Where Do You Stay the Night Before?

[DISNEYMOMx5]

We are driving & planning on arriving the night before the cruise. We own DVC pts & were thinking of staying at OKW (b/c it costs less pts). Has anyone else stayed at DW the night before? Did you have any trouble getting to port the next morning? Where does everybody else stay? We're trying to weigh our options--Thanks for any advice/tips!

 

[Grendel]

When we did the land and sea we stayed at the Beach Club. We had our own car and didnt have a problem driving over. Were also driving down this year and going to Port Orleans for the night before. I guess it just depends on how much time you need to get ready in the morning

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

We fly in the day before and stay at the Airport Hyatt. Since you're driving down, it probably doesn't make much sense to drive to the airport. You may want to consider driving down to Port Canaveral and spending the night at the Radisson. You can often leave your car in the hotel lot during free of charge during the cruise (it costs $10/day to park at the port). The hotel has a shuttle to and from the port.

 

[JungleCruiser]

We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge before the cruise. We stayed for 3 nights before the 7 day Magic. The extra days were well worth it. Not only did we not have to worry about bad weather ruining our flight times or missing the ship, but it let the whole family get into "vacation mode" before the cruise. We were so relaxed by the time we got to the ship, we laughed at how uptight some looked while they ran around making all of their ressies. We took the DCL bus from the resort. Laughed and sang all the way and made it to the ship in plenty of time to make our Palo and spa reservations. We had so much fun at WDW before the cruise that we were not really concerned that we wouldn't have enough excitement onboard. We did a hopper pass for the three days prior and enjoyed the parks. This year we are going to the Poly before cruise. We also booked the DCL bus again as it was a memorable trip for all of us. I hope this helps with your decision.

 

[BWVPam]

Radisson at the Port. We loved it. Free shuttle to the port and an AVIS car rental on the spot to turn in your rental car. Lots of families stay there before cruise, so you get to meet some of the people you are cruising with.

 

[Verandah Man]

BWVPam.....and an AVIS car rental on the spot to turn in your rental car

The Avis Car Rental Agency is no longer at the Radisson, it is about a mile or so south of the Radisson on A1A, as of August 1, 2003.

 

[MHDTS]

We agree with others about the Radisson at PC. Parking there for the duration of your cruise is a real bonus; the Radisson shuttles will get you in and out of the terminal quicker than you can do it yourself. It's also fun to wake up the morning of your last night's hotel stay, walk to the south side of the Radisson and see the Magic or Wonder sitting at its dock!

 

[BWVPam]

Wow, I had no idea that they had moved the AVIS lot. That was such a bonus when we cruised in May 2002. Will they give you a ride back to the Radisson if you want, or will they take you directly to the port? We aren't cruising again until May 2005, but am just curious,.


Pam

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by BWVPam
Wow, I had no idea that they had moved the AVIS lot. That was such a bonus when we cruised in May 2002. Will they give you a ride back to the Radisson if you want, or will they take you directly to the port? We aren't cruising again until May 2005, but am just curious,.


Pam

I was told I could get a ride back to the Radisson from Avis last August, but I had a friend follow me to Avis and they brought me back to the Radisson. I don't know if Avis was just offering the rides back then because they had just moved their office though, so I don't know if that is still a possibilty. Maybe a call to Avis would be a good idea.

 

[BWVPam]

Thanks Verandah Man!!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I spoke with the owner of the local Avis when I was last in Cape Canaveral. She said that they'd be happy to shuttle a customer to any local hotel.

 

[BWVPam]

That is great news Dave. On our last cruise, upon our return, I had to get a taxi to the National Car place in Cocoa Beach. It was quite a ways, but I got a better rate for a whole week through them over Avis. Avis is definitely easier for the one-day rental to get to the port and then again back to the airport if you are not going to the parks.

Pam

 

[JC Butterfly]

Whenever I read these boards I hear about the Radisson? Is it the only place near the port worth staying? Or is it just the closest/most convenient?

Brenda

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by JC Butterfly

Whenever I read these boards I hear about the Radisson? Is it the only place near the port worth staying?

Oh, there are plenty of other options. I have details about them at my web site...

www.dcltribute.com/lodging

 

[lilkitty819]

Hi

We are coming in three days early and staying at Royal Pacfic Resort...

 

[westjones]

Since you are a DVC member, and depending on how far you are driving, I would try a stay at Vero Beach. We hope to do that for one of our cruises sometime in the future (haven't had the chance to visit this resort yet, but heard so many good things about it).

If you want to go over to WDW area, but not wanting to visit the parks, you could try out the SSR (if it is open by the time you go, I don't remember when it is opening, we own at BCV).

If you want to go right to the port, I also recommend the Radisson. It was very easy to get to it and to get to the ship from it.

Have a great trip!
DJ

 

[Popovich]

We currently have a reservation at the Radisson for the night before our Nov. cruise. We booked there because of convenience.

Since we are flying and taking Happy Limo to the Radisson, we will not have a car for the afternoon and evening. How is the hotel restaurant?

We would love to try the new Ron Jon resort but since we won't have a car to get to the port, I don't know how that would work.

We are flying in and arriving at noon the day prior to our cruise.

Any thoughts?????

Thanks,
Gailyn

 

[AnnaS]

We have also stayed twice at the Radisson. We also rent a car for about $50 for the 24 hours so we can find a place to eat or pick up any forgotten items. Last year it was fourth of July and we went to Cocoa Beach to see the fireworks from Ron Jon Surf Shop (?). Might try Ron Jon Resort next year (assuming the Magic is still in FL)>

 

[brack]

This last time we stayed at Coronado Springs but usually stay at the All Stars.

 

[Nysie]

We are flying in the day before our cruise in July. We've rented a car through Avis for $31.03 for a 1 day rental!! It is a full size car. Not a bad price!!