Pre-Cruise hotel questions

[Scrappysquirrel]

We plan to fly into Orlando the day before our cruise. It's just 2 of us. We are looking at hotel options for that night.
1. Stay at airport Hyatt and take Disney bus to port the next morning.
Or
2. Stay at Cape Canaveral Radisson using their paid shuttle to the hotel and then their shuttle to the port in the morning.

Which would you prefer? Are there multiple Disney buses leaving from the airport each morning or am I stuck with a certain time? I want to be able to have as much time as possible on the ship. Thanks!

 

[thumpie's mom]

We always stay at the Hyatt and catch the DCL bus. There always seems to be plenty of buses coming and going. Since we live on the West Coast, we usually get into Orlando later in the day and it is very easy to simply pick up our luggage and take a short walk over to the Hyatt. It is a very nice hotel, plenty of places to eat and relax. We have never stayed anywhere else, so I can't say how that works, but do feel comfortable recommending the Hyatt. You can call DCL and find out what time the buses start running. Enjoy your cruise!!!

 

[crafty91]

TBH I have not done either option but the fewer moving parts the better. I doubt there will be much time difference with when you actually get on the ship with either option. I would say just stay at the airport, you never know about a flight delay etc so its just easier to stay at the airport IMO. You also don't mention how you would get to the Radisson but I assume there is additional cost there as well for very little time difference on the boat.

 

[bovioask1]

We always stay at the Hyatt and catch the DCL bus. There always seems to be plenty of buses coming and going. Since we live on the West Coast, we usually get into Orlando later in the day and it is very easy to simply pick up our luggage and take a short walk over to the Hyatt. It is a very nice hotel, plenty of places to eat and relax. We have never stayed anywhere else, so I can't say how that works, but do feel comfortable recommending the Hyatt. You can call DCL and find out what time the buses start running. Enjoy your cruise!!!

With what thumpie and crafty said, the Hyatt is much more convenient. Right by the airport, great amenities, centralized, and convenient shuttles.

#1 sounds best! Have a great cruise!

 

[Scrappysquirrel]

The Hyatt it is! Thanks for the input...sometimes I overthink and complicate things.

 

[danajay]

I understand that the busses start running at 9am.

 

[birdieboiler]

I booked at the Hyatt for my upcoming cruise and I am a member of their rewards program. With that said, every time I see the price drop I call and they we change my price to the lower price. My reservation is not one that had to be paid in full at time of booking. I have saved almost $100.00 so far.

 

[griffindesign]

We've stayed at the Hyatt and also gone to hotels near the port (not Radisson). The Hyatt was a great experience. Easy! When you check in you can tell them you're on a Disney cruise and they will schedule to pick up your bags the next morning at 8:30 I believe. Just put your tags on and when you leave your room you are done with your bags until they show up in your stateroom on board. As for getting there early, we were at the bus check in by 8:40 and got on the first bus. We pulled out about 9:05 and were at port before 10. They let the Disney bus passengers into the building first. When we arrived it was so empty which made for some great pictures! The bus is a great experience too because they've got the Disney music playing and the TV showing videos about the cruise, so you feel like your trip has already started!

 

[ShelleyTaylor]

Great info everyone, thank you!!!