Park at Radisson or at DCL

[NeedsNEscape]

I was wondering what the pros and cons of parking for a 7-night cruise at the Radisson versus using the DCL parking lot?

I'll be staying at the Radisson the night before the cruise. Is it really safe to leave the minivan at the Radisson for 7 days?

 

[MariettaC]

We left our Mercedes Benz in the Radisson parking lot last October and it was safe and sound.

 

[laurenk]

Just remember to take all garbage,candy, everything out of the car no matter where you park. Otherwise you may come back to a car filled with ants!!

 

[4myguys]

We park at the terminal. It's $10.00 a day. You drop off your luggage with a baggage handler. After parking you're just a very short walk to the terminal.
After the cruise you exit into an area where all the luggage is but it is very organized. I was afraid it would be confusing. The guy helping us took our luggage to our car, we tipped him and we were out of there. Probably took 15 minutes max.
I would rather do that than have to wait for a car or bus to pick us up and wait for everyone else to load up. We have a long drive back to NC so we're ready to go.

 

[JenLynn]

We had a separate car service take us to MCO after the cruise. While we were sitting waiting for our car, there was a constant stream of Raddison vans picking up groups. It seemed like there was a constant stream of one pulling in and another pulling out. So it seemed like those who left their cars at the Raddison had very little wait.

 

[hopelea]

We did both. I parked our minivan at the terminal. My parents parked their car at the Radisson. They rode with us to the port. Both places were great. I loved being right at the port. Our van was just across the street from the terminal. It was a quick & easy walk!!

We will do it that way again in April!!

 

[Muushka]

We went the Raddison route this past March. We found it to be very convienent. The bus over to the port was very efficient and quick. Going back to the hotel was easy also. We had no wait. The driver to and from was so nice. He was very talkative and was asking everyone about the cruise. A very pleasant experience. And, we saved $70.00 .

 

[aprilgail2]

We just got back and we drove from the Radisson and parked at port. It was 70.00 but worth it if you are heading to the parks that same morning in my opinion. We were off the ship by 730 and at Disney by 830!

 

[Hygiene99]

well if u would lke to save $70.00 park at the Rad...

and even if u are heading to the Parks after park at the rad it is a very short ride and u will be back at your car in No time and on your way... $70.00 that is a lot of Conk Coolers or a spa treatment...

 

[MrsPete]

We stayed at the Day's Inn the night before, so parking at the hotel wasn't a choice -- it was about 20 miles away. It suited us fine: it was only $45, which included a breakfast.

We liked parking at the port because we grabbed our luggage and walked straight out to the parking lot. No waiting for a shuttle.

 

[jerry112]

We parked at the terminal and will definately do it again. We drive from NJ and I agree with 4myguys, 15 minutes tops and we were on the road. Very, very simple and worth the $$.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We plan to park at the port this year, but in '02 we left our van at the Radisson with no problems. We even had alot of luggage in it as we were heading to WDW after the cruise. Everything was safe and sound.

 

[NeedsNEscape]

Hey!!

Thanks for all of the great responses. It helps a lot to know what other folks have done. we can't wait to get going.

Jeanne

 

[KenP]

Used to always park at Radisson and ride the free shuttle. However, lately , it is difficult to get an early (before noon) shuttle. In that case I have driven from the Radisson to the Port, dropped the luggage and family, then drove back to the Radisson and parked, then waited on a space available basis for a single seat without luggage on the shuttle (usually not a problem).

Lately the Radisson is no longer inexpensive (A couple of years ago it was as low at $59, now usually $109). Now I stay at a Priceline or Hotwire hotel at the Airport (usually $30-$40) and park at the port. Even though the port parking is $70 / 7 nights, the total cost is the same. Actually the cost is less since I don't need to tip the porters or the Radisson Shuttle drivers.

Stress is less as there is no shuttle to wait on.

 

[BIERMUGG]

Does the Radisson provide security for the parking lot like the
terminal ?"

 

[my3kids]

We parked at the port instead of the Radisson. In our opinion, it was $70 well spent to be able to walk off the ship, into the car and hit the road for the drive home. No fighting for spaces on shuttles, less handling of a lot of luggage, more secure.

 

[MiaSRN62]

No fighting for spaces on shuttles, less handling of a lot of luggage, more secure.

Though I don't doubt this is true, our experience is that we never felt rushed or cramped or like we had to fight for space on the Radisson shuttles. They were on time both to and from the port. Maybe it's because we cruised in off-season (early Nov) ? We had a very pleasent experience both going to and getting picked up from the port. I can agree with the point about the luggage handling though. I feel by leaving your car at the port parking lot you eliminate one extra exchange of loading and unloading the luggage.

 

[MiaSRN62]

No fighting for spaces on shuttles, less handling of a lot of luggage, more secure.

Though I don't doubt this is true, our experience is that we never felt rushed or cramped or like we had to fight for space on the Radisson shuttles. They were on time both to and from the port. Maybe it's because we cruised in off-season (early Nov) ? We had a very pleasent experience both going to and getting picked up from the port. I can agree with the point about the luggage handling though. I feel by leaving your car at the port parking lot you eliminate one extra exchange of loading and unloading the luggage.