Split-Stay Surrounding a Short Cruise - Help Me Plan!

[KSL]

Hi all! I posted on the resorts board a few days ago, but someone suggested perhaps the cruise regulars might have some good insights for me. Thanks in advance for any replies!

We're doing a WDW split-stay with a short cruise in the middle. This will be our first Disney Cruise and thus we are into a whole new realm of planning (just when I thought I had a handle on Disney vacation planning!)

July 16-20: Boardwalk Villas
July 21-24: Disney Dream 3-nights to Bahamas
July 24-31: Bay Lake Towers
Party of 6: myself, DH, 3 DDs (will be 17, 14 & 12), and my mom

Questions:

1. We want to spend the night before the cruise (July 20th) near the port. We plan to arrive to the hotel around 10pm, so hotel amenities aren't really a consideration. I think we've narrowed it down to Best Western, Comfort Inn & Suites, or Homewood Suites. All of these seem to be within 15 minutes of the port, provide breakfast, and can sleep 6. Anyone out there have a strong opinion pro or con on any of these?
2. Does anyone know whether we can leave some luggage with Bell Services while we are cruising? If so, would we leave it at Boardwalk, or bring to Bay Lake Towers early? Does this need to be arranged in advance? Fee? Advice on tipping for this longer-than-normal service?
3. We are first-time DCL cruisers and will not have access to early reservations or early boarding (which I think is available to repeat cruisers?). Any advice for getting on the ship as early as possible for new cruisers?
4. Are my girls too old for the Fish Extender exchanges? There isn't a thread for our cruise yet, and I know it's too early to plan a FE group anyway, but just to know whether to be thinking about this.
5. What do I need to know that I don't even know I don't know!? What advice do the cruise veterans have regarding Disney cruises in general, and on doing a cruise sandwiched between two resort stays?

Thanks!!

 

[openwater]

Unless you want to save money I do not see much benefit in the Canaveral hotel stay especially when arriving at 10pm. Why not depart from Disney on the morning of your cruise? You cannot arrive at the terminal before 10am anyway so you will not be in a rush (it is a 70 minute drive).

How will you be traveling to the port and back?

 

[BigredNole]

Another consideration is the cost for tickets. Splitting up your stay, you are basically buying tickets twice (unless you are AP holders).

 

[mmouse37]

In August we did 3 nights at WDW then 7 night Fantasy and then 3 more nights at WDW.

We stayed at Homewood Suites in Port Canaveral and it is literally about a mile and half from port (so is the Marriott Residence Inn, Country Inn and Suites and the Radisson.

I found it cheaper to rent a car for the whole trip and we parked at the port with a 40% parking voucher from Homewood Suites. Much more convenient for us.

We got to our Port Canaveral hotel about 5:00 pm but next time will probably just stay at WDW and leave for port in the am....didn't enjoy the packing and repacking for one night.

As far a cruise info just keep reading these boards and when you some more specific questions ask away!!! We are always a willing bunch to help.

MJ

 

[KSL]

Thanks for the replies!
We will have a vehicle and will drive ourselves there.
We chose those hotels from a list on the port's website listing hotels which will give a voucher for 40% off cruise terminal parking.
We are planning to stay nearby the night prior for several reasons. Partly because I'm a worrier and will be more relaxed knowing we're already nearby where we need to be for the ship. I think maybe if we cruise again & I feel more comfortable about how everything works, we could do it as you suggest (just leave from WDW resort in the morning), but for this first time, I know myself and I know I'll be MUCH more relaxed if we're nearby the night before. Also, we already had the BWV portion of our stay booked before we decided to add the cruise & we'd rather not spend another 48 DVC points to add a night (we're kind of splurging on the boardwalk view 2-br). Plus, a few in my group are not great morning-people. If we are already in the area, we can snooze until 8am, be up & out of the room by 9am, grab breakfast in the lobby & check out by 10am, then make the short drive to the port terminal to figure out parking, unload bags and make our way into the check-in area. Even though my girls are teens, it still takes more time than I think it will to do almost anything! Plus, my mom will be with us and she's in her mid-70s and I want everything to be as stress-free as possible.
Yes, we will be AP holders. But that's a good thought; thanks!

 

[openwater]

OK, excellent reasoning!

You have a vehicle so distance from the port from any of the 40% hotels is not a factor. While any of the hotels will work, the Homewood Suites is great because it is the newest, the rooms can sleep 6 (prefer the ONE-BEDROOM SUITES but you have to share the two queen beds and pull-out couch - will this work?) and you can see the ship when you wake up (see pic below). Pick a 6th floor odd-numbered room for port views.

 

[KSL]

Thanks, openwater! Love that pic!
We've stayed at other Homewood Suites hotels before & been happy with those (and the bed configuration works fine), so leaning that direction.
Thanks for the follow-up & photo & excellent advice on port-view room request!

 

[Kaleea]

In regards to Fish Extenders, it isn't too early My cruise is July 22, 2017 and we already have 2 different FE groups getting signed up for. Also, no your girls aren't too old for them. My boys (16 and 14) will be participating and I know some adult only cruisers that participate.

 

[bumbershoot]

Fish extenders have never been solely for or about kids. Participate or do not (we have zero interest in giving gifts or getting random gifts) but the only thing kid related is that you'll tell the participants the ages of the kids.

If we are already in the area, we can snooze until 8am, be up & out of the room by 9am, grab breakfast in the lobby & check out by 10am, then make the short drive to the port terminal to figure out parking, unload bags and make our way into the check-in area.

That's assuming you get an early Port Arrival Time. If you don't then you can sleep in later.

 

[Weedy]

It's fairly was to get a early PAT (port arrival time). Your booking window will open 75 days prior to your cruise. You can go online and pick. The earliest PAT is 10:30-10:45. When you get to the terminal and check in you will be given a boarding #. Concierge and Platinum cruisers get #1. Then they start with everyone else. They usually start boarding 11:15-11:30. It goes pretty fast once they start boarding.
Just a FYI. The cabins are not ready until 1:30. You will need to keep any carry on bags with you until your cabin is ready.

 

[The Sasquatch]

1) i wouldnt bother heading down to the port the night before. Its an hour ride from the Boardwalk in the morning and easily done before 10am. Keep in mind even if you get into the terminal at 10 you are going to wait around. Parking is very easy, its a garage attached to the building. You drop your stuff off curbside, pay entering the garage, park and lock your car, walk into the terminal. I think you will find you are way overthinking this.
2) i have never heard of them holding luggage while you are not there. I wouldnt think Boardwalk would do it and it would be a real pain to go back and get it. If there is an option I would leave it at your final destination if they will take it. If not, leave it in the car in the garage. with the amount of time it would take to set all that up just keeping it with you seems the better option.
3) you are going to be at the mercy of your PAT. that will be your assigned time to arrive at the port where you will get a boarding number and then wait to be called. Only concierge and platinum get early boarding.
4) I would bet that FE group has already started. FE is not just for kids, you designate how many adults and kids are in the cabin. If anything, we normally have more adults than kids.

overall I would say take a breath, put the normal WDW planning mentality aside and enjoy the cruise. Its all about relaxing and I bet you will find its a welcomed departure from the rat race at WDW. Its not about how fast you can get to the port and get on. Take the time to enjoy whats going on and have a vacation!