Pre-cruise transfers and hotel

[jewels2007]

Hello,
We are headed to Port Canaveral on the Fantasy in November. We are going to go a day early and even thought about 2 days if airfare was cheaper since it seems like air is cheaper leaving in the evening. I did not book transfers through Disney as I wanted to find something less expensive. There are 5 of us. I am wondering what our best bet is as far as car rental from MCO to hotel or taxi? Or even the hotels that offer to pick up at MCO to stay there and shuttle again to port in the morning. Thought of staying close to port or Cocoa Beach which I've heard also has those same transfers. If we rent a car, is there a return close to the port to drop off and rent again upon return to MCO. I also have AAA so that may help with rentals? We thought bout maybe checking out Kennedy Space Center but wanted to keep the budget down so then thought of Cocoa Beach to just relax. I figured I could do this all on my own but finding there are so many variables with rental, shuttles, taxi, etc., and a little overwhelming. Now I'm starting to get nervous as it's only 2 1/2 months away. Thanks for an advice that you have.

P.S. I'd like to post a timer but don't know how.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Hello,
We are headed to Port Canaveral on the Fantasy in November. We are going to go a day early and even thought about 2 days if airfare was cheaper since it seems like air is cheaper leaving in the evening. I did not book transfers through Disney as I wanted to find something less expensive. There are 5 of us. I am wondering what our best bet is as far as car rental from MCO to hotel or taxi? Or even the hotels that offer to pick up at MCO to stay there and shuttle again to port in the morning. Thought of staying close to port or Cocoa Beach which I've heard also has those same transfers. If we rent a car, is there a return close to the port to drop off and rent again upon return to MCO. I also have AAA so that may help with rentals? We thought bout maybe checking out Kennedy Space Center but wanted to keep the budget down so then thought of Cocoa Beach to just relax. I figured I could do this all on my own but finding there are so many variables with rental, shuttles, taxi, etc., and a little overwhelming. Now I'm starting to get nervous as it's only 2 1/2 months away. Thanks for an advice that you have.

P.S. I'd like to post a timer but don't know how.

We have used HappyLimo in the past for our transfers to and from MCO and WDW. You could go round trip in a minivan or full size SUV for a couple hundred bucks. There is a Residence Inn and I think Country Inn and Suites near the port that have a free shuttle to get you to the ship. If you go to allears.net you can get a coupon code for 10% off a round trip booking. We've always had great service with them and were even upgraded to a stretch limo once. Just my $.02

 

[mmouse37]

Here is a list and a graphic of the rental car offices near the port:

Payless, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty/Dollar, Avis, National/Alamo/Enterprise



Try the website www.mousesavers.com and look at transportation tab. They have tons of different discount code that can be used to get a great rate on a rental. You may have to try each company and go back and forth entering different discount codes but it can be worth it.

The graphic was created by I think poster "Truck1" but if not them I apologize.

MJ

 

[ladyofthetramp]

There are 4 of us and we have always rented a car from the airport to the hotel near Cocoa Beach. We have stayed at Residence Inn many times (very clean, quiet and friendly) and the Hilton once. We love the Residence Inn. If you decide to take private transportation to the Residence Inn, they do have a shuttle to the port with a nominal fee. The car rentals all have shuttles to the port, the drop offs are easy and the shuttles are free. We have used Budget, with AAA and other discount codes, for us, they have been the cheapest. We try and keep things on the economical side if we fly in early. Lori Wilson Park is a public beach, near most places to stay that is free. Going to Ron Jon's, checking out surfing gear and t shirts- free as well. Just relaxing by the pool at your hotel is a nice way to kick things off. We pick up a car once we return, using the rental car agency free shuttle, and if our flight is late enough in the day, it gives us time to grab lunch at one of the WDW resorts or spend more time in Cocoa Beach.

 

[ChicosWife]

Try the package at GoPortCanaveral.com. It includes your hotel stay, transfers from MCO to the hotel, from the hotel to Port Canaveral and your return trip from Port Canaveral, back to MCO. We thought it was a really good deal!

 

[mmouse37]

Discount Port Parking for Partner Hotel Guests
Driving to Port Canaveral?
Many cruise passengers driving to Port Canaveral arrive at least one day before their cruise and stay in a local hotel, yet they would prefer the convenience of parking near their ship at the Port rather than taking a hotel shuttle. If this is your desire, why not save 40% on Port Canaveral parking?
Port Canaveral has partnered with 20 of our local hotels that now offer a Port Canaveral discount voucher at check out. The program is very simple. When making a hotel reservation with any of the active partner hotels listed below, tell them that you would like to take advantage of the Port Canaveral parking voucher program. During checkout the morning of your cruise, the hotel front desk will issue a voucher that you present to our parking attendant and you will receive your discount on the spot.

Please note that you cannot use this voucher when pre-paying for parking.

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

MJ