Oops, Radisson is sold out, help!

[dewla]

Perhaps all you experts can help a Disney novice like myself. I was going to do the Radisson thing the night before the cruise, but of course I waited till TODAY to make the reservation, and guess what? Sold out.
So....our flight gets into Orlando at 2pm. Is it worth getting tix to MK or Epcot for the afternoon? Or Universal? Get a room at the Portofino or at a Disney hotel? And get up and drive to the port in the am?
Or book a room at Cocoa Beach (20 min from the ship I think)?
Is there anything to do in DOwntown Disney? That does not require admission, right?

Roomless in Houston
(Laura)

 

[dewla]

Oh yeah, any suggestions for the night after the cruise? Our flight home is at 7am Sun. Our cruise is May 31 for 7 nights.

Roomless

 

[prymsu]

check out Dave's website for places to stay in the space coast area. he has a pretty detailed map laid out.

www.dcltribute.com

 

[Mjasp]

I am in Orlando very often as we have alot of family there. The Portofino is a beautiful hotel. DD is shopping. We took the kids to Wonderworks, really nice reality type place, there is admission though. It isn't a whole day thing, just a few hours.

You could also get a room at the AllStar and then visit all the other hotels on sight. Boardwalk, Fort Wilderness is very nice. They have a small zoo, You can see the fireworks from their pier.

The drive to the port is not far. I know from the airport it is a 45 minute drive, from Disney it may be an hour. No need to rush to get to the port as you will have plenty of time.

Joanna

 

[bahama97]

Downtown Disney would be a fun place to go, plus it's no admission. We've been to WonderWorks one time & it was great. I think that is on International Drive, not sure. There is also a place on that same street called the Mercado. They have an awesome exhibit/show of The Titanic. There is an admission for that too, but we thought it was well worth the price. DD is a big Titanic fan & she was thrilled to be there. Good Luck!

 

[ohioMickey]

We recently stayed at the Hampton Inn on cocoa beach the night before our cruise. It was about a ten minute drive to the port and the room was very nice with a great continental breakfast. We learned about the Hampton from Dave's website and were very pleased with the place.

Hope that helps

 

[Mjasp]

Glenda...I don't know about doing the Titanic exhibit pre cruise though. LOL

 

[lisak1]

The titanic exhibit is great, we went there the last time we were down there. well worth the extra cost. I was very impressed.

 

[dewla]

Titanic? Hmm..better pass, DD would refuse to get on the ship after that! I have some prices for my ONE NIGHT:
AllStar $99
Swan $167
Dolphin$147
AKL $250 (no view)
Portifino $155
Royal Pacific $110
Hilton in Downtown Disney $60 (Priceline maybe)

If we stay at Universal, the kids can play at the Hard Rock pool (biggest in Orlando with a 240 ft slide) but they will not get to see Disney stuff (of course that is true if we had a room at the Radisson).
Is Downtown Disney too far from Universal to make it worhwhile?
I think they would love Disney Quest...maybe we can drop them off and go explore on our own LOL.

Will decide soon! Thanks for all the help so far!!!
Nothing like waiting till the last moment!!!

Laura

 

[goofydadeo]

We have found that staying near Downtown Disney is perfect. Since rates have been high on short notice resort rooms we have chosen to stay in the Marriott Village on Vineland Blvd. (across I-4 from DD). They have a Fairfield Inn, Courtyard and Summerfield Suites all in one property (all brand new with free breakfast and nice pools). They are two minutes from DD about 1 minute from the Premium Outlets (where there is a Disney Character Premiere). Also it's about a 45 minute drive to the ship. We spend the day relaxing, have a nice dinner at Bahama Breeze (across the parking lot) and then head over the DD for some shopping and ice cream from Ghiradelli! Have a fantastic time!

 

[Mjasp]

Dewla...Why don't you throw out this question on the Orlando hotel forum. I'm sure you'll get good responses there on which hotels people prefer and which has the nicest pools. etc.

Joanna

 

[dewla]

OK, took the advice to stay closer to Disney. Want the kdis to get "Disney feeling". WIll stay in at Downtown Disney. Did Priceline and got Hilton for $60. Can't beat that. Not the best hotel, but ok for overnight.
Will take the kids on monorail to wherever, they will love that! (At least I did 100 years ago when I was a little girl).
WIll do DOwntown Disney, and check out some other hotels. Maybe watch the ELectirc Boat Parade from Poly's beach or something....

THanks everyone!!

Laura