transportation to DIsney cruise

[KANSAS]

I am going to come in one day early, before my cruise.

where is a good place to stay, for the night, maybe near airport?
maybe not?

What transportation, would be the quickest for only two people?

Which tranportation, would cost the least, for only two people?

If I ride the DCL bus, will we have to stop several places?

Does it make sense to get Mear TOWNE CAR, to PORT canverval from your hotel and then back to Orlando,FL airport, from port Canveral?

 

[SeaSpray]

We are flying in the day before our cruise and staying at the Radisson at Port Canaveral. It's only 10 minutes from the port, and they offer a free shuttle to and from the hotel. There is also a hotel right inside the airport, if your flight will be arriving later at night it might be more convenient to stay there, then go to the port the next morning.

This web site lists all the various hotels that are near the Orlando airport as well as near Port Canaveral. http://www.dcltribute.com/ He also has info about renting a car on his site. We're a party of 4 and will be using a limo service to get from the airport to the Radisson.

Another great site is www.castawayclub.com

 

[PiperG]

On our previous two trips, we flew in the night before and stayed at MCO hotels (Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn). Both had shuttles, so DH, DS6 and I just called after we had gotten our luggage. There are plenty of restaurants in the area to which you can walk.

We used Disney transfers, so the next morning we got up, had breakfast and took the shuttle back to the airport. Both hotel shuttles took us right to the Disney spot in the terminal, where we checked in and got on the bus to the park or port, depending on which trip we were doing.

We thought it was very easy, and will be using the same plan for our upcoming land and sea. I guess if you have several kids with lots of luggage, this would not work as well. Plus, the bus is very comfortable, and they play a fun video that gets you into the cruise mood.

 

[Jeanny]

hey Kansas~
Seaspray is right, check out Dave's site & Barb & Tony's sites for a lot of your answers.

We're flying in the night before and will stay right at the Hyatt in the airport... go downstairs in the morning and take the DCL bus over to the port... no stops from there just straight to the port. The only time it "stops" is if you're doing the Land/Sea package, and depending on which resort you're staying at, then it may stop at other Resorts before getting to the port.

The Bus may be expensive compared to renting a car, but you can also get a towncar or limo... depends on what you want... she should probably read some trip reports and then decide which way to go....

 

[inkkognito]

We like to get a hotel near the airport via Priceline. We bid $25 to $28 for the top star level and almost always get the Marriott. Any hotel you get at that star level will have a free shuttle, and they are in an area outside the north exit of the airport that has lots of restaurants within walking distance.
If you choose the DCL bus, you can take the shuttle back to the airport in the morning. It will go directly to Port Canaveral. We use Happy Limo because we prefer a private ride and like picking our own time, but I think the DCL bus is a little cheaper for two people. But a towncar is definitely quicker!
Hotwire is another hotel option. We will only chose a hotel that has suite amenities when we go through them because we know it will probably be the Amerisuites. All of the hotels are fine except one LaQuinta (not the LaQuinta suites), and we don't want to end up with that one!
You are wise to fly in a day early. We just flew to Orlando (not for a cruise) and were delayed over two hours.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Buckleybunch]

I have a question about this.
We will be driving in from Nebraska.. We orginally had planned to stay at AKL the night before.. Until I found out that I can't leave my truck parked at AKL until we come back. We will be staying at AKL after we get back for appox 10 days.
I want to leave my truck in a secure area DCL suggested that we drive to the airport park there and then take the DCL bus??

Any suggestions?

 

[Jeanny]

BB ~~ why don't you just drive to the port and park there?? I think it's something like $10/day?? or you could stay at a local Port hotel the night before the cruise, a lot of them have parking included in their rates and will shuttle you to/from the hotel to the Port.

 

[PiperG]

Jeanny,

I see you are in 7560. We were in 7562, right next door. Its a great spot. Have fun

 

[Jeanny]

thanks PiperG~ I'm so excited to be going in a few days!! I can feel the warmth now!

 

[Alex]

I usually stay at the Raddison right in the Airport. The rate I get is not as cheap as what Barb get's but the total lack of hassle is worth it. You just claim your luggage and walk to the lobby!!
The DCL bus will pick you up from there or you can rent a car or call a limo.. lot's of options.

 

[kcashner]

OK, for flying in the night before, you have a couple of choices.

1. Get an airport hotel...free shuttle from airport to hotel. Rates are $27-35 thru Priceline if you don't care which hotel you use. Take shuttle back to the airport the next morning and catch DCL shuttle to the port. The DCL shuttle is cheapest for 1-2 people. Private limo service is generally cheaper for 3+ people.

2. Take private limo to a hotel near the port when you get into the airport. Radisson at the port has rooms for about $89 per night and a free shuttle to the port. THis is a GREAT option for people driving as they offer FREE parking while on your cruise. They have a regular lot, not guarded and secured.

Parking at the port (in secure lot) is $10 per day.

For the person driving in the night before...AKL is very expensive. When we do Disney before the cruise, we generally check out and get a cheaper "off property" hotel for the last night as we know that the morning will just be breakfast and driving to the port. I would NOT take DCL's suggestion of paying for airport parking AND riding their shuttle. I'd get a cheaper off property hotel...either the Radisson (see 2 above) or another hotel near the airport or in Cocoa Beach for the last night and park at the port.

There's no reason to spend $$ to park AND $$ for the Disney shuttle. IT comes out a little cheaper to stay at the Radisson and park for free, but not a huge difference. Airport hotels (hyatt, sheraton, etc. can be obtained on priceline for about $30 + tax + priceline fee) and $10 per day parking...comes out to about $120...vs $100 for Radisson (with tax).

 

[kmk]

We have always taken the DCL bus... my husband enjoys the fact that some one else is doing the driving..and he is on vacation. Lets face it..if you fly in...you don't have to worry about your lugage... you see it in your cabin. I have thought about going down the nite before and staying at the airport hotel...but when it comes down to it..we make the trek down early in the am. The Bus really gets you in the cruise mood.... and when you are returned back to the airport... it is one quiet trip!!! Enjoy your trip!!!