Newbie Cruiser - Need advice from the Pros

[SuzGM84]

DH and I decided last night we going to take our first cruise next year. Looking for some tips from the pros:

1) we have a toddler (will be 3 at time of trip). I'd bring a full-size stroller for WDW, but do you need a full size stroller on a boat? I was thinking just an umbrella stroller for the airport and cruise terminal (and possibly excursions off the boat) would be sufficient?

2) how does everyone handle getting from MCO to Port Canaveral? I'm too much of a nervous nelly to fly in the morning of a cruise. Can I fly into MCO the night before then catch a bus from the airport the next day/day of the cruise?

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions the more we think about this/start planning.

TIA

 

[Beaker314]

2) I highly recommend getting there the day before. Planes can be late and you do not want to miss the cruise. The two typical approaches are either to get a hotel around the airport and take a shuttle the day of the cruise or to get a hotel close to the port. We chose a hotel close to the port in order to have the least amount of worries the day of the cruise. There are a number of decent hotels around there and most/all have a shuttle to the port. Ours had a nice pool but we actually didn't use it, we wanted to get on the boat earlier and did not want to have to deal with wet clothes. As for getting to PC from the airport, there are busses, ride share, and rental cars. When we went we just used an Uber, it was no more expensive than the bus and fit our schedule.

Note that in the past there was a Disney brand shuttle, but it seems that they have stopped that service. The main advantage of that busline for us was that they would check your luggage straight onto the boat (or airline on the way back!) so you would not have to deal with luggage transfers. I am hoping someone else is able to take over this service, but I doubt it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Note that in the past there was a Disney brand shuttle, but it seems that they have stopped that service.

I believe it's only the Magical Express that's been stopped. That was a free shuttle from MCO to WDW resorts.

The DCL transfer bus (from MCO or WDW resorts to port) is still an option, I believe. There's a charge for this one.

 

[JWelch62]

In the past we flew in the day before and stayed at the airport hotel.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Can I fly into MCO the night before then catch a bus from the airport the next day/day of the cruise?

Yes. At least we've done it in the past.

 

[Weedy]

Welcome to Disney Cruising warning it’s very addictive.
An umbrella stroller is much better. The hallways can be a little tight when the cabins are being cleaned and the cleaning carts are in the hallways.
Also there are times when the elevators get crowded (before dinner and after the evening shows) so it’s nice to be able to fold the stroller and take the stairs.
Pre covid there was a bus service that you booked through Disney but was run by an outside company (Mears) I feel this will still be available. This service is only available the morning of the cruise from the airport or WDW hotels.
The same company ran the free service from the Orlando airport to WDW. Starting next year Disney will not offer the free service but Mears will for a fee.