HELP!

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Ok. I'm a mess. Typically, planning for a cruise and other parts of the trip are not a problem. Let's just say between 2 jobs, school, DS, and DH I feel very behind the 8 ball and need help...BADLY! I have a wonderful TA who is happy to do the work, but also gives me the heads up if something is going to cost more going through her than doing it myself. (This is both a blessing and a curse...)

Cruise is paid for.

I am in need of
-Airfare that isn't going to rival the cost of the cruise.
-One way rental (I'm thinking Budget Rental-but am open to any place that has a shuttle to port)
-One way transfer back to the airport after disembarking (car service or your thoughts on Disney Transportation for this)
-Hotel for 2 nights...Thinking anything by Hilton. I'd rather rack up the rewards.

Give me your tips and tricks...I'm just about 90 days out...

TIA...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok. I'm a mess. Typically, planning for a cruise and other parts of the trip are not a problem. Let's just say between 2 jobs, school, DS, and DH I feel very behind the 8 ball and need help...BADLY! I have a wonderful TA who is happy to do the work, but also gives me the heads up if something is going to cost more going through her than doing it myself. (This is both a blessing and a curse...)

Cruise is paid for.

I am in need of
-Airfare that isn't going to rival the cost of the cruise.
-One way rental (I'm thinking Budget Rental-but am open to any place that has a shuttle to port)
-One way transfer back to the airport after disembarking (car service or your thoughts on Disney Transportation for this)
-Hotel for 2 nights...Thinking anything by Hilton. I'd rather rack up the rewards.

Give me your tips and tricks...I'm just about 90 days out...

TIA...

I usually keep an eye on https://www.kayak.com/flights for cheap flights.
All the rental car companies in Canaveral have shuttles to the port.
DCL transfers from port to MCO cost $35 per person. I personally love doing it. It's possible to onboard checkin for your flights and (for most US flights) have the ability to leave your bags outside your room the last night of the cruise and you don't see them again until you get to your home airport. Sooooo easy!

 

[Cmbar]

Ok. I'm a mess. Typically, planning for a cruise and other parts of the trip are not a problem. Let's just say between 2 jobs, school, DS, and DH I feel very behind the 8 ball and need help...BADLY! I have a wonderful TA who is happy to do the work, but also gives me the heads up if something is going to cost more going through her than doing it myself. (This is both a blessing and a curse...)

Cruise is paid for.

I am in need of
-Airfare that isn't going to rival the cost of the cruise. Where are you flying from? Southwest is usually the best and most cost effective with no cost for most luggage.
-One way rental (I'm thinking Budget Rental-but am open to any place that has a shuttle to port) If you are a Costco member try them for your rental, you get a second driver free and I keep checking weekly and have often gotten a reduction in pricing. Car Rentals need to be checked frequently. On a trip to LAX, I started with the best price of 275, but kept checking and ended at 150 for a week in LA. So check often and there is no problem booking multiple until you find the best deal.
-One way transfer back to the airport after disembarking (car service or your thoughts on Disney Transportation for this) If you are just three people it may be worthwhile to do DCL. Southwest is not however, one of those airline to do OnBoard checkin. At Disney Yes, at DCL no unfortunately.
-Hotel for 2 nights...Thinking anything by Hilton. I'd rather rack up the rewards. Sorry a Marriott girl here! But I hear Homewood suites by Hilton on Astronaut blvd is good and has free breakfast and looks like a sale right now depending on your dates! Good Luck!

Give me your tips and tricks...I'm just about 90 days out...

TIA...

 

[TrishaK]

We always fly Southwest.
I've always been lazy - we stay at the Hyatt inside MCO the night before and use the Disney coaches to and from the airport.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I usually keep an eye on https://www.kayak.com/flights for cheap flights.
All the rental car companies in Canaveral have shuttles to the port.
DCL transfers from port to MCO cost $35 per person. I personally love doing it. It's possible to onboard checkin for your flights and (for most US flights) have the ability to leave your bags outside your room the last night of the cruise and you don't see them again until you get to your home airport. Sooooo easy!

Only $35...I might have to do this for the return

We always fly Southwest.
I've always been lazy - we stay at the Hyatt inside MCO the night before and use the Disney coaches to and from the airport.

Does the Hyatt still do a day room? Some of the return flights I've been looking at leave later in the afternoon...

Thumper...Thanks for the heads up on the Homewood Suites...Love their free breakfast and will check the dates!

Ok next question...After disembarking, getting DCL or other car service to the airport, about what time do we end up at the airport? Looking at return flights...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Only $35...I might have to do this for the return



Does the Hyatt still do a day room? Some of the return flights I've been looking at leave later in the afternoon...

Thumper...Thanks for the heads up on the Homewood Suites...Love their free breakfast and will check the dates!

Ok next question...After disembarking, getting DCL or other car service to the airport, about what time do we end up at the airport? Looking at return flights...

DCL recommends flights after 11:30.

 

[TrishaK]

Yes, the Hyatt has day rooms. We booked one of those in June when our flight was around 5 pm. We arrived at the airport pretty early that morning, and it was great to have!

 

[Sytrace]

Ok. I'm a mess. Typically, planning for a cruise and other parts of the trip are not a problem. Let's just say between 2 jobs, school, DS, and DH I feel very behind the 8 ball and need help...BADLY! I have a wonderful TA who is happy to do the work, but also gives me the heads up if something is going to cost more going through her than doing it myself. (This is both a blessing and a curse...)

Cruise is paid for.

I am in need of
-Airfare that isn't going to rival the cost of the cruise.
-One way rental (I'm thinking Budget Rental-but am open to any place that has a shuttle to port)
-One way transfer back to the airport after disembarking (car service or your thoughts on Disney Transportation for this)
-Hotel for 2 nights...Thinking anything by Hilton. I'd rather rack up the rewards.

Give me your tips and tricks...I'm just about 90 days out...

TIA...

I am not sure why it would cost more to go thru a TA for these things as many vendors that TA's use offer bundle packages for hotels, airfare, and rental cars and it is actually less expensive to book this way in most cases.
Airfare: Southwest offers some good rates. Or Frontier is usually less expensive but very little on the frills side.
One way rental: Your plan on using Budget sounds good.
One way transfer: Disney bus is 35.00 per person one way and might be a great option.
Hotel using Hilton: Hilton Doubletree Suites is always a nice hotel with lots of room. We actually enjoy staying there whenever we have a need and they have a location. There is one by the Airport.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Update: I've got airfare Jetblue direct. Only issue is that the return flight is later than I would like, but oh well.
We have a day room at the Hyatt.
We have Palo and excursions.

Just need hotels, car, and transfers...

Slowly but surely it is coming together.

Thanks everyone!