Staying in Disney the night before the cruise

[Kim&Chris]

Thanks to Mousesavers, I was able to get an awesome rate at the Hotel Royal Plaza for one night.

We were originally going to stay in Port Canaveral, but my DH wants to have dinner in a Disney restaurant that night, so there was really no sense in driving to Port Canaveral from the airport, then driving to Disney, then driving back to Port Canaveral. Way too much driving for one day.

Soooo.....I'd love to hear from anyone else that has stayed in the Disney area for that night prior to the cruise.

Generally, how much time do you give yourself to drive to Port Canaveral in the morning? Did you experience alot of traffic? Did you regret your choice NOT to stay in Port Canaveral?

 

[KAR3600]

I am a DVC member and I always stay at a Disney Resort the day before a cruise. It usually takes about 1 hr to get to the port. Traffic isn't bad because it is early on Sunday Morning. We usually leave the resort around 10-10:30am.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

We live close to WDW and it takes us about 65 to 70 minutes to get to the port. Please allow a little extra time as the main road to the port goes several miles without any exits and if there is an accident you could sit a very long time before getting around it. We have been stuck in a jam like that for over an hour on that same road. Luckily for us it was on the way back so time really didn't matter all that much to us. Just a thought.
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[firsttimemom]

We've stayed at Disney the night before both of our cruises. Allow about an hour to get to the port- we've never run into any traffic. Also allow extra time if you're dropping off a rental car.

We've *never* regretted not staying at Port Canaveral.

Liz

 

[Kim&Chris]

We've stayed at Disney the night before both of our cruises. Allow about an hour to get to the port- we've never run into any traffic. Also allow extra time if you're dropping off a rental car.

We've *never* regretted not staying at Port Canaveral.

Liz

Thanks! That makes me feel better about my decision

 

[mamalle]

we went up to disney on saturday and stayed at the swan. we spent the day at the magic kingdom and had a great time. we headed over to the port around 10:15 on sunday and got there in a hour. there was no traffic and the drive wasnt bad at all.

 

[dizneefreak29]

I am glad to hear other people stay at Disney the night before the cruise! Our flight gets in at 9:00 a.m. the day before our June cruise. We thought since we have the whole day, why not stay on Disney property and enjoy the day there. Then I started thinking maybe I was being too ambitious and was over doing it

 

[rejobako]

Kim&Chris: Florida has some real traffic issues on certain routes. If you were heading west from Orlando, for example you'd want to build in some serious leeway when tackling that horrifying monstrosity and permanent construction zone between Tampa/Orlando. But 528 from Orlando to Port Canaveral isn't a particularly busy road. If your cruise leaves mid-week, definitely heed momX4's advice and leave a bit early to guard against the possibility that an accident at the wrong place might back things up a bit. But on a Sunday morning, traffic is typically so light that you really shouldn't have any problems.

Have fun at the Royal Plaza. That place is usually a good bargain. If you like being close to the pool, you might inquire as to whether any of the poolside rooms are available -- they're not in the main tower, but off to the side with balconies overlooking the pool area. It's a bit noisy at night, but it sure makes you feel like you're on vacation!

Have fun.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We always stay at least 1 night before at WDW. We stay 2 when we sail the Eastern week afater Thanksgiving and fly in friday when we sail the Thanksgiving Western. If you stay at a WDW resort you can get your KTTW card the day before for the ship....Swan and Dolphin are NOT WDW resorts....