Lots of time before flight departure--what to do? - The DIS Discussion Forums

BlakeNJ · 01-09-2013, 08:04 AM

We are looking at a return flight of 7pm based on the fact that we can use airline miles. What do most families do with all this extra time once off the boat? We are crunching numbers to see if its best to rent a car, stay local overnight then shuttle back to hotel to have the car for the day--or use a transfer service and deal with extra time.

Any experience with a similar situation? Btw, our kids are all under 11.

Brittmarie04 · 01-09-2013, 08:09 AM

When are you cruising? Rentalcodes.com had some good codes on rental cars right now. We're cruising in 13 days and I just switched over my rental car because I found one for 26 bucks with all taxes and fees. It was 74 so I saved about 45 bucks

def check out rental cars. You can pick it up near the port then drop off at airport and use in between time to explorer the area

BlakeNJ · 01-09-2013, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brittmarie04

When are you cruising? Rentalcodes.com had some good codes on rental cars right now. We're cruising in 13 days and I just switched over my rental car because I found one for 26 bucks with all taxes and fees. It was 74 so I saved about 45 bucks

def check out rental cars. You can pick it up near the port then drop off at airport and use in between time to explorer the area

I am cruising next December. A single day rental sounds like a good idea.

WaltD4Me · 01-09-2013, 08:51 AM

Our return flight is 6pm and we are going to rent a car for the day. The rate was good and we were using a car service anyway, so now just have to pay for that one way to the port so the rental cost is covered.

Brittmarie04 · 01-09-2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlakeNJ

I am cruising next December. A single day rental sounds like a good idea.

Awesome! Def check out rental cars you can book it and click pay at counter. So you don't pay until you pick it up! Even after you book keep your eye open for other deals/lower rates. If you find one it's very easy to book second one then cancel first one

kcashner · 01-09-2013, 10:23 AM

A rental car is going to be the best financial deal.

As to what to do...the car lets you go to Downtown Disney, eat lunch off property, etc. before returning for your flight.

If you do choose to go with transfers, a day room at the Hyatt may be your best bet--you can swim, nap, shower, etc. Of course, that does make you "Stuck" at the airport for the day.

MrProjectionist · 01-09-2013, 10:29 AM

I say rent a car and drive to Downtown Disney or the like.

I've done the "wait at the airport for 6 hours" water torture routine...yuck! Never again!

Douvres Family · 01-09-2013, 11:46 AM

Last year we did as the others have previously mentioned...we have a 15 son...we drove to Downtown Disney, we all had a great time in Disney Quest. We had lunch at Bongos, DS returned to Disney Quest while DH & I enjoyed a couple of Mojitos before heading to the airport.

3Down1Up · 01-09-2013, 11:55 AM

FYI we were going to do the day room at the Hyatt recently, and when we stayed there the night before our cruise departure, the front desk clerk assured me that we didn't have to call ahead or make a reservation (and I am not sure if they take reservations for day rooms). Well, we show up at 10am the day of disembarkation, looking for a day room, and they were sold out. There was a dance convention at the hotel that day. So we had the "wait six hours before a cross-country flight" experience, and it wasn't fun.

So my advice is that if you want to do the day room at the Hyatt, ask a lot of questions about availability ahead of time.

Jane1967 · 01-10-2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douvres Family

Last year we did as the others have previously mentioned...we have a 15 son...we drove to Downtown Disney, we all had a great time in Disney Quest. We had lunch at Bongos, DS returned to Disney Quest while DH & I enjoyed a couple of Mojitos before heading to the airport.

So did you just do a day ticket to Disney Quest? If so, how much was that?

cinmouse · 03-04-2013, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Down1Up

FYI we were going to do the day room at the Hyatt recently, and when we stayed there the night before our cruise departure, the front desk clerk assured me that we didn't have to call ahead or make a reservation (and I am not sure if they take reservations for day rooms). Well, we show up at 10am the day of disembarkation, looking for a day room, and they were sold out. There was a dance convention at the hotel that day. So we had the "wait six hours before a cross-country flight" experience, and it wasn't fun.

So my advice is that if you want to do the day room at the Hyatt, ask a lot of questions about availability ahead of time.

Anyone know if you can book the day room online or if I book as an overnight?

sdjen · 03-04-2013, 04:54 PM

For a day room at the Hyatt, you can call and reserve. That rate has never shown up online from what I have seen. We used a day room two years ago after our cruise and I was able to call and reserve it.

It is a very nice option to have. Much nicer than trying to entertain kids in the airport for 6-8 hours! The pool is small but nice and the service is awesome!

calismic · 03-04-2013, 05:35 PM

We have an 8pm flight and are racing to MK for a few hours. It's a short day but it'll give us time to explore the new fantasyland! We are gonna book it to depart the boat as soon as we clear customs. Got a rental through Budget for $45. (Was 30 but we needed a carseat)

4butlers · 03-04-2013, 05:50 PM

Another vote for a rental car!
We rented a car and had a nice lunch at DTD and walked around and shopped for a while. We were able to walk right in to T Rex for lunch. It was a nice way to end our Disney adventure.

cinmouse · 03-05-2013, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdjen

For a day room at the Hyatt, you can call and reserve. That rate has never shown up online from what I have seen. We used a day room two years ago after our cruise and I was able to call and reserve it.

It is a very nice option to have. Much nicer than trying to entertain kids in the airport for 6-8 hours! The pool is small but nice and the service is awesome!

Thank you...I called and the rate for the date we need after our cruise is $99 for the day which I think is good. We are going to Disney before the cruise but our flight is @ 7:30 pm...I know there are many other options but since we aleady have a rental car I think th is is ths best option..off the boat & straight to MCO drop off rental..can we check into our flight that early so we can drop off our luggage and then head to the Hyatt with just our carryons?

01-09-2013, 08:04 AM	#1
BlakeNJ DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,554	Lots of time before flight departure--what to do? We are looking at a return flight of 7pm based on the fact that we can use airline miles. What do most families do with all this extra time once off the boat? We are crunching numbers to see if its best to rent a car, stay local overnight then shuttle back to hotel to have the car for the day--or use a transfer service and deal with extra time. Any experience with a similar situation? Btw, our kids are all under 11. __________________

01-09-2013, 08:51 AM	#4
WaltD4Me PS...I tried asking for water cups once I am actually a princess Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 9,669	Our return flight is 6pm and we are going to rent a car for the day. The rate was good and we were using a car service anyway, so now just have to pay for that one way to the port so the rental cost is covered. __________________ Lisa 1980 Poly, 92' Grand Floridian, Oct 98 Teddy & Doll Convention, Dec 2004 POFQ, May 05 40th Birthday!, May 06 OKW 41st Birthday! May 07 OKW 42nd Birthday! Feb 08 Pirate & Princess Party! Oct. 08 at OKW! 1st Solo Trip May 09! / November 2010 at OKW

01-09-2013, 11:46 AM	#8
Douvres Family DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 663	Disney Quest/Downtow Disney Last year we did as the others have previously mentioned...we have a 15 son...we drove to Downtown Disney, we all had a great time in Disney Quest. We had lunch at Bongos, DS returned to Disney Quest while DH & I enjoyed a couple of Mojitos before heading to the airport. __________________ WDW 1976, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999...Puerto Rico 2000...WDW 2001, 2002...DCL Wonder 2003...Mayan Riviera MX 2007 & 2008...WDW 2009, 2010, DCL Dream 2012, DCL Dream 2013

03-04-2013, 04:54 PM	#12
sdjen DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 610	For a day room at the Hyatt, you can call and reserve. That rate has never shown up online from what I have seen. We used a day room two years ago after our cruise and I was able to call and reserve it. It is a very nice option to have. Much nicer than trying to entertain kids in the airport for 6-8 hours! The pool is small but nice and the service is awesome! __________________

03-04-2013, 05:35 PM	#13
calismic Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 327	We have an 8pm flight and are racing to MK for a few hours. It's a short day but it'll give us time to explore the new fantasyland! We are gonna book it to depart the boat as soon as we clear customs. Got a rental through Budget for $45. (Was 30 but we needed a carseat) __________________

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01-09-2013, 08:09 AM	#2
Brittmarie04 Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 199	When are you cruising? Rentalcodes.com had some good codes on rental cars right now. We're cruising in 13 days and I just switched over my rental car because I found one for 26 bucks with all taxes and fees. It was 74 so I saved about 45 bucks def check out rental cars. You can pick it up near the port then drop off at airport and use in between time to explorer the area

01-09-2013, 10:23 AM	#6
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 33,275	A rental car is going to be the best financial deal. As to what to do...the car lets you go to Downtown Disney, eat lunch off property, etc. before returning for your flight. If you do choose to go with transfers, a day room at the Hyatt may be your best bet--you can swim, nap, shower, etc. Of course, that does make you "Stuck" at the airport for the day.

01-09-2013, 10:29 AM	#7
MrProjectionist Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Owensboro, KY Posts: 13	I say rent a car and drive to Downtown Disney or the like. I've done the "wait at the airport for 6 hours" water torture routine...yuck! Never again!

01-09-2013, 11:55 AM	#9
3Down1Up Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 174	FYI we were going to do the day room at the Hyatt recently, and when we stayed there the night before our cruise departure, the front desk clerk assured me that we didn't have to call ahead or make a reservation (and I am not sure if they take reservations for day rooms). Well, we show up at 10am the day of disembarkation, looking for a day room, and they were sold out. There was a dance convention at the hotel that day. So we had the "wait six hours before a cross-country flight" experience, and it wasn't fun. So my advice is that if you want to do the day room at the Hyatt, ask a lot of questions about availability ahead of time.

03-04-2013, 05:50 PM	#14
4butlers DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 553	Another vote for a rental car! We rented a car and had a nice lunch at DTD and walked around and shopped for a while. We were able to walk right in to T Rex for lunch. It was a nice way to end our Disney adventure. __________________ Me & DH, DD, DS

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