Several Questions from a first time cruiser!

[JenTerr]

Hello All!

My cousin and I will be sailing on the Disney Fantasy to the Eastern Caribbean in May and we are pretty excited. This is going to be quite an emotional trip for us because we booked this trip to help us get through the first year anniversary of the deaths of both of our mothers. (They were sisters and died 3 weeks apart from each other) Planning this has become part of our healing process.

I have lots of questions and I am hoping you will be able to give me some of your insight. Right now we are planning to arrive into the Orlando area on May 16th, which is actually the anniversary of the passing of my mom. We want to be together for this. The cruise doesn't sail until May 19th. So my questions are about hotel and transportation choices.

I have been to WDW three times, but each time was for a short visit (twice it was just one park for one day). For me, this means that the WDW vacations I read about on this forum is a dream I have yet to experience - the one week on property thing - but it is something I am constantly researching. So that means I would really love to tour various resorts on the 17th, which my cousin has agreed to. I have reservations booked at Ohana that night and I figure we can catch the fireworks on the Poly beach.

So now I am trying to choose hotels/transportation for the couple of days before the cruise. Thinking about the benefits/costs to staying on vs off property.

My cousin doesn't seem terribly interested in doing any of the parks - but I wonder if I can talk her into it - and she has never been to Florida so she wanted to explore the area a bit on the 18th.

So my question are these. Is it worth the expense of renting a car and booking a hotel in the Port Canaveral area for the night before the cruise and all that to explore that area?

Do you have recommendations of things to do/places to stay in Port Canaveral?

Or would it be better to just go Disney all the way and use their transportation and such?

My cousin is worried about the stress of getting to Port Canaveral on the day the cruise departs, but if we're going Disney all the way is this really a big concern? Is transferring from Disney property to port via Disney transportation as easy as I feel like it might be?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[LoriSue]

I'm so sorry for your losses. My second ever visit to DL was for New Years after my father passed (in August) and I found it to be a mixed bag of emotions to say the least. We've cruised twice, once in July and the next time in December, both on the Dream out of Port Canaveral. The first time there were 3 of us and we drove and parked in the parking terminal. I think for our 5 day cruise we paid like $70 for parking which was less than we'd have paid to use Disney transportation for the 3 of us to and from the terminal. We planned on taking Disney transportation to the port the second time but my sister and her family did in September and their frustration with it, and the reason we did not choose it for our December trip, was that Disney determines what time you are picked up. If you call DCL they will tell you you aren't allowed to board until 1 and I can't remember exactly what time we boarded in December but I thought it was earlier than that. Also, consider that the earlier you get there the earlier you board after they begin the boarding process (because you'll have a lower boarding group number). Even though our room wasn't ready before boarding, we had a leisurely lunch in the Enchanted Garden and headed for the adult pool on Deck 11 to relax. They have these wonderful round comfy lounge chairs where I hung out for a while. :snore: We didn't spend any time in Port Canaveral visiting but there should be enough there to keep the two of you busy for the day if you wanted to arrive a day early. There are also hotels that provide transportation to and from the terminal if you stay with them. We did not do that because we wanted to spend the day before and the day after the cruise in the parks but if you really don't want to do that, you may want to consider that option, keeping in mind the time thing if that's important to you. Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you'll have an amazing time and if you have any questions, please feel free to pm me.

 

[patricia27]

We went on the Dream last May/June. We decided to stay in WDW for a few days beforehand. Then we got the Disney transport to Port Canaveral. I realise we could have got on the ship earlier--however we liked the way our cases were taken from our hotel room, and we then saw them again in our cabin. We just didn`t want the stress of driving to the port and then parking and sorting out our luggage. I guess everyone likes to do it the way they think is best for them. I enjoyed the bus ride!!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We like to spend one night in Port Canaveral because we like to get there early. There are some things to do in the area like the Kennedy Space Center. Most people would choose Disney over that but thats a personal preference.

Disney transfers from the resorts will get you there about 1:00. We always rent a car but for just two of you the convenience and cost do Disney transfers isn't bad.

If you don't want to stay in Port Canaveral the night before I might recommend staying at the Hyatt in the airport the night before. It's a very nice hotel and they will pick up you bags for the cruise from your room. You won't see your bags again until you are on the ship. Their transfers from the airport start leaving around 9:30 and guests on the early busses are usually the first in the terminal.


I'm so sorry for your loss too. I hope your trip is wonderful!

 

[mickeysshoes]

I am very sorry for you loss. If you can talk her into some park time I think you all will have a very well rounded trip and lots of fun. If you dont want mess with renting a car and driving or want something else to compare the prices I would suggest contacting QuickSilver Tours. (a link to their site can be found on the home page of this site) We have used them 2 years in a row and have had great service. Last year we used them for our 3 legs of transprttion from MCO to the Boardwalk...Boardwalk to the port....and port back to MCO. Excellent service and price is not bad. Sit back and be treated like queens...the way to go in my book!!! Good luck and hope you 2 have a great trip!!