the Doubletree in DTD. That will be very convenient for you since you'll be at SSR..quick walk across the street. Well, maybe not 'quick' but certainly more than doable!! Then take DME back to MCO.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I am really hoping one of the famous DIS experts can give me some advice here.

We are flying in and arriving at MCO on Fri, April 8 at 10 a.m. and need to get to Port Canavaral to catch a cruise. It comes back in early on Monday, April 11. We plan to spend Monday at US and then check in late afternoon/early evening at the SSR for two nights.

We need to figure out how to get from MCO to Port Canavaral. How to get back from Port Canavaral to Orlando. Should we check in and stow the luggage at SSR? Or rent a car in Port Canavaral? If we can finally just get to SSR we can take the ME back to MCO.

I hate to rent a car and have it sit for the time we are crusing. I am thinking MAYBE we can take a shuttle to the cruise, rent a car in Port Canavarel and then return it at MCO on our return day? That way we're not tied to the super early Magical Express timeline too. Thoughts? Advice? Suggestions?

I need a logistics expert! TIA!!!!

Personally, I'd fly in the day prior, or even the night prior, to cruising. So many things can cause delays, not just snow; mechanical issues, luggage delays, etc. We did it once and were so tired from waking up at 3 am only to have our luggage not show. Never again... Easy to get the Hyatt right inside MCO for $55-75 and save a lot of jmho but 99% on cruise boards would agree here.
I would also find out what perks are involved for using RC's shuttle. With DCL, if flying same day, you can put luggage tags on before flight and they carry it right through and it shows up at your stateroom later, no need to even go to baggage claim. It's designed to be ultra convenient & stress free. Even guests staying at Hyatt can leave their luggage in the room and it all appears at stateroom on ship later. (DCL charges $35 each way so to me $29 is a bargain.)
I don't mind the drive to PC, it's the luggage handling & shuttles that I find inconvenient, esp with kids that aren't old enough to help handle luggage. Having to get gas, cram the trunk, etc. just isn't worth the hassle to me. again, jmho.

We like Happy Limo to PC and splurge on DCL transfers for the return to MCO so that we can qualify for Onboard check in. (They deliver our boarding passes and luggage tags to our room. We put luggage outside our door last night of cruise and don't see it until we arrive at home airport. Just hop off bus with boarding passes in hand and head to gate.)

Does RC have perks like this? Not trying to trash RC, just wondering if they offer more than just a bus ride, something to make you want what they offer more than another alternative.

Not only does onboard check in make me want to splurge on DCL transfers, but I make sure to fly a participating airline just so we can do it too. I love the convenience after a relaxing cruise!

I would also post this on cruise boards, there are plenty others very familiar with PC and can give advice too.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

A slight correction guys. DME does NOT run to port. It runs soley between MCO and WDW. Disney Cruise Line does run a shuttle bus, for a fee, from both MCO as well as from WDW resorts.

Renting a car at MCO and then returning it when you get to port is a good idea. But, also be aware that a shuttle is involved in going between the ships and the car rental offices. So, drop your group, with baggage, off at the appropriate ship, then take the car to the car rental office and return it. You will then be shuttled back to the ship. Reverse this when it's time to leave.

You can rent through Budget and return the car at the Doubletree in DTD. That will be very convenient for you since you'll be at SSR..quick walk across the street. Well, maybe not 'quick' but certainly more than doable!! Then take DME back to MCO.

We didnt' realize we could return the rental car in the DTD area. Found an Avis we can drop at the Hilton that we can rent on points. Doing one way rentals on both ends. DH is always astounded by the info I find on the DisBoards. Thanks so much for your help!