Pre-Cruise: Best place to stay

[MsMulan]

My soon to be DH and I will be coming to Orlando in May 2016 and taking a Honeymoon Disney Cruise!!!! I am beyond excited to introduce him to my favorite place on earth. He would not bite on going to WDW for the honeymoon. I had a REALLY BAD Experience with Royal Caribbean so we compromised and settled on the Disney Cruise. This will be a first for both of us and I want to ensure we have a great time. We will fly into MCO on 30 April 2016 and need to stay somewhere for one night. I'm wondering for offsite locations:

1. Should we go to Port Canaveral or stay in Orlando?
   
2. What are some of the best locations to stay for one night?
3. What are our options to making it to the ship in a timely manner?

I'm also thinking of staying onsite but wanted opinions on both options. If I'm missing any important things to consider, please add.

Thanks!!!

 

[Woodview]

Question ( A ) Will you be renting a car to drive to Port Canaveral ?

If the answer is YES then I would drive to Titusville & stay in a Hotel there & then on to Port Canaveral.

If the answer is NO then I would stay at a Disney Hotel AND THEN take the Disney Cruise BUS to the Port.


The same applies to your return journey.

 

[MsMulan]

Question ( A ) Will you be renting a car to drive to Port Canaveral ?

If the answer is YES then I would drive to Titusville & stay in a Hotel there & then on to Port Canaveral.

If the answer is NO then I would stay at a Disney Hotel AND THEN take the Disney Cruise BUS to the Port.


The same applies to your return journey.

I am still undecided about the rental car. Need to way the cost of the rental, where to drop off and what to do when we return versus staying onsite and the cost of Disney's Transportation back and forth.

 

[Woodview]

Here is another thought

Rent a car at the airport drive to either Titusville OR CoCoa Beach and stay overnight.

Then drive the car to the Long term car park at Port Canaveral ( about $5 to $ 10 a day ) .

It is on the Left before turn off to the Port. Take shuttle bus to boat.

After cruise pick up your car and away you go.

 

[sdjen]

Another option would be to stay at the Hyatt MCO. This won't be the cheapest option but it's probably the least stressful! Super nice hotel and the next morning you just walk downstairs to catch the DCL bus to the port. This will all allow you to be at the port quite a bit earlier than from the resorts so you can get your cruise started sooner!!

 

[100AcreWood]

I agree with the Hyatt MCO suggestion. I will say there is a nice Raddison very close to port canaveral. You could rent a car and leave it there. They offer free shuttle to the port and back. Just throwing out another option.
http://www.radisson.com/cape-canaveral-hotel-fl-32920/flcocoa

Have a great trip!

 

[MsMulan]

Another option would be to stay at the Hyatt MCO. This won't be the cheapest option but it's probably the least stressful! Super nice hotel and the next morning you just walk downstairs to catch the DCL bus to the port. This will all allow you to be at the port quite a bit earlier than from the resorts so you can get your cruise started sooner!!

Funny, I just found out about the Hyatt MCO yesterday. I'll check their prices also.

 

[DVC California]

If you're arriving the afternoon before, a WDW resort might be fun for the two of you. You can take DME from the airport, have dinner at DTD, and DME back to airport for DCL bus. We've done this and it was very easy and convenient.

If you're arriving in the evening, I would stay at an airport hotel. The Hyatt is nice but there are off-site places with free shuttle service. Some will even shuttle to nearby restaurants. We've stayed at the Sheraton and got a great rate using Priceline. As with WDW resorts, take the free shuttle back to MCO and board DCL bus to Port Canaveral.

HTH, Steve