How is the drive from WDW to port?

[heathrow42]

Well we've booked our first cruise.. and haven't done the airfare yet, because I just can't figure out how we will get there. We want to fly in the day before, as seems to be the consensus. However, I would like to get to port early and understand that the first buses do not leave WDW until noonish. (Someone, please correct me if I am wrong about that!!)

So, I am vaguely considering the idea of either staying at wdw and driving a rental to port first thing in the morning or driving over to the Radison (that's the popular one, right?) and going from there -- but not sure how that works. Would I drive from the Radison to port or is there an early shuttle?

What is the drive like from wdw to port? Is it pretty much a straight shot and mostly highways? or is it mostly local roads? Are there lots of signs? I'm not crazy about driving outside my comfort zone. I do usually rent a car and drive to disney from MCO and drive around property. There are plenty of signs and I always have that feeling of not being able to get lost on disney property! It was quite a while before I ventured off property though, and it was always after I had gone with someone else first. The last thing I want is to get lost while on vacation

I guess my other option is to stay at the hotel that is in the airport, or atleast go stay there the night before the cruise, and take the DCL shuttle. (Do their shuttles leave early, earlier than wdw?) I just can't stand the thought of being in FL and not being at Disney!!

Heather

 

[kcashner]

Hmmmm....a few questions. Are you getting in early enough the day before to go to WDW?

We usually get a room in the MCO (airport) area. All the 3* hotels have free shuttles to and from the airport. You can get a priceline 3* room for under $40. The busses from the airport start running at 9:30, which is plenty early enough. Of course, IF you are getting in early the day before and have time to do WDW, go for it. However, if you are doing a late afternoon or evening flight just to get to the Orlando area, there's no reason to go to the WDW area where things are much more expensive.

The drive from MCO to Port Canaveral is about 45 minutes. It's about an hour from WDW.

The Radisson is the popular hotel near the ship because it has free parking and a free shuttle. If you will have a car, that's a nice perk as you don't have to pay to park. However, if you are using a private limo, there are other nice, cheaper hotels that have a shuttle for $3 per person from the Cocoa Beach area to the port. Note...nothing against the Radisson, just an explanation.

So...options....get into MCO. WHere do you want to go? To WDW? To the port? Stay in the airport area and go to port the next morning? THe answer to that question really determines your next step.

The roads are great--essentially all toll roads, good quality. The total toll is a couple dollars. Basically a straight shot from MCO to port.

 

[4407mark]

If I remember correctly, it was a straight shot over the 528 Beeline - we stayed at Coronado Springs for two days before the cruise and then drove over and it was about 45 minutes to an hour. We got up that morning and ate breakfast, checked out and headed over somehwat early - I think we got to port about 10 or so. We were the second family in line and we passed the time talking to other passengers, the CMs, and reading. There's nothing wrong with getting there early - it makes check-in a little easier (no waiting or very little wait) and I guess it boils down to where you want to wait - in line at check-in or in line to get on board.

Have a great time!

 

[tawasdave]

It is pretty much a straight shot to the boat from DW...just get a mapquest trip map..it worked great for me....you can also go to the Port Canaveral website and get detailed map of port..it is very easy...there are lots of signs to get you to the right place...but without trying to ruin the surprise...trust me...there is a point where it will be very hard to miss the boat...about an hour drive from DW to port...

 

[mketting]

YOu can rent a car at the airport, drive over to the port, drop your family off and then drive over to the rental office just 5 minutes away and then ride the shuttle they provide back over to the port. When you get off the ship depending on your airline you can check your bags for the airline there at the port and then all hop on the shuttle back to the rental office and then drive back to the airport and return the car.

We did this and it was so easy. We were able to arrive at the port at 10:30 and get all checked in with no lines. One got in line for boarding while the kids sat and watched TV. It went very smoothly.

I can't remember the rental agency we used but just find out which ones are in Cocoa Beach, there are 2. Their offices are just down the road from the Radisson everyone talks about.