First night, LATE night...

[gopherit]

Got a big trip coming this summer, booked 6 nights at BCV in 3 rooms because that's what the gang all wanted, and as the Chief Mouseketeer, I aim to deliver. There are 8 in our party (possibly 9), and in the interest of comfort, I have us all spread out in 2 studios and 1 2BR (cheaper than a GV, which BCV doesn't have anyway! Plus there's 2 newlywed couples in the group... figured they would want their own rooms.)
After getting the rooms reserved (no small feat for summer @ BCV) - I'm then checking flights, and sadly, the best plan seemed to come in LATE the night BEFORE our actual DVC reservations at BCV begin. Naturally - BCV is all sold out across those dates, so can't easily shift our dates or even add an extra night. Also - getting in as late as we are (11:30 pm arrival into MCO) I'm not sure I'd WANT to expend the points on literally just a few hours!

I called MS to see what might be available on cash (perhaps at discount), even if it meant cramming us into a single 2BR for one night. They offered:
BCV 2BR - $1116 plus tax
CCR 2BR - $ 841 plus tax
SSR 2BR - $ 772 plus tax

With our late arrival... just don't think I can justify paying $1116 plus tax for one night when I could get 3 rooms at an Embassy Suites (which includes breakfast) and have plenty of money for pina coladas by the pool when we make our way to BCV later that morning, lol. Same goes for SSR... find a hotel with 3 nice rooms, complimentary parking and free breakfast for under $257 per room and boom, that's a better deal. We weren't planning to do the parks that next day - we just wanted to spend that day enjoying the resort, maybe fetch a few groceries, turn in the rental cars and relax at SAB to prepare for a busy week of park hopping ahead.

So that all said - I'm seeking suggestions for that first night - anyone else stayed in a good place nearby (either near BCV or even near airport)? Any to avoid?

I'd POSSIBLY consider would be putting myself on waitlist for 1 extra night in our already reserved 2BR. Or if someone popped up with a last minute "points in distress" resrvation for sale. A 2BR on a summer Friday would be 48 pts... which if you value pts at roughly $19 each, still makes an external hotel seem like a better deal. I do have 48 pts I could use... but was kinda wanting to bank those for a future trip. The one benefit I see from that plan would be at least half of us are then in the same room in which we will stay for most of the trip. We would be ready to enjoy the resort just as soon as we awoke from our travels, and all of our luggage could stay there until the other 2 rooms became available. The newlyweds will just have to suffer one night bunked up with all of us til they get rooms of their own, lol.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[RoseGold]

You’re overthinking this. It’s midnight. Just go to the cheap airport hotel for a night. You can go straight to the pool in the morning if you want.

Spend the several hundred dollars difference on anything else.

 

[ScubaCat]

We've done the embassy suites a couple of times. Very nice hotel and rooms, friendly staff, easy and quick shuttle, good free breakfast (tip the omelet guy ), and an unexpected bonus is a much cheaper Uber to beach club. There's a little mini market with snacks and stuff too off the lobby if you just need a little something before bed and the restaurant is closed.

Inevitably at least someone in your group won't be a night person. This will get anyone who's tired to bed quickly and easily. Highly recommend vs. schlepping to a disney resort in the middle of the night.

 

[nuhusky123]

Swan and dolphin. Right next door and a fraction of the price

or stay at the mco Hyatt in the airport

 

[kes601]

Swan and dolphin. Right next door and a fraction of the price

or stay at the mco Hyatt in the airport

Swan and Dolphin is not a fraction of the price if more than 1 room is needed. Perhaps cheaper than the BCV 2 BR, but it would be more than CCV or SSR.

 

[nuhusky123]

Swan reserve has fantastic suites that do not break the bank

 

[FrannyFrogs]

If it was me, I'd wait list the 2bedroom in hopes of getting settled (half the group) ASAP, and book rooms at a hotel near the airport with a liberal cancellation policy as a backup plan

 

[kes601]

Swan reserve has fantastic suites that do not break the bank

Cheapest rate for a random weeknight in July (with taxes and fees) has the cheapest room at $352. They would need two of these as there are no rooms for 8 available. That comes to $704 (add another $352 if person #9 comes for a 3rd room). Cheaper for 8, yes. Fraction of the price, no.

 

[nuhusky123]

Cheapest rate for a random weeknight in July (with taxes and fees) has the cheapest room at $352. They would need two of these as there are no rooms for 8 available. That comes to $704 (add another $352 if person #9 comes for a 3rd room). Cheaper for 8, yes. Fraction of the price, no.

You really want the win here don’t you

 

[kes601]

You really want the win here don’t you

Eh, don't care about winning. Just pointing out it's not a fraction of the price. I was also curious if the dates I typically look at were just higher than when others look at them since others on here talk about how cheap they are. Deluxe BWV / BCV studio vs a standard room at Swan / Dolphin I would agree with being a much better deal staying at Swan / Dolphin but when you start looking at multiple rooms vs a 2 BR the savings goes away quickly.

Anyway sorry if I seemed like I was nitpicking.

 

[wnielsen1]

Pick something in the Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, etc. family at/near the airport. Preferably something with free breakfast. You are just there to crash for the night.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We like the Hyatt MCO. If you have any Hyatt points or Ultimate reward point (that transfer to Hyatt) I've found reward availability pretty readily available. We've stayed there a few times when we come in late.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We like the Hyatt MCO. If you have any Hyatt points or Ultimate reward point (that transfer to Hyatt) I've found reward availability pretty readily available. We've stayed there a few times when we come in late.

HYATT Mco. Agree… they also did aarp n aaa… save the rental car stuff
Time n cost … can u get other transport…Minnie mini vans??
have an awesome time The group trips. We’ve had AMAZING times.
safe travels.

 

[Sandisw]

Waitlist and stalk the website…book a cash back up elsewhere.

 

[ScubaCat]

The MCO Hyatt is nice but often fairly expensive. I always go with the Embassy Suites for the big 2-room units and free full breakfast buffet. It's a surprisingly quick, easy, and inexpensive Uber/Lyft ride to BCV in the morning.

 

[mort1331]

Interesting they have a BCV2bdrm for cash but not for points....anyway,,I would waitlist and stalk for the BCV2bdrm to add on, You said you would prefer not to use the points,,,but look at as not just a night,,,,but as a room till at least 4pm next day,,,because rooms START to get ready at 4pm,,,no guarantee,,,but if you have that booked, then you will have everything there. Then book your other choice of room as a back up.
we do this all the time,,,even with a late flight out,,,that way we still have a room from 11am till we leave for airport.

 

[Judique]

Got a big trip coming this summer, booked 6 nights at BCV in 3 rooms because that's what the gang all wanted, and as the Chief Mouseketeer, I aim to deliver. There are 8 in our party (possibly 9), and in the interest of comfort, I have us all spread out in 2 studios and 1 2BR (cheaper than a GV, which BCV doesn't have anyway! Plus there's 2 newlywed couples in the group... figured they would want their own rooms.)
After getting the rooms reserved (no small feat for summer @ BCV) - I'm then checking flights, and sadly, the best plan seemed to come in LATE the night BEFORE our actual DVC reservations at BCV begin. Naturally - BCV is all sold out across those dates, so can't easily shift our dates or even add an extra night. Also - getting in as late as we are (11:30 pm arrival into MCO) I'm not sure I'd WANT to expend the points on literally just a few hours!

I called MS to see what might be available on cash (perhaps at discount), even if it meant cramming us into a single 2BR for one night. They offered:
BCV 2BR - $1116 plus tax
CCR 2BR - $ 841 plus tax
SSR 2BR - $ 772 plus tax

With our late arrival... just don't think I can justify paying $1116 plus tax for one night when I could get 3 rooms at an Embassy Suites (which includes breakfast) and have plenty of money for pina coladas by the pool when we make our way to BCV later that morning, lol. Same goes for SSR... find a hotel with 3 nice rooms, complimentary parking and free breakfast for under $257 per room and boom, that's a better deal. We weren't planning to do the parks that next day - we just wanted to spend that day enjoying the resort, maybe fetch a few groceries, turn in the rental cars and relax at SAB to prepare for a busy week of park hopping ahead.

So that all said - I'm seeking suggestions for that first night - anyone else stayed in a good place nearby (either near BCV or even near airport)? Any to avoid?

I'd POSSIBLY consider would be putting myself on waitlist for 1 extra night in our already reserved 2BR. Or if someone popped up with a last minute "points in distress" resrvation for sale. A 2BR on a summer Friday would be 48 pts... which if you value pts at roughly $19 each, still makes an external hotel seem like a better deal. I do have 48 pts I could use... but was kinda wanting to bank those for a future trip. The one benefit I see from that plan would be at least half of us are then in the same room in which we will stay for most of the trip. We would be ready to enjoy the resort just as soon as we awoke from our travels, and all of our luggage could stay there until the other 2 rooms became available. The newlyweds will just have to suffer one night bunked up with all of us til they get rooms of their own, lol.

Any suggestions appreciated.

The Hyatt Regency MCO. You can walk to your room at 11:30pm. They have digital key and digital checkin.

How are you getting to WDW? If renting you can start your rental the next day.

 

[larsonb74]

MCO airport Hyatt is always a great option for late night arrival flight. Rooms aren't too expensive either.

 

[bumbershoot]

'm then checking flights, and sadly, the best plan seemed to come in LATE the night BEFORE our actual DVC reservations at BCV begin.

Hyatt MCO is my choice.

I've gotten it cheap and I've gotten it not so cheap. But my last trip (February of this year) was the best because I transferred Chase Ultimate Reward points to Hyatt and got it for no extra cost at all. Got off the plane around midnight (11:59pm slated arrival), got my bags, went to the hotel. (I suggest having the least irritable people get the bags while the more irritable ones go straight to the hotel) I did have to stop at the front desk for some reason, and my room was a long walk. They offered help with my luggage even at that hour; I'm the one that declined because I make poor decisions sometimes.

That said, the breakfast at Embassy Suites is nice!

You can go straight to the pool in the morning if you want.

Absolutely. Don't waste time at the ES pool.



And OP, do be sure to add up the total costs. If adding the night somewhere ends up being MORE expensive with more moving parts than just flying in the day of your reservation, take that into account.

 

[myth2001]

Another vote for MCO Hyatt