What 2 do, arriving day before

[Eric95403]

We're just about to submit payment for our next cruise, a 7 night Western Caribbean.

Since we'll be flying in from California, we'll need to arrive the night before (no red-eye for us). For those that have showed up the day before, what is the best route to go. From what I understand, DCL transport only picks up from the airport and drops you off at the port. If we're at a local hotel, that won't work. What if we stay at the Hyatt @ MCO? Can we still get the DCL transport since we're still at the airport?

What about local limo/van services? If we're at a local hotel, can they pick us up from there and take us to the port? Will those limo/van services take us to a hotel @ Cocoa Beach? I think I read that the Raddison @ Cocoa Beach does airport p/u's for a cost? True? I'd prefer to do that, but since we have relatives in Orlando we'll probably have to see them since we will have time to kill .

Any suggestions are apprectiated. There are going to be at least 8 in our party so renting a car is really out of the question and probably not feasible since we'd have to get at least 2 vehicles.

Thanks again.....

 

[Mahreeya]

I just booked the Comfort Inn at Cocoa Beach for $99.95 for a standard room. I will park my rental there for free and the hotel has free shuttle service to and from the cruise ship included in this cost. We are only taking a 3 day cruise.

They have regular standard rooms for about $70, but then you have to pay for the shuttle back and forth.

Shuttles from the cruise ship to the airport can run $50 per person, or maybe you can get a limousine for all 8 of you for about $150. I am not sure.

 

[kcashner]

OK, first you need to decide what you are going to do with your time in Orlando. Are you seeing the relatives?

Next, do you want to spend the night in the Orlando (MCO) area or the Cocoa Beach area? All of the 3* hotels in the MCO area have free shuttles to and from the airport. If I were you....I'd stay in the MCO area. I'd get a priceline room 3*. You never know where you'll stay, but they are all nearby, decent hotels available for about $33-35 per night.

For 8, I'd definitely go with a private limo service. DCL transfers will pick you up at MCO or at the Hyatt (which you might get on Priceline). However, the "break even" point cost wise is 3 people. With 8, you will definitely save $ going private. Other advantages are that private will pick you up at your hotel, no matter which hotel that is, and will take you to the port on YOUR time schedule. You are allowed a 15 minute grocery or Wal-mart stop, which could be a blessing if you forget something. You will probably save enough by going with a private limo to pay for a priceline hotel. Some services are happy limo, FL limo, Tiffany limo. Tell them how many people and what time you want to arrive at the port, and they can take care of figuring what vehicle, etc.

If you decide to stay in the Cocoa area....you can take private limo there. In the morning, there is a shuttle for $3 per person to the port. The Radisson at Cocoa has a free shuttle to the port and free parking at their hotel....not worth the $ if you aren't leaving a vehicle IMHO!

So...my route would be....get into MCO. Take free airport shuttle to 3* Priceline hotel. In the morning, have private limo pick you up and take you to port. After cruise, private limo back to MCO.

 

[twoprincessesmom]

I stayed at the Wingate at the airport, free shuttle from and back to the airport. AWESOME continental breakfast, pool, indoor whirlpool, workout room, microwave in room, just great. I only paid $30 through Priceline!

Sharon

 

[Mahreeya]

When was this?

 

[Billinaz]

For 8, I would think that you could rent a van from Budget MCO and return it at the Budget by the port.

They will Shuttle you to the port, and from the port to the rental location on your return.

Seems like it would be much cheaper.....

 

[twoprincessesmom]

Originally posted by Mahreeya
When was this?

I am not sure if this was meant for me , but if so, we stayed there just last Saturday! The hotel is beautiful too. I was just amazed at how pretty the bathroom was, haha, not typical white, but nice wallpaper!

Sharon

 

[Eric95403]

Thanks for the quick replies. I do like the idea of renting a big ugly 12 passenger van. I quickly priced it out and it ended up being cheaper in the long run. Plus it gives us mobility and we can operate under our schedule, not someone elses.

A hotel by MCO (I've been burned by Priceline in the past, so I'll have to pass on that one), a big ugly 12 passenger van, and then to DCL on our own terms. Great!!! Now the wait.......

 

[tvguy]

What time are you getting in, it's tough to get a California flight that arrived in Orlando before 9 pm, not much time to do anything at all the day before.

 

[DARWIN91]

We usually stay at the Radisson at the port so by the time we get there we go to lunch nearby and then hang out by the pool. At night we have gone to the pier at Cocoa Beach and browsed the shops and they have bands out there playing.

 

[Eric95403]

Originally posted by tvguy
What time are you getting in, it's tough to get a California flight that arrived in Orlando before 9 pm, not much time to do anything at all the day before.

We always leave early (6:30am flights) and arrive around 4pm. It doesn't give us much of the day, but we'll have the evening. My main concern was regarding transportation to the port and getting ideas how do deal with arriving a day early. All of the ideas mentioned help greatly.

 

[natdencro]

We also stay at the MCO Hyatt, as it is SO convenient for the disney transfer bus on the Saturday. It is a little more expensive, but much more convenient, after a very long journey. We generally land approx 4pm, but after checking in, showering and grabbing a quick bite to eat, we are well ready for an early night. Besides, we always want to conserve energy for the MAGICAL week to come. There is also a nice airport-view swimming pool at the Hyatt! Nat

 

[kristen821]

we are staying at the quality inn mco it has free shuttle to and from airport. free breakfast and happy hour with free drinks from 5-7 or something like that. then we are taking a 10 passenger van from happy limo to port the next morning the van cost us $350 for 6 of us and that is bringing us to the port from the quality inn then to the all-star resort from port and the to the airport from the all-star resort. we also are renting a carseat for my daughter from them for $5 a trip. I thought the $350 was a pretty good deal to not have to worry about driving and getting lost. plus you get the grocery stop. If you stay at the quality inn you could see your family in orlando and get those free drinks while the kids go swimming. the night at the quality inn was $45.95 per night hope it helps