Need Advice about where to stay

[cynjam]

Some friends of mine will be flying in to MCO Sat. and plan on taking a taxi to the port. They have never been to FL and don't like driving outside of our small town. The problem is their flight out after the cruise is not till Sunday morning, early. I think they should stay near the airport, maybe something that has trans. to MCO. That way, they would only need a taxi from the port to the hotel on Sat. afternoon. But then, what would they do all evening? I also thought about something near DTD, because of the free (no park ticket) Disney magic. But then, they would have to worry about getting to the airport Sun. morning on time. Their plane leaves at 7:50 am. There is 4 people total, parent, 2 teens, and 7yo. Any suggustions?

 

[crazy4cruises]

Are you saying that their return flight leaves at 7:50AM? I'm not sure that they will be able to disembark and drive to the airport in time. Anyone remember what time they start to allow people to disembark? I just remember being in line and waiting for the doors of the ship to open.

 

[Dreamer04]

I think she said her friends are leaving on Sunday, not the day they disembark. I think you're best bet is to stay near the airport. The nicer places have pools and such. It's only one night. They can relax, swim, sleep and head home rested, not stressed out from trying to get to the airport on time.

There is a hotel actually in MCO, the Hyatt Regency, it sounds lovely.

Here is a link to Dave's site...I think you will find your answer here.

http://www.dcltribute.com/

 

[rsschneck]

We stayed there before our September cruise and we were very pleased. They do have a pool and there are restaurants inside of the hotel. I would stay there again and you can't get MORE convenient than staying IN the airport. If they don't want to drive they can use Disney transfers, limo, town car or mears shuttle service round trip so there is no stress!

 

[cynjam]

rsschneck,
Do you mean round trip to the ship? I know Disney trans. is $49/ person, is there anything cheaper? Do you have to make reservations or are there some at the airport waiting when you arrive?

 

[rsschneck]

They will have to make reservations prior to arrival. Many people use Mears, Happy Limo, FL Tours, etc. They can get a quote from the company and see if Disney tansfers are less expensive, more expensive, or about the same.

We used Disney last year and I thought the transfers were $69 per person not $49. I would double check the costs from Disney. This year we are renting a minivan and parking it at The Radisson.

There are lots of options and the more people in the group the least appealing Disney seems because of the cost and you are on BIG touring buses with lots of people instead of just your group.

Hope this helps.

Roxann

 

[jrabbit]

Someone a while back posted about how they used Hotwire to get a great rate at the MCO Hyatt, and how they "guarenteed" that they selected the Hyatt.

Does anyone remember how to do this?

Thanks

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Tell your friend they don't need to be afraid of driving to the port. It's an easy 47-mile drive on a divided highway. No city driving at all, and none of the traffic that you find around the Attractions Area. Your friend can save money by renting a car before the cruise, dropping it off near the port, and renting another car near the port after their cruise, dropping it off at the airport. That will also help keep them dying of boredom, because there is NOTHING to do around the airport, and without a car, they'd be confined to their hotel for the afternoon/evening of the day they return.

I have details about the car rental option at my web site...

www.dcltribute.com/carhire

I also have the oh-so-easy driving directions...

www.dcltribute.com/directions

And, as Dreamer04 mentioned, I have a summary of airport-area hotel options...

www.dcltribute.com/lodging/MCO/

 

[cynjam]

I wish I could convince them to rent a car and drive themselves.
I found "A Best Transportation" @ http://www.abestshuttles.com/ . Do you know anything about this company? They advertise Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral for $26.50/person. There must be a catch.
I am going to print those driving directions for her to look at, just incase. Are there buses or shuttles to and from the rental car companies at PC? Isn't that a lot of baggage handling? Forgive me if these seem like silly questions, but we always drive our own car everywhere we go.

 

[ColeenD]

I have driven to the port twice, once with a female friend and once with my daughter, and there was no problem. Your friend should take the children to Typhoon Lagoon on Saturday after they leave the ship. The parking is free and it's so much fun. We did that when we had a late flight out on Saturday. Got off the ship, drove the rental car to Typhoon Lagoon, stayed several hours, late lunch at Downtown Disney, drove to airport, dropped off car, on the way home. And Dave's directions from his website are outstanding!

 

[ColeenD]

Oh, and I got the Sheraton Suites at Orlando Airport for $50 on Hotwire. The suite sleeps 4, so it should be perfect for parent and the kids.

 

[ElaineMc]

Will I have time to do anything after a 3 day cruise? My flight leaves at 3:30 p.m. I'm not sure how I'm getting back to airport. Does anyone know if there is a car rental place near the port, maybe could rent a car for a little bit and do some site seeing or maybe that's too rushed. Thanks.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by ElaineMc

Will I have time to do anything after a 3 day cruise? My flight leaves at 3:30 p.m.

www.dcltribute.com/faq/timetovisitparks.htm

Does anyone know if there is a car rental place near the port, maybe could rent a car for a little bit and do some site seeing?

www.dcltribute.com/carhire

 

[cynjam]

Okay, my friends decided they didn't want to rent a car, and they want to stay near the airport, aka cheap hotel with a free shuttle. Does anyone know how much a taxi to the port would cost? Would the $160 round trip with a towncar be cheaper?

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

The Orlando Airport web site estimates taxi fare at $87 each way, so a town car would be both cheaper and more comfortable.

 

[BAKAROMA]

How about finding some one on the boards to split a towncar with then everybody saves money. There are lots of choices for hotels by the airport. We are trying the Hampton Inn on Lee Blvd. $69

 

[cynjam]

After looking at Dave's site, I found the Quality Inn Airport
2601 McCoy Rd. , Orlando, FL. Has anyone ever stayed here? They have free airport shuttles and round trip trans to the port for $35.