Trip Planning
Getting in and out of Orlando International Airport:
Arriving MCO is like any other airport. Pretty easy.
Departing MCO can be a different story!!
The Airport TSA Lines can be VERY long. It is best if you are PRE or CLEAR. TSA PRE can take weeks to set up - but CLEAR can be done very easily, online and days before you need to use it. You can start the process by clicking the following link and then complete the process at the clear line at the airport... https://www.clearme.com/enroll
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority recommends arriving three hours before your scheduled departure time, but please check directly with your airline for specific recommendations for your flight.
If you have the PRE OR CLEAR 1.5 hours ahead of you flight will be ample.
Airport Lounges? Visit: https://www.loungebuddy.com/MCO
Ok, back to arriving info: Once at one of our condo's you really don't "need" a car, but most people will find it handy. It is an easy 1 hour drive. There is ample parking at the condo's. For more information on overflow parking at our 2 Spanish Main properties, please click HERE
Tips for renting cars:
Shuttle / Driver Services:
VIPLimoAndTaxi.com
UBER:
Cruise Port:
Arriving MCO is like any other airport. Pretty easy.
Departing MCO can be a different story!!
The Airport TSA Lines can be VERY long. It is best if you are PRE or CLEAR. TSA PRE can take weeks to set up - but CLEAR can be done very easily, online and days before you need to use it. You can start the process by clicking the following link and then complete the process at the clear line at the airport... https://www.clearme.com/enroll
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority recommends arriving three hours before your scheduled departure time, but please check directly with your airline for specific recommendations for your flight.
If you have the PRE OR CLEAR 1.5 hours ahead of you flight will be ample.
Airport Lounges? Visit: https://www.loungebuddy.com/MCO
Ok, back to arriving info: Once at one of our condo's you really don't "need" a car, but most people will find it handy. It is an easy 1 hour drive. There is ample parking at the condo's. For more information on overflow parking at our 2 Spanish Main properties, please click HERE
Tips for renting cars:
- During peak times, the lines at the car rental desks at the airport can be LONG (or at least they were before COVID-19)
- Therefore, if time is important to you, it may be best to become a member of a car rental agency. It is FREE. Just go to the desired providers (we use National a lot) website and create a free account.
- You can then bypass the lines and go straight to your rental car location in the parking garage at the airport.
- The only downside is that the rates may not be as low as you could get on Priceline. If you book on Priceline, you will have to go to the desk in the airport after you get off your plane. Again, post Covid-19 there may not be large lines.
Shuttle / Driver Services:
VIPLimoAndTaxi.com
- Tony is the owner. We have used him a dozen times. Very reliable and a good driver. Can handle small groups.
- 321-947-4141
- A recent guest used this service and reported a great experience. He had 6 people in his group.
- We have not tried this - but they provide transport from the airport and Disney.
UBER:
- Uber is great for getting around Cocoa Beach
- Uber Is about $100 - plus tip - each way to the airport
Cruise Port:
- The cruise port is only a 15 minute drive from the condo.
- If you are staying at one of our condo's without a car - the easiest way we can think to get to the cruise port is Uber or Lyft
Groceries:
1.) Note: We provide a lot of the basics! For a complete list click https://www.luxuryincocoabeach.com/what-we-provide.html
2.) You can now either shop for yourself - or get delivery!
3.) Most people buy MORE groceries than they can consume. Publix grocery store is less than a 5 minute drive - so you may wish to go more frequently - than trying to forecast your long term needs.
Publix: Banana River SquareStore Number: 1563
2067 N Atlantic Ave Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Opens at 7:00 AM
Delivery options:
A.) From Publix you can order via INSTACART
B.) Merritt Island Walmart
$9.95 plus tip for delivery from Walmart:
Walmart.com/store/771-merritt-island-fl
Other stores:
1.) Note: We provide a lot of the basics! For a complete list click https://www.luxuryincocoabeach.com/what-we-provide.html
2.) You can now either shop for yourself - or get delivery!
3.) Most people buy MORE groceries than they can consume. Publix grocery store is less than a 5 minute drive - so you may wish to go more frequently - than trying to forecast your long term needs.
Publix: Banana River SquareStore Number: 1563
2067 N Atlantic Ave Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Opens at 7:00 AM
Delivery options:
A.) From Publix you can order via INSTACART
B.) Merritt Island Walmart
$9.95 plus tip for delivery from Walmart:
Walmart.com/store/771-merritt-island-fl
Other stores:
- WINN DIXIE: Is another large, nice grocery store. It is near Ron Jon's at 100 Canaveral Plaza Blvd, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Online shopping is through Shipt.
- DOLLAR GENERAL: Not the classiest store in the world - but they have many of the essentials. It is due west across A1A
- ABC Liquor: BEER, WINE AND LIQUOR: Note: Grocery stores carry beer and wince. ABC Liquor is walkable from Spanish Main and a very short drive from Sandcastles. located very close to any of the condo. cross the street from the unit at 555 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
So, we hear you are coming to the beach! There is no need to bring your own beach gear: We provide a backpack cooler, stainless steel tumblers (NO GLASS ALLOWED ON THE BEACH - OR BY THE POOL!) beach chairs, Shibumi sun-shade, boogie boards, some balls to throw around (NOT IN THE POOL AREA) and sand toys for the kiddo's. Anything else can be found at one of the "Beach Wave" shops near buy. Super cheap t-shirts, etc...
For a complete list of things we provide, please click HERE!!
Packing:
- Cocoa Beach is a funky, laid back beach town. Shorts, t-shirt/golf shirt and flip flops are standard guys attire. Girls, you can leave the high heels and fancy clothes at home ;-)
- We suggest people to pack what they want - and then take half of it and leave it at home ;-)
- Also, we provide a LOT of stuff like hair dryers, all the beach gear, Bluetooth speaker, charging gear for both Apple and Android. Lastly, we have a washer / dryer in each unit for your convenience ;-) If you do forget something you can't live without - it is a good reason to go shopping :-)
If you pack in an Airline Carry-On bag, you won't...
- Get your bags lost
- Have to wait for your bags
- have to drag huge bags around
PACK LIGHT - there will be a washer/dryer in your unit!
Weather
- Summer: Yes, it gets hot in the summer in Florida. However, you will be staying on the ocean which typically provides for a reprieve from the humidity. cooler weather - than even a quarter mile inland. So, If you are cold-natured, you may opt to bring a light jacket.
- Winter: For sure, Florida is a respite from the cold. However, cold snaps can happen. So, long pants and a jacket, etc... are encouraged in the winter.
Baby Gear: We provide a pock-n-play, high-chair and sanitized plastic baby tub for infants (because we converted our tubs to wonderful walk in showers.
For a complete list of things we provide, please click HERE!!
Packing:
- Cocoa Beach is a funky, laid back beach town. Shorts, t-shirt/golf shirt and flip flops are standard guys attire. Girls, you can leave the high heels and fancy clothes at home ;-)
- We suggest people to pack what they want - and then take half of it and leave it at home ;-)
- Also, we provide a LOT of stuff like hair dryers, all the beach gear, Bluetooth speaker, charging gear for both Apple and Android. Lastly, we have a washer / dryer in each unit for your convenience ;-) If you do forget something you can't live without - it is a good reason to go shopping :-)
If you pack in an Airline Carry-On bag, you won't...
- Get your bags lost
- Have to wait for your bags
- have to drag huge bags around
PACK LIGHT - there will be a washer/dryer in your unit!
Weather
- Summer: Yes, it gets hot in the summer in Florida. However, you will be staying on the ocean which typically provides for a reprieve from the humidity. cooler weather - than even a quarter mile inland. So, If you are cold-natured, you may opt to bring a light jacket.
- Winter: For sure, Florida is a respite from the cold. However, cold snaps can happen. So, long pants and a jacket, etc... are encouraged in the winter.
Baby Gear: We provide a pock-n-play, high-chair and sanitized plastic baby tub for infants (because we converted our tubs to wonderful walk in showers.
We have a fair amount of games AND puzzles in each condo. Look in the guest bedroom closet for a card table that is great for games and puzzles.
Note about Sandcastles / games and puzzles: Along with an extra card table, we also provide extra folding chairs. We recommend moving the table and chairs into the flex space - in front of the sculpture nook.
Also, please note, Sandcastles has a tennis court. You should find the rackets and balls in the closet with the rest of the gear for the beach.
Note about Sandcastles / games and puzzles: Along with an extra card table, we also provide extra folding chairs. We recommend moving the table and chairs into the flex space - in front of the sculpture nook.
Also, please note, Sandcastles has a tennis court. You should find the rackets and balls in the closet with the rest of the gear for the beach.
Housekeeping:
- The unit will be cleaned and sanitized for your arrival.
- All sheets, bath towels and beach towels are provided
- Any additional cleaning you desire during your stay can be arranged through our Guest Manager, at an additional cost.
- Nobody will enter your unit during your stay, unless there is an emergency - or you request help with something.
When planning your trip to the beach, it would be good to know what the beach rules are :-) Click the following link for all the rules... https://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/192/Beach-Rules
THE MOST IMPORTANT BEACH RULE TO KNOW IS - NO GLASS ON THE BEACH!! THEY DON'T CARE WHAT IS IN YOUR CAN OR STAINLESS STEEL TUMBLER - JUST NO GLASS!
But also, please know, we provide:
THE MOST IMPORTANT BEACH RULE TO KNOW IS - NO GLASS ON THE BEACH!! THEY DON'T CARE WHAT IS IN YOUR CAN OR STAINLESS STEEL TUMBLER - JUST NO GLASS!
But also, please know, we provide:
- Beach chairs
- https://shibumishade.com/
- Beach towels
- Small cooler
- Large double-walled stainless steel tumblers (note: no glass allowed on the beach!) Beer is OK - provided it is in cans!