Staying at the airport/DCL transportation??

[feenie]

We are probably going to spend a little time in Orlando before our cruise next year, but if we change our minds and just go the day before....
I am thinking we could stay at the airport hotel and take the DCL transportation.
Have any of you ever done this?
How early can you catch a ride to the terminal?
Is it more convenient than staying closer to the port?
thanks

 

[inkkognito]

We typically get an MCO area hotel via Priceline (bid the highest star level for $25 to $28 and you'll probably end up at the Marriott). We just love the convenience of getting a good night's sleep before the cruise. We take Happy Limo the next morning, but you could easily take the hotel shuttle to the airport. All of the top star levels should have one, and I think the airport buses to DCL start running around 10:30 a.m.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Jeanny]

Hey Feenie~
we're staying at the Hyatt in January, so we can let you know then exactly how it works, but from what I've read, it's easy. Tell the Front desk you're on the Disney Cruise and you can leave your luggage outside of your room by, I believe 8:30 a.m., and they'll take it for you, next time you see it is in your cabin ... you can go downstairs and meet the DCL reps and the first buses start loading around 9:30, doesn't mean they leave right away, you can't get into the Port any earlier than 10:30 any way...

The general opinion is it's more convenient to stay at/near the airport if you're arriving late, or not getting a rental or towncar to bring you to the Port.. if you're arriving early enough, you should probably go right to the Port area and stay at the Radisson.

A lot of people prefer to stay at the Port if they get in early enough, closer to the ship that way... and if you're lucky enough like Verandahman was this past August and you're awake at 5AM, you may get to see the Magic coming back into port (with a lot of unhappy passengers onboard at that moment!!)..

 

[lsmac]

We did this when we sailed on the Wonder in 2001 and will be doing this again in less than 10 days. It is very convenient. They'll do all the hauling around of your luggage and someone else drives! Like Jeanny said, you can check in at the lobby with the DCL rep at about 9 or 9:30 and they will lead you all down to the busses. We were on our way by 9:45 last time and to the port shortly after it opened. We stayed near the Port last year and it didn't really buy us much other than a drive in the dark, through Orlando and a tiring arrival at the Radisson. I much prefer to pick up luggage at baggage claim, go up to level three and check in at the Hyatt and RELAX. Then in the morning you set out your luggage and DCL takes it to the port for you. You can sit back, watch a video, and let someone else do the driving.

Lisa