Port Canaveral/Orlando - Getting in late the night before

Whenever I have gone out of Port Canaveral before I have attached an Orlando vacation to the beginning of it so I have never really needed to decide where to stay, because I just stayed near the parks. For my next cruise I am flying down the night before, since it makes me too nervous to fly down the morning of.

Now the question is, where to stay. Flight lands at MCO at 11:51pm, which is late, obviously. Is it worth it to take the taxi the hour to the port at that hour and just have it over and done with? Think I should stay near the airport and just drive down in the morning? Anyone ever done this before and have pointers?

Also where do you recommend staying based on your suggestion of airport vs port? Thanks.

I would stay near MCO, sleep in a bit and head to the port about 10:00 or so. You should be able to line up a shuttle, Uber, or use a one-way car rental. We prefer to stay in Orlando - 1000's of hotels in every price range, but arriving after 11:00 (closer to midnight when you get your bags) I would stay close to MCO.

Good luck! :)

We stay at the Hyatt in the airport and rent a car the next day.