Transportation Ideas MCO-Wilderness-Fort Lauderdale Port

[cruisehopeful]

I'm having a hard time figuring out how I want to handle this. I hate traveling to/from places. I also hate driving and drive an average of 50 miles/day for my current job. One of my favorite things about vacation is not driving.

I might red eye a flight to MCO because otherwise, I spend an entire day with the flight because it's a 5 hour flight + 3 hour time difference. I can either fly direct in the morning or at night for my shortest time. I don't like having the whole day shot by flying in the morning. If I red eye, I'll get to MCO just before 6:00am.

Original thought was red eye to MCO, rent a car and use the car to Wilderness Lodge and then drive it to Fort Lauderdale for my cruise. I'd have to turn in the car in Fort Lauderdale and I'd like to fly out of Fort Lauderdale after the cruise. Downsides to that - it's a lot for me to deal with considering that I hate driving and after seeing what a hard time the DCL bus driver had getting around (maybe he was new) the other day, I'm not exactly up for the challenge of figuring my way around Florida. My husband will be able to help about 10% of the driving/navigating and usually goes the wrong way.

Since it's so relaxing and chill for me to not have to drive or navigate, I'm thinking of this alternative. Red eye to MCO. Take Mears to Wilderness. Wilderness is only a 3 night stay. Last day, take a later afternoon Brightline to Fort Lauderdale, Lyft to port hotel and use DCL transport to the cruise and afterward to the airport.

I still have plenty of time to decide since it's a spring thing. I'd love any ideas/feedback/recommendations on getting around from point to point.

 

[zackiedawg]

Brightline is very nice and I've got a lot of friends who prefer to use it now getting up to Disney from S Florida. Uber/Lyft from Wilderness Lodge to the Brightline Orlando station is probably in the $50-80 range or you can use Mears for less, Uber from the station to the Port Everglades area will typically run $15-25. If you go with the Premium Brightline ticket - the cost is around double the standard ticket, but includes $10 Uber credit, 1 free checked bag, free snacks and drinks onboard, and the Premium lounge before boarding with unlimited complimentary drinks and snacks before boarding...which partially makes up for the price difference and does give you a nice, wide comfy seat too.

Probably the best way to go if you're not keen on driving. Living in the S. Florida area, I make that drive to and from Disney every 3 months or so, and don't mind it - but my work commute is 3 miles each way, so I'm not burnt out on driving every week like you may be! It's right around 3 1/2 hours to Port Everglades from Disney hotels - not including any extended stops.

 

[jimmymc]

I would personally take the Brightline from Orlando to Ft Lauderdale and do rideshares for everything else.

I believe DCL only does transfers from a few hotels in Ft. Lauderdale, so it might be cheaper and better to book your own and arrange your own rides. But DCL transfers get you an earlier boarding group, so that might be worth it for you.

Mears also works well for MCO to and from WL, I just prefer the speed and convenience of rideshares.

Edit: I would also consider renting a car and driving, depending on the cost. But driving around Orlando and south Florida sucks, so I wouldn't recommend it if you want to avoid driving on vacation.

 

[sam_gordon]

Ride share or car service MCO > WL
Disney Transportation to/from parks
Ride share or car service WL > MCO
Brightline MCO > FL
Ride share FL > Hotel, Hotel > Port, Port > FLL