Taking a Disney Cruise vacation is nothing short of magical. But we do have to admit, the planning part can be a little stressful. Not because it’s difficult, but just because it’s a bit different. Like how are you supposed to get Port Canaveral if you’re from out of town? We are sharing all of the transportation options to get to Port Canaveral for your Disney Cruise!
Transportation To and From Port Canaveral for Disney Cruise Line
There are many options when getting to and from Port Canaveral for your Disney Cruise vacation. I don’t think that any of them are necessarily the best, as they all have pros and cons. And it will really depend on your family and their preferences. Let’s take a look at all of the transportation options to Port Canaveral.
Disney Cruise Line Bus to Port Canaveral
The Disney Cruise Line bus is probably one of the more convenient options when it comes to transportation to and from Port Canaveral. The Disney Cruise Line bus can pick you up at either the airport or at your Disney resort. If you’re staying at the Hyatt Regency at Orlando Airport, you can also arrange your Disney bus transportation through them.
The cost for the Disney Cruise Line bus is $39 per person, per way. This can be either a great deal, or a terrible one, depending on how many people are in your party. As I mentioned earlier though, it is pretty convenient. This method of transportation takes care of your luggage for you when you arrive at port. And if you are staying at the Hyatt or a Disney Resort, they will even take your luggage out of your room for you. It’s a very magical experience overall and I do think the cost is worth the convenience alone.
The downside to the Disney Cruise Line bus, though, is that you aren’t really in control of your own time. You have a little control, but basically you leave when the bus is ready to leave. The trip from the airport takes about an hour, but plan to be waiting for at least another hour between waiting for your bus, boarding and waiting for other guests.
Ride Share Like Uber or Lyft
A ride share service like Lyft or Uber is probably going to be the most flexible of all of the transportation options. Since you don’t even need to reserve it ahead of time (although we recommend that you do), you can basically leave whenever you like. In the past, we’ve paid anywhere from $90-$150 for one way using a ride share service; but this will depend largely on the size of vehicle, time of day and day of the week.
With a ride share service, you basically get the minimum, which is getting dropped off at Port Canaveral. They obviously don’t help you with your luggage, but there are plenty of porters at the port that can help you get your bags to where they need to go. If you use a porter, though, keep in mind they are usually working for tips.
Drive a Car
If you’re not coming from out of town, or if you have a rental car for your trip, you can always drive a car to Port Canaveral. This can get expensive, especially if you’re parking directly at port, or if you’re also paying for a rental. We’ve done this once, and not only do you pay the price per day of the car, but also the price per day to park it. Parking is $17 per day at port. You can read all about parking at Port Canaveral here.
In addition to parking at the terminal, there are many other parking options nearby. They usually offer lower rates and take away from some of the hassle of traffic at the port. Essentially, you park your car at their lot, and they shuttle you over to the terminal. You can do a quick google search and you’ll be able to see what option works best for you.
We’ve done this before and had a pretty good experience.
Private Transportation to Port Canaveral for your Disney Cruise
There are quite a few private transportation options when it comes to getting to your Disney Cruise. Whether you want a traditional shuttle, or something more upscale like a limo, there are plenty of choices to choose from. Prices will vary based on what you need to fit your party and luggage. But rates generally tend to run as low as $95 per one way to over $500 for larger vehicles.
Hotel Shuttle Transportation to Port Canaveral
Another option is using a hotel shuttle service. This really only works if you are staying at a Port Canaveral area hotel. But if you are, you’re in luck because most of the hotels there offer them. Some even offer cruise and park packages. These allow you to park your car at the hotel at a discounted rate during the length of your cruise and take the shuttle to the terminal. We used a similar service when we cruised out of New York City, and while we did experience a few hiccups, it was pretty convenient and affordable.
GoPort actually offers shuttle service to a variety of Port Canaveral area hotels; so if your hotel doesn’t specifically offer the service, you can check to see if you can book through them.
Other Shuttles from Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral
Outside of the Disney Cruise Line bus, there are also other shuttle options that run between the Orlando International Airport to Port Canaveral. Some of these companies also fall under the Private Transportation category. We found this list very helpful and comprehensive for finding a shuttle to take you to Port Canaveral.
What is the most affordable transportation option to get to Port Canaveral for a Disney Cruise?
That is really going to depend! Your party size, how much luggage you have and where you are coming from prior to the cruise are all factors that will determine cost. We recommend comparing cost of a few different types before making a decision if budget is important to you.
How long does it take to get to Port Canaveral?
It depends on where you are coming from! From Orlando International Airport (MCO), it will take you about 45 minutes to get to the terminal. This of course will be dependent upon traffic too. If you’re coming from Walt Disney World, Port Canaveral is about an hour’s drive.
Hopefully, this post has helped you decide which Disney Cruise transportation option is best for you! Have you taken transportation to Port Canaveral? Do you have a favorite way of getting there?
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