We definitely want to come down a night early, but I'm torn. I'd like to stay at the Hyatt because it just seems so easy, but it's triple the price of a Value resort. Is there a HUGE advantage to staying at the Hyatt? Is it really worth the extra$$ ?
Thanks!
As always, "worth it" is never going to have a consensus. Every person values things differently.
As a PP suggested, there are other options - there are TONS of hotels in the area that have free shuttles to and from the airport. You could fly in, collect your luggage and hop on one of their shuttles. Then reverse the process in the morning - take your luggage and shuttle bus back to the airport. Check in at the Disney desk, hand over your luggage (keep the day bag though!) and you're on your way!
But I will give you the rundown on the two choices you mentioned above. I've done both, so I can compare/contrast. "Worth it" is up to you.
Option #1 - stay at the Hyatt
PROS:
No travel time from the airport - off the plane, already at your accomodations
Good ambiance - you can people watch in the airport, and the pool deck is really neat, overlooking the runways.
Luggage pickup - you can leave your luggage in your room at the Hyatt (let them know you're cruising
DCL when you check in and they'll set you up) and you won't have to deal with it until it magically shows up at your stateroom (don't forget to take your documents and day bag, though)
Easy checkin for your cruise - When you check out of the Hyatt, you can head down to the Disney desk and check in for your cruise. You'll do all your check-in stuff there rather than the port, and get your KTTW and boarding number. Since you are so close, you can hit the desk as soon as they open and get an early boarding number - ours was #2!
- and you'll be on the ship very soon after they start boarding!
CONS:
Cost - it IS rather expensive. I haven't heard of anyone who paid under about $150 (but if someone did, let me know!!!)
Luggage - You will have to collect your luggage yourself at baggage claim and take it to the Hyatt. Their bellhops will take it to the room for you, but if you have a large group or a lot of bags...it can be a bit of a hassle
Location - If you don't mind spending a lot of time in the airport, then this won't be a problem. There ARE a lot of food options and shops to peruse, but the prices are, as you'd expect in an airport, rather inflated.
Option #2 - stay at a Value Resort
PROS:
Ambiance - You get to have that magical "Disney" feeling for the whole vacation!
Transportation - You can take the FREE Magical Express to the resort from the airport. Then the DCL transfers from the resort to the port - although I'm not sure if they have pick up locations at all resorts now, you used to have to get to one of their designated resorts to catch the bus. But it's been a few years. Also, your luggage can be tagged with ME tags and you don't have to collect it yourself - it will follow you to the resort, and then you change the tags and it follows you to the ship!
Cost - a Value Resort is definitely cheaper than the Hyatt!
CONS:
Time - the ME bus might not leave the airport for a while, depending on how quickly it fills up. It also might make several stops before it arrives at your resort. If you just finished a long flight, or if you have cranky little ones, that may be a consideration.
Getting to the ship - The transfer bus from the resorts usually leaves around 12:30 or so - getting you to the port around 1:30. This can be a good thing, as boarding has already started and you can walk right onto the ship after checking in for the cruise. It can also be a bad thing, as there will already be a lot of people on the ship and the pools/food may have crowds already.
In the long run, there is no right or wrong decision. You just have to decide what works best for you! Have a great vacation, no matter what you choose!