Early am arrival after redeye flight

[PrincessShmoo]

Something to keep in mind if you chose the option to go directly to wait for DCL buses. You might not be allowed on the Bus if you have a later PAT(Port Arrival Time)

They don't stop you from boarding the bus, if you show up there before your Port Arrival Time. But, once you arrive at the port, you'll still be assigned to the same boarding number (it's tied to your Port Arrival Time), even if you arrive early.

 

[wanderlust7]

We always take that same flight from LA and get in around 6, but we do a couple of park days prior to acclimate. With no time for that, I don't think a hotel room would be worth it. If you're getting in at 7, by the time you deplane, get luggage, check into the hotel and get the kids to sleep (if possible) it will be a couple hours later and you'll have to wake them up after only an hour or two of sleep. If it were me with no other choice, I'd rent a car at the airport, make a leisurely drive to port and let the kids sleep in the car (even park somewhere to get them a longer nap if possible). But we always rent a car anyway because my husband hates the bus. Good luck!

If I was forced with the same choice, this is probably what I would do. Getting a hotel room for a few hours - I would wonder if it was "worth it" and worry about flight delays and the room going to waste. Plus if the kids got even a little bit of sleep on the flight, they would be too jacked up to sleep in a hotel room. Stick them in a moving car for an hour though - guaranteed sleep!

 

[mevelandry]

You could do a day room at the Hyatt inside the airport and rest for a few hours then hop on a bus btwn 12-2 or so.
Alternatively, the buses start leaving for the port at 9ish. If you were to go there you wouldn't get any rest though. It is pretty loud and crowded waiting to board the ship.

As a mama of 4, I think I'd bite the bullet and get the room. Otherwise it will be a really long time until anyone rests. You probably don't want to start vacation all cranky and overtired.

When I booked my day room I was told it was only available from 10 AM to 6 PM...

 

[cedricandsophie]

My suggestions as a grandma. Give the kids Benedryl about an hour before flight. They should fall asleep pretty quick. Keep the baby in a car seat...don't try to hold. Disaster! For you and baby. All the adults could take benedryl too or half a unison and noise cancelling headphones to give you some peace. Once there, spend some time in bathroom washing teeth, faces, etc to wake every one up. Get some breakfast. Get bags. Get on bus to cruise. Once st port, try to find a quiet corner which may be easier if you arrive early. Try to get the kids to relax a bit. Get on ship asap. Go to lunch. Get in room asap. Get a nap. Try not to get to bed too early so you can enjoy first night. Sleep late. Have fun!

 

[WardFam]

We flew the red eye, rented a car and went to Animal Kingdom Lodge for the boma breakfast buffet. As soon as we got there the kids flew asleep on the couches and luckily they let me move back our breakfast reservation time. I'm not sure that would work with young kids (mine were teenagers who obviously can sleep anywhere!) but between the car ride to wdw, sleeping on the couch and the hour ride to the port my kids were pretty well rested by the time we got on the ship!

 

[Kesohio63]

My suggestions as a grandma. Give the kids Benedryl about an hour before flight. They should fall asleep pretty quick. Keep the baby in a car seat...don't try to hold. Disaster! For you and baby. All the adults could take benedryl too or half a unison and noise cancelling headphones to give you some peace. Once there, spend some time in bathroom washing teeth, faces, etc to wake every one up. Get some breakfast. Get bags. Get on bus to cruise. Once st port, try to find a quiet corner which may be easier if you arrive early. Try to get the kids to relax a bit. Get on ship asap. Go to lunch. Get in room asap. Get a nap. Try not to get to bed too early so you can enjoy first night. Sleep late. Have fun!

Benadryl doesn’t always make kids sleepy like it does adults. My son took it for allergies when he was little, and it just made him mean and cranky, not at all sleepy!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Benadryl doesn’t always make kids sleepy like it does adults. My son took it for allergies when he was little, and it just made him mean and cranky, not at all sleepy!

Yep, me too. I get twitchy and agitated when taking anything like that - Nyquil, Benadryl..whatever.

 

[Cheerio]

I'm on the same cruise, I vote for a few rooms at the MCO hyatt but keep in mind the rooms have a king or two doubles or just napping when you get on the ship. Good luck!