PORT or AirPORT?

[scottygirl]

We are flying in the night before our cruise and as of now it looks like we will be arriving at about 6:40 p.m. I am trying to gather opinions on whether we should take it easy when we get in and stay by the airport or go directly to "THE PORT" and stay the night there. Thanks in advance!!

 

[CAMICKEY]

We are staying right in the airport at the Hyatt MCO but others often stay at the port as well. - Mike

 

[Verandah Man]

Everyone has their own opinons, but we arrived at 6:45pm the night before our cruise last year. We arrived a bit late due to weather conditions. However, we had already had a ressie for the Radisson. It was so nice waking up Saturday morning and being able to see the Magic already in port. We were on the first shuttle from the Radisson to the port, and were second in line at the port terminal.

 

[scottygirl]

Andy,

What time did you actually check into the hotel? Did you rent a car?

Thanks

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by scottygirl
Andy,

What time did you actually check into the hotel? Did you rent a car?

Thanks

We arrived at the Radisson around 7:45pm, and yes, we did rent a car from Avis. My niece used to work for Avis and she gave us some coupons to use. I took the car back to Avis Saturday morning and was back to the Radisson by 9:30am. Our shuttle was scheduled to leave at 10:20am, but we actually left at 10:10am. We were one of the first families in the port terminal.

 

[inkkognito]

I like staying by the airport because we usually fly in pretty late and I can get great deals on Priceline (typically around $28 for the highest star level, which usually comes up as the Marriott). We take their shuttle from the airport and then have Happy Limo pick us up in the morning. It works out really good because I am a big believer in having a little "wiggle room" in case of delays.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mmouse37]

The Carnival Glory now blocks the view of the Magic from Astronaut Blvd. (and maybe even the Radisson) I got nervous on Feb 7th when I was driving to the port from the Doubletree in Cocoa Beach....all I could see was the Carnival Glory and no Magic!!! The Magic was hidden behind the Glory.

The Carnival ship now docks where the Royal Carribean ship used to dock.

MJ

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by mmouse37
The Carnival Glory now blocks the view of the Magic from Astronaut Blvd. (and maybe even the Radisson) I got nervous on Feb 7th when I was driving to the port from the Doubletree in Cocoa Beach....all I could see was the Carnival Glory and no Magic!!! The Magic was hidden behind the Glory.

The Carnival ship now docks where the Royal Carribean ship used to dock.

MJ

When we were staying at the Radisson last August I could see the Magic come up the channel and dock at 5:15 in the morning, by the time it got light out, I couldn't see the Magic anymore, the Carnival Glory was blocking my view. I wanted to get a nice photo of the Magic from my hotel room, but was unable to.

 

[kcashner]

I'd suggest staying near the airport. On Priceline, you can get a 3* hotel (which includes a shuttle from the airport) for about $30 (plus tax and priceline fee). Total cost, about $40. That way, if your plane is late arriving, you don't have another hour to travel to the port. There is plenty of time in the morning. Remember that the port doesn't open to incoming traffic till 10:00, the check in counters open at 10:30. There's really no point in arriving any earlier than that. If you arrive before 10, you will not even be allowed on the property.

So...in the morning, you have lots of time to get up, have a calm, quiet breakfast, then head to the port. 6:40 isn't late to arrive, but you will need time to get your luggage, etc...then get to the hotel and start to think about dinner. With a 6:40 arrival, you wouldn't be at a port hotel till about 8....and if the plane ran late, you'd be plenty hungry.

 

[scottygirl]

Originally posted by kcashner


So...in the morning, you have lots of time to get up, have a calm, quiet breakfast, then head to the port. 6:40 isn't late to arrive, but you will need time to get your luggage, etc...then get to the hotel and start to think about dinner. With a 6:40 arrival, you wouldn't be at a port hotel till about 8....and if the plane ran late, you'd be plenty hungry.

Good point about dinner. The kids will be very hungry by 8:00 p.m. Thanks for all your opinions. I'm leaning towards staying at the airport.

 

[outahere]

My vote goes to staying at, or close to, the airport. If your flight is on time, you could be at the hotel and unwinding by 7:15 - 7:30. If your family is like mine, the first place DS always wants to go is the pool!! The MCO Hyatt is very convenient, the pool area is very nice and you have a lot of choices for dinner. If you're taking the DCL bus to the port, it's even better.