transportation from Orl. to Port Canaveral

[forest]

OK, I am new to DCL, trying it for the first time this April. I am very confused about HOW to get to Port Canaveral from MCO or area (will have to stay at hotel night before getting on the ship). Any ides, suggestions, estimate of prices, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated! Wasn't sure if renting a car and keeping it there would be best or various transports. Oh, it will be me and 3 kids!!! Total of 4 people! THANKS for all your help!!
Maureen

 

[kcatoir]

We decided to renta car at MCO, the morning of our cruise and drive over. We fly into MCO the night before and found cheap rate at a BW one mile away for the night, didn't want to drive over after flying all day.
Found a great rate of $36 for one way from Budget.
They also have shuttle from drop off to cruise terminal.
This rate is for full size (they consider a ford taurus full size).

 

[Gina]

Hi Maureen!

Last cruise, my little boy and I rented a car at MCO, drove down to Cape Canaveral, spent that day lounging poolside at the Radisson, then dropped the car off the next morning and got on the ship. I rented from Budget, and it only cost me about $25-30. (Can't remember exact and the papers are at home.) Budget has a drop-off location about half a block up from the Radisson, and it was very quick and easy to take Budget's shuttle to the terminal.

Avis has a location down there too, but I found them to be way more expensive. Anyways, I already have my Budget and Radisson reservations set for next February!

-gina-

 

[DisneyDarwin]

I too am a fan of renting a car, although many prefer to hire a limo. Dave's site has excellent info on rental cars, and probably limos too. Get up the next morning and drive to the port and look for manatees! That's what we like to do.

http://www.dcltribute.com/

 

[inkkognito]

We're quite lazy so we use Happy Limo. We get a cheap MCO area hotel via Priceline (we usually end up at the Marriott for $25 to $28). If you stick with the highest star level, the hotel will have a free shuttle to pick you up at MCO. Then we have the towncar pick us up in the morning...works out very well.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[forest]

Thanks!!!! To all of your for your help - you can't imagine how happy I am to get these tips! Barb - I have never used priceline, any tips???
Maureen

 

[Lisa F]

Barb,

What time do you have the limo pick you up to head to the port in the morning? We are going to be doing the same (flying in the night before and staying at a hotel close to the airport and then having a towncar pick us up to go to the port).

Lisa

 

[inkkognito]

Maureen,
The big thing to remember with Priceline is that once you bid and it is accepted, you cannot cancel. Also, they will ad a $5.95 fee to the price you bid. There is an excellent message board about them at www.biddingfortravel.com
For MCO, you will be find if you stick with the highest price level. If you see a notation suggesting that you bid more, just ignore it. I always get that and still always get an MCO hotel for $25 to $28. Only once have I ever had to pay more.
Most of the hotels one star level down or fine, but there is one La Quinta that's a real slum so that's why we won't bid for that level any more.
Lisa, we usually have the towncar pick us up at 10 a.m. because we usually don't get in until midnight. Otherwise we have them come at 9:30, since we often do a grocery stop (it's less than an hour to the port, so without the stop you'd probably get there before it opens with a 9:30 pickup).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com