WDW before Miami cruise

[figmentpopcorn]

We are considering flying into MCO for our Miami cruise next year and spending a couple days at WDW before the cruise.

Who has flown into MCO and done WDW before their cruise?

We are thinking we would rent a car from MCO. On embarkation day we would wake up early and drive to Miami/return the rental near Port of Miami. We have driven from Orlando to Miami before so familiar with what that would be like. I’ve read that some of the rental companies have free shuttles to the port.

1. Has anyone done something like this?
2. If so, what car rental company did you use? Did they have a shuttle to Port of Miami?
3. Are there any other good transportation options (other than flying) from WDW to Port of Miami that I am not considering?

Thanks!

 

[hrhdhd]

1. I live in Orlando and have sailed from PortMiami.
2. We used Budget for a one-way rental (flew back to MCO from SJU), drop off at MIA. No shuttle to the port. Taxis have a flat price (something like $27).
3. No.

 

[KatieKepic]

We flew into MCO this past Feb for a cruise from Miami. We rented a car through Budget. But we chose to keep the car rental while we were cruising as it wasn't that much more than 2 one way rentals and I wanted to be able to easily leave the port in case one of us tested positive. Several in our cruise group had hour long waits for their car rentals post-cruise so I was very glad we kept ours. We did Disney's Vero Beach pre-cruise (drove from VB to Miami day of cruise) and WDW after the cruise.

 

[Minniemoo15]

We flew into MCO this past Feb for a cruise from Miami. We rented a car through Budget. But we chose to keep the car rental while we were cruising as it wasn't that much more than 2 one way rentals and I wanted to be able to easily leave the port in case one of us tested positive. Several in our cruise group had hour long waits for their car rentals post-cruise so I was very glad we kept ours. We did Disney's Vero Beach pre-cruise (drove from VB to Miami day of cruise) and WDW after the cruise.

Just wondering how the drive from Vero to Miami Port was the AM of the cruise. We are doing 2 nights pre-cruise at VB and our plan is to wake up early and drive to the port. But I started reading horror stories about traffic jams around FLL/Miami and now I’m doubting my plan.

 

[princesscinderella]

Just wondering how the drive from Vero to Miami Port was the AM of the cruise. We are doing 2 nights pre-cruise at VB and our plan is to wake up early and drive to the port. But I started reading horror stories about traffic jams around FLL/Miami and now I’m doubting my plan.

If you are driving to the port for a weekday boarding give yourself and extra hour for the commute and you will be fine.

 

[MillauFr]

When the train station opens at MCO that will be the easiest and fastest way between Orlando and Miami. The Miami train station is very close to the cruise ship terminal

 

[Minniemoo15]

If you are driving to the port for a weekday boarding give yourself and extra hour for the commute and you will be fine.

Perfect - thanks so much. It will be a Monday AM but Jan 2nd - so not sure if the holiday will make things worse or better than a normal Monday. We will leave by 7:00am and hopefully make it there with lots of time to board.

 

[KatieKepic]

Just wondering how the drive from Vero to Miami Port was the AM of the cruise. We are doing 2 nights pre-cruise at VB and our plan is to wake up early and drive to the port. But I started reading horror stories about traffic jams around FLL/Miami and now I’m doubting my plan.

It was super easy. Our cruise left on a Monday (2/14). We left Vero around 7:15, made a stop for rest rooms & to grab breakfast and were on the bus from the parking garage (having already stopped to drop luggage off) at 10:30. I’d definitely do it again if cruising from Miami.

 

[Minniemoo15]

It was super easy. Our cruise left on a Monday (2/14). We left Vero around 7:15, made a stop for rest rooms & to grab breakfast and were on the bus from the parking garage (having already stopped to drop luggage off) at 10:30. I’d definitely do it again if cruising from Miami.

Wonderful, thank you!! I am so excited to try Vero and this seems like the perfect opportunity.

 

[jujubiee4]

When the train station opens at MCO that will be the easiest and fastest way between Orlando and Miami. The Miami train station is very close to the cruise ship terminal

This is interesting. Do you know the time frame they expect it to open?

 

[MillauFr]

This is interesting. Do you know the time frame they expect it to open?

Not sure. Maybe the end of 2022 or 2023?