Miami late flight

[Boymom36]

Good morning! I am reading all of these great suggestions for idea on what to do during the day with a late flight out of MCO. Anything similar out of Miami? I see the Sheraton airport hotel has a day rate. Has anyone used this? Wondering how the pool is and what lunch options would be. I am finding most of my flight options out of Miam ( and similar for Ft. Lauderdale) are either before 9:30 am or after 5pm. Not really interested in renting a car, trying to keep things simple and relaxing for the end of our trip. Sailing on the magic in February. Thanks so much!

 

[gismo1554]

I can not recommend highly enough the Miami City Tour (https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...-with-airport-transfer-onboard-bookings-only/)

Not only gives you a transfer to the airport but also stores luggage and has 3 different tours around Miami. I did it last year and it was so worth the money. Last transfer to the airport I think was at 4:30pm and I got to do all 3 tours plus have lunch at Bubba Gumps in the shopping area the tours leave from. I'm sure there are other options but this was a great way to spend the day. Having visited Miami loads I was amazed at how much there is to see. Its a hop on hop off tour with commentary in English by a guide onboard but I didn't get off at any stops as wanted to fit all tours in. Each tour is around 1-2 hours and the main places it goes that I can remember are:

City Loop:

• Freedom Tower – where in the 1920s Cuban immigrants were processed
• Amaerican Airlines Arean – where Miami Heat play
• Vizcaya & Science Museum
• Coconut Grove District
• The Biltmore Hotel
• Venetian Pool
• Coral Gables Museum
• Little Havana
• Domino Park
• The County Courthouse

Beach Loop:

• Freedom Tower again
• American Airlines Arena Again
• Perez Art Museum Miami
• MacArthur Causeway
• Millionaire Island
• Washington Avenue
• DASH – the Kardasian’s shop
• Collins Avenue
• Fontainebleau
• Flooded streets
• South Beach
• Lincoln Road
• Old Miami Beach City Hall
• Ocean Drive
• Burger King Whopper Bar – only BK to serve beer
• Jungle Island

Cultural Loop:

• Freedom Tower again
• American Airlines Arena again
• Perez Art Museum Miami again
• Miami Childrens Museum
• Jungle Island again
• Wyndwood
• Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
• Design District
• Prohibition – still in operation speak easy
• Overtown
• Black Police Precinct Museum
• Lyric Theater – where James Brown amongst others have played
• History Miami Museum
• First ever Macy’s

It goes from the Bayside Shopping Centre where there is a Disney Store and some other places (I wandered) plus Hard Rock Café, Bubba Gumps, Hooters and other eating places. Its a large shopping centre but I didn't really have luggage space to shop so just did Disney store oh and I Love Miami store. My flight was International at 9:50pm so got to the airport with plenty of time. Its around 30 minutes away but can take longer depending on traffic (took I think 45 for mine as it was in rush hour).

And remember Sunscreen! I put it on first thing in the morning and then forgot to reapply so ended up like a lobster when I got to the airport!

The way the tour works you get a meeting location on the ship and a time (ours was 8:30am I want to say). You then get escorted off in a group and go through customs, picking up your baggage. Then the escort will lead you to the bus, where there will be a van to put your luggage into secured storage (you fill in tags and get a receipt for them) and then you get on the open top bus. It will then take you to the Bayside Shopping Center where you can start any of the three tours. I know some people who used this as a way to get to the beach and then relaxed their all day but I loved getting to see Miami and sitting on a bus is not a hardship.

 

[Boymom36]

That is great information! Thank you so much! I never would have thought of that and good hints too!

 

[gismo1554]

That is great information! Thank you so much! I never would have thought of that and good hints too!

No worries. As said I had been to Miami a lot and never seen half the places so it was a great relaxing way to spend a few hours!