Miami-Cruise-Disney World Trip_Spring Break 2012

Carnival Destiny Ship

Dinning Show

Cruise

Jamaica

Room of Cruise

Cayman Island

Miami Beach

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Island Adventure (Universal)

Haliperot

Disney

Cayman Island

Cayman Island

Apr.5th.2012 Calgary to Toronto, as there is not direct line to Miami; we have to stay at Toronto one night. So, we decided stay one more day with our Toronto friends.
Apr.7th. we fly from Toronto to Miami in the early morning. We booked the airplane at 9:00am in the morning with American Airline, but AA changed schedule to 6:30am. Actually, this is very good for us, because as the former schedule, we will arrive Miami at 1:00pm, then check out airport will be 2:00pm. Arrive to port at about 2:30pm. The Cruise check in time is 11:30am to 2:30pm. The new schedule gave us more sufficient time, and we can have our lunch on board.
Cruise Booking: We booked an Ocean view room, about hundred dollar high than inside rooms. but feel more comfortable, special for my daughter, she loves sitting on the curve of the window (about 1 foot wide, even fit for me to sit there.) one King size bed, one single bed. Very comfortable. Total cost only about $1500 for 3 people, 5 nights.

How to reduce the cost: the best way is to book the Cruise and airplane at the same time, but it is difficult to operate. Most of time, we have to check our family member’s vacation time first, and then search the deal of Cruise and airplane. All the reservations should be finished 3 months early to the depart day if you need a better deal.
Airplane booking: from Canada to Miami, use Air Canada or West jet. Back to Canada; try to find the deal with American Airlines. I caught a deal from Orland to Calgary; it’s only about $600 CAD for 3 people.
Transportation in America:

From Miami airport to port of Miami (where Cruise parking). Simply take Taxicab; it is only $25 USD. Plus $2 tip.

From Miami to Orland, There are many shuttle bus with different price, average is $50/person; I rent a car with Alamo from Miami; drop off in Orland. $38 dollars include third part of insurance (about $12/day; my credit card only cover the rental car insurance).

About 4 hours drive. Pretty easy. Just be careful the police, some people said they pay more attention to rental car. I saw 5 or 6 bunch “colourful flowers shining”, but all the “victims” are big trucks.
Car rental: Alamo is the popular rental company in Florid. Take taxi from port of Miami to 100 Collin plaza to pick up the car only cost $11. Find the close gas station to fill the gas. They don’t give you full tank of gas in America. It also happened in Toronto. That’s not convenient to next car renter, cos. You have to estimate how much gas you’re going to use. I am lucky, I used 75% of gas, close the gas level that they deliver to me. Another thing is you need check how far the car drop off place is. Many car rental companies are with the hotels in America. For example: Alamo is with 4 points of Sheraton; Enterprise is with Best Western.

Orlando Hotel: I selected Country Inn at Universal drive, Orland (booked through Expedia.com, it saved me about 20%). Free shuttle bus to Universal Studio and Disney world. Free breakfast. 2.5 stars, $67/day. Pretty good deal. Everything is perfect, just a little bit concern about the last day. We need a taxi from hotel to Airport. The reception helped us find a family car driver, not a public one. A little bit high than the taxi company. It’s not a big deal, but feels not comfortable. We called public one by ourselves. The taxicab number is: 407-422-2222. Cost about $45 from hotel to airport.

Disney world, parks selection:
There’re 8 theme parks in Disney world, we pick up three parks.

Magic Kingdom (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/attractions/)

Epcot (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/)


Island Adventure (http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Parks/Islands-of-Adventure.aspx).

They’re located at two different places. My hotel is close to Island adventure. It need another 20 minutes drive from Island adventure to Magic Kingdom and Epcot.The shuttle bus has two schedule time to take you back to hotel: 6:00pm and 10:00pm. you can choose either of them. Depart time from your hotel is 8:30am or 10:30am.

Entrance fee, there’re many confusing choice; we just pick up the simple one: $90/person/day (doesn’t matter child or adult. Baby is free.). If you want to stay at Disney world over a week, you may consider about Package deal.

In Magic kingdom and Epcot, there are free fast pass (same as make an appointment, can not play immediately, and you must finish one fast pass then take another one).

In Island adventure, you need pay another $50/person for the fast pass. This is real fast pass; you can take any ride, no waiting. By my opinion: if the day is not so busy, you don't have to buy fast pass; if the day is very busy, most of people will choose fast pas, the fast pass won't be fast .