Need thoughts re: driving vs. flying

[SDFgirl]

So we have 2 Disney trips coming up. We're going to POR for 7 nights in early June, then a Disney cruise in July.

This is my first cruise so I'm unfamiliar with the ins and outs of driving vs. flying to Cape Canaveral.

For financial reasons, we have decided to fly for one trip, and drive from Kentucky for the other trip. I don't really care which, and not really sure if there are advantages/disadvantages for flying to the cruise portion. Do you need more luggage for a cruise?

We always stay on-site and never feel the need for a car, but if Disney makes it super easy and convenient to transfer from MCO to Cape Canaveral, I might drive for the on-site visit.

So, if you were me, which one would you buy airfare for, and which would you drive to? Thanks!

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I'd fly after the cruise.

You *might* have extra clothes for the cruise if you are bringing dressy outfits for dinners.

 

[IrishNYC]

I'd workout the airfare vs paying to park while you cruise, and see which makes more financial sense

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Yeah -- parking at the Port won't be free. Parking at your resort is.

 

[disny_luvr]

We've cruised out of Port Canaveral twice, flying once and driving once. I will say, I liked driving more to the cruise vs. flying. The first time we cruised we used Disney transportation from the airport for the convenience but it is pricey. We also participated in the fish extender which took up an additional suitcase. When we drove, I didn't need to worry about how many suitcases I had. Also, I like the ease of parking at the port. Sure it costs money, but to leave the terminal when we want, not waiting for a shuttle to a parking lot/hotel/airport was great! If I'd have flown I'd be paying for parking at the airport anyway. All that being said, we are flying for our next cruise only because of time constraints before our cruise and no time to drive. We'll be utilizing Disney transportation from the airport again because it is so convenient.

*We live in PA so it's about a 16 hour drive for us, just in case you were wondering.

*ETA - Another reason we like driving when cruising is there is no figuring out how to get from airport to port or hotel to port or Disney to port and how much it will cost. We've often considered staying at Disney the night before the cruise, but when using Disney transportation you get to the ship late (by our terms) so that isn't an option. We just like the ease of having our own car, and coming and going as we please.

 

[WDWNY]

Flying in for a cruise would stress me out. I would be panicking about flight being delayed/ cancelled and not making it. But I am one who overthinks everything.

 

[Nancyg56]

Flying in for a cruise would stress me out. I would be panicking about flight being delayed/ cancelled and not making it. But I am one who overthinks everything.

This would be my concern. Both of my sons cruise and they always fly in the day before, so they factor in hotel stay as well.

When my son cruises from NYC he drives. He says the parking is not cheap, but it is the most convenient method of transportaion for them.

 

[IrishNYC]

This would be my concern. Both of my sons cruise and they always fly in the day before, so they factor in hotel stay as well.

When my son cruises from NYC he drives. He says the parking is not cheap, but it is the most convenient method of transportaion for them.

Parking for cruises in NYC is horrific! We live in and cruise out of NYC so we just take a cab, but my sister drives in and pays about $55/day to park.

 

[Nancyg56]

Parking for cruises in NYC is horrific! We live in and cruise out of NYC so we just take a cab, but my sister drives in and pays about $55/day to park.

I think that he said he budgets about $300 or so for parking. We live north of Hartford so the alternative is hiring transportation, which would approximately double the cost, or taking the train. The train maybe a little less expensive, but if they cruise from NYC they like to pack what they want, and you really cannot do that on Amtrak.

We have never cruised, and he wants us to join him and my DDIL once my DH retires. He has chosen a cruise out of Miami I think, but honestly, I would be just as happy taking my first cruise out of NYC. He has enough points, or whatever system the cruise line uses to reward frequent cruises to bump them, and knows exactly what suite he wants for us on which ship. We are going to leave the planning to them, which is going to be a first for me!!! I have to chuckle becasue my DH is afraid he will be bored, but we all know him, and my son says he can nap on the cruise as easily as he can nap anywhere else! LOL!

 

[happymommy]

We've only driven once to Disney (from Maryland so roughly 12+ hours, but now it's likely a longer drive with I-95 being so congested). That trip, we loaded up the van (kids were little so I had our double stroller plus bins of drinks, snacks, etc. since we were at the Boardwalk Villas for 10 nights, plus an additional night at the Doubletree Downtown Disney, then drove to Naples for a night, then a night on the way back home).

We've flown every other trip, including our Disney cruise (definitely plan on arriving a day before so you can get to the terminal in the morning and not worry about something happening).

If I were to choose, I'd drive for the cruise definitely. You DO need a lot more clothing for the cruise. We also brought snorkels and fins (that we didn't end up using - the weather wasn't good for snorkeling). We don't dress up for dinner at Disney, but did for the cruise. I even ended up doing laundry on the ship twice!

Definitely plan on getting to Port Canaveral a day ahead of time if possible. We used points and stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton the night before. That way, we were up early and fresh and ready to board the ship.

 

[IrishNYC]

I think that he said he budgets about $300 or so for parking. We live north of Hartford so the alternative is hiring transportation, which would approximately double the cost, or taking the train. The train maybe a little less expensive, but if they cruise from NYC they like to pack what they want, and you really cannot do that on Amtrak.

We have never cruised, and he wants us to join him and my DDIL once my DH retires. He has chosen a cruise out of Miami I think, but honestly, I would be just as happy taking my first cruise out of NYC. He has enough points, or whatever system the cruise line uses to reward frequent cruises to bump them, and knows exactly what suite he wants for us on which ship. We are going to leave the planning to them, which is going to be a first for me!!! I have to chuckle becasue my DH is afraid he will be bored, but we all know him, and my son says he can nap on the cruise as easily as he can nap anywhere else! LOL!

I thought DH would hate cruising because I thought he'd feel confined, but after our first cruise he was in love with it. Much like how he said he resigned himself to going to Disney, "once and done" and was planning another trip before we got home.

 

[disnut8]

We've flown every other trip, including our Disney cruise (definitely plan on arriving a day before so you can get to the terminal in the morning and not worry about something happening).

If I were to choose, I'd drive for the cruise definitely. You DO need a lot more clothing for the cruise. We also brought snorkels and fins (that we didn't end up using - the weather wasn't good for snorkeling). We don't dress up for dinner at Disney, but did for the cruise. I even ended up doing laundry on the ship twice!

Definitely plan on getting to Port Canaveral a day ahead of time if possible. We used points and stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton the night before. That way, we were up early and fresh and ready to board the ship.

I agree about driving for the cruise and getting there a day early. There are a lot of hotels near the port that will allow you to leave your car on their grounds if you stay one night with them. Check for "stay and cruise" rates. That way, you can have your cruise luggage all ready to go and you will probably have more since you will be more dressed up for your evening meal than just wearing park clothes all day. We did this for our Disney cruise and it worked out extremely well and the hotel we stayed at have a shuttle that took us right to the port and the ship.

 

[Lynne M]

Since this is mostly related to cruising and getting to Port Canaveral, I'm going to move it to the DCL board.

 

[CamColt]

We have driven for 4 or 5 of our cruises now and not taking into account the actual 24 hour ride vs 3 hour flight, I definitely prefer driving for a cruise. We do have more clothes for a cruise with the formal wear and all the shoes, etc... That usually results in an extra bag, at least a garment bag. Also, when packing up the last night and rushing to get the luggage out so we can go enjoy 1 more night of fun, we can just pack everything anywhere it fits. We aren't worried about bag weights, where the liquids are, what toiletries we need for the morning that might be liquids (and then having to move them to a checked bag at the airport). Lastly, there is something to be said for having a leisurely breakfast then getting off the ship and walking across the street to the car to get on the road. Not having to go to an airport and wait for a flight, is kind of nice.

 

[Shanti]

We like to fly, mainly due to it being faster, and we're on tight schedules due to work and school. Driving 20+ hours to, and especially from, a luxurious vacation like a cruise is not my cup of tea. I drive a lot in my daily life, and prefer not to do it on vacation. It's work. Plus, when you factor in the cost of gasoline, the meals you have to buy on the road, and wear & tear/mileage on the car, there typically isn't a savings for only two people, and we usually travel as a pair.

 

[Plaid Princess]

I have done both, and I much prefer driving in. I prefer being in control of our arrival and departure from the port (Type A personality syndrome). Unfortunately, living on the West Coast doesn't afford us many opportunities to drive.

I will say that Disney does make it very easy to get from MCO to the port, their shuttles are frequent and comfortable, and you don't need to worry about the whole "port arrival time" shenanigans. You also don't have to worry about not making the cruise if the bus breaks down or something similarly drastic.

I'd workout the airfare vs paying to park while you cruise, and see which makes more financial sense

Include the cost of checking bags in that calculation, I definitely bring more clothes on cruises than any other trip. Also keep in mind that the Disney shuttles from MCO are going to cost you about $70 per person, so you'll want to factor those prices into your decision as well. For a larger group, driving, and parking, or hiring a 3rd party driver is almost always cheaper than the Disney bus.

 

[awilliams4]

We drive. For your parks visit you could bring a couple cases of water and crystal lights and save money as a benefit of driving.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I can't help since I've never done this before. However, getting off the cruise in San Diego is PERFECT for me since it's like a couple hours from me