Universal before cruise? Who knows the geography?

[bridegirl]

We are flying in the day before our cruise from Los Angeles. Landing MCO around 3pm.

We want to go straight to Portofino to spend one night, hit a few rides or attractions, then get up the next morning and head to Port C.

We have four little kids 6 and under, so we will only visit the "kiddie" stuff. Looking for some fun for them after a long flight from LA.

Is it too far the other way to go to Universal for one night? We have concierge on the boat - so we won't be in such a rush for ressies and stuff when we get on.

How late can you get to the boat without getting too crazy?

And any suggestions for transportation?
MCO ---> Universal
Universal ---> PCO
PCO ---> Yacht Club after the cruise

Thanks so much for any advice.

 

[kcashner]

Universal is about 20 minutes from the airport. Your best bet with 6 people would be a private limo service (like Happy Limo or Fl. limo). The private limo will take you any where you want to go and help with luggage, etc.

You must be on board by something like 4 pm....but I sure wouldn't do it that late. The WDW busses leave WDW at 12-1 pm, arriving at the port by 2. If you get there earlier than 1, you will miss the bus crowd. I really can't address arriving really late, since in 10 cruises, 1:30 was our latest (and that only by Disney design.) Get there early and enjoy the ship!

 

[vikingfans]

kcashner, is right, Universal is about 20 min from airport, but if you want to head to Downtown disney the day you get in, you might have some fun for free there. There's lots to do with the little ones and you can get some shopping in too!

Disney's West Side is also near there and there is a cool magic shop that will very much entertain the kiddies!!

Have fun!!!

 

[FredS]

With four kids that young, and such a long trip I don't know that going to PB would be worthwhile. It would add another leg to your trip and the kids (and you!) may not really appreciate Universal for such a short period of time.

You could go to one of the hotels directly on the beach, and enjoy the pool and oceans and chill just a bit between your trip across the country and the cruise. Don't get me wrong, Universal and its resorts are nice, but squeezed into your plans might not be a good idea.

 

[mark & sandra]

The drive from MCO to Portofino is about 15-20 minutes. Last year I rented a car for 1 day for a one way drop off. I picked up the car at MCO (Budget, full size 26.00 p/u at MCO drop off next day at Port Canaveral). We went to Universal for the whole day and then drove to the port in late afternoon. We kept the car until morning and then returned the car and Budget shuttles you to the port. You really don't need a car at Portofino. They have a water taxi to get to the park. The drive to the port from Portofino is about 45 minutes to an hour. If you reserve another 1 way rental after your cruise, you can catch the shuttle back to Budget and then drive back to MCO. The return trip is about 49.00...Mark

 

[PinClubs]

I think you are not allowing yourself nearly enough time. Portofino is south of Orlando and will take you 15 - 20 minutes if you rent a car service to take you there. If you are driving allow at least a half hour since you are not familiar with Orlando.

By the time you get to the hotel, check in, and get to Universal it will probably be close to 6:00 P.M. if you’re lucky, and your flight is on time, which is barely worth your time to go since there is so much to see.

The drive to Port Canaveral (again if you rent a car service) is easily an hour from Portifino. Disney has to board approximately 2,800 passengers in a very short time if the cruise is sold out. If you get there after 11:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. you are guaranteed to stand in long lines. Experienced cruisers will get to the terminal by 10:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

Although the ship will not sail until 5:00 P.M. there is plenty to do and see if you get there early. First and foremost, you can have a nice buffet lunch at Parrot Cay which is one of the three restaurants that is part of the rotational dining schedule.

By 4:00 P.M. they (DCL Cast Members) are already starting the mandatory emergency drill that includes donning life preservers and finding your appropriate place for the lifeboats. (relax it is purely an exercise for the passengers and an emergency that is highly unlikely).

Lastly, I have 2 children (11 and an infant) and I know that getting them ready for anything can be an event; four children would be even more difficult.

Don't expect much from your short stay at Portifino and make sure that you get up early enough to get to the port by at least 11:30 A.M.

Sorry to cut into your Universal fun, but you should enjoy your cruise so please don't wait until the last minute to board the ship.

Have a great cruise,

Jeff

 

[disneyagain]

We have a $64/night internet rate at Country Inn & Suites, just outside DTD (includes continental breakfast). Our flight comes in at 1:00, so we'll head over there and enjoy all the "free" goings on at DTD for the afternoon, maybe have dinner at the Rainforest and then get a good nights sleep and head to the ports (we have a rental car) by 9:30 in the am, maybe 9:00...

After the cruise we're heading to RPH for 3 days......I'm thinking with FOTL access, and my disneystyle touring...morning at the park mid day rest/swim and then back to the park after dinner... we'll probably get more rest at US/IOA then on the cruise

Waiting for my documents is driving me crazy

 

[kellimomo3]

We have three young boys and our family loves Universal as well as Disney. We are doing Universal/Disney the week before our cruise in January. I just wanted to point out that in the off season Universal closes at 6pm. I don't know what time you were planning on getting there but it is not open in the evenings. Have fun!

Kelli

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Also--tix for Universal are $50+...to accomplish stuff in a couple of hours at the park with children...to me is a big waste of money. If you want to do any theme park--and you are paying the daily rate...you should allow a full day to soak it all in instead of running yourself ragged. Even if you have the money--to spend that much money for so little time isn't the best bang for your buck.

I like the DTD idea--there is a small carosel, and train (like they put in malls at Christmas time). I think it is $2 per child, 1 adult can ride per child for free and it is required on the carosel if they do not meet the height requirement. I don't know what it is--only that my almost 4-yo is too short (she is in the 50th %ile for height). They have a lego store where you can build things out side and a new slide there as well. They have the Ghiradelli's which will knock your kids socks off on the ice cream scale. And of course all the disney merchandise stores--we go over there frequently so the kids are "trained" that we go to enjoy and not buy.

I haven't done a disney cruise...but in my other cruise experience--I gave them my money for the full X amount of days, I want on ASAP. There was one cruise where we were "almost missed the boat" late. We were in Tampa to extend our trip and had to drive to Miami. My mother misjudged time and distance and the best path to take. We took I-75 instead of heading to Orlando to the turnpike. She did an awful lot of speeding and blew the engine. We did not have a cell phone at the time--and by the time we got to a phone--the ship was ready to depart--but we managed to get it held.

The moral of the story--if you try to do to much--you might just miss the boat!

 

[invaderzim]

We're flying in four days ahead and staying four nights at Royal Pacific in Universal. We decided to forego the DCL transfers this year (the novelty of the cruise bus has worn off).

For the price, it is actually cheaper for us to get a towncar from MCO to Universal. Then we are taking a limo from Universal to the Port. Then a towncar from port to MCO at end.

Also, a lot of the towncar/limo services (Happy Limo, Tiffany, Quicksilver) will allow you a 30 minute grocery stop for free. So you can stock up on water, soda, treats for the kids for the cruise without lugging all that in your suitcase.

 

[sters]

My kids always seem to like the hotel pool the best. Why not just go to the Raddison or something close to the cruise ship and enjoy the pool? Chances are the one on the ship will be mobbed. Maybe there is something in Cape Caniveral or Cocoa Beach that will appeal?? Just a thought...