Need Hotel and Transportation Advice

[turtlew1976]

We are flying into MCO the night before the cruise, so we need transportation from the airport to the hotel, the hotel to the port the next day and then the port back to the airport. What is the best and least expensive way to way to go about this? Hotel shuttles, car service? Please help!

 

[diznymom]

How many are in your party? That is a big factor on cost.

There are 3 of us. We stayed at AS Sports (transport from MCO free using DME), caught DCL bus ($35 per person per trip [$70 per person for round trip]) to Port. After cruise used DCL bus to MCO. If you are using a "participating airline" Guest Services will check-in to airline for you and handle your luggage transfers. This is the easiest.

 

[turtlew1976]

How many are in your party? That is a big factor on cost.

There are 3 of us. We stayed at AS Sports (transport from MCO free using DME), caught DCL bus ($35 per person per trip [$70 per person for round trip]) to Port. After cruise used DCL bus to MCO. If you are using a "participating airline" Guest Services will check-in to airline for you and handle your luggage transfers. This is the easiest.

2 families of 3. What time does the DCL bus leave the port to go back to MCO? Thanks for the info!

 

[tankin]

We always stay at the Hyatt in the airport. Its cheaper than WDW and its nice not to have to spend an extra hour plus on a coach (30 min to WDW and 30 min back to MCO on the way to the port).

With 6 you might consider a private transfer to the ship, last time I checked breakeven was 4 people.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We always stay at the Hyatt in the airport. Its cheaper than WDW and its nice not to have to spend an extra hour plus on a coach (30 min to WDW and 30 min back to MCO on the way to the port).

With 6 you might consider a private transfer to the ship, last time I checked breakeven was 4 people.

I agree 100%. The Hyatt is super convenient. I don't feeling like dragging our luggeage on and off shuttles for offsite hotels. The Hyatt will even retrieve your luggage from baggage claim and deliver them to your hotel room for $10 IIRC. Also if you take DCL transfers from the Hyatt you can leave your DCL-tagged bags in your room and they'll be delivered to your cabin door.
Unless you really want to visit WDW, staying there simply adds another 60-80 mins of riding for those flying in the night before.
We have sailed as a group of 6 when my parents joined us and it was cheaper to get a stretch limo than buying DCL transfers for 6.

Now if we're returning home on a participating airline, we don't mind paying a little more for DCL transfers back to MCO. Then we qualify for Onboard Airline Check in. Boarding passes and airline luggage tags are delivered to our cabin the last full day of the cruise. Once we put our bags outside our door the last night, we don't see or touch them until we arrive at our home airport. We just hop on the bus with carryon & BPs in hand and head to our gate.
We find it so convenient we prefer to fly home on participating airlines just so we can do it.
Each method has its pros and cons so don't just compare cost, compare overall convenience or lack of.

 

[Weedy]

Hotels

Hyatt Airport – Pro : Most convent if you are flying in late. Can get DCL transfers as early as 9am

or rent a car at the airport or book private transportation

Disney Hotels – Pro: Well it's Disney, Get in the Disney mood Lots of price options. Con: DCL transfers don’t start picking up until around 11am depending on hotel.

Car rental also available as well as private transportation

Hotels in Port Canaveral - Pro Lots of choices, many on the beach. Con: Many run shuttles to the port

most not until 11am

Transportation

DCL transfers $35 pp each way

One way rental cars – shop for the best price

Private Transportation

http://www.happylimo.com/portcanaveralshuttle.html

http://www.fltours.com/rates.htm


Discounts

http://www.mousesavers.com/transportation-for-disney-vacations/

 

[ktate82]

There are also different packages that offer a shuttle to a hotel (either in Orlando or Cocoa Beach), shuttle to port, then after the cruise, a shuttle back to the airport. Go Port Canaveral was one company that offered several hotel options with this package.

 

[lilozz_6]

Happy limo or other shuttle services are MUCH cheaper than doing the DCL bus!! You can take a limo service 5-7 person van. They charge for the van not per person. Find a hotel that offers free shuttle to/from the airport. Most of the limo services will pick you up from either your hotel or the airport. I found paying round trip from the airport to port and back is the cheapest option