Port Parking Advice

[alltwelve]

Next month I will be going on my 9th Disney Cruise (so excited!). All previous cruises, I have parked in the parking garage at the port because its so convenient (I'm a Central Florida resident). It looks like for the 4-night cruise, the parking fee will be $80. I'm thinking about using one of the remote parking sites instead of the garage to save some money; does anyone have advice on good deals and good places or if its even worth it to park somewhere other than the garage?

Thanks!

 

[phinz]

It depends on your need for convenience and whether or not the outside lots are full (there have been reports that they're edging on full because of the new terminal). I'd have a problem with the relative lack of security, the distance from the port, etc. I prefer to just spend the extra few dollars for convenience and peace of mind.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm also in Central Florida and will say that we also prefer the port parking to the off-site parking. Yes, we could save money, but we prefer the convenience and the price difference isn't enough to sway us.

 

[Pintail]

I know there are other places to park, but for the money, you may be saving your family hassle with the parking garage.

 

[Capt_BJ]

park n cruise

and

park port Canaveral are in the shadow of the DCL terminal

both run multiple busses. You MIGHT wait ZERO minutes .... you MIGHT wait 20 ..... but the per day parking cost WILL be 50% less (or more) as compared to the port.

If you park at the port garage you WILL get out faster. How many $$ is 30 to 60 minutes worth to you ????

 

[alltwelve]

looks like I'll be sticking with the garage- thanks for all your advice!

 

[tz2989]

park n cruise

and

park port Canaveral are in the shadow of the DCL terminal

both run multiple busses. You MIGHT wait ZERO minutes .... you MIGHT wait 20 ..... but the per day parking cost WILL be 50% less (or more) as compared to the port.

If you park at the port garage you WILL get out faster. How many $$ is 30 to 60 minutes worth to you ????

I used to be an advocate of park n cruise, and have used them around 4 times the last few years. Their service is great but the travel time to/from the port varied from 15-40mins.

However for my 3-4 cruises this year, I plan to park at the port stop using them. Over the last year they raised their prices around $10+. Currently it's only around a 20% savings compared to parking at the port ($50 vs $64) for a 3day cruise.

For me, parking at the port under the roof of the garage and the minimal wait time is worth the extra $14.

 

[alltwelve]

I used to be an advocate of park n cruise, and have used them around 4 times the last few years. Their service is great but the travel time to/from the port varied from 15-40mins.

However for my 3-4 cruises this year, I plan to park at the port stop using them. Over the last year they raised their prices around $10+. Currently it's only around a 20% savings compared to parking at the port ($50 vs $64) for a 3day cruise.

For me, parking at the port under the roof of the garage and the minimal wait time is worth the extra $14.

I noticed the same thing when I was pricing them online- I expected the price difference to be huge, but it wasn't that much at all!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Park Port Canaveral. Just don't. The one time we used them it took us upwards of an hour to get hubby & my brother into a shuttle to go get our cars. Nevermind the family group in front of us who'd been standing in the sun waiting more than an hour and a half. My husband & brother stood (standing room only) to go get our cars, bring them back, then we could load up. Meanwhile the 4 kids sat curbside in the sun with me. It was NOT fun.

Getting TO the port from the lot? Absolute chaos. The staff were so rude to everyone.

Never ever again.

 

[lorimay]

My husband has this thing when vacation is over its over, he wants to get to the car and head home.
One time we did a park and cruise in Port Canaveral, the shuttle didn't come for an hour, he was so aggravated standing there waiting.
He said never again, now he parks in the front lot whenever he can. He is also the express walk-off champion.

 

[jwo1976]

We have parked at the port and last time we did the 1 night hotel stay with cruise parking. This parking package cost an additional $60 in addition to the room cost (comfort suites). Port part only $64 for a 3 night. The morning getting to the port is chaos as we were late arrival to the hotel and they don't let you reserve your spot on the shuttle until you check in. Also we had a PAT of 10:30 and they will NOT take you over there 1 minute early. So we waited in a conference room with a lot of people for 1 1/2 hours. We finally made it to the port. Then after getting off the dream we had to call and were told the driver was on his way. Still waited like 45 minutes. The hotel is only 2-3 miles away. Then you get to the hotel and have to unload you bags then re-load in your car. Lots of bag handling. Then drive the 9 hours home. Like the PP said, when vacation is over, its over and time to get on the road home. Next month we will splurge the extra $4 and park at the port.

 

[Capt_BJ]

note: the 'coupon' deal for discount parking at the port ends Feb 28 .......

COMMENT: PC has seen several new and/or larger ships begin to operate from here: OSASIS replaced FREEDOM .... EPIC/NCL is new to the port. Last year the port worried about empty parking as lost $$$. Now every parking place is at over flow ......

What do you do? RAISE THE PRICE! I still remember this from ECON 101

off site is still less than parking at the port

you might get a shuttle in 90 seconds and you might wait ..... BIG FACTOR is how many ships are turning around on YOUR day. SOme day PC sees ONE ship around, and other days FOUR with two visiting ships .....

 

[FigmentSpark]

Doesn't each line have their own terminal and parking lot? Is there a chance of showing up for your cruise and the parking garage at the port is full? What about if you prepay your parking - does it really "reserve" a spot for you?

 

[Capt_BJ]

each terminal does have its own parking and I've never heard of it becoming full. If you follow the port authority activity, empty spaces are their #1 issue ..... they built all these garages and they do NOT fill up. The port has tried many times to find a way to shut down the off site parking places.

Pre-pay does not save a penny or reserve you a space (as mentioned on the port's own web page) .... if you prepay the port knows you will not be tempted by the BIG signs for less $ parking as you approach the port ....

There are times when I DO park at the port ... because I want to be out and on the road fast .... but I fully understand I'm paying a premium for this .... other times I have more time and save $$

 

[FigmentSpark]

Does parking on level 3 fill up? What's a good arrival strategy to make sure you get on that floor? (which everyone recommends because of the walk-over)

 

[DCL Repeaters]

I used to be an advocate of park n cruise, and have used them around 4 times the last few years. Their service is great but the travel time to/from the port varied from 15-40mins.

However for my 3-4 cruises this year, I plan to park at the port stop using them. Over the last year they raised their prices around $10+. Currently it's only around a 20% savings compared to parking at the port ($50 vs $64) for a 3day cruise.

For me, parking at the port under the roof of the garage and the minimal wait time is worth the extra $14.

I noticed this week that Park 'n Cruise has gotten greedy. We used them many times over the last few years but no more. We will be parking at the terminal.

 

[phinz]

Does parking on level 3 fill up? What's a good arrival strategy to make sure you get on that floor? (which everyone recommends because of the walk-over)

Just get there. The people from the cruise before you will have left 2-3 hours before, with nobody else coming along to fill the spaces up.

If you can't get on level 3 there are stairs and elevators that can get you there.

 

[tz2989]

note: the 'coupon' deal for discount parking at the port ends Feb 28 .......

COMMENT: PC has seen several new and/or larger ships begin to operate from here: OSASIS replaced FREEDOM .... EPIC/NCL is new to the port. Last year the port worried about empty parking as lost $$$. Now every parking place is at over flow ......

What do you do? RAISE THE PRICE! I still remember this from ECON 101

off site is still less than parking at the port

you might get a shuttle in 90 seconds and you might wait ..... BIG FACTOR is how many ships are turning around on YOUR day. SOme day PC sees ONE ship around, and other days FOUR with two visiting ships .....

Only once (Nov 2015) did park n cruise turn away day-of guests due to being full.

Every trip since then (in 2016 when the new ships came) they were always accepting drive ups and even offered us valet, etc.

Don't get me wrong I think they have a great business, but their pricing needs to be competitive.