Transfers to/from Port Canaveral or Rental Car?

[hurleysweety]

We are planning a WDW trip combined with our first cruise and we are excited, but now I'm overwhelmed with transportation logistics...

We arrive 10/31 at 5:30 - We'll rent a car and drive to a WDW resort for 4 nights. We have always rented a car and I feel very comfortable with that obsessive price-checking part of the trip.

But then, on 11/4 we leave on a 4 night disney cruise. And then we return on the 11/8 for one night, leaving late 11/9. So we will book a one night stay in WDW and use the last day of our tickets on 11/8.

So do we get a rental car and drop it off at PC? Or should we drop it at the airport and take a disney bus to the cruise? Is there another option that would be cheaper? And when we return, what would be the best (least expensive, but also convenient) way to get to our resort, and later to MCO?

Sorry for these newbie-like questions - we've never used Disney transportation before!

 

[goofy4tink]

You need to run the numbers for all scenarios. I like to keep my rental car at port. That way, I can park the car, take only the bags I need for the cruise, walk over to the ship. Then, leave the ship, walk across the street and get into my car and drive away.
You can return your car at port. But, then you have to find a way back to WDW. You can return to the car rental agency and rent a car. But that is time consuming.
I just wouldn't want to make things too complicated. For me, that would be just keeping the car and paying to park it at port. Then I can come and go as I please, not when someone else dictates. The car is there to get back to WDW and then to MCO.
You can return the car at MCO after your first stay at WDW, and then take the DCL bus...but that's going to be about $65 pp, r/t. And you go by their schedule which usually gets you to port somewhat later than most like.

You could take DME from MCO to WDW, then back to MCO to get the DCL bus, then DCL bus back to MCO, and DME to your WDW resort, and then back again the next day to MCO. That would probably be the cheapest, but most time consuming.

Have you considered taking DME to WDW and then renting a car on your last day there, the day before you head to port?? You can rent through Alamo/National at the Dolphin or Car Care Center, or at other companies in DTD area resorts. You could then take the car over to port, drop everyone off at the ship, return the car, take the shuttle back to the ship. THen, reverse that for the return to WDW and your one night stay.

Or, take DME to WDW, and then book a car service to get you to, and from, port. THat will run about $180-200 r/t, plus tip. Then you can take DME back to MCO on your last morning. Just be sure to book that return trip first!!!

 

[hurleysweety]

Thanks so much for your help. I knew someone would see something I was overlooking. I never considered parking at the port. We don't like to rely on Disney transportation so that makes perfect sense.

I just googled it and it looks like my 4 days will cost around $24. Is that pretty standard? Seems much better than $65 for relying on Disney buses!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks so much for your help. I knew someone would see something I was overlooking. I never considered parking at the port. We don't like to rely on Disney transportation so that makes perfect sense.

I just googled it and it looks like my 4 days will cost around $24. Is that pretty standard? Seems much better than $65 for relying on Disney buses!

What is the $24 for four days? Is that your parking cost?? Is this for the parking/shuttle at the Radisson??? I usually park right at the ship...so just cross the street. Of course, that parking is much more expensive...I think it's now $95 for a four night cruise..but it sure is convenient!!!

 

[hurleysweety]

Does $24 mean its a bad place? :

http://globalairportparking.com/por...averal-secure_gated_self_or_valet_parking_539

and also

http://parkcruise.com/

It sounds like the Radisson is more convenient since you can walk - but we are already paying for a Disney resort that night.

 

[goofy4tink]

Nope, doesn't mean that at all. I just like to get off the ship, walk across the street, and get into my car. I hate taking shuttles unless I absolutely have to.
I'm not sure what you mean about being able to walk from the Radisson... you can't walk to the ships from the Radisson...way too far.

I think you'll be fine with one of those other parking areas. I had just never heard about them before. You may want to post something about them over on the cruise board..those folks have a huge amount of info regarding all aspects of cruising..and I'll bet someone is knowledgeble about these companies.

 

[VAN]

Dito the "time consuming part" ... we have flown to Florida specifically for a cruise. We've booked two one-day rentals ... while the total for both has been under $100, the process in Port Canaveral of dropping/picking up/shuttle has been very stressful as you have cruise passengers coming and going at the same time that you are.

I think the idea of paying for parking at the port is a good one if you can get a good enough rental rate on your car.

Run the numbers, and if it is not too much more, I'd just keep the rental for the entire stay and pay port parking charges.

Have fun!

 

[hurleysweety]

We have always rented a car, so I'm pretty good at checking rates. So far, it will cost more to have the car from only 10/31-11/4 than 10/31-11/9. Almost $100 more! And I know that rate will drop too. So as long as I can park at the port...somewhere...for less than $100, I think its the most convenient scenario for the best price!