1st night where to stay?

[SHELL]

We are booked in a one bedroom for 7 nights at the BWV in April. However we are arriving from Boston on Thrusday night at like 10:00 and cannot check in to our one bedroom till Friday morning. My question to all you vetrans is where to stay for that Thursday night. It would only be to sleep and we would be arriving pretty late with a 6 year old? Any suggestions??

 

[spiceycat]

if you WDW then I am cheap Pop Century.

however some people have stayed in a hotel close to the airport - get one with a shuttle - so you don't need to get your car rental or WDW shuttle until the next day.

 

[Chuck S]

If you have an AP, I'd try the Pop Century. We just returned from WDW, and stopped at Ocala to renew Mom's AP. We were going to spend the first night off-site (we usually arrive a day early when we drive to allow for bad road conditons and delays). The CM at Ocala booked us at POP for the AP rate of $55, tax included. The room was nicer and more reasonably priced than the off-site places we'd stayed on prior trips. They also have a pretty tasty food court. No hair dryers in the rooms... of course Mom had already shampooed then looked for the dryer . But they were clean and comfortable rooms, nothing "fancy", 2 double beds, but overall, larger than many off-site rooms.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Last year we stayed at the Hotel Royal Plaza, but they are closed due to hurricane damage. So this time we are staying at the Best Western Downtown Disney. The AAA rate is $118 - kinda expensive, but it's President's weekend.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

I highly recommend POP. Both for the inexpensive, clean rooms but also because they can move your luggage for you so you don't have to do it yourself.

Plus, it starts to get you in the Disney mood.

 

[Pa@okw95]

We stay at the Hilton right near downtown WDW.

 

[wintergreen]

When we arrive that late at night (flying into the airport), we usually stay at the Hyatt Regency right at the airport. It's not really that cheap (although they do have gov't and AAA rates), but it is RIGHT in the airport, and you can get a tired child to sleep quickly.

 

[bubbasmom99]

If it were us, I'd go for the airport Hyatt. It's such an easy walk right to the hotel and you can get to sleep quickly and be refreshed for your big day the next day! Although it's not too hard to find WDW in the dark, it will take you a good 1 1/2 hours probably to get a rental car, get to the hotel, get checked in to your room, etc. Or you can grab your suitcases and head upstairs and crash. I have a 5 1/2 yr old and he is dead weight when he crashes, so I'd go for the most convenient option.

 

[melk]

We too have stayed at the Hyatt at the airport, with a AAA discount I think. It was convenient that night with small kids in tow.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

What sort of rates can you get at the Hyatt? We've often thought about staying there but we've never looked into it.

 

[JoEllen]

We just stayed at the Fairfield Inn (in the Mariott Complex) a few weeks ago for our first night since we had a late arrival. This is a brand new complex with nice pools, very clean and a very nice complimentary breakfast. We got a rate (by calling Marriott) of $54/night.

The Fairfield Inn was fine for one night and I liked having the security guard at the front gate. We walked over to the Bahama Breeze for a late dinner. It's a very convenient location.

 

[wintergreen]

CarnotaurDad,

The rates at the Hyatt can vary greatly, depending on the time of year, and the day of the week (usually lower on weekends). I have seen rates there from about $120 to $200. If you are a AAA member, or a government employee, there are discounts to be had. Not the cheapest option, but it is definitely convenient! I collect Hyatt Gold Passport points specifically for use on our Orlando arrival nights. The only caveat is, that at this hotel, you can only use Gold Passport points for stays on the weekend.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Thanks, wintergreen. That's great information. I've always been envious when I get into MCO late at night and look at the Hyatt hotel as I schlep off to get my bags and wait for a shuttle.

 

[MrShiny]

For next June, I got a great rate on a one-night stay at the Embassy Suites about a mile from the airport.

 

[Lesley]

We've used priceline for nights like that and have gotten wonderful deals....$40-$70 for the Wyndham Palace and once $24 for the Best Western at DTD (sorry to hear about that $119 rate...I honestly don't think its worth it, but it is a nice place....). You have to learn how to bid to get something decent though. I have never come away from priceline without a room at a great price though a couple of times I didn't get anything until I made my absolute maximum bid. I've also gotten lucky and have always won a room in DTD...but there are other locations that really aren't bad.

And some smilies at the request of my 4yo dd.....