1st time dcl'er. Question about hotel night before cruise...

[Girl of the South]

I love the MCO Hyatt - book early! Two nights that I booked in February are now costing $400 more . . .
Also, it looks like the boarding process is changing and they are sticking to the PATs and it may affect those arriving on the DCL transfers but since it's a NEW process, it's not sure how much. I still would suggest the Hyatt and transfers though. It's just EASY.

 

[lanejudy]

Also, it looks like the boarding process is changing and they are sticking to the PATs and it may affect those arriving on the DCL transfers but since it's a NEW process, it's not sure how much.

PAT is not required if taking DCL Transfers from the MCO Hyatt lobby. Most likely you won't even be able to select one. Boarding groups will be automatically assigned a low number.

 

[Girl of the South]

I have to sign in tomorrow night so will report back. Sounds like things are changing in that regard.

 

[auntlynne]

Whats the advantage to the Hyatt if you have Disney Transportation? The off site hotels are like 5 minutes by shuttle to the Disney bus drop off point, and the shuttles take you right there.

I would imagine having to wrangle a family twice in the morning. And two times standing around waiting for the vehicle. Even solo, it’s just an added step.

Just depends on how you want to vacation. Personal choice.

For some travelers, it could be the food court in the airport. Not all the hotels are close to walkable restaurants - and most of those are sit-down.

These Are things that first come to mind.

…And Hyatt loyalty points.

…and being at the hotel when you get off the plane. I have waited 30 minutes for a hotel shuttle. And a day of travel, usually after a short night of sleep.

 

[tvguy]

I would imagine having to wrangle a family twice in the morning. And two times standing around waiting for the vehicle. Even solo, it’s just an added step.

Just depends on how you want to vacation. Personal choice.

For some travelers, it could be the food court in the airport. Not all the hotels are close to walkable restaurants - and most of those are sit-down.

These Are things that first come to mind.

…And Hyatt loyalty points.

…and being at the hotel when you get off the plane. I have waited 30 minutes for a hotel shuttle. And a day of travel, usually after a short night of sleep.

Yeah, for me it was how much money I saved on the room, and having free breakfast at the hotel so not having to go to the food court.
Time I had, money was not as plentiful.

 

[Chemist]

For us the benefit was that traveling from the west coast, we'd already had an hour drive to the airport, a 1.5 h wait at the airport, a 5.5 hour flight. By the time we got to Orlando we'd been traveling at least 8 hours.

The ability to just walk to our hotel room at that point is just so nice.
(We do plenty of traveling where after the 8-10 hours of travel we have to keep going to get to a hotel, but sometimes it nice to just be done.).

 

[Girl of the South]

We stayed at an Embassy Suites near MCO the last time. Having the two bedrooms and the free cooked to order breakfast was nice. Spent 2 nights as my friend was flying in from Europe and there's a significant time change (jet lag). BUT the day between the two nights - there was nothing. We did walk to a restaurants (I think it was TGIF?) for an early dinner. There was a shuttle and yes, it's not that far BUT I had to call the hotel to send the shuttle and that took half an hour. The morning that we were going back to MCO, we again had to wait for the guy who drove the shuttle.

Staying at the airport, I find fun! There are shops, lots of food options, some art work, there's a fountain that is a Christmas tree this time of year, a couple of Starbucks, GREAT people watching. Very nice pool and you can watch the planes. It's vibrant. And very convenient.

After 2 years of going nowhere, I did decide to splurge on the Hyatt and I am looking forward to it. They have a nice restaurant that's more quiet than the food court and awesome crayfish chowder. Also a bar with a sushi menu. Worth checking out even if you are not staying there.

ALSO regarding PAT and DCL transportation - in a recent Trip Report - the PAT doesn't matter for the bus. You get on the bus no matter what your PAT is. HOWEVER when you get to the terminal, then your PAT matters and you might have to wait a while. You DON'T 'automatically' get assigned a low group number for boarding. Just FYI.

 

[tvguy]

For us the benefit was that traveling from the west coast, we'd already had an hour drive to the airport, a 1.5 h wait at the airport, a 5.5 hour flight. By the time we got to Orlando we'd been traveling at least 8 hours.

The ability to just walk to our hotel room at that point is just so nice.
(We do plenty of traveling where after the 8-10 hours of travel we have to keep going to get to a hotel, but sometimes it nice to just be done.).

West Coaster here too. 11 pm arrival at MCO. In bed and asleep in the hotel by Midnight, up by 8 am. Hardly worth the cost of any hotel.

 

[auntlynne]

Yeah, for me it was how much money I saved on the room, and having free breakfast at the hotel so not having to go to the food court.
Time I had, money was not as plentiful.

Yep, money. That is the #1 reason I don’t stay there. But since you asked what the advantage was - you got my answers

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Just a tip but if any of you are seniors you get a better rate at the Hyatt than Disney offers you. Just add DCL transportation to your reservation. It is important that they note that you are staying at the Hyatt so you get the DCL transportation PAT and boarding time. Ours wasn't noted and we couldn't figure out why we had an actual PAT and boarding group 7. Once it was added, all was good.