Port Caniveral question

[saleaaway]

We are sailing on the Dream in the future and I was thinking of going down a day or two early. Is there anything fun around there to do with the kids? I also thought about renting a car instead of paying for a shuttle from Orlando, is there rental agencies around the area? Any suggestions for hotels?
thanks everyone

[EMG]

The drive from the airport is very uneventful and takes about an hr or so. I guess if you're a space buff you could visit Nasa (on the way to the port), if you're a Disney buff, you could visit Disney, Universal or Sea World; all which are in the opposite direction of the port and about 45 minutes from the airport.

I guess if you're going down early, a rental car would be your best deal this way you're not "stuck". Things in Orlando are pretty spread out, I used to own a condo down there so you'll need a car.

[rosetattoo]

Kennedy Space Center will intrigue you and your children (short ride from Cocoa Beach). Speaking of Cocoa Beach, plan a stay at one of the hotels on the beach, lots of restaurants, etc., in that area. We stayed at the Radisson Hotel at the Port because of the free parking while you're on a cruise but it is not on the beach. As mentioned by EMG above, you can stay in Orlando and enjoy the Disney parks, Sea World, Universal Studio, water parks, etc.

[ShotoJuku]

KSC/NASA for sure.

[Kamloops Cruiser]

You don't say how old your kids are. Myself and DW
have made two visits to Kennedy Space Center (KSC/NASA)
I don't know how long or how good they will be with
the budget cutbacks and cancellation of the shuttle and Aries
program ( man to the moon by 2015)
There is a plane museum near the KSC that we found by accident
that was interesting . Even DW who isn't really had a ball looking
at the old aircraft.

[zydecocruiser]

I was just at Kennedy Space Center a few weeks ago. Lots of kids. While none would remember 1969 (Unix, Woodstock, and Man's first steps on the Moon), I did. The kids not interested in the exhibits were very interested in spotting alligators, armadillos and whatever on the bus ride around.

Too many pictures are here:
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3


We were there a few hours, but easily could have spent a couple of days. Amazing how most tickets seem to be good for 2 days.

[Floridanamaw]

We went to KSC after one our cruises out of Port C. We absolutely enjoyed the space center. We were fortunate enough to actually see one of the shuttles on the launch pad. If you go be sure and take one of the bus tours at the center. Lots of interesting info. Enjoy your cruise.

[Sammy1954]

We are going on the dream in may 22. We found a few nice places to stay
in coco beach but to rent a car at the airport you either had to keep it the week you were gone or they wanted you to return the car to the airport before cruise. that sure would have been a waste. then we would
have still needed transfers.. lol
so we are staying at a hotel at the airport in orlando. will use the pool and take a day of rest before heading to the ship. the hotel will take us and drop us off where carnival bus will be waiting. Most places from the airport wanted 50.00 or more a person to take you to coco beach one way.
We have carnival transfers to get to the ship and back after the cruise.
So no space center for us this time.
If you check some of the hotels have shuttle service to take you around
orlando and to disney .

[Kamloops Cruiser]

If you rent a Budget car , they have a drop off place right in Cocoa Beach , not 3 miles from the port. The shuttle is free.
This in Jan 08 ,might have changed.

[briguy]

Both Hertz and Budget have one way car rentals to Cape Canaveral and a free shuttle to the port. We are staying in Orlando for a day with a car and driving to Canaveral. The last thing I want is to go to the airport on sail day and wait to fill up a shuttle bus to the Port. I would rather pay the extra few bucks and drive myself and be on my time. Coming home though the best bet is to jump on the ship shuttle back to MCO.