Trying to decide where to stay the night before cruise.

[coffeecassie]

Taking a Disney cruise out of Port Canaveral. Will arrive around noon the day before our cruise. Trying to decide whether to stay at a Disney resort or at a hotel near port. We will not have a car, so will either need to have car service from airport to a port hotel, or from Disney hotel to port. We will be spending 5 nights at Pop Century after our cruise, so getting the "Disney Experience" before the cruise is not necessary. Any suggestions?

 

[Mousemommy1]

Personally, we are doing 2 nights at AoA before our cruise and then 2 nights at the GF after our cruise. Total Disney submersion.

 

[Shanti]

I would find a Disney resort easiest as transportation will be covered. But there are great off-site hotels, too.

 

[TestingH2O]

You could always stay at the airport, swim, rearrange luggage, etc then take DCL transfers. With a small child, that's what we prefer so we can finish the travel day ASAP.

 

[ZerasPride]

We enjoyed our one night at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (we are DVC) but paid cash for a studio at Jambo and it really set the tone for our first cruise. Can't believe we have been home for a week now. Disney handled the transportation for us so we didn't have to worry. They picked up our luggage about 8:30 the morning of the cruise. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Boma and loaded our bus at 11. We stopped at one other resort - Art of Animation I think - and we were enjoying embarkation lunch at Royal Palace by 1:15. For us it was perfect and we will do it again next year!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

When leaving from PC, we like to stay at the Port Orleans. We have easy access to Downtown Disney (although kind of torn up right now). We use DCL transportation and have our luggage handled for us. We can have a leisurely breakfast and enjoy the resort before getting on our bus and arriving at PC and getting on the ship at about the same times the staterooms are open.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Taking a Disney cruise out of Port Canaveral. Will arrive around noon the day before our cruise. Trying to decide whether to stay at a Disney resort or at a hotel near port. We will not have a car, so will either need to have car service from airport to a port hotel, or from Disney hotel to port. We will be spending 5 nights at Pop Century after our cruise, so getting the "Disney Experience" before the cruise is not necessary. Any suggestions?

If that was my itinerary I would stay at the Hyatt MCO. It's literarily a part of the airport, they will pick up your luggage from your room to deliver to the ship the morning of your cruise.

The best part of this scenario is getting to the ship early. You'll be able to take the first bus from MCO to PC, usually leaves around 9:15-9:20, so you'll be one of the first at the port. Also, since you are using DCL transportation they'll let you in regardless of your PAT.

If this is your first DCL cruise, this is a super easy, no brainer option. They will walk you through everything effortlessly with no stress. Enjoy your cruise.