Coming from Southeast Asia with 3 kids

[AB Tiago]

Hi All,

We're due to have a vacation as a family to the US, Orlando is where we land, kids' ages are 11, 8 and 2 year old (family of 5) - they are normal kids. Highlighting the 2-year old, and this will be our first cruise. Wife and myself is seriously considering to book a cruise as the first fun thing we want to do when we arrive, looking at middle of December. I have read threads to spend at least a night at Hyatt - that makes perfect sense. However, after a 22-hour flight, 3 kids, all our luggages (which is more than usual because of coming in from international) and the testing protocol - is this a good idea? I am just worried it's a handful to handle physically. If you think its bearable, what other tips you have for us to make it less stressful.

Appreciate the responses in advance!

 

[lolomarie]

Starting your trip with a cruise would be a good idea because you would most likely be testing negative coming straight from your destination. Then you can add on theme park days or whatever you wanted to do after the cruise.

People recommend staying at the Hyatt before the cruise in case any issues happen with your flight. It’s best to arrive the day before your cruise leaves just in case. The Hyatt would be perfect for your luggage concerns because it’s right in the airport terminal. And then I believe they will take your luggage to the dcl bus if you choose to do cruise transfers with them.

Hope this helps.

 

[Intr3pid]

Best to leave the cruise till after the parks. Parks are tiring. Cruise is relaxing.

Take one day just to wind down and get your jet lag out of the way.

That said, I see you are arriving in the middle of December, which is when cruise rates are some of the cheapest. But wait too long, and it will be holidays - when the rates become some of the most expensive. Costs may be a big factor in how you sequence it all!

 

[Geomom]

I think that your plan is fine, I would suggest a longer cruise vs shorter, just knowing you'll have some jet lag. I'd probably plan to arrive 2 days before in case flights are delayed, so that you have a buffer. You could just plan to do just a resort stay for those 2 nights--enjoy a real pool and recover from travel, then go on the cruise, and do the parks after.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think that your plan is fine, I would suggest a longer cruise vs shorter, just knowing you'll have some jet lag. I'd probably plan to arrive 2 days before in case flights are delayed, so that you have a buffer. You could just plan to do just a resort stay for those 2 nights--enjoy a real pool and recover from travel, then go on the cruise, and do the parks after.

You could also do two nights at a nice resort near Cocoa Beach with a port transfer.

 

[Girl of the South]

Pre Covid I did a lot of long haul flights and I always book an airport hotel for my first day/night to help me with jet lag. The last Disney Cruise I took, my friend from Switzerland arrived on the Thursday night and we had two nights in a hotel before the Saturday cruise. I had booked the Embassy Suites - but it involved going down to the transit (bus) area and calling the hotel to get the Shuttle to come pick us up which took around 25 minutes, and then it drove us back to the hotel.

With 3 kids and a lot of luggage after a 22 hour flight - I really would suggest the MCO Hyatt. It's right there in the middle of the airport. You take an elevator up to the lobby and check in and then up to your room. There's a nice restaurant (McCoys) that's quiet compared to the Food Court and a pool for relaxing the next day. Just do yourself a favor and stay there for two nights before you do anything else. That much of a time change is going to take some getting used to. You can bring Food Court food up to your room - there is a fridge - and I found a microwave next to the ice machine.

They say it takes a day per time zone crossed. My choice would be the cruise first to relax. The parks take energy and even a ton of pre-planning.

Here is a link to the hotel:

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/florida/hyatt-regency-orlando-international-airport/orlan

I would not rent a car when you are just off the plane and jet lagged. You're crossing 8 time zones and the date line, right??? Plus flying East is worse for jet lag than flying West! Have a good visit! I am on the Fantasy MerryTime leaving Dec. 3. Maybe see you there!