The day before.....need advice

[kaykels]

We are driving in from the north and arriving a day before the cruise. We were thinking of staying at the Port, but we will be so excited after a long drive, I'm concerned that there isn't much to do. Would it be silly to stay at a Disney hotel, go to downtown Disney or somehting... and drive in the next morning? Or is too much hastle? Also, is there a way to "pre" check in for the cruise at the Disney hotel ?
We are doing Disney after the cruise anyway. Do you think it's too much running around? I'm new at this.

 

[christinou]

I would stay at the port, you will be tired from driving anyway, so just relax the day before the cruise, and don't add more travel time. You also will be very happy the day of the cruise to be right there.....
YOu could always go to Kennedy Space Center, the day before.

 

[tkd lisa]

We went to DTD before our first cruise. It was a nice way to pick up some of the things I wanted the kids to have without paying for Disney shipping. Second cruise we stayed by the airport, then just drove over to the port. You can get better hotel prices in the Orlando area (more competition). We did the priceline thing and paid $34 for the Renaissance at the airport. It was very nice.

Lots of people do stay out at the port the night before. There are lots of restaurants listed on Dave from Marietta's site. Cocoa Beach is typical beach town with mini-golf, etc.

Bottom line, it's your preference.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

I would second christinou's advice and say stay at the port. It's a pretty long drive from PA, and for one night, you'll like only have the energy to check in, get some dinner and get a decent night's sleep. Adding the extra drive time seems like it's not worth it just for one night. Also, I believe that you can only check in for the ship at the resort if you've purchased the room as part of your cruise package, which tends to be more expensive than if you just booked it yourself.

If you stay around Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach, you won't have far to go in the morning, and it will make things much less stressful on the morning of the cruise. Dave's site (link) might have some suggestions for things to do in and around Port Canaveral.

 

[ohiominnie]

don't know if you are sailing on a 3 day, 4 day or a 7 day. If you are sailing on a Sunday (4 day) then go to Jetty park the night before around 4:45-5:00. It's $3 to enter. Ask the parking attendant where to park to see the Magic sail. He'll tell you where to go. It's a rocky pier. Take some snacks...maybe a pizza from pizza hut and sit and watch the Magic go out to sea. If you're luckly, she'll blow her horn right by you!!!

We did that before our first cruise and it got us SOOOOO psyched to go the next morning.

 

[jwann]

We also stayed at a hotel by the Orlando airport the night before. That evening we ate at a Disney resort and some went to Downtown Disney. It was a GREAT way to start our disney vacation. The drive to the port was about 30+ minutes, very easy to get to and we were the first car in line (approx. 10:30). We LOVE to get there early. The kids get to go out on the balcony and look at the boat and they play cartoons in the waiting area. About 11:00 they start the check-in process and about 11:30 a character comes out and then about 12:00 they let people on the ship.
Have a super time!

 

[webray]

Stay at the port...the Radisson is very nice...great pool, live music.

If you have a car...head to grills for breakfast/lunch/dinner...the food is so wonderful we ate there for all three meals...lol. grills.com has a coupon for a % off your meal.

You can really get in the cruise mood...all the ships, take a drive around the port..lots of fun!

 

[cjsmith]

I would vote for staying near Disney. There really isn't too much to do staying by the port other than Kennedy Space Center and seeing Ron Jon's. Even being able to eat at Downtown Disney or one of the resorts would really put you in the Disney mood and it's such an easy drive the next morning. We did this on our first DCL cruise, stayed at the port for the next two, and we're going back to staying at disney for our January cruise, it's just more exciting.

 

[kaykels]

Thanks for all of the advice. I guess you're all right, I might as well head for the port and take it easy. Where is the grill? Any other restaurants you can suggest? I think I'll also take the kids to the pier because we are going on the 4 night leaving Sunday. Sounds like fun!
I CAN"T WAIT!!!!!!!!

 

[kaykels]

Caroyln, Now you've got me scratching my head and saying HMMMMMMMMMMM.............. A night of Disney Magic is hard to pass up. Maybe I'll flip a coin!

 

[WDWLVR]

Originally posted by kaykels
Thanks for all of the advice. I guess you're all right, I might as well head for the port and take it easy. Where is the grill? Any other restaurants you can suggest? I think I'll also take the kids to the pier because we are going on the 4 night leaving Sunday. Sounds like fun!
I CAN"T WAIT!!!!!!!!

Courtesy of Dave - here is a map of the port area.

Businesses south of Port Canaveral

If you click on Grills it will bring up their web page including menus. We've done this twice (in May 2002 and Feb. 2003). It is a great way to start your Wonder cruise watching the Magic sail. Then the next night you are sailing by and waving to everyone at Grills. Great food and music too!