Hotel question?

[S.S.WILSON]

If we are flying in from Phx. On the Fri before the cruise where do you suggest we stay? I have noticed there are hotels near port and the airport. What is the best way to go about doing this? We are doing the airline and hotel stuff on our own and coming from Phx. Arizona so we are kinda confused?

 

[CheapMom]

Everybody says RonJons is the best- besides Dave DCL tribute site can anyone suggest thebest place to find hotel reviews?

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

It depends on when you are arriving, what type of transportation you are using to get to the port. Give us a few details, even if they are preliminary.

 

[Hans Solo]

Here are the links to Dave's site that CheapMom refered to

http://www.dcltribute.com/lodging/

http://www.dcltribute.com/lodging/MCO/

 

[S.S.WILSON]

Ya know I know when we booked the cruise the TA at AAA said our price included transfers but no airfare or hotel so we were gonna do that on our own so we would get a NON STOP flight. Now im trying to figure out whats best to do? Stay at the airport or at port? Also trying to figure out what the tranfers are for? We will be there Fri. Oct 8. And cruising on the 9th. Thanks for the help!!!!

 

[ruttie]

a great place to stay that is kinda a hidden secret is th eINN at cocoa beachbut not sure who you are traveling with it is very romantic nice etc but not really a family place lots of people are also staying at teh raddisson in port canaveral

 

[talicskai]

If your price includes transfers then you can only take them the morning of the cruise. Therefore, you need to stay near the airport and go back the next morning for your transfer to the pier. We stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in Orlando and it was wonderful! The rate was $59US and included airport shuttle. The hotel is brand new and very nice. If you prefer to stay near the ship then ask your TA to cancel your transfers and book happy limo (www.happylimo.com) or something similiar. They will pick you up at the terminal and take you right to your hotel in Port Canaveral. We have also stayed there at the Radisson for $89 and it was good. We had a suite and it was heavenly....... However, I have heard great things about Ron Jon's so I would probably stay there next time - just to try it.

 

[crisi]

We stayed out at the port, and I think next time I'll stay in Orlando. We could have had an afternoon at the AKL pool and dinner out at Disney instead of staying at the port. Or flew in later and stayed cheaper near the airport - and still had a pool - plus arranged our towncar to drop us off at the terminal.

 

[S.S.WILSON]

Ok I think we are gonna stay at the Hyatt at the airport. Anyone know anything about this hotel? I also want to know if the transfers Disney provides are ok or should I book on my own? I have this fear of them being like the shuttles that take you toDisneyland(from your hotel) and oh my gosh what a nightmare! Way too crowded!! I just dont want to be late getting on the ship because I relly want to try Palos and maybe the spa! Thanks everyone for all the help.

 

[CM_Mom]

Anyone in your party a senior citizen? As in 65 or over. We're staying at the Hyatt on Friday night April 30 before our cruise and we got a 50% discount because my DM and Aunt (no way I'm going to call that dear lady a DA) will be with us and they're both in their 80s. Don't know anything about the hotel except that we're arriving at 12:31 AM after DH and myself working all day so don't want to go any further than I absolutely MUST to get to a bed.

I'll try to remember to post after we get back and let you know how it was.

 

[tvguy]

We didn't stay at the Hyatt because if was very expensive.
There is a circle of hotels and suites just off airport property, we stayed at the Sheraton, because it was $62 for the 4 of us, half what the Hyatt wanted.
I would highly recommend the Disney transfers. We took the shuttle from the Sheraton back to the airport, and they dropped us right off at the Disney counter.....the folks inside immediately spotted our Disney tags, asked if we were sailing with them today, checked us in, put us on a bus, and we were on our way in 20 minutes.

 

[muntzfab4]

We are planning to stay at the Hyatt airport the night before our cruise in July. Yes, it is more expensive, but I booked it based on convenience. Less trips, shuttles, etc. back and forth. I look forward to my vacations and want it to be as easy as possible! We will have a town car take us to the port the morning of the cruise.

If you don't mind being shuttled around, then go for something less expensive. It really depends on what you are willing or not willing to do.

 

[S.S.WILSON]

What do you mean by shuttled around? I just dont want to miss out! I dont really care who drives me their as long as im on time and I dont have to sit on laps. I mean I am spending $200 dollars for my husband and 2 kids for transfers is there something better? Should I look into a town car instead? Also bhow early can you get on ship?

 

[S.S.WILSON]

Bumpty bump.

 

[RellingTwin]

option 1) once at the airport, take the hotel shuttle to you airport hotel, spend the night, take shuttle back to the airport in the am, board the DCL shuttle (which is a luxury bus) and head to the ship.

option 2) once at the airport, take a towncar to the port area, check into a port hotel, spend the night, then take a hotel shuttle to the ship. If you stay at the Radisson they have a free shuttle to the port.
This option allows for a stop at a grocery store to pick up any items/beverages you might need.

option 3) once at the airport, rent a car, drive to a hotel at the port, spend the night, return the rental, take the hotel shuttle to the port. This option allows you the freedom to stop for dinner/shopping on the way to the port.

However you do it I would recommend you have ONE suitcase with the things you will need for your overnight stay.When we drove to the port, we kept all the luggage in the car, except the ONE suitcase with a change of clothes and our nightgowns ect. DH liked this because once the luggage was in the car, he did not have to touch it again. The porters at the dock removed it from the trunk, and the next time we saw it, it was in our cabin!

 

[S.S.WILSON]

Thank you. Guess we will keep our reservations at the Hyatt and use the Disney transfers. Does anyone know what time the bus comes? Sounds like its pretty organized, whew.

 

[CAMICKEY]

My understanding is that the Hyatt will pick up your bags around 8:30 in the morning and then you catch a Disney Bus to the Port. - Mike

 

[denise5374]

In Oct/ 2002, we stayed at the Airport Hyatt and our bags needed to be out before 7am to be taken to Port Orleans, we were doing land.sea with DCL transfers. It was very convenient but also pricey, not so much the hotel room but the food options. The resturant in the hotel is $$$. Th breafast was a buffet and it was $21.95 for adults and $11.95 for kids. There is no way that I would ever eat that much breakfast nor would my kids.

If you are willing o pay a little more the convenience is worth it. We were traveling with my parents and they made the arrangements. This time we are doing it differently and staying at the Radisson at the port. We'll see which is better.....

 

[CAMICKEY]

Thanks denise5374 for clarifying the time. We are staying there on the 7th of May. The food seems to be fairly expensive but I know there are other alternatives at the airport as well. - Mike

 

[kcatoir]

S.S. Wilson,
When we cruised in Sept we come from the West Coast so arrived the day (or should I say night) before. We didn't arrive in at MCO until about 7pm, after leaving the West at 6am, yes it was a long day.
I made all our arrangements and opted not to do disney transfers mainly based on the price. I found a nice Best western on Airport rd for about $55 for our family of 4, was very new, clean, nice staff etc..... (would not hesitate to recommend it and probably will be staying there again in 2005) had a great continental breakfast in am. They provided a shuttle to and from the air port for free although we did tip the driver about $5 each way. I had arranged for a Budget one way rental car for the next morning to drive out to Port, Price was about $35 dollars with Walmart discount. In am after we ate a light breakfast, DH took hotel shuttle to MCO while I stayed with kiddo's and packed up. He returned shortly and we were off to Port, with time to spare, returned car at Coco beach, shuttled to Terminal, and checked in.
After cruise shuttled to Budget office picked up car, (same price $35). headed back to Orlando.

So to sum up I think we got a great price for hotel and car, plus we got to go at our own time not with the bus schedule which I hear they arrive at port later in the morning and it can be hecktick checking in when the busses arrive.

Hotel: $55 plus tax
Car: $70 I believe that included tax, no ins was covered on our own policy, plus topping off gas before dropping off.
Total $$125, cheaper than $200 which doesn't include your hotel.

Just my 2 cents
KC