Hotel before cruise - Port Canaveral

[mevelandry]

Hello!

Although we've arrived perfectly on time (way in advance!) for our PAT, on our April 2015 cruise, we would like to arrive 1 night in advance for our cruise next year.

I was wondering what were the hotel choices that you can book as part of your cruise (you can call a certain phone number to book).

1) Which hotels can you book? I think I heard you could get an airport hotel in the choices?

(Otherwise, we would probably book a value in WDW!)

2) Do you have to pay the hotel room in advance or is it added to your balance?

3) How much $$$?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MUN]

We've always stayed at the Sheraton Four Points in Cocoa Beach. It is a short walk to the beach and is close to several restaurants, Walgreens, and next door to Ron Jon Surf Shop. We've booked through the Sheraton web-site and paid the hotel directly. If a pool is important to you, this is not the place to stay.

 

[mevelandry]

Actually, I was hoping for either a WDW hotel or a Airport hotel because we need the Disney shuttle to go to Port Canaveral, and I want to book through DCL.

 

[artnerds]

One of the easiest options is the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, which is the hotel literally inside the Orlando airport. We did this for the first time last month, and it was great. Previously, we had stayed at WDW resorts before our cruises, but this time we were getting in late in the day and just wanted to be able to start relaxing right away.

You book the room directly with Hyatt, either by calling them or on their website, and you also book airport-to-cruise ground trasfers with DCL.

When you check in at the Hyatt, you tell them you are going on a Disney cruise the next day. They will:
1. Put you on the list of rooms where the porters will stop in the morning to pick up luggage.
2. Give you a letter telling you where and when you should go in the morning.

On the morning of your cruise, beginning at about 8:30 AM, porters will go around to the rooms and pick up luggage to be handed over to DCL. You don't have to wait around for the porters, just put the DCL tags on the bags and leave them right inside your hotel room door.

When you go downstairs at the airport to check in at the DCL transportation desk, you will give them the letter the Hyatt gave you. On there, there is a space for you to tell them which room you were in and how many bags the hotel is handling for you. This way, DCL will make sure that the Hyatt has given them your bags, so you needn't worry that your bags will be left behind.

You just get on the bus and your bags will be delivered to your room on the ship.

 

[artnerds]

Actually, I was hoping for either a WDW hotel or a Airport hotel because we need the Disney shuttle to go to Port Canaveral, and I want to book through DCL.

You do not have to book the hotel through DCL to use the DCL ground transfer. Some people prefer to stay in an hotel near the airport (but not the Hyatt that's inside the airport) to save some money. Most of those hotels have shuttles that will bring you to the airport in the morning, and you just bring yourself and your luggage down to the DCL check-in desk.

 

[disireland]

I second hayatt regency orlando international airport stayed there last month beautiful hotel after travelling last thing you want is to have to jump in a car or shuttle bus to get your head down

 

[artnerds]

I second hayatt regency orlando international airport stayed there last month beautiful hotel after travelling last thing you want is to have to jump in a car or shuttle bus to get your head down

For the ultimate in relaxation, you don't even have to go to baggage claim if you don't want to. Just get off your flight and go over to the hotel. They'll send bell services to baggage claim to get your bags and bring them to your room. Costs a few bucks, but it makes you feel like a total rockstar.

 

[mevelandry]

You do not have to book the hotel through DCL to use the DCL ground transfer. Some people prefer to stay in an hotel near the airport (but not the Hyatt that's inside the airport) to save some money. Most of those hotels have shuttles that will bring you to the airport in the morning, and you just bring yourself and your luggage down to the DCL check-in desk.

Yeah, I noticed it was really expensive. With that kind of price, I think we'll go for a WDW hotel!

 

[artnerds]

Yeah, I noticed it was really expensive. With that kind of price, I think we'll go for a WDW hotel!

There are 2 situations I can think of where the Hyatt holds the clear advantage. One is if you are arriving late and don't want to get off a plane and go directly onto a shuttle bus for another 45-60 minutes (which is why we chose the Hyatt last time). The other is if you want to get to the port early on embarkation day (such as if you are trying to do a port upgrade). The buses from the WDW resorts will get you to the port around 12:30 - 1 PM at the earliest, whereas you will get there at 10:15-10:30 if you are on the first bus heading out of the airport.

Otherwise, I'd certainly rather stay on WDW property anytime.

 

[mevelandry]

Those who booked a WDW hotel "pre-cruise" through DCL, did you get a % off?

 

[mevelandry]

There are only 2 downsides to the WDW resorts. One is if you are arriving late and don't want to get off a plane and go directly onto a shuttle bus for another 45-60 minutes (which is why we chose the Hyatt last time). The other is if you want to get to the port early on embarkation day (such as if you are trying to do a port upgrade). The buses from the WDW resorts will get you to the port around 12:30 - 1 PM at the earliest.

We will probably fly earlier in the day so the Magical Express is fine for us. The idea of a dinner in Downtown Disney sounds amazing.

As for the Port Arrival, as long as Cabanas is still open when we get in the Dream...

 

[Octoberbride03]

Actually, I was hoping for either a WDW hotel or a Airport hotel because we need the Disney shuttle to go to Port Canaveral, and I want to book through DCL.

You can book the shuttle through DCL but you can't book a hotel that I've seen. You would still have to book that separately. We always drive down and stay in Cocoa Beach at the Country Inn & Suites. There is free breakfast breakfast and free shuttle to the cruise terminal in the morning. We do the parking package so we get the free shuttle back as well.

 

[mevelandry]

As previously mentionned we don't drive. We are totally dependants LOL.

 

[mevelandry]

Just wanted to mention that we chose to change itineraries. We'll go to Miami instead of Port Canaveral.