Day/O'nite in Miami post cruise

[dwsurfin]

Advice from locals/regulars please. we are arriving on NCL cruise on Oct 10 2009 and want to spend Sat/Sun in Miami before driving up to Orlando (week in Disneyworld).2 adults + 2 kids 6 & 2.

 

• can you suggest a hotel/area for a reasonable rate that will give us a taste of Miami (not airport)
  
• can you rent a car from the port? Or are we better to get a taxi to hotel and rent from there?
  
• Want to drop car back at Orlando on arrival so major company best.
  
• Alternative if all Sat nite Miami hotels too $$, is there a nearby place to stay on way up to Orlando
  

Any advice greatly appreciated

[BlueHerons]

Advice from locals/regulars please. we are arriving on NCL cruise on Oct 10 2009 and want to spend Sat/Sun in Miami before driving up to Orlando (week in Disneyworld).2 adults + 2 kids 6 & 2.

 

• can you suggest a hotel/area for a reasonable rate that will give us a taste of Miami (not airport)
  
• can you rent a car from the port? Or are we better to get a taxi to hotel and rent from there?
  
• Want to drop car back at Orlando on arrival so major company best.
  
• Alternative if all Sat nite Miami hotels too $$, is there a nearby place to stay on way up to Orlando
  

Any advice greatly appreciated

 

I'd stay at The Loews in South Beach because you will not need a car in South Beach. The Loews also has an excellent kids program.

 

Have the rental delivered to your hotel and I think there may be a rental agency on site.

 

Drive the Florida Turnpike all the way up to Disney. Stay onsight at Disney and dump the rental car.

 

Or Southwest flies from either Orlando MIA or FLL for $39 pp one way.