Shuttles to local hotels?

[momcruiser1]

Hi gearing up for our first family trip on a Disney Cruise. We're travelling with a three year old, a nine year old niece, 6 year old nephew, an aunt and a grandma. Everyone is quite excited -- but the pressure is on to make this as flawless a trip as possible...since I convinced everyone to spend a little more and go on a Disney cruise rather than an all inclusive resort getaway. Anyhoo, I think it would be wise to fly in the day before (we're coming from Canada in winter) and saty at a hotel. Do any of the hotels have shuttle services from the Airport? How about to the Port? Would it be best to book a Disney shuttle (69$)?

 

Thanks

momcruiser1

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Congrats on your first DCL cruise!!!

 

If you truly want to lessen the stress and keep for as flawless vacation as possible, do the Disney transfers. We have done this and its so easy. It was worth every penny it cost. Things were easy, went as planned and no worries or stress for anyone,

 

Yes fly in the day before, even if it were summer. best to be safe, you never know where you conencting flight has to come from for you. The plane can have so many idfferent delays besides weather. Mechanical problems too can delay. That has happened to us at our layover.

 

Our plane was an hour late, then had mechanical problems so they sent us to the far end of another part of the airport, 20 minute walk, then waited for the other plane to come. Got on board and sat, and sat and sat.

They also had a mechanical problem. After another hour it was fixed and we left, we were almost 4 hours late and the weather was good. So please come in the night before.

 

 

I dont know your budget but the easiest place to stay is at the Hyatt right at the Orlando airport. It is NOT the cheapest but so convenient and they have a great pool on the roof if the kid shave energy to burn off. Stores to browse, a nice food court and I think an Applebees ro Chilis restaurant right there.

Once you get your luggage and check in you can relax and inwind until the next morning. In the lobby area where you checked in you can check in the next morning with Disney. Have your carry on bags with you and all your documents. Leave all the rest of your luggage in your rooms.

They will ask your room number and how many bags you have and then your bags will appear at your cabin late afternoon.

 

You dont have to lug them around or check them at the bus or port, its so easy.

 

when you check in (they tell you the time) you will be given a number, you sit down aand then they will escort you to the bus.

 

Your on your way!! They have several small Tv screens that will show you a short film with Mickey and friends about the cruise and about checking in at the port plus cartoons to entertain the kids.

 

Its all so easy and they do it all in reverse after the cruise.

 

That way you dont have to worry about renting cars and returning them, catching a shuttle from the rental agency when you return the car at the port, hauling luggage, tipping porters, getting lost etc...

 

For a stress free vacation its the best way to go!!!

 

we have done it both ways.

 

 

Now if you want to stay at the port you can rent a car and drive there and get a hotel that will provide a shuttle to the port the next day.

 

You can google them on line for deatials.

The Radisson is one that does that. We have stayed there twice.

I think 2 more do it too.

Not sure which ones but try Country Inn and Suites, the Residense Inn, they are all nice places and only a 5 minute drive to the port.

 

 

I think the kids will be tired of sitting on a plane and staying at the Hyatt would be the less stressful for everyone because they will be refreshed by morning and able to enjoy the first day of the cruise better. Plus the cartoons on the bus will entertain them on the way.

 

Good luck with your decision,

 

kathy

[truck1]

I agree with mom above.Try and get in at least a day inadvance jic theres an issue with weather,or plane issues etc. I just looked at the Hyatts site out of curiousity, and they dont have rooms for 6. WHen I did the 3 adults and 3 children, it threw an error message saying that either the number of adults or children exceeded the maximum allowed per room.I just looked using next month as an example, and the room rates area about 194 dollars to 234 dollars for 1 bed.I could be wrong depending on the actual time of year you are traveling.Dec.of 2010 is about 160 to 234 for a comparison.According to their site, youd probably need 2 rooms.

 

Second choice would be any of the handfull of hotels that are near the port.

CIS has a complimentary shuttle service to the port,also that leaves about every 15 minutes in the morning,you pick the time at check in, and is on demand when you return. They give you a number to call, if the bus is not there when you get off the ship,and takes less then 5 minutes to arrive.

 

Our last crusie there was 6 of us and we had a 2 bedroom suite that slept 6 in the CIS.We paid 188 for the room plus taxes.Theres any number of shuttles that can take you to the resort,from the airport and back.

 

Ive heard good things about the Radisson, but have never stayed there.

The only thing I know for fact about the shuttle at the Radisson, besides it being a free shuttle and close, is that there was a pretty good sized line when we got off the ship in August of last year, compared to no one when we got to our shuttle at the terminal.

[momcruiser1]

I really appreciate the suggestions -- I think the Hyatt sounds promising. I imagine the kids will be pooped and my mother has poor mobility...so this looks like the best option. I'm so excited about the cruise, I keep subjecting everyone to the online videos. Heh heh. Thanks again..

 

Magic Jan 22/11

 

Momcruiser1

[truck1]

Your welcome. If theres anything else we can do to help, feel free to ask.