Parking at Port Canaveral

[Churchladychurchlady]

I've perused the boards looking for anything on parking and have found much info. Thanks everyone!

I have, as yet, not found threads with specific info on parking at the Port. We will be staying the night before, most likely at Residence Inn or Homewood Suites. After our cruise we'll be heading to Universal Studios for a few nights and then WDW CR for another 5 days. We will be driving down (Ford pickup with a hardcover Tonneau on the back) and are planning to pack separately for the cruise and for the land portion of our vacay. I'm planning to leave our suitcases - just clothes, water and shoes in the back of the truck, locked (of course), and bring smaller bags for the cruise with us. I really don't want to take up the small room with luggage that we will never even open while we're cruising.

I'm leaning toward parking at the Port vs. hotel or park n cruise because of this. Mainly, because the garage is security monitored and covered (so our stuff doesn't bake in the hot summer sun). If anyone wants to break in that badly and steal our clothes, they'll be sorely disappointed, as most of our shopping is done at walmart and target.

My question is, how hard is it to park at the port yourself? How long will my family be standing outside waiting for me to get the truck parked and get back to the dropoff point? (I'm also terrified of leaving my DH to find his own way anywhere - he couldn't find his way out of a wet paper bag with a compass... and 18YO DD is no better - as she self-describes: "I get lost in a shoebox".)

Since we're just bringing rolling carry-ons for the cruise, would it be 1. Allowed, and 2. really difficult to keep everyone in the truck while we park and then go in together?


Thanks!

 

[Sytrace]

You could easily park and then all of you walk in together. Since you are carrying on your luggage, this process is even more simple than checking your bags (which is still really easy)

 

[Quellman]

Parking is very simple at the port, just follow the signs for the Disney (__SHIPS NAME_) and you'll get there. First you show your cruise documents and they verify you are on the manifest. Then they tell you to go to baggage drop. In your case, you will bypass baggage drop and go directly to the parking garage. Park on deck 3, and take the sky bridge into the terminal. Keep your family with you the whole time.

 

[beach baby]

It's sooooo easy! As you drive into the port, follow the signs for the Disney terminal. (don't quote me but I think it's terminal C) Have your cruise documents and id ready to show the person at the gate. He'll let you in and you can drive to the luggage drop off or straight to the garage. Luggage drop off works like the airport curbside drop off, and tipping is customary since the porters are not Disney employees. Since you are carrying your luggage on the ship, just drive to the garage which is right beside the terminal. Get your parking ticket and pay the attendant, then find a spot and you are done! Level 3 of the garage has a sky walk to the terminal with security screening, and you enter right into the terminal. Or you could go the main level and enter the terminal from there and take an escalator up. Very, very, easy!!!
If you are staying at a hotel that gives coupons for 40% off parking at the port, give that to the attendant when you pay. Also, just in case, your carry on luggage has to be able to fit in the x-ray machines just like the airport. I love the convenience of having my car right there when I step off the cruise! Have a great vacation!

 

[jmclester]

I agree that it is very easy to park at the port. I have never had a problem catching up to my DW after parking. It's a 5 minute walk, if that. The good thing is that the cruise ship can only hold so many people so "full" is as bad as it gets......which in my opinion is not as bad as most waiting lines go. As beach baby suggests there are hotels which offer parking vouchers which help with costs. I usually stay at the Fairfield Inn in Titusville (I-95 exit 215 just 10 miles away) and they offer a 40% off parking voucher which you give to the attendant when paying. The rooms are reasonably priced (especially taking the discount into consideration), nice and there is a Cracker Barrel restaurant right next door.

 

[Capt_BJ]

list of hotels with the parking deal

http://www.portcanaveral.com/PortCanaveral/media/Cruise-Assets/Parking-Voucher-Program_3.pdf

new Homewood is not on THIS list, but the port's website is always slow to update so you might want to verify with a phone call . . .

 

[Churchladychurchlady]

Thank you for the responses!!!
Do any of the hotels have covered parking? I know it's not a huge thing, but shade can keep a car a LOT cooler!

 

[openwater]

Your truck will get VERY hot in the sun! Only two hotels offer a parking garage - Sheraton 4 Points and Cocoa Beach Suites (really good deals at this hotel)

Here is a map of the hotels

 

[JWG]

list of hotels with the parking deal

http://www.portcanaveral.com/PortCanaveral/media/Cruise-Assets/Parking-Voucher-Program_3.pdf

new Homewood is not on THIS list, but the port's website is always slow to update so you might want to verify with a phone call . . .

I just called the Homewood Suites Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach and they said they do have the 40% off cruise parking vouchers.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Is that for any room, ie: just ask for it at the deck? Or do you have to book a certain room? Did they say either way?

 

[JWG]

Is that for any room, ie: just ask for it at the deck? Or do you have to book a certain room? Did they say either way?

It's just a voucher you request at checkout. No special room rate or anything. Their 7-day parking special is a different specific rate. About $20 more than the standard room rate.

 

[thegales]

...

I have, as yet, not found threads with specific info on parking at the Port. We will be staying the night before, most likely at Residence Inn or Homewood Suites. After our cruise we'll be heading to Universal Studios for a few nights and then WDW CR for another 5 days. We will be driving down (Ford pickup with a hardcover Tonneau on the back) and are planning to pack separately for the cruise and for the land portion of our vacay. I'm planning to leave our suitcases - just clothes, water and shoes in the back of the truck, locked (of course), and bring smaller bags for the cruise with us. I really don't want to take up the small room with luggage that we will never even open while we're cruising.

I'm leaning toward parking at the Port vs. hotel or park n cruise because of this. Mainly, because the garage is security monitored and covered (so our stuff doesn't bake in the hot summer sun). If anyone wants to break in that badly and steal our clothes, they'll be sorely disappointed, as most of our shopping is done at walmart and target.

...

While YMMV, I parked my truck with a soft cover Tonneau on the third deck of the Port Canaveral garage. In the excitement of getting everything out of the truck, we accidentally left the truck unlocked (with all the doors closed) as we cruised for seven days. When we got back, truck was fine, including the the GPS attached to the windshield. The good news is, the only time people are in the garage are the days the Disney ship is in port. And those folks are going or coming from a Disney cruise, so they are probably not as interested in looking through cars. I don't believe the other parking options at hotels have that kind of limited access.

And as others have said, you will have no issues with your logistics of parking in the garage. We dropped our bags with the porters in the drop off area, then the whole family got back into the truck, and we parked in the garage. We then all went through security, etc. together.

 

[Donna M]

We do rolling carry-ons too, but we check them at the baggage drop. I will just carry a light backpack around the ship till our room is ready. Just because it's a carry-on doesn't mean you have to carry it around all afternoon.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We do rolling carry-ons too, but we check them at the baggage drop. I will just carry a light backpack around the ship till our room is ready. Just because it's a carry-on doesn't mean you have to carry it around all afternoon.

But it's important to note - beverages can't be in the checked carry on bag. And any important papers, jewelry, electronics shouldn't be either.

 

[zebsterama]

Excuse my ignorance, is this the same or different than parking in the lot near the ship? My family have a rental car and will be driving from DW to Port Canaveral; we will be keeping the car parked during the cruse. Can someone please tell me approximately how much the cost is (we will not have a coupon)?, and minus returning our rental, what our parking options are -any advantages / disadvantages, of one option vs. the other?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Quellman]

Excuse my ignorance, is this the same or different than parking in the lot near the ship? My family have a rental car and will be driving from DW to Port Canaveral; we will be keeping the car parked during the cruse. Can someone please tell me approximately how much the cost is (we will not have a coupon)?, and minus returning our rental, what our parking options are -any advantages / disadvantages, of one option vs. the other?

Thank you for your help!

You can figure your pricing for the official parking garage at THIS LINK. This is the covered parking deck shipside
There are other parking lots nearby that are not owned or operated by the Port Canaveral. They are generally surface lots, and all require a use of their shuttle to get you to and from the port. I think the main companies are Go Port Canaveral, Park Cruise, and Park Port Canaveral.

 

[zebsterama]

You can figure your pricing for the official parking garage at THIS LINK. This is the covered parking deck shipside
There are other parking lots nearby that are not owned or operated by the Port Canaveral. They are generally surface lots, and all require a use of their shuttle to get you to and from the port. I think the main companies are Go Port Canaveral, Park Cruise, and Park Port Canaveral.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Jamie25UGA]

It's just a voucher you request at checkout. No special room rate or anything. Their 7-day parking special is a different specific rate. About $20 more than the standard room rate.

Your post had me slightly confused...do you mention at booking that you need a 40% off voucher for 7 nights/8 days to park at the terminal? Does that change your room rate? Or is the $20 more than standard room rate you mentioned and the 7-day parking special being a different rate mean parking at the hotel for 7 days?

Just to be 100% sure, we can stay the night before at one of the resorts on this list:
http://www.portcanaveral.com/PortCanaveral/media/Cruise-Assets/Parking-Voucher-Program_3.pdf

& get 40% off of parking at the lot right by the ship?

I see the price to pre pay is $128 based off of the link posted above...is $128 a pre pay special or is that the everyday price? I'm trying to figure out the price to park for 7 nights/8 days after the voucher.
http://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Directions-Parking

 

[Sil452]

Your post had me slightly confused...do you mention at booking that you need a 40% off voucher for 7 nights/8 days to park at the terminal? Does that change your room rate? Or is the $20 more than standard room rate you mentioned and the 7-day parking special being a different rate mean parking at the hotel for 7 days?

Just to be 100% sure, we can stay the night before at one of the resorts on this list:
http://www.portcanaveral.com/PortCanaveral/media/Cruise-Assets/Parking-Voucher-Program_3.pdf

& get 40% off of parking at the lot right by the ship?

I see the price to pre pay is $128 based off of the link posted above...is $128 a pre pay special or is that the everyday price? I'm trying to figure out the price to park for 7 nights/8 days after the voucher.
http://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Directions-Parking

Yes, we stayed at the Hampton Inn on the list for our last two cruises. I mentioned the voucher when booking the room, and received it when I was at the hotel. The $128 is the correct price before the voucher I think (it was $120 last year). Should be around $76 after the voucher. Also, the voucher does not work with the pre-pay option.

 

[Quellman]

Your post had me slightly confused...do you mention at booking that you need a 40% off voucher for 7 nights/8 days to park at the terminal? Does that change your room rate? Or is the $20 more than standard room rate you mentioned and the 7-day parking special being a different rate mean parking at the hotel for 7 days?

Just to be 100% sure, we can stay the night before at one of the resorts on this list:
http://www.portcanaveral.com/PortCanaveral/media/Cruise-Assets/Parking-Voucher-Program_3.pdf

& get 40% off of parking at the lot right by the ship?

I see the price to pre pay is $128 based off of the link posted above...is $128 a pre pay special or is that the everyday price? I'm trying to figure out the price to park for 7 nights/8 days after the voucher.
http://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Directions-Parking

Port Canaveral does not offer a prepay parking discount. The only "benefit" to pre paying is not having to swipe your credit card when you arrive at the port. Personally, I just do it there - just incase something comes up between now and when I travel. So the $128 prepay is the same cost the day of.