What to do in Port Canaveral

[KrzyKtty101]

We are first time cruisers. Our hotel checkout is at 11 at the TownePlace Suites near the port. If we end up getting a later PAT time, what is there to do in the area for an hour or two until it is our turn? I doubt Disney would like us to just hand around for 2-3 hours crowding up the place.

 

[happycamper47]

Unfortunately the Exploration Tower is closed for maintenance or that would be a good place to go. You could drive down to Cocoa beach depending on the weather. You are allowed to drop your luggage and park in the garage and wait in your car. Not too exciting, but they do allow you to do that.

 

[Grankm21]

How about a tour of the space station? Or a walk down Cocoa Beach with a stop at Ron John’s Surf Shop.

 

[Husker Mike]

The Kennedy Space Center tour is rather pricey... it's an all day affair, and not a great choice for the day you board. (Now, if you are willing to rent a car after the cruise and have an evening flight home, it's a good choice after the cruise.)

Ron Jon's Surf Shop is a fun place to browse while you wait for your turn to board.

 

[Flcruising]

There is nothing near the cruise terminal. You would need to drive somewhere. As others suggested, Ron Jon's in Cocoa Beach is probably the most common and most famous stop before a cruise. You can check it out online. You also have the beach itself. There is a small public park near the terminal where kids can play. There are other typical beach town and recreational sites.
In my opinion the Kennedy space center would take longer plus you would be worried about getting back and not benifit from being at KSC.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Not sure what they do now, but before it was all P.A.T.'d, families used to hang around the Cruise Terminal for an hour or so. Some characters might show up, there was a model of the "Magic" to ogle, one might have to even wait in line to Check-In. It was excruciatingly pleasurable anticipation for our family.

 

[happycamper47]

Not sure what they do now, but before it was all P.A.T.'d, families used to hang around the Cruise Terminal for an hour or so. Some characters might show up, there was a model of the "Magic" to ogle, one might have to even wait in line to Check-In. It was excruciatingly pleasurable anticipation for our family.

Now you normally can't even access the terminal until your PAT, you wait outside.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Ron Jon's is fun and a way to kill some time. Take a drive down the coast. If you drive around some of the neighborhoods in Cpae Canaveral you may see and hear peacocks. There are many around. Manatee Park on the Banana River (Cape Canaveral) has open space and a playground and on the way to the port. Easy to find.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

The Kennedy Space Center tour is rather pricey... it's an all day affair, and not a great choice for the day you board. (Now, if you are willing to rent a car after the cruise and have an evening flight home, it's a good choice after the cruise.)

Ron Jon's Surf Shop is a fun place to browse while you wait for your turn to board.

Luckily we only live 6 hours away, so we are driving! Kennedy Space Center did sound fun, but if a half day there won't work, then maybe before we leave. We don't mind driving late.

Ron Jon's might be the way to go. I'll try to get an earlier boarding, but just wanted an idea of how to kill time if there is a 3 hour gap lol.

 

[Husker Mike]

Luckily we only live 6 hours away, so we are driving! Kennedy Space Center did sound fun, but if a half day there won't work, then maybe before we leave. We don't mind driving late.

Ron Jon's might be the way to go. I'll try to get an earlier boarding, but just wanted an idea of how to kill time if there is a 3 hour gap lol.

The Kennedy Space Center might be the perfect activity after the cruise for you. Admission is like $60 per person, so while you COULD do just a half day, it's an awfully expensive time. I think it's a 6 hour type of visit.

And you'll probably want to pull into the port about a half hour before your PAT anyway. Traffic can be a bit heavy, plus you'll need to stop to drop off bags.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

The Kennedy Space Center might be the perfect activity after the cruise for you. Admission is like $60 per person, so while you COULD do just a half day, it's an awfully expensive time. I think it's a 6 hour type of visit.

And you'll probably want to pull into the port about a half hour before your PAT anyway. Traffic can be a bit heavy, plus you'll need to stop to drop off bags.

Thanks for the help!

 

[sjuncfan]

First thing I would do is ask the hotel for a late checkout. You never know... they might give you til 1 or something...

Then you could just find somewhere to grab lunch (unless you are hoping to eat once you board... but if you're PAT is early enough that you are planning to eat on board you won't have as much time to kill!) That would easily kill an hour or two...