Staying in a Hotel the Night Before?

[Skaught]

I was thinking about possibly arriving at the PC Friday night and staying at a hotel, rather than driving over Saturday morning. We're in St. Pete, so it's about a 3-hour drive. Getting the kids and wife out of the house in a timely manner can be tough in the morning, so we probably couldn't hit the road earlier than 9am. Staying at a hotel the night before would save us the rush feeling and allow us to board first thing.

Is it worth the money to do this? Otherwise we wouldn't arrive at PC until 12:30-ish. Since Saturday is out first day of the cruise. I'd like to make the most of it! What time can you board, by the way?

Scott

 

[Tammy1]

We booked on the Sept 17th magic and we live in North Fl. We are staying overnight due to it is about a 3 hour drive for us also. There are some Hotels that let you leave your vehicle there for the week for free and bus you to the port also for free. They will then pick up back up and take you to the Hotel to retrieve your vehicle We feel like it is well worth it, we get to start our vacation a little earlier and the way we figured it the price of the Hotel averages out to the price to park the car at the parking garage at the port.
Good Luck!!!

 

[Skaught]

Since they charge $70 to park at PC, the free parking could offset the hotel costs. Not bad! Do you know the hotels that do this?

Scott

 

[cjsmith]

We live in Naples, which is about a 4 hour drive and have always spent the night before either at Disney or at the port. Once we did Disney and 3 times we did the Radisson at the Port. It just makes it easier the next morning to already be there and adds to the vacation!

 

[Tammy1]

We're doing the Radission at the port phone number 321-784-0000, but we are a famiy of six going with two cars. If you choose this Hotel when you book tell them you want to make your shuttle reservation at that time. If they say to call back two weeks prior to reservation tell them that Bridget at the Radission said you could. Her e-mail address is Reservations@RadissonPort.com address the e-mail to Bridget the first shuttle leaves at 10:00. There is another Hotel that shares the same parking lot with the Radisson and offers the same shuttle service. But they were higher, can't remember the exact $$$ can't even remember the Hotel, but know I went with the Radisson They are located 1 mile from the peir

Good Luck

 

[Admiral Boom]

We stay at the Holiday Inn express. MMm. Priority club points.

 

[lillygator]

We live in Sarasota and stayed at WDW prior to our last cruise and plan to do the same this December.

 

[MSWint]

I was thinking about possibly arriving at the PC Friday night and staying at a hotel, rather than driving over Saturday morning. We're in St. Pete, so it's about a 3-hour drive. Getting the kids and wife out of the house in a timely manner can be tough in the morning, so we probably couldn't hit the road earlier than 9am. Staying at a hotel the night before would save us the rush feeling and allow us to board first thing.

Is it worth the money to do this? Otherwise we wouldn't arrive at PC until 12:30-ish. Since Saturday is out first day of the cruise. I'd like to make the most of it! What time can you board, by the way?

Scott

I agree with your theory! We are driving from much further away (Atlanta area), but we are also driving down the day before all the way to the port so that we can take our time eating breakfast and getting ready and still be at the port and check in and be one of the first on-board.

 

[kcashner]

We use Priceline to get a room the night before. A 3* room in the MCO area usually goes for about $31-35 per night. I understand that the Cocoa are is a bit more, but no personal experience there. There are a couple of hotels inthe Cocoa area that offer free cruise parking (you don't have to book a cruise package to do this). I think they are the Radisson and Quality Suites. Port parking is $10 per day.

 

[suejmj]

Kcashner: How long before your travel date do you bid on priceline? We are cruising in January. Is it too soon?

 

[Skaught]

I've already been exploring the Priceline option. I've had good results with Orlanod, South Beach, San Diego, Los Angeles and Philadelphia using it. The price obtained there would outweigh the free parking benefit of the other hotels (which cost $140-$150 a night). Check out www Biddingfortravel com for the results other have obtained throught Priceline.

Scott

 

[Tammy1]

In our case it's 6-7 people and the need for two vehicles is key. So the $122.00 we're paying for 6 people to stay in Hotel weighs nicely beside the $140.00 car park fee

Everyone is different

 

[Billinaz]

We have a room booked for the Marriott in Feb 06 for $105.00.

 

[momoftwodisneykids]

It is absolutely worth the money in terms of less stress, grief and aggravation to arrive the night before the cruise. We live in Brandon, FL and are staying at the Radisson the night before our 11/26 cruise. We drove to PC the day of our cruise 2 years ago and it was very stressful making the 3 hour drive with the kids and then having to wait in line at the port to drop off our bags and park the car. We sat in line at the port for an hour. My then almost 2 year old was none to happy. Last year we came the night before. We did not stay at the Radisson, but at the Quality Suites. It was so nice to relax, have a nice dinner and get a good nights sleep before our cruise. The Radisson has the bonus of a free shuttle to the port. Parking will cost you $70 for the week, so in actuality, you are really only paying about $70 per night (or less depending on when you are going) for your hotel. Happy cruising.

Joanne

 

[mamalle]

we live in south fla and the night before booked a room at the dolphin. we hit the magic kingdom on saturday, had a nice character dinner and watched the fireworks from our room. Great beginning for our disney cruise. we headed over to DTD in the am to pick up a pirate outfit for ds and we got to the port at 11:30. worked out great for us.. Im not sure we will be as lucky next year as dh's shift will fall on the night prior and we will drive straight to the port the morning of..

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Wow Tammy1 great info, "Thanks"

 

[denizdfaz]

Hi. I had the same thoughts myself as we'll be driving up from south Florida and hate to rush first thing in the mornings. I just booked us a room at the Radisson yesterday. It was $139 but included the free parking while on the cruise, the shuttle service back and forth and breakfast. I also booked the shuttle while I was at it. I had read somewhere that you could board as early as 12 noon so it will be like gaining an extra day on the ship. My 10 yr. old daughter and I are going on the 3 day 11/20/05 and we are counting down the days! This will be our first cruise! Have fun! Denise & Stef. 93 days to go!!!!!