What is the Cheapest way to get to Walt Disney World from Ft. Lauderdale?

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Mon, 03/21/2011 - 20:59

Bamelin

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What is the Cheapest way to get to Walt Disney World from Ft. Lauderdale?

Hey Flordia residents,

I need your wisdom. What would be the cheapest way to get to Disney from Ft. Lauderdale. I'm flying in and out of Ft. Lauderdale and will have a 4 day window at the end of a cruise ending in lauderdale to possibly go to Disney. Wondering how to get to Disney cheaply from the port in lauderdale and also where to stay that's cheap but nice.

Thanks!

edit: I should probaly also add that we'll have luggage with us so we need transportation that can accomodate that as well. I had originally planned on flying out the day my cruise got back but flights were really expensive ... cheapest flights were 3 days and signifigantly cheaper to the point it made more sense to stay in Flordia the few extra days. So now I'm thinking about doing a Disney run but it's cost dependant.

Mon, 03/21/2011 - 21:08

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Lizzy_B

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Hi Bamelin - Welcome to Walt Disney World for Grownups!

I would say rent a car and head up the FL Turnpike, which will take you right into Orlando. As far as "cheap but nice" - when are you coming to town? For convenience' sake, I'd go with a value resort at Disney (people here especially love the Pop), so you wouldn't have to worry about driving back and forth day after day. You can get a value resort room pretty reasonably, depending on the time of the year of your stay. If you're looking for something less expensive, there are no shortage of hotels on International Drive and Irlo Bronson Hwy (Route 192.) I'll let others way in on off property lodging.

Hope this helps!

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Mon, 03/21/2011 - 21:17

Bamelin

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Are car rentals expensive? I had planned on just taking a tour bus/shuttle ....

I priced out disney value resorts but unfortunately I'll be in town at one of the most expensive times possible to book (over Easter weekend, Saturday April 23 - Tuesday April 26) ... value resort was going to cost over a grand staying on site with Disney ... my wife would never go for that.

What we need is the cheapest possible transportation to Orlando (round trip from Ft. Lauderdale), accomodations for 3 nights somewhere that offers shuttle to and from the park and a two day park pass.

We are flying out on the 26th so we'd have to make the trip back to lauderdale that morning. I was hoping to somehow squeeze Disney in if it can be done cheaply. If not I'm content with getting a hotel in Lauderdale and siteseeing over there. Disney sounds alot better though haha

Mon, 03/21/2011 - 21:21

Bamelin

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Hmm now pop resort is coming up at 522 for 3 days on expedia. The "over a grand" price was on the Disney site and I'm assuming included park tickets (Magic your way)

Mon, 03/21/2011 - 21:27

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Lizzy_B

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Oh no - that is tough! Spring Break is crazy busy here. I can't think of any mass transit option that would get you here and to a hotel, unless you would take a cab from, say, a bus station to a hotel. I'm not sure about car rentals; it does seem that there are always ways to get discounts, though, either through your employer, triple AAA, or maybe even the cruise line? Or possibly just by making your reservation this far in advance, you might be able to get a discount.

My DH and I are sitting here, trying to think of ways for you to get from Ft Lauderdale to Orlando (we live in Orlando), and the most efficient way I can think of is by car...

Everyone else - please chime in with your brilliant ideas and tips! And if you have any first hand recommendations for cheap but nice hotels for Bamelin, please share.

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Mon, 03/21/2011 - 21:33

Bamelin

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Lizzy_B wrote:

Oh no - that is tough! Spring Break is crazy busy here. I can't think of any mass transit option that would get you here and to a hotel, unless you would take a cab from, say, a bus station to a hotel. I'm not sure about car rentals; it does seem that there are always ways to get discounts, though, either through your employer, triple AAA, or maybe even the cruise line? Or possibly just by making your reservation this far in advance, you might be able to get a discount.

My DH and I are sitting here, trying to think of ways for you to get from Ft Lauderdale to Orlando (we live in Orlando), and the most efficient way I can think of is by car...

Everyone else - please chime in with your brilliant ideas and tips! And if you have any first hand recommendations for cheap but nice hotels for Bamelin, please share.

Thanks Lizzy, I appreciate it! In all honesty we are going to be coming back from a 10 day Princess Cruise so if we just have to hang around in Ft. Lauderdale instead until our flight on the 26th that wouldn't be a terrible thing as this will be our first time in Ft Lauderdale ... I figured I'd ask here though to see if Disney could be done cheaply under my circumstances since I'm going to be so close by.

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 01:08

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Bella

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Bamelin wrote:

I figured I'd ask here though to see if Disney could be done cheaply under my circumstances since I'm going to be so close by.

I honestly don't think Disney can be done on the cheap over Spring Break/Easter on such short notice. Easter is crazy busy and with park tickets, hotel and food you are probably looking at over $1000 even at a cheapo hotel on I-Drive.

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Tue, 03/22/2011 - 08:08

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Tony

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There were some older hotels down on US192 at Kissimmee that advertise rooms from around $30 a night last time we went through that area. Not sure if I'd want to stop in them though.

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Tue, 03/22/2011 - 11:24

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Vettelover

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I stayed in one of those on Rt. 192 last time I went because I drove and got there one day earlier than I planned and let's just say that it was NOT up to Disney's standards. It was OK for one night but I don't think I would want to spend my usual two weeks there.

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Tue, 03/22/2011 - 14:10

bobaloo000

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Two things. Have you looked into spirit air. They have hubs in both orlando and ft lauderdale. Second if you stay in ft lauderdale There is a restaurant with a south seas theme down There. Great show. I would highly recommend.

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Tue, 03/22/2011 - 16:21

Bamelin

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I hadn't looked at air to Orlando as it's so close ... I think maybe I was being unrealistic on how much a side trip to Disney would cost (in my mind I was hoping it could be done for under 500 - not realistic I see now).

We already dropped a lot on the cruise plus round trip air from Toronto ... Starting to think it will be cheaper to hang in lauderdale those few days. I have heard ft lauderdale is very beautiful with fantastic beaches .... I may see if I can get a room at one of the beach hotels there.

Thanks for the comments and advice folks I appreciate. This is a great Disney forum and one I will definitely bookmark.

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 16:38

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caitiesus

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Fort Lauderdale is a really cool city - I think you will have a blast just staying there!

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 17:55

Bamelin

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caitiesus wrote:

Fort Lauderdale is a really cool city - I think you will have a blast just staying there!

I've been doing some research since last night and realize that now! The beaches look unbelievable.

Wed, 04/06/2011 - 00:15

chriskre

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How about doing just a one day tour?
I know it's hectic but I've done it in the past with my church group.
http://www.miamitours.us/?event=offer.detail&offerId=8147

Or a bus tour for a few days:
http://search.gotobus.com/cgi-bin/vacation.cgi?destination=usa/florida&keywords=miami&days=3-4

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