Logistics of first Disney Cruise plus KSC and WDW.

[Ann1317]

We are first time DCL cruisers and scheduled to go next May (4 adults, 2 kids). Since we haven’t traveled in a while, we want to make this a big trip. Here is what I want to do, but not sure the best logistical way and hoping someone can help:

We will be flying into MCO the day before our 4 night cruise. On disembarkation day, we would like to head to Kennedy Space Center. Afterward, we want to add a couple park days (stay on site) then head back to MCO to fly home.

What is the best strategy? Get a rental car at the airport and keep it for the entire trip? Stay somewhere with a shuttle to the airport/port for before and after. Then shuttle back to airport and catch a shuttle to WDW? Shuttle to and from cruise, then get the rental car for going to WDW?

Thanks for any insight you can give!

 

[SnowWhite2]

I would rent a SUV/Minivan for the entire time if you are going to have 6 people. MCO to port is $39pp and another $39pp from port to WDW. If going in 2022, WDW to MCO will be a paid service. Once you disembark, I'm not sure how you would get to KSC and what you would do with your luggage if you didn't have a rental. If you get a rental car and stay at a hotel in Cape Canaveral the night prior to embarkation, you might be able to park your car at the hotel the entire time and take their shuttle to the port. Cost varies for this service.

 

[Cheburashka]

I would rent a vehicle upon arrival at the airport, and keep it throughout the cruise. A lot less hassle on debarkation day. You will simply walk off the ship, to your car, and drive away. Any other option will require a fair amount of waiting around.

If arriving fairly early the day before, I would check out Disney's Vero Beach Resort for availability, as it's a great resort with lots to do. It's not in Port Canaveral but it's on the coast & would be a reasonable drive to the port on embarkation day. If arriving in the evening, I would stay at the aIrport Hyatt.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Because of the party size, I do agree that you'll likely be best renting a car from the airport and keeping it the whole time. However, I'd also price out what it would cost for a private transfer between an airport hotel with a shuttle to Port Canaveral the morning of the cruise, and then renting the car at disembark.

We did KSC at disembark. We did not do express walk-off, and had to get the car at the rental place at PC, which is a shuttle ride from terminal. We were at KSC by 10AM, stayed until 4ish. Grabbed some food on I-Drive on the way back, checked into our villa at VWL by 6:30 or so.