Welcome back, Stacey! I am glad to see you're still hard at work planning your exciting adventure with Disney Cruise Line! I just returned home from a wonderful time at the Walt Disney World Resort myself, and am back here in chilly Ohio, like you, wishing for warmer weather!
Since you're driving from Ohio down to Orlando next fall, you'll have the luxury of having your own car at
Walt Disney World. You can easily pop over to do some shopping and dining at
Disney Springs for the day once you've checked into your resort. Unless, of course, you've purchased park tickets for the day so you can enjoy a full day of magic at Magic Kingdom or one of Disney's other amazing parks! You'll be happy to have that day prior to your cruise to enjoy a taste of what Disney has to offer in Orlando!
Once your online check-in window opens for your cruise (75 days prior for
first time cruisers, 90 or more days earlier for returning Disney cruisers), you'll be able to choose a Port Arrival Time. Choose whatever time looks best to you, knowing that it'll take about an hour to drive from the Walt Disney World Resort area to
Port Canaveral. Once there, you have a few
parking options which you can read about on the Port Address and Parking information page of Disney Cruise Line's website. It's super easy to park and walk right across the small street into the port terminal to begin your amazing cruise adventure!
I hope that helps as you continue counting down the months until your fall sailing with Disney, Stacey! Pop back again if you've got any other questions! We're happy to help!
Marcy