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I know there is no "right" answer to my dilemna, but I could use some opinions right now. For our trip next November/December, we plan to fly into Orlando the day before our cruise. We were going to stay at the Hyatt at the airport, then get Quicksilver transfers to the port, from there to Universal, and from there back to the airport.
HOWEVER - we can fly in the day before, rent a car (assuming a decent discount rate) and drive to the Radisson at the port. Leave the rental there, take the shuttle to the port and back, and use the rental for the rest of the trip. Even with parking fees at Universal, this looks like it could save us some money.
Is it worth it, though? We would have to be picking up and returning a rental car, and riding shuttles to and from the port. We do not have any plans to go anywhere "offsite" at Universal, so we wouldn't need the car for that. I checked into 2 car rentals (returning it before the cruise and then picking it up again) but that was more expensive than keeping it the entire time.
Another option is using the car to get to the Radisson and then returning it the morning of the cruise at the port, and using the car rental shuttle to the port, then using Quicksilver from the port to Universal and then the airport, which may save us even MORE money.
I'm confusing myself!! Any ideas on what would be best? For those of you who have stayed at the Radisson, how was it? How were the shuttle times? We would like to get to the port fairly early. Please, help!!
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We've used all those various options at one time or another (although with WDW, not Universal involved). There are matters of convenience and price to consider. Quicksilver will make things a good bit easier and carefree. Renting involves more work (and time) on your part, and may or may not save you money. If you do rent, you may do some driving you hadn't planned on, which would be an added bonus.
You're right, there is no correct answer. If savings by renting are substantial, it may be worth the extra time and effort. Just be sure to factor-in all your costs - not every hotel provides free parking, for example. If the costs are comparable or cost is not a major concern, it's hard to beat being driven around in comfort and style.
These days, we nearly always rent a car and drive to Port Canaveral the night before. In our case, the rental car gives us the freedom to do additional research on the DCL guidebook; checking-out various restaurants and attractions, what has (or hasn't) changed, etc.
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Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions
I would suggest keeping the rental but leaving at the hotel while you are doing your thing. Especially if it is free parking. Most hotels near the port will not charge you parking fees while on the cruise if you stay with them for atleast one night before the cruise.
We did something similar for our cruise last April. We ended up renting a car the night before the cruise and stayed at the airport. The next morning, we drove to the port, DH dropped us off and he went to return the car, taking the shuttle back. When we came home, we all took the shuttle to the rental agent, then drove to TL for the day, then to the airport. For us, the whole car-thing cost us less than $100, so it was easy and worth it for us. We are a family of 5, however, and that usually puts us in the next class of car service, usually a significant jump in price, so we end up renting cars instead pretty often. If price is not a concern, then do car service. Just crunch all your numbers to see if it's worth it for you.
Happy planning! You will have a wonderful time on your cruise. We can't wait to go back!
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First trip DW--Nov. 1975; Senior Class Trip DW--Oct. 1979; First trip w/kids--Oct. 1995; Halloween at DW--Oct. 2002; Spring Break at DW--April 2004; Christmas/Pop Warner Nationals-POR--Dec. 2005;Cruisin'--April 2008; Mom/Son trip-POP--March 2010;Taggin' along w/DD on DH's conference-BWI--Oct. 2011; 50th birthday with the Gartner Geeks--Adults only!--BWI--Oct. 2012; The Trip That Almost Wasn't--BWI--Oct. 2013; We climbed The Summit (National Cheer Competition)--ASMovies--May 2014
First trip DW--Nov. 1975; Senior Class Trip DW--Oct. 1979; First trip w/kids--Oct. 1995; Halloween at DW--Oct. 2002; Spring Break at DW--April 2004; Christmas/Pop Warner Nationals-POR--Dec. 2005;Cruisin'--April 2008; Mom/Son trip-POP--March 2010;Taggin' along w/DD on DH's conference-BWI--Oct. 2011; 50th birthday with the Gartner Geeks--Adults only!--BWI--Oct. 2012; The Trip That Almost Wasn't--BWI--Oct. 2013; We climbed The Summit (National Cheer Competition)--ASMovies--May 2014
We stayed at the Radisson and enjoyed it, although the breakfest buffet did leave much to be desired. We were scheduled for the 10am shuttle and did not realize there were two 10am shuttles. We actually left about 1030am (on the second 10am shuttle). It got us to the port in plenty of time. I did not know that you could not even check in until 11am. I was wondering for a few minutes why the check in line wasn't moving when I finally saw the sign. hehe. If it will save you money, I would say go with the rental car and leave it at the hotel. We had a couple that we met that did the same thing and they really enjoyed having the freedom of the rental car. Of course, they went to WDW afterward which is a much bigger property to navigate. Happy cruising!
I like the other poster's comments. If it is a cruise, or anything that has a fixed departure time, I like to be there the night before if any type of a drive is needed. I just don't want to have to worry.
Other than that, get all your info and make a decision. The try not to confuse yourself with too many details! That can take all the fun out of it! There really is no right or wrong, as long as you get where you are going!
That is what we did when we took our first cruise, November 16, 2008. We live 7 hours away from the port but wanted to get there the night before for a no worry first morning. It worked out great for us and we will do the same on our next cruise. Try not to stress with the planning, it will all fall into place.
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I say go with the rental. We actually did 2 one way rentals with Budget last March and stayed at one of the Howard Johnsons on Irlo Bronson in Orlando (We arrived 2 days before the cruise and went to the MK the day before the cruise) We drove to the Budget office near Port Canaveral and took their shuttle. Then coming home we took the Budget shuttle back to the office and got a new rental. used one of the codes on mousesavers and got a great deal. We also stayed with family after the cruise for a few days so having the car for Disney and other stuff was great. I prefer to have a car rather than depend on the buses and other people's schedules.
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Love, April
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass;
it's about learning to dance in the rain.
The only thing holding me up is the thought of relying on the shuttles between the car rental place and the port (or the hotel and the port), and the time spent picking up/dropping off at the airport. Part of me really would like to just be picked up/dropped off by a car service, with no waiting. But if it saves me a lot of money. . .I don't know. I guess I will see how the financial side of it looks as it gets closer!!
When we cruised, the Budget shuttle was there waiting both arriving and departing. I wouldn't make that an issue. DH dropped us off with our luggage and went to return the car. By the time he got back, we were next to check in. All he needed to get into the port was his photo ID. When we got off the ship (about 9:30AM), we all went to Budget together and were in TL by 11 or so.
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When we cruised, the Budget shuttle was there waiting both arriving and departing. I wouldn't make that an issue. DH dropped us off with our luggage and went to return the car. By the time he got back, we were next to check in. All he needed to get into the port was his photo ID. When we got off the ship (about 9:30AM), we all went to Budget together and were in TL by 11 or so.
Thanks for that feedback . . this kind of info makes the decision easier!
SO which way are you leaning?? We cruise in one month and I had decided to go with car service but reading you post I may change my plans... I hadn't really thought about driving but we were only planning on arriving one day ahead..our flights got rearranged and now we are arriving on Tuesday instead of Wednesday and I am thinking we might really enjoy having a rental car....
Hope it works out well for you either way and have a great trip!!!
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Lezlee Disney Vacation Club Member
Disney Dreams June 2011
Disneyland June 2010
Disneyland Aug 2009
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Disney World First trip 80's First Family Trip Jan 2008 lezlee.berry@sbcglobal.net
I STILL can't decide. If it saves me a reasonable amount of money ($50 - $100, or more) I will probably get a rental car. If not, I am leaning towards using Quicksilver. Just something about being picked up/dropped off door to door, with no waiting in lines at rental desks, no waiting for shuttles and having to ride them. . .I know it will be quicker and easier. Plus, if the finances are leaning the right way, I would love to do a limo for the kids (it is about $200 more - ouch). That's a slim chance, but I may have a small weekly babysitting job lined up. If I do, I think it will be a limo for sure!
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