Night before Cruise - Residence Inn Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach

[biggroofy]

We have booked a two-bedroom suite at Residence Inn Cape Canaveral for the night before our Disney cruise. Anyone stayed there before? How far are they from Port Canaveral? Any comments for this hotel?

We also seriously considered Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Radisson Resort at the Port, unfortunately they do not have rooms available.

I called Residence Inn today to inquire about shuttle to Port Canaveral. The staff claimed they offer shuttle at rate $3 per person one way (or $6 for return) and the shuttle schedule depends on Cruise Lines. There are only two shuttles for Disney Cruise - 10:00AM and 10:30AM respectively. I cannot reserve shuttle seats in advance, and can only do so at check-in.

For those who have stayed in Residence Inn before - should we (4 adults + 1 infant + 1 DD4) take a taxi to the port, or use their shuttle service? Do both drop off at the same spot at Port Canaveral?

I have also been researching on car rental - it seems Hertz is the closest car rental company from the hotel? How about Budget, or National? We will be staying at WDW resorts before and after the cruise. So ideally we could -
a). Pickup a mini-van from WDW area and return to somewhere close to Residence Inn
b). Pick up a mini-van from Port Canaveral area (drive to WDW resorts) and return to MCO upon our trip ends

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

We stayed next door to you at the radisson.
It is only 5 minutes from the port.

If your going to rent a car to get you from the parks to the Port i would just use Hertz.
We have friends who did this. They rented a car at the airport, drove to the parks, then drove to the hotel at the port and the next morning they drove to the terminal to drop off luggage and everyone accept the driver.
The driver drove the car back to Hertz and returned the car and they gave him a free shuttle ride back to the port.
He then went into the terminal and met up with his family who had already check in and they were good to go.

Just be sure and leave your passport or birth certificate with the other adult who will be checking you in and the Credit Card for your account.

Then when your done you can all catch the hertz shuttle and go back to pick up the rental car to drive back to MCO and return the car.

saves paying to park at the port, saves on taxi fees etc..

all taxis and shuttles drop you off at the same place, very close to door so no problem for you.



If you dont want the hassle of this, try to get a seat on the shuttle when you check in. If this doesn't work then $3 each for a taxi is cheap really.

Just depends on how you planned on getting from MCO to the port area. If you were going to rent a car to get there anyway, just do Hertz and they will take care of you as I described above.

mom x4,grandma x4

 

[biggroofy]

Thank you momx4,grandmax4

Sorry I did not describe clearly - this is how our trip is planned:
MCO -> GF -> Residence Inn Cape Canaveral -> Disney Wonder -> SSR -> MCO

Upon arrival at Orlando, we do not plan to rent a car at MCO - as I wanted to make use of monorails for our first few days of WDW stay.

Thinking if we should rent a car so we can drive from WDW to Residence Inn (otherwise use towncar). If renting a car, we can do some grocery shopping (e.g. bottles of water for infant) before our cruise - but it seems Hertz is not available within WDW? ** I may possibly return the car after checked in at Residence Inn, so not driving to port in the next morning **

Residence Inn to port - If it is only 5-min ride, we will take the hotel shuttle, or hire a taxi (I guess $3 x 6person = $18 would be enough for taxi fare). Anyone know if there is a taxi stand outside Residence Inn?

After cruise - most possibly we need to rent a car somewhere - so we can do some shopping and wander around until 4pm (check-in time at SSR). We will stay at SSR for 4 more nights and then we head back to Canada. Rental car will be returned at MCO.

Another question for you - if Radisson is close to Residence Inn, do you know any good restaurants within walking distance? I learned that they do not have restaurants in Residence Inn.

 

[Vanvmom]

When we stayed at the Residence Inn, we had a 2 bedroom suite as well. We were originally planning on going out to dinner, but were too tired. I asked the front desk staff, and they gave me the numbers of a couple of local restaurants that deliver to the hotel room. We ordered Italian, and it was wonderful (and quick too). The front desk even happened to have a phone book coupon they let me use.

As for rentals... we used Budget. Rental location was on site at MCO, drop off in Port Canaveral was only a couple blocks away from the hotel (with a gas station in between), and we got a good rental rate through Costco.

As for hotel locations, all three you mentioned are virtually next door to each other, and almost in line of site to the port.

 

[Vanvmom]

Forgot to mention... on the day of the cruise, DH dropped kids, luggage and me off at the port, then went to drop off the rental car at Budget. We went through security, got our check-in group number, and DH arrived back at the port about 30 minutes after he dropped us off. Budget has a free shuttle they use to provide transportation back to the port. DH had no luggage with him, so getting a ride back to the port was quick and easy.

 

[biggroofy]

Forgot to mention... on the day of the cruise, DH dropped kids, luggage and me off at the port, then went to drop off the rental car at Budget. We went through security, got our check-in group number, and DH arrived back at the port about 30 minutes after he dropped us off. Budget has a free shuttle they use to provide transportation back to the port. DH had no luggage with him, so getting a ride back to the port was quick and easy.

Thank you Vanvmom for the info I'm glad that you enjoyed Residence Inn.

Is Budget close to port? How long is the drive?

I doubted if I make arrangements like yours, unless it is very easy for DW to handle after I dropped them off. DW has to look after DD4 and a 6-month-old on stroller; while the grandparents might not be capable in helping with luggages + carry-on.

I was browsing your nice vacation Blog - may I ask a question - Quoting from Vacation Day 2 - "we cannot check a case of water unless it is inside a bag." - what does that mean? I thought we could purchase a case of spring water and bring on board - mainly for the infant.

Thanks again!

 

[Vanvmom]

We had to put the water in a carry-on bag (duffle bag) instead of just writing our cabin number on the plastic shrink wrap.

As for the luggage issue...you can pull up curbside and give all your checked bags to the porters (we tipped them $2/bag), as they have to go thru security like they do at the airport. Then you just have excited kids, carry ons, and an overwhelmed wife to deal with.

As for Budget...they are about 1/2 mile south of Residence Inn on the same side of the road. The port is about a mile (or less) the other direction from the hotel (can't really say north as the road curves toward the west as you head for the port).

I truly could not believe how easy it was to find the hotel and the port - especially compared to the Los Angeles port DCL uses for their Mexican Riviera cruises.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Thank you momx4,grandmax4

Sorry I did not describe clearly - this is how our trip is planned:
MCO -> GF -> Residence Inn Cape Canaveral -> Disney Wonder -> SSR -> MCO

Upon arrival at Orlando, we do not plan to rent a car at MCO - as I wanted to make use of monorails for our first few days of WDW stay.

Thinking if we should rent a car so we can drive from WDW to Residence Inn (otherwise use towncar). If renting a car, we can do some grocery shopping (e.g. bottles of water for infant) before our cruise - but it seems Hertz is not available within WDW? ** I may possibly return the car after checked in at Residence Inn, so not driving to port in the next morning **

Residence Inn to port - If it is only 5-min ride, we will take the hotel shuttle, or hire a taxi (I guess $3 x 6person = $18 would be enough for taxi fare). Anyone know if there is a taxi stand outside Residence Inn?

After cruise - most possibly we need to rent a car somewhere - so we can do some shopping and wander around until 4pm (check-in time at SSR). We will stay at SSR for 4 more nights and then we head back to Canada. Rental car will be returned at MCO.

Another question for you - if Radisson is close to Residence Inn, do you know any good restaurants within walking distance? I learned that they do not have restaurants in Residence Inn.

Just on the opposite sie of the Radisson from where you are is Kelsy's. itis very good, italian food. we love the pizza. also on he other side of the Radisson,(closest to you) is Zachery's which many eat at. I havnt been there.

Directly across the street from the Radisson is McDonalds. Those are the ones I know for sue.

mom x4,grandma x4

 

[SnowWhite2]

There are not many taxis or shuttle companies in Cocoa Beach. If you call a taxi, it may not arrive at your hotel for awhile. Your best bet is to take the shuttle from the hotel or rent a car.

 

[mmouse37]

We (two adults) walked to Kelsey's from the Residence Inn.....we cut through parking lots and grassy areas so not sure how convenient it would be a stroller......the road is very busy.

BTW....the Residence Inn is only 2 and half years old and very clean. We stayed in a 2 Bedroom suite last November and it was wonderful.....

Also...they have a great complimentary buffet breakfast in the am. We ate breakfast very early and then had our lunch onboard the ship when we embarked.

 

[TiggerKing]

Taxi at Residence Inn - Yes, they will call a taxi, and when DW and I did it in Nov. 2006, the taxi was at the hotel within 15 minutes. But, remember, it does get VERY busy for the taxis and shuttles on cruise mornings, so you may have to wait.

I had initially signed up for the shuttle, but it was running late, and when it arrived, there were WAY too many people for me to wait on to catch a ride (I had already dropped DW and the luggage off at the port, and we left our car at Residence Inn for the cruise - NO parking fee). The shuttle is NOT operated by Residence Inn, just one of the local companies.

When leaving the ship, it took some time for us to get a taxi back to the hotel. Due to me being sick with Norovirus at the time, my perception of how long could be a little off. I think the taxis each way cost about $10 including a good tip for the driver.

But, the last thing I can say about the RI is that the people are WONDERFUL there. As I said, I contracted Norovirus and became VERY ill on Friday night. I called Marriott and booked a room at the RI. When we arrived there at about 9:30 a.m., they had been sold out the night before. But, the staff and housekeeping went out of their way to have me a room within 20 minutes, and specifically put us at the end of a hall to minimize noise outside our room. What they did for me that morning earned my business for every future cruise.

 

[Vanvmom]

Ditto on the customer service at the Residence Inn. We arrived at 7:30 in the morning on the day before our cruise (from an all night red-eye flight), and I was exhausted (some people can sleep on a plane, but I learned that I am not one of them).

When we got to the hotel, they gave us a room right away, and even told DH and DSs to go ahead and enjoy the breakfast buffet. Considering normal check-in is at 3pm, we were thrilled! The beds were comfy too...

 

[Nala80]

I stayed at the Residence Inn the night before my cruise as well. Very nice, clean rooms, good layout. The breakfast was pretty decent, but I think I wanted Parrot Cay that morning.

The shuttle to the port was okay, although there was an unhappy group who did not fit in the shuttle (group of 7). Transportation back to the hotel was pretty bad. The port is very busy; the taxis and shuttles were so busy. I think I would have preferred to pay the price to park at the terminal next time.

 

[biggroofy]

Thank you everyone for all the information!

Looks like there is quite a bit of walk between Residence Inn and Radisson - so I might better off keeping the car until boarding, if we plan to go out for dinner. Otherwise it may be easier to order food delivery.

I will negotiate with DW about dropping them off to port first, then I return my rental car. A question, if I gave my passport to DW for check-in - will I have problems to go thru Security at the port? I'm not sure if it works like airport - you need to show boarding pass + photo ID before passing security.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Here is a thread that will answer just about all your questions about Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach and the port -
always
Shirley
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520273

 

[snelsonbrown]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was looking at the picture that Biggroofy googled and I couldn't believe that once upon a time Cape Canaveral looked that bare. Now you couldn't find that much greenery around if you tried. Thanks for sharing.
always
Shirley
PS its not as far as it looks honest, but it is safer to have transportation

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

you will only need your drivers license to get into the port. as you drive in to drop them off they will check you in, at that time tell the you are going to drop off the car and return.

then the place where they drop you off, you just show your photo ID (license) then got int through security and join your family in the terminal.

its that easy.

mom x4,grandma x4

 

[angelkk]

The shuttle to the port was okay, although there was an unhappy group who did not fit in the shuttle (group of 7).

Nala80, what happened to the unhappy group?

My family (also a group of 7) will stay at Residence Inn and planned to use their shuttle. If we sign up for shuttle upon check-in, are we guaranteed seats in the shuttle?

We will arrive Residence Inn from Airport by taxi, so we won't have a car. I wish to arrive at Port early to check possibility of Palo and dinner rotation. An alternative for us is to book a mini-van type taxi if this is available?

 

[biggroofy]

you will only need your drivers license to get into the port. as you drive in to drop them off they will check you in, at that time tell the you are going to drop off the car and return.

then the place where they drop you off, you just show your photo ID (license) then got int through security and join your family in the terminal.

its that easy.

mom x4,grandma x4

Thanks again for the tip, mom x4,grandma x4

Just one thing - I'm a Canadian so hopefully they will accept my Ontario Driver License as photo ID. Anyway, I'll ask DW to check with security otherwise have them wait for me there.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Thanks again for the tip, mom x4,grandma x4

Just one thing - I'm a Canadian so hopefully they will accept my Ontario Driver License as photo ID. Anyway, I'll ask DW to check with security otherwise have them wait for me there.

Your license will be ok as long as it is a legal photo ID. Which of course it is.
Lots of Canadians cruise Disney and I have never heard of a problem with it.

Have fun,

mom x4,grandma x4