We're Booked! Let the planning BEGIN!

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Hi Everyone,
It's been awhile since DH and I have cruised and now we are planning DS's 1st cruise. 3 days Bahama itinerary just to try out his sea legs.

We are thinking about getting there a day or two early and staying a day or two later.

We are also thinking about doing the Space Center.

In comes all of the challenges...hotel rooms, cars or car service, best way to book, best deals? We aren't thrilled with the idea of renting a car--that will add in the cost of renting a car seat and parking.

I know I'm missing a ton of stuff...and have plenty of time to plan. My first stop is here for any updated advice and changes.

Please share any insight you have!

Thank you!

 

[Garyjames220]

My first tip would be do the 4 night instead of the 3 night that extra day makes a big difference

 

[Capt_BJ]

renting a car, even if you must pay for a car seat, is usually the most cost effective option

if you are gonna explore b4 the cruise (do KSC) a rental car is the best option IMO

(look into carrying your own car seat ...... $ depends on the airline, but you may be able to USE it on the plane)

 

[Shanti]

Hi Everyone,
It's been awhile since DH and I have cruised and now we are planning DS's 1st cruise. 3 days Bahama itinerary just to try out his sea legs.

We are thinking about getting there a day or two early and staying a day or two later.

We are also thinking about doing the Space Center.

In comes all of the challenges...hotel rooms, cars or car service, best way to book, best deals? We aren't thrilled with the idea of renting a car--that will add in the cost of renting a car seat and parking.

I know I'm missing a ton of stuff...and have plenty of time to plan. My first stop is here for any updated advice and changes.

Please share any insight you have!

Thank you!

A 3-night is great for a first cruise, to see if you like it, especially if you're combining the trip with another attraction like the Space Center. I recommend flying in the day before and staying at the Orlando Airport Hyatt (MCO Hyatt), booking the hotel stay via Disney, then taking the Disney Cruise Line transfer bus from the airport to the port the next morning. By booking the MCO Hyatt via DCL & taking their bus, not only will arrival go seamlessly, but you will be able to board the ship earlier than many others, as those with a Disney-booked hotel stay & accompanying transfers don't have to adhere to a Port Arrival Time (PAT), which influences how early you can get on the ship. This worked wonderfully for us last week when we embarked on the Fantasy. The DCL bus is very comfy & shows cute cartoons, too.

If you want to visit the Space Center, I recommend doing so after the cruise, as departure from the ship is early morning, and having a fun activity to look forward to can make disembarking from the ship less depressing. There are car rental places near the port that you can use for this if you like. Again, renting the car after the cruise is what I recommend, as you'll likely be more relaxed after the cruise, & not feel in any hurry or stress too much about finding your way around.

Since you have a small child, I also recommend you request main dining (when making reservations, the system automatically puts you in late dining, the less popular choice for families with young kids as late dinner doesn't start until 8:15pm).

 

[SarahandPaul]

Not sure the age of your child, but the Mifold car seat is amazing for travel. We just used it for the first time on a trip to Disneyland and it made life so much easier! We will certainly be packing it along as we travel to Florida in September.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

What month are you going? If it's nice weather I would opt to stay at a Cocoa Beach hotel and enjoy the ocean and possibly go to the Space Center as well. Esp if you are from a cold clime or like the beach.

@Shanti Can you tell me why you prefer staying at the MCO Hyatt and using the DCL bus? I thought I heard you are not necessarily going to have an early arrival at the Port just bc you are using DCL bus, just that you are guaranteed to not miss embarkation. Is it something about the Hyatt?

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

We are going in Feb and are from a cold climate...At this point, just looking at the options. It's been awhile since we have cruised and so looking forward to this adventure!

What is there to do at the MCO Hyatt?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What is there to do at the MCO Hyatt?

Well, they have a pool. You can watch planes take off & land (if you're into that). And there's lots of food/shopping options right there in the airport.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I thought I heard you are not necessarily going to have an early arrival at the Port just bc you are using DCL bus, just that you are guaranteed to not miss embarkation

Staying at the MCO Hyatt, you can the choice of being on the first bus in the morning, if you wish. Buses start running from MCO at 9:00. Buses from the WDW resorts don't start until (at the earliest) 10:45. Usually later.

When you arrive at the port via DCL transportation, whether it's before or after your selected Port Arrival Time, you will be allowed to enter the terminal. That being said, your actual boarding number you get at check in at the port is tied to your PAT, and you'll get the same on whether you arrive early or late.

 

[Shanti]

@Shanti Can you tell me why you prefer staying at the MCO Hyatt and using the DCL bus? I thought I heard you are not necessarily going to have an early arrival at the Port just bc you are using DCL bus, just that you are guaranteed to not miss embarkation. Is it something about the Hyatt?

Those who a book a hotel through Disney and use the DCL transfer bus to the port are not confined to a Port Arrival Time.

The same thing would work from the WDW resorts, except that the buses from WDW don't leave until midday. The buses from the Orlando airport start running around 9am, so if you book a room at the airport Hyatt through DCL, you can hop an early bus to the port, then get a low embarkation number upon check-in.

This is mainly a help to non-concierge passengers who are new cruisers, or those booking last-minute, and who therefore might not be able to get an early PAT.

The key to this working is that you must book the Hyatt through Disney, not independently, and you must take the DCL bus to the port.

 

[ALCooper3]

It is more economical to rent a car. Especially if you plan on doing other things while on vacation. Disney transport will only take you back and forth from DCL to airport/Disney. We are going in March and will rent a car this time. If you don't plan on doing any Days at Disney you might just want to stay in Cocoa Beach. We got a great deal at Country Inn and Suites. Also heard good things about Radisson and Residence Inn (All three near port).

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We've stayed at both Country Inn and Suites and also Comfort Inn Suites in Cocoa Beach, we're staying again at the latter for our cruise next year. More to do at that location in case you are not going to rent a car (and you can use their shuttle or another service to/from airport and port).

@Shanti How much time would you allow for Space Center? I've always been fascinated and am wondering how much time we should allow to maybe fit in pre- or post-cruise after/before our flights.

 

[Shanti]

@Shanti How much time would you allow for Space Center? I've always been fascinated and am wondering how much time we should allow to maybe fit in pre- or post-cruise after/before our flights.[/QUOTE]I don't know- haven't done it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've stayed at both Country Inn and Suites and also Comfort Inn Suites in Cocoa Beach, we're staying again at the latter for our cruise next year. More to do at that location in case you are not going to rent a car (and you can use their shuttle or another service to/from airport and port).

@Shanti How much time would you allow for Space Center? I've always been fascinated and am wondering how much time we should allow to maybe fit in pre- or post-cruise after/before our flights.

If you're really into space stuff, I wouldn't try to squeeze it in before/after a flight. It can take a whole day there, if you want. Or you can hit some of the highlights in a few hours.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

We've stayed at both Country Inn and Suites and also Comfort Inn Suites in Cocoa Beach, we're staying again at the latter for our cruise next year. More to do at that location in case you are not going to rent a car (and you can use their shuttle or another service to/from airport and port).

@Shanti How much time would you allow for Space Center? I've always been fascinated and am wondering how much time we should allow to maybe fit in pre- or post-cruise after/before our flights.

Thank you for this. Knowing that they have a shuttle (and rates are reasonable) to/from the airport helps! If we plan other adventures, we can use a cab...might be price-er but might also be easiest! Thanks!

 

[MM0621]

Those who a book a hotel through Disney and use the DCL transfer bus to the port are not confined to a Port Arrival Time.

The same thing would work from the WDW resorts, except that the buses from WDW don't leave until midday. The buses from the Orlando airport start running around 9am, so if you book a room at the airport Hyatt through DCL, you can hop an early bus to the port, then get a low embarkation number upon check-in.

This is mainly a help to non-concierge passengers who are new cruisers, or those booking last-minute, and who therefore might not be able to get an early PAT.

The key to this working is that you must book the Hyatt through Disney, not independently, and you must take the DCL bus to the port.

This might be a silly question, but how would one book the Hyatt MCO through Disney? We have booked our cruise next June through our travel agent. Would she have to book our Hyatt room?

 

[Shanti]

This might be a silly question, but how would one book the Hyatt MCO through Disney? We have booked our cruise next June through our travel agent. Would she have to book our Hyatt room?

She would have to call DCL, and ask them to book the Hyatt, as the reservation must be through DCL. The cost of the Hyatt would then be added to your balance for the cruise, which is nice as the hotel bill will be prepaid when you actually stay there during the trip.