Getting to Port of Miami from WDW??

[Elias1901]

Hey all,

We had an unexpected flight change hiccup happen with our arriving flight into Miami where the airline was shifting our arrival later than anticipated so we had it cancelled and instead, we decided to fly into Orlando a bit early instead and spend a few days at WDW beforehand. However... the trick comes in when it is time to get from our WDW hotel to the Port of Miami in the morning of embarkation day.

What is the easiest, and hopefully cheapest, way to reliably get from WDW to the Port of Miami without a huge hassle? We were hoping to have a quick breakfast in the early morning (7:40 AM, I believe) at Kona Cafe before heading off to Miami.

Is renting a car really the best course of action? Or is there some sort of shuttle that would be available for such things??

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hey all,

We had an unexpected flight change hiccup happen with our arriving flight into Miami where the airline was shifting our arrival later than anticipated so we had it cancelled and instead, we decided to fly into Orlando a bit early instead and spend a few days at WDW beforehand. However... the trick comes in when it is time to get from our WDW hotel to the Port of Miami in the morning of embarkation day.

What is the easiest, and hopefully cheapest, way to reliably get from WDW to the Port of Miami without a huge hassle? We were hoping to have a quick breakfast in the early morning (7:40 AM, I believe) at Kona Cafe before heading off to Miami.

Is renting a car really the best course of action? Or is there some sort of shuttle that would be available for such things??

Renting a car would be the best, IMO. There is a cheap bus that runs that route, but I believe you'd have to get to wherever it picks up, and then get to the port once you get to Miami.

Found it: Megabus - $14 per person. It's about a 4 hour trip. Picks up at Universal Orlando, and ends at Miami International Airport.

 

[Elias1901]

Renting a car would be the best, IMO. There is a cheap bus that runs that route, but I believe you'd have to get to wherever it picks up, and then get to the port once you get to Miami.

Found it: Megabus - $14 per person. It's about a 4 hour trip. Picks up at Universal Orlando, and ends at Miami International Airport.

It seems that renting a car will most likely be our most time effective method of travel, allowing us to go when we want to go. My significant other is an employee of Hertz and would be able to get us a discount. Is there many Hertz locations in and around WDW property (probably would be looking for one closest to the Polynesian if we were there for breakfast).

I’d also want to know which drop-off location would be the most logical with the Port of Miami being the destination.

 

[ScooterScott44]

National and Alamo are onsite at WDW. I’m not certain where the closest Hertz is off the top of my head.

I make the trip between Orlando and Miami a number of time per year and I would anticipate 4 hours plus on the drive because of the potential for traffic in south Florida/Miami. Your best bet would probably be to drop off at the Miami airport and catch a taxi/Uber to the port. The port is right down the Dolphin Expressway from the airport. That route is pretty simple - Turnpike to 95 for the drop at the airport and down the expressway to the port. Again, traffic may not be too bad or can be horrible.

If you don’t mind an overnight in Miami it might be better to drive down the night before. You could stay as long as you like at Disney since the later you leave the less chances for traffic. Drop the car at the airport as mentioned and catch a shuttle to one of the hotels. Some of the hotels not only have airport shuttles but often have cruise port shuttles.

 

[cvjw]

Just wanted to add that we drove from Disney to the port of Miami a couple months ago. It was such an easy drive. The majority of it was the turnpike, and there was hardly any other cars on the road. We just followed Waze once we got off the turnpike, and were at the port in no time.

We would drive to the port of Miami again

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is there many Hertz locations in and around WDW property (probably would be looking for one closest to the Polynesian if we were there for breakfast).

https://www.google.com/search?q=her...1d28.37091107900096!2d-81.51177909146838!5i14

 

[teetoppz28]

This past April, my wife and I flew Southwest from MCO to FLL and then Ubered to our Miami hotel. We found $40 flight deals, so about $100 total w/ the Uber ride... not too shabby if you can score a flight deal.

 

[monarchsfan16]

It is an easy drive, however, I don’t think you’re allowing yourself enough time if you have a 7:40 ADR, and want to pick up and drop off the rental car. You aren’t likely to get out of breakfast until 9. I think Hertz has a location at a hotel by Disney Springs, so you need to get there, do the paperwork, go get your luggage from the hotel, and get on the road. I don’t see you getting on the road until 10. It is a 3 1/2 hour drive under perfect conditions. There is not a rental car return at the port. You would need to return somewhere and shuttle to the port.

If you really want breakfast at Kona before leaving, pick up the rental car the night before, pack it and drive it to the Polynesian for breakfast, and leave straight from there. And cross your fingers that you don’t hit traffic.

 

[bobbiwoz]

One of the rental car places at Miami airport, then has a shuttle to the port. We have done the rental car to Miami for a cruise twice.