Things to do MCO Hyatt?

L

Lovewinnie

Mouseketeer
Joined
Aug 7, 2015
planning to stay one night before cruise to catch the DCL transfer in morning. What is there to do? Kids will be 9 and 5. Was considering taking cab to Disney springs or maybe the Pirates and pals fireworks if there won't be much to do at Hyatt. TIA
 
If you're talking about the Hyatt in the airport itself, they have a nice rooftop pool area. Otherwise there's shopping at the airport shops.
 
MCO Hyatt is just a standard hotel. There's a really nice pool on the sixth floor, which would be fun for a couple of hours. You can walk around the shops in airport, but that's about it. My flight arrived in the evening, so between dinner, the shops, and the pool, we were busy until bed. However, if you arrive any earlier, I suggest Disney Springs. The Orlando mall is nearby, which is massive. It has some kid stores like the Crayola Experience and the American Girl Store. But you'll also need a cab or a rental to reach it.
 
By the time you land, get settled in your room, go to the shops, have dinner, get a swim in, it will be time to get ready for bed.
 


Disney, Disney Springs, Central Orlando and the Airport/Hyatt offer very different experiences than cannot be compared!

We were at the Contemporary Resort just last night to watch the fireworks but ended up on the beach at Polynesian because we wanted to try the Grotto Bar! It was great fun to ride the monorail between the 3 resorts - known to adults as the Monorail Bar Crawl! The view of the fireworks were great but we definitely missed the excellent sound quality of the Pirates & Pals boats. I think the Contemporary Resort will be the best experience for your kids especially seeing the Pirates, Fireworks and Peter Pan and the different DCL boat models but it will be a late night for your family. Expect to get home long after 11pm.

You can also do the Boardwalk if looking for smaller crowds with street entertainment.

Disney Springs is fun too with a lot to do but window shopping and dining are certainly the main attractions. Sure there are a few fun things for kids - the balloon flight, Lego, etc. And you can ride the water taxi boats! Not sure if they will get bored though? You can have a lot of fun for a few hours and be home before 10pm if you want.

Orlando itself offers a lot for families but it depends on your interests...
 
Last edited:
There will be a decent cost to getting to Disney from MCO and back. It really depends on what time you land.
 
We landed mid-afternoon the day before a cruise a couple years ago with 3 and 6 yr old girls. After checking out the room and watching airport traffic from the balcony a bit, we went down to the shops and spent some time looking around and watching the fountain. Then we got dinner from the food court and ate in the room. We watched a bit of TV before bed, and we called it a night on the early side to get up for the first bus!
 


I had a great time watching people in the airport and waiting inline at TSA. It was very interesting just to sit on our balcony and watch the people.
 
What time does your flight get in?
It took us almost 45 minutes from arrival time to having all our luggage.
(We had a VERY late arrival, so staying at the Hyatt the night before was obvious.)

The day we disembarked we drove back to MCO to stay at the Hyatt for an early morning departure. We arrived at MCO around 4 pm, swam for awhile and had a nice dinner.

I wouldn't have wanted to spend TOO much more time there.
 
We have booked the Hyatt the night before for all of our Disney Cruises. We actually enjoy our late afternoon and evening the night before!

1. The pool at the Hyatt is actually quite nice and well stocked with towels.
2. There's some decent shopping in the mall at the airport: Disney stores, Universal, Sea World, Space Center, etc. Look up the roster of stores online.
3. I like McCoy's restaurant at the Hyatt. They have a good selection, and sushi. The crawfish bisque there is excellent.
4. It's fun to watch the planes land. Request a room that faces the runway. The rooms are insulated for sound.

By the time you do all of that on top of an already busy travel day, you will sleep like a baby and be well rested for the shuttle to Port Canaveral the next day.

Enjoy!
 
Lovewinnie said:
planning to stay one night before cruise to catch the DCL transfer in morning. What is there to do? Kids will be 9 and 5. Was considering taking cab to Disney springs or maybe the Pirates and pals fireworks if there won't be much to do at Hyatt. TIA
Click to expand...
We're looking forward to our pre-cruise MCO Hyatt stay, too. It'll be Christmas season, so we're going to MVMCP that evening. I love the fact that we'll only have to wake up & walk down to the DCL pick-up area that morning.:thumbsup2

I'm wondering if MCO Hyatt has some places with views of the runway take-offs/landings (my son loves watching these). I know they have some runway rooms with such views, so maybe they also do in a public area?
 
just try not to go crazy at the shops.... since there will be shops on the ship :) we had to resist a lot of purchases.
 
Shanti said:
We're looking forward to our pre-cruise MCO Hyatt stay, too. It'll be Christmas season, so we're going to MVMCP that evening. I love the fact that we'll only have to wake up & walk down to the DCL pick-up area that morning.:thumbsup2

I'm wondering if MCO Hyatt has some places with views of the runway take-offs/landings (my son loves watching these). I know they have some runway rooms with such views, so maybe they also do in a public area?
Click to expand...

There are some really nice views of the airport, including runways in the distance, from the hotel pool deck - at the end you can look over and out above the safety wall.


FYI inside the airport itself, the airport has an Art Program: https://www.orlandoairports.net/getting-around-mco/#art-program

From MCO's FAQ: https://www.orlandoairports.net/faq/

QUOTE

  • What can I do while waiting for my flight?
    Orlando International Airport offers many ways to pass the time while waiting for your flight. In addition to the numerous shops, restaurants and bars in the Main Terminal and Airside Terminal buildings (Gate Areas), the hotel atrium between the A-Side and the B-Side of the Main Terminal provides a very pleasant “city park” atmosphere where you can sit and watch the world go by. The terminal top parking garage is also one of the highest points around, and provides excellent views of the airfield, downtown Orlando, and the attractions, including the nightly fireworks displays.
  • Where are the best places for aircraft spotting?
    On completion of a “Use of Facilities Form”, aircraft spotting/photography is permitted on Level 9 of the Terminal Top Parking Garage, which provides a panoramic view of most of the airfield and airside terminal buildings. The form must be completed in person, and accompanied by a valid photo I.D., between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), at the Public Affairs office, located on the 3rd level of the Main Terminal, Aide A, in the Aviation Authority Executive Offices (to the left of the East Security Checkpoint for Gates 70-129).

SW
 
Shanti said:
I'm wondering if MCO Hyatt has some places with views of the runway take-offs/landings (my son loves watching these). I know they have some runway rooms with such views, so maybe they also do in a public area?
Click to expand...
Yes, you can watch the planes take-off and land from different areas at the MCO Hyatt. Last year, we had a balcony that over looked the inside of the airport and it was fun to people watch. The year prior to that, we had a runway view, it was awesome to watch the planes take off and land. At night it is really cool because of all the lights. The trams are lit up and the lights from the planes. My grandson was so excited it was hard to get him to go to bed. I was worried about the nose from the planes, but in all honesty, the view of the airport lobby area was louder than the runway. We didn't hear a thing in our runway view room.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page


GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!


New DISboards Threads

poohs4me
Wonder IGT or $1k more for OGT
Replies
0
Views
7
poohs4me
poohs4me
jolynne28
Talk to me about pts in holding
Replies
0
Views
46
jolynne28
jolynne28
M
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise Share?
Replies
0
Views
47
MissMouseRocks
M
Araminta18
Save the Art! - Jan 2024 Trip Report
Replies
5
Views
93
cassidy57
cassidy57
R
October Crowds, outside of HHN?
Replies
4
Views
75
AJA
AJA
B
MLS to Indianapolis? Do area residents want it/welcome it? Would you go to matches?
Replies
0
Views
43
Buzz Rules
B
NEWS & UPDATES

GET UP TO A $1000 SHIPBOARD CREDIT AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIFT!

 If you make your Disney Cruise Line reservation with Dreams Unlimited Travel you’ll receive these incredible shipboard credits to spend on your cruise!


DCLFAN.COM
DCL NEWS
DINING
SHIPS
DISCOUNTS



Latest posts











facebook twitter
Top