First night, LATE night...

[HannaBelle]

We love Embassy Suites, but have not stayed there in Orlando.

Just a side note, they have NOT been serving breakfast since COVID. I personally would double check that before booking.

 

[princesscinderella]

We stay at the town place suites (Marriott property) in flamingo crossing if we have a late night arrival. They have some larger size rooms available there too to fit everyone.

 

[DonMacGregor]

We stay at the town place suites (Marriott property) in flamingo crossing if we have a late night arrival. They have some larger size rooms available there too to fit everyone.

And with all of the Cultural Representative CM's coming back this summer, a trip to Target will feel like you're already in Epcot...

 

[gopherit]

Thanks to all for your great responses. Definitely gave this Gopher a bit more to think about!

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.

I agree with the logic that with a BCV 2BR - I'd have not just a room from midnight to 11 am, but for the whole week ahead, including the time period between 11 am and 4pm. It would be great to have that large room available for all our luggage, to change clothes as needed, make a quick grocery run. So I went ahead and did a waitlist for the extra night in that same type room (dedicated 2BR @ BCV). Additionally - I'm keeping my eyes peeled for airfare reduction for myself, spouse, and 13 yr old son. Rest of group is all young "20-somethings" that can't afford the extra day of vacation, hence arriving late Fri night after work. But if I could get myself, spouse, and youngest son on an earlier flight, we could check in, relax, get situated... and be in a far better position to assist the "next wave" of arrivals. They are all young and coming in from central time so hopefully they won't be testy at 11:30 pm, lol. Can't say same for my spouse!
And while 8 in a 2BR will be cramped - for 1 nt with tired peeps, we could make it work.

For backup plan - I did check Hyatt. Airport hotels can be a GREAT idea, and I had overlooked that one. I tend to look at Hilton or Marriot only as that's who I travel with for work (have points). But alas- I couldn't make the numbers/ dollars work. Got a good AAA rate on a 2BR suite (with 3 queen beds) and an extra king room at the Homewood Suites right by MCO for $546 total, tax (and breakfast) included. Not quite as close as being in the airport, like the Hyatt, and not as great a b'fast as Embassy suites, lol (very familiar with those!) but better than nothing, for certain! And I've often considered Swan or Dolphin.. if it were just the two of us, definitely... just couldn't make math work for our party.

As for transportation: renting a 7 passenger van and full sized car for 1 day turnaround at WDW Car Care Center. Comes out cheaper than Uber / Lyfting that many people. But whether I rent it at 6 pm, midnight, or the next morning, it's mine for same rate up to 24 hrs rental, as I plan to return them both before 4pm Sat. So it all costs the same... EXCEPT... If half our crew can come in early, it might enable me to reduce the rental to just one van. Further food for thought. So Cmon, BCV 2BR waitlist, and c'mon Southwest with some cheaper fares.

 

[bbeagle]

On a related note,

If I'm arriving at 10pm - midnight...

Is it better to arrive late at night - at your resort - so you can wake up in the morning AT Disney, and not have to travel anymore? Or is it better to get a hotel a few hours away from Disney and drive to Disney in the morning?

In scenario 1, the kids are sleeping in the car, we wake them up to get them to their room, then they hopefully go to bed. They see Disney like 'Christmas morning' the next day.

In scenario 2, the kids watch as we drive into the Disney property at NOON or so, and we explore our resort until we have a room.

Any pros or cons of these?

 

[keishashadow]

OP - between now & then the flight times could change. Even SWA has been adjusting flights I’ve booked this year, generally; cutting out either 2nd AM NS or last flight of day.

I’d grab something cancellable near the airport. If you need to rent a car, pick a hotel with a free shuttle, then head back to airport in the am to grab vehicle(s) to possibly save some $ there.

as date gets closer, there’s always priceline & hotwire, might be more difficult with a larger party/multiple rooms.

 

[gopherit]

OP - between now & then the flight times could change. Even SWA has been adjusting flights I’ve booked this year, generally; cutting out either 2nd AM NS or last flight of day.

I’d grab something cancellable near the airport. If you need to rent a car, pick a hotel with a free shuttle, then head back to airport in the am to grab vehicle(s) to possibly save some $ there.

as date gets closer, there’s always priceline & hotwire, might be more difficult with a larger party/multiple rooms.

Guess I should post an "update", as we've already kinda been there, done that per your comments re: flight times.

SW changed our flight times - and in doing so - that meant we could select any other flight... including earlier ones, at same rate. While some of our traveling party need the later flights due to limited vacay time off - my spouse and I (as well as our youngest son) actually DON'T. we were only coming in late to align with the others. SO I ended up changing our flight time to arrive at MCO at 12:30 that day, and then booked an extra night in just the 2BR at BCV. DH, son and I will enjoy some pool time, get checked in to the 2 BR, fetch some groceries for the week, and then go fetch our late arriving party members that evening. We will bring 'em back to the 2BR (which will sleep 8, and hopefully they won't care that it's a bit cramped for just one night, as tired as they are from traveling, lol). The next day, we will be right there at the resort, and when their rooms are available, the 2 couples can each move out of the 2BR villa into their own studio for next 6 nts, but in the interim, we have the 2BR villa as a place to change clothes, shower, keep luggage, etc. I have a rental vehicle (van) for DH, son and I to pick up when we arrive, and we will return it the next morning - so no extra trip from a hotel to airport needed.

Granted - SW could turn around and shift flights around even more... we will just have to keep an eye on it, and adjust accordingly.