Staying the night before!

[invaderzim]

I have a question for fellow DCL travelers. We always arrive on Friday night to take the Saturday cruise. When we took our second cruise in November 2002, we stayed at the Hyatt in the airport. It was great -- convenient and the DCL people met us in the hotel lobby the next morning and got us on the buses, took care of our luggage -- no problems. Our next cruise in November we are travelling with another couple. However, the Hyatt refuses to give us the AAA discount like they did before and want $166 for one night! So I was wondering if anyone has suggestions -- like where to stay and maybe even whether it's a better idea not to take the DCL bus but instead rent a limo or something similar. Any pricing ideas for hotel and transportation is most appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DVCcruise]

Lots of hotel information is on the Cruise Line Forum. You'd probably find lots of helpful and cheaper hints over there.

Good Luck!

 

[LoveMickey]

We used Tiffany from the airport to the Radisson at the Port. The Radisson has a shuttle in the am, free to the port. Make sure you book the shuttle when you check in.

We also went with another couple and shared a two bedroom suite, to split expenses.

It was very convenient.

 

[RellingTwin]

Rent a car and head to the Port! There are some nice places to stay (We always stay at the Radisson) . Nice resturants nearby and if you have time, do the Space Center!
Once you are there, the vacation can begin!

 

[gduvall]

Arrive earilier in the day on Friday and rent a car and stay at WDW. We always spend the day at Typhoon Lagoon and stay at one of the Disney hotels the night before our cruise.

 

[Little Twin Stars]

Originally posted by invaderzim
I was wondering if anyone has suggestions -- like where to stay and maybe even whether it's a better idea not to take the DCL bus but instead rent a limo or something similar. Any pricing ideas for hotel and transportation is most appreciated. Thanks.

We booked thru priceline and are able to get MCO Hyatt the day before and after the cruise for $ 38 per day.

If you don't mind staying in other 3.5* MCO hotels, tryy priceline. You can get a nice hotel with a very economical price.

For both times when I bidded, I started from $ 30, rejected; $ 35 rejected; $ 38 accepted. Got MCO Hyatt both times.

Good luck.

 

[kcashner]

I agree with Twin Stars. Using Priceline, you can get a 3* (Hotwire calls them 3.5, priceline calls the same hotels 3*) for somewhere in the range of $28-38 per night. The hotels you will get include the Hyatt, Sheraton, Renaissance, etc. There is a full list available at www.biddingfortravel.com. All the 3* hotels have a free shuttle to and from the airport. Obviously, if the name of the hotel matters to you, don't get it this way.....

I would caution you NOT to go to the 2.5 category on Priceline. There is a very nasty LaQuinta at that level, so the only way to avoid the nasty place is to not bid the level.

ALternatively, you can take a limo to the port/Cocoa Beach area. Again, Priceline has Hilton, Holiday Inn, and Doubletree available at the port. It is $3 to take a shuttle to the port in the morning from these hotels. The Radisson at the port has a free shuttle. You do need shuttle reservations made in advance.

We find that there is plenty of time on Sat. morning to get to the port, so usually stay in the airport area....but either way will work. It depends on what time you get in and how tired you are....

 

[dtuleya]

We're staying at the new Ron Jon Resort near the Port. Here's a link to the thread about the resort.

We're paying $115/night (Thanksgiving) before our departure on 11/27/04. We are renting a car at Hertz and then dropping it off at the Hertz near the port and taking their free shuttle.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=490104

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We are also flying in the day before. We are using Tiffany Towncar and are going to stay at the Radisson by the port. They have rooms on line for $85 per night.

 

[ArthurAmish]

I just had a bid accepted by Priceline for MCO Hyatt, May 1, 2004 (Saturday night) for $37 + $11 taxes and fees. I was really hoping for the Hyatt, as it is very nice to be able to walk out of the lobby of the hotel, down the elevator, and you are in the main terminal of the airport. Saves a nice amount of time.