traveling from All Star Movies Resort to Port of Miami

[Lakotas Mom]

I have questions and I am sure you all can help me find answers! So we are a group of 5 adults that will be visiting DW staying at All Star Movies Resort for 3 nights before our Disney Cruise that leaves out of Port of Miami. We are from PA so we will be flying into Orlando first.
What I am trying to figure out is how to get to Port of Miami. I think possibly our best option will be to rent a car and drive to the Port of Miami. I am too worried about the flights possibly being delayed due to weather etc and will miss sail away. So can anyone give me recommendations on one way car rentals or any other type of transportation services. Our trip isn't until Sept 2022 but just trying to get everything figured out and see what we need to line up. Thanks

 

[Ross Kratter]

DCL usually offers a bus from your resort to the port. Otherwise you can definitely do a one way car rental from the Disney Car Care Center (Enterprise, Alamo, National); they will pick you up from your resort.

 

[Lakotas Mom]

DCL usually offers a bus from your resort to the port. Otherwise you can definitely do a one way car rental from the Disney Car Care Center (Enterprise, Alamo, National); they will pick you up from your resort.

They offer a bus to Miami Port??? I have been told by others they do not, only offer to Port Canaveral? Plus I do believe that will no longer be case soon also correct?

 

[Ross Kratter]

They offer a bus to Miami Port??? I have been told by others they do not, only offer to Port Canaveral? Plus I do believe that will no longer be case soon also correct?

You may be right; I’m not 100% sure.

 

[MrKnight]

On a recent business trip, I tried to book a one-way car rental from MCO to South Florida (as my trip ended in South Florida) and was told that most car rental agencies are currently NOT doing one-way rentals in Florida due to car rental shortages, I ended up having to book a one-way flight from MCO to FLL as there was no other option at the time.. Just an FYI, but of course between now and Sept 2022 things could change.. IMHO, I would recommend booking a one-way flight from MCO to MIA on American as MIA is a hub for American and there are multiple flights daily between MCO and MIA, sometimes as frequently as every 1-2 hours, the odds of getting stranded/delayed are hence much lower due to the high volume of flights between both airports, I would of course recommend flying out in the morning if possible just to be safe.. If possible to fly-in the night before and stay at a hotel that would be even better..

 

[Ralph&Pam]

DCL usually offers a bus from your resort to the port. Otherwise you can definitely do a one way car rental from the Disney Car Care Center (Enterprise, Alamo, National); they will pick you up from your resort.

There is no DCL bus from WDW resorts to Port of Miami.

Flying from MCO to MIA or FLL will take almost as much time as driving, since you will need to arrive at MCO well in advance of your scheduled flight departure and also include the time to get from your resort to MCO. Airfare for 5 adults flying from MCO to either MIA or FLL will likely be much more expensive than a one-way car rental. Add in the cost of transportation from the arrival airport to Port of Miami.

So, a one-way car rental will likely be the least expensive option for a party of 5 adults with luggage. You will need to rent an appropriate vehicle (van or large SUV) picking up at the WDW Car Care Center (Alamo/National/Enterprise), one of the Disney Springs area hotels (Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty and possibly others at the various hotels), or back at MCO. Plan to pick up the car the day before you leave the resort, since you will be paying for a 24-hour rental in any case. This will allow you to head to Miami directly from your resort, rather than having to devote time to picking up a rental car that morning (and possibly having to wait for the rental center to open before getting the rental vehicle). If you rent from Alamo/National/Enterprise, specify the car rental center at MIA airport as the drop off point and take their free shuttle from there to Port of Miami. I’m not familiar with alternate drop off points in Miami for the other rental agencies, but all the major one will certainly be represented at the MIA location, and may have a similar free shuttle to the port. We’ve only used Alamo and National ourselves. I would allow 4 to 4-1/2 hours travel time from WDW, depending on the day and time when you are traveling.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

On a recent business trip, I tried to book a one-way car rental from MCO to South Florida (as my trip ended in South Florida) and was told that most car rental agencies are currently NOT doing one-way rentals in Florida due to car rental shortages, I ended up having to book a one-way flight from MCO to FLL as there was no other option at the time.. Just an FYI, but of course between now and Sept 2022 things could change.. IMHO, I would recommend booking a one-way flight from MCO to MIA on American as MIA is a hub for American and there are multiple flights daily between MCO and MIA, sometimes as frequently as every 1-2 hours, the odds of getting stranded/delayed are hence much lower due to the high volume of flights between both airports, I would of course recommend flying out in the morning if possible just to be safe.. If possible to fly-in the night before and stay at a hotel that would be even better..

Out of curiosity, I just tried a rental reservation for a one-way, one-day rental picking up at MCO and dropping off at MIA for a random date next August (Wednesday of the second week of August, 2022). I used my Costco account, so I get quotes from Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. No one-way availability with Alamo or Enterprise at this time, but all classes of cars, vans, and SUVs available to book with Avis and Budget. Budget has a mini- van at $215 and a full-size van available at $287 including taxes. I would book something now and keep checking on availability at possibly lower rates and with other rental agencies as time gets closer to the trip.

 

[Lakotas Mom]

Thank you! I will start checking all options but at least I have some better knowledge. We do have triple A so am going to check with them also to see what they can help with

 

[JimMIA]

One thing to check before booking a one-way rental is where you turn the car IN here in Miami. I don't know if there are rental car locations at the port -- I don't think so.

If you turn the car in at the Rental Car Center at MIA, you will not have any problem with getting to Port Miami. There may be a DCL shuttle from MIA to Port Miami. If not, it's just a short Uber ride and there are also an abundance of MIA-Port shuttles of various types. Very short trip, all expressway.

However, it the turn-in point is in downtown Miami, I would avoid that if possible. Those rental car locations are right next to the absolute worst intersection in all of South Florida, and in an area subject to very long delays (more than 30 minutes) due to drawbridges being up.

 

[JimMIA]

Also double-check what time you have to be on board the cruise ship. I think most of them stop loading around 4 PM.

From WDW to MIA is a 4-hour drive, assuming there are no traffic tie-ups. Getting 5 adults and luggage up and into your van is going to be herding cats, so you'll probably have a slow start. You could also hit a delay returning the car and/or getting your ride to the port.

For those reasons, @MrKnight's suggestion of coming to a Miami hotel the day before is certainly something to consider.

 

[keishashadow]

Another option: spirit also flies into Miami from Orlando, generally just 1 flight a day tho