Ahoy there, Jennie, and welcome aboard planDisney. I love this idea of a
Disney Land and Sea vacation where you enjoy the turf part of your adventure first and then relax during the surf. Renting a car before your cruise gives you the best opportunity to visit Walt Disney World Resort and the surrounding area.
Yes, you may rent a car before your Disney Cruise Line voyage and then take Ground Transfer directly to the port after the land portion and to the airport after the sea portion. You will need to build in time to return the rental car either to the Orlando International Airport or the
Car Care Center located on Disney property if the car rental company has a location there before your Ground Transfer pickup time. You may also consider canceling your Ground Transfer and driving directly to Port Canaveral and dropping your rental car off nearby. Just make sure the rental car company has a location near Port Canaveral.
I find the most convenient and cost-effective method is to drive ourselves to the car rental location near the port and take the complimentary shuttle to the cruise terminal. This saves us the $45.00 USD (subject to change) ground transfer fee on embarkation day per person for Guests 3 years and older. If you are going to use this route then you will need to cancel your ground transportation at least eight days before your vacation commencement. A Land and Sea Vacation Package with a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel before the cruise will require you to cancel the ground transfer eight days before the hotel check-in date. To get back to the airport you could rent a car for one day or have Disney Cruise Line arrange a ground transfer (currently a separate $45.00).
Ground Transfer via Disney will be a current total of $90.00 USD per person.
Jennie, I hope this information helps you get ship shape for the most spectacular vacation this November. Please feel free to
write me back directly with any follow-up questions or for other Disney vacation planning tips.
Enjoy making many Magical Memories on the High Seas.
~Jason