Orlando - hotels near Port for Disney cruise

I just booked flights & will book a Disney cruise shortly for May. My flight gets in about 24 hours before we will board the cruise. I would like to tour the space station, but that is about it.

Any advice as to which hotel to book near the port? I would prefer to book it on points & have plenty with Hilton or Priority Club. Since we will basically have half a day, beach access would be nice. Also would be nice to have a place that would let me keep the rental car there & shuttle me to the cruise. I heard somewhere that parking at the port is $15 a day, so would like a better deal than that. If not, I guess it doesn't matter if they have shuttle or not.

Thanks in advance.

I just booked flights & will book a Disney cruise shortly for May. My flight gets in about 24 hours before we will board the cruise. I would like to tour the space station, but that is about it.

Any advice as to which hotel to book near the port? I would prefer to book it on points & have plenty with Hilton or Priority Club. Since we will basically have half a day, beach access would be nice. Also would be nice to have a place that would let me keep the rental car there & shuttle me to the cruise. I heard somewhere that parking at the port is $15 a day, so would like a better deal than that. If not, I guess it doesn't matter if they have shuttle or not.

Thanks in advance.

We went on that cruise in 2002, so things may have changed, but I imagine that rental rate at the terminal is accurate.

There is rarely (never?) a drop charge in FL, so if you'd rather stay elsewhere cheaper, you could drive a rental car with fellow passengers to the ship, drop the car at the rental office (probably in Cocoa Beach, 3 miles away) and they will shuttle you back. Get to the ship as soon as they open; saves tim checking in, gives more time on the ship, and you can make reservations at Palo or spa or whatever before everyone else.

If you drink beer, take it on the ship. It will save you a fortune, probably $100 a case. If you make friends on the cruise, this will make them better friends. Other alcohol as well.

There is a "Radisson Resort at the Port". They offer transportation to Port Canaveral as well as KSC.
http://www.radisson.com/hotels/flcocoa/services

If you drink beer, take it on the ship. It will save you a fortune, probably $100 a case. If you make friends on the cruise, this will make them better friends. Other alcohol as well.

Many cruise lines prohibit bringing your own beer and booze, there are threads here and on cruisecritic.com about smuggling your own aboard.

Many cruise lines prohibit bringing your own beer and booze, there are threads here and on cruisecritic.com about smuggling your own aboard.

Could be.

In 2002 Disney didn't say a word as a case went right on with us.

Many cruise lines prohibit bringing your own beer and booze, there are threads here and on cruisecritic.com about smuggling your own aboard.

I have done the research on that & Disney does not prohibit it. They just don't allow glass bottles in your checked luggage. You can carry on whatever you would like & there is no limit.

We went on the Disney cruise in 2008, and I definitely think you're doing the right thing to arrive the day before! I heard a horror story from a friend when they flew in the morning of departure, and their flight was canceled. They made it but barely!

We stayed the night at the Four Points by Sheraton the night before - were going to use SPG points for the stay, but the rate was so low (about $100) that I saved my points and just paid for the stay. The room was fine, two beds plus a sofa sleeper, so my kids didn't have to share a bed.

We also had connecting inside cabins, price was only $50 more than if we'd all shared one cabin (we have two kids). I definitely could never see us sharing one cabin!

You can bring any alcohol you want onboard with Disney - but yes it does have to be in your carry on bag. If something broke and spilled it would be a mess!

Our friends even picked up a case of water, and the porter just stuck one of their luggage tags on it and took it, delivering it to their room with their bags.