Radisson at the Port - Shuttle from MCO to hotel, then to the ship, and then back to the airport - recent experiences?

[mzspaz]

We are scheduled to arrive at 9:30 the Thursday evening before our cruise. Our plan is to head to the Port when we get in and then spend Friday at Kennedy Space Center and maybe some beach time watching the ships go out.

After reviewing a lot of hotels, it seems like our best option (due to location and amenities) is the Radisson at the Port. I'm just wondering if anyone has had a recent experience using their shuttle.

Thanks!

 

[Colo17]

Stayed at the Radisson in January. Nice pool but it is probably a mile from where you can see the port traffic. The beach park across from the breakwater charges for car admission and takes only online reservations. McDonalds across the road from hotel. Didn't see any manatee in the refuge that is a few blocks behind the hotel but some nice statues. In fact most beaches in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach have paid parking. You need to drive farther south for free beach access.

We took Wildside Tours out of Cocoa Beach to see dolphins and manatee in the mangrove area down there. Highly recommended. Maybe 10 miles south of the hotel. Also took the Victory Casino boat out of Port Canaveral. A bit irritating - at the time Disney Dream was in port and we were supposed to be on it that day.

Not sure if you can get a tour from the hotel to KSC - but you can rent cars at Hertz next to the Radisson. Radisson charges hotel guests for parking. Currently KSC is only doing buses (limited signup on day of visit) to the Apollo/Saturn center. No bus tour of the launch complexes. Frankly the entry fee for the visitors center is pretty expensive for what you get.

 

[mzspaz]

Colo17 thank you so much for the information! I may look into some other options then based on the information you have shared.

Why weren't you on the Dream?

 

[CrowMomma]

In fact most beaches in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach have paid parking. You need to drive farther south for free beach access.

This is incorrect most beaches in the area have free parking. Jetty Park at the far north end of Cape Canaveral has an entrance fee, but Cherie Down park around the corner has free parking. Also, basically every road in Cape Canaveral with a president's name that runs east has a beach access with free parking.

Further south in Cocoa Beach, if you go to certain areas like around the Pier or 520, there are metered spots.