Flying in the day before

[TootyJane]

We're flying in the day before we go on our 7-day cruise and staying at the Airport Hyatt. For those of you who have previously done this, what time on Saturday morning are you picked up and driven to Port Canaveral?? TIA

Lisa

 

[Señor Ferrari]

We do this every time we cruise. It's very easy and convenient. If you purchased your air through the cruise line, they'll give you an envelope with information about what to do with your luggage and when and where to meet the bus the next morning when you check in to the hotel. The Hyatt is part of the air package.

If you made all the bookings separately, I'd still let the hotel clerk know that you're passengers on DCL, and they might still give you the information.

Basically, you claim your luggage when you get to MCO and then check in at the Hyatt. The next morning, you put the DCL luggage tags on your luggage and leave it outside the door to your room. If you haven't booked your air through the cruise line, you should ask if you'll still be allowed to do this. The hotel collects the luggage and coordinates with the cruise line to deliver it to the port, and then to your stateroom. The bus check-in begins at about 9:30, in the lobby of the Hyatt. The first bus leaves at around 10:00.

Oh, and skip the breakfast buffet at the Hyatt. It's over-priced and pretty mediocre. You're better off grabbing a quick bite in the airport terminal. Save some room for the shrimp at the lunch buffet aboard the ship!

 

[3timecruiser]

We always fly in our own because it is so much cheaper to fly Southwest from Arizona. Just tell the hotel clerk that you are with the Disney Cruise and they will give you everything you need. Easy as can be! Have a great time!

 

[prymsu]

They will give you a letter explaining what to do and when to meet in the lobby. It was pretty efficient.

 

[liza]

You forgot to mention the looooooong cattle-call wait in line for the shuttle in the morning. (Especially if you do take time for a real family breakfast, not a "quick bite"). Arrangements with the luggage and all at the Hyatt ARE easy, but there are so many people waiting for the shuttles it can be a long wait.

 

[mickeynut674]

We are doing the same thing. Tiffany Town Car is picking us up at 10:30am!!

 

[atigeg]

We hate cattle calls too, but we love the convenience of flying in the night before. We get an MCO-area hotel via Hotwire or Priceline (typically $28 to $33, including free shuttle and often free breakfast). Then we have Happy Limo pick us up in the morning to whisk us to the port bright and early. We have stayed at several hotels including Amerisuites ($33) and Renaissance ($28), and for the next couple of trips we have gotten the LaQuinta for $28.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[PiperG]

Flying in the night before was the only way to go. We booked our own air so stayed at the airport Marriott. The shuttle was easy. We walked over to the local Chilies, ate, went back to the hotel and crashed.

Got up early and took the hotel shuttle back to the airport. The shuttle dropped us off at the proper Disney location. Easy.

I brought snacks for all of us so that we didn't have to slow down for breakfast. We were doing a land and sea trip (our first), so we were checked into the Poly and at the park by (?) 11:00 or so.

Doing the same for our Jan '03 7-day Magic cruise.

 

[Eakster]

If they start registering people for a bus at 9:30 AM, get there at 9:15. On our cruise, they handed out character passes for the Mickey bus, Goofy bus, etc. The first passes handed out is the first bus to leave. If you get there early, you've got a good chance to be on the first bus. Once the 9:30 time rolls around, the Hyatt lobby becomes quite crowded and chaotic. DCL personnel will call out your pass and lead you to your bus. You will get to the DCL terminal before any of the Disney World resort guests and will get a good place in line if you don't mind sitting on the floor for 1.5 to 2 hours. We just played tag team in line and took turns wandering around the inside and outside of the terminal.

 

[psimon]

We are staying at the Airport Hyatt. If they start registering people for busses at 9:30AM, what time do they start leaving? How long is the trip to Port Canaveral, and what time do they start checking paperwork and allowing people to board the ship?

Thanks... Paul

Originally posted by Eakster
If they start registering people for a bus at 9:30 AM, get there at 9:15. On our cruise, they handed out character passes for the Mickey bus, Goofy bus, etc. The first passes handed out is the first bus to leave. If you get there early, you've got a good chance to be on the first bus. Once the 9:30 time rolls around, the Hyatt lobby becomes quite crowded and chaotic. DCL personnel will call out your pass and lead you to your bus. You will get to the DCL terminal before any of the Disney World resort guests and will get a good place in line if you don't mind sitting on the floor for 1.5 to 2 hours. We just played tag team in line and took turns wandering around the inside and outside of the terminal.

 

[Eakster]

Whatever time your paperwork (given to you at Hyatt check in) says that registration starts, get there 15 minutes early, or at least keep an eye on the crowds in the lounging area of the lobby (to the right as you face the reception desk). We didn't even know you had to get a bus pass since the DCL people doing that were sort of out of sight. Fortunately, I asked someone when I saw a crowd gathering. The buses started leaving a bit before 10 AM on our trip. We were on the first bus and were to the terminal before 11 AM since it's only about a 45 minute trip from the airport to Port Canaveral. Registration was open, so we checked in and sat on the floor. We were about 8th in line. By 12:00, the line was very long. We were on the ship just before 1:00 PM. Times may vary from cruise to cruise, so don't assume anything.

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Eakster (and fellow Littletonite ) Since my family will have a room at the Hyatt (I'm assuming, since we're using DCL air) can just one person go down early and get the passes for 4, then run back to the room (or breakfast) for a bit, or does each rider have to be present to receive a pass?

 

[Eakster]

Only one person has to do it. Make sure they have all of the documents for each person with them as I remember that they checked off a list and possibly tore out a transportation coupon from each book. I do know that one group in our party ended up on the second bus because the person with the documents was wandering around the airport shops. You won't have much time to do anything after you get your passes. I got ours at 9:35 AM and we were called for 15 minutes later. Hope you have a great trip. We sure did, and are planning another in 2004, hopefully in a Category 2 room. The Hyatt is an upscale property with very large rooms. You can either have a balcony looking out over the inside of the terminal which is way cool, or a balcony looking out over the airport. Some of the outside rooms don't have balconies that you can actually go out on.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I'm pretty sure only one person has to check in for the busses. I think my wife grabbed a couple of chairs in the lobby while I checked us in. I agree that there's not much time between when you check in for the bus and when you leave. In addition, you have to have your luggage outside the hotel room door by 9:00am, I think, so you will probably have checked out of the Hyatt before the bus check-in begins.

We always pack and leave our bags outside the door, then go grab breakfast before going to the bus. We like the little bagel shop in the terminal.

 

[TX Shelly]

We have also booked our stay at the Hyatt separately but have the DCL transfers. I just figured we would go down to the buses about 9:15 am. Does the Hyatt have a DCL person in the lobby to handle the transfers? We have not yet received our docs for the Magic June 1st cruise yet and this info may be in there?

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Thanks for the info Eakster and Sr. Ferrari.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

TX Shelly,

Yes, there are DCL reps in the lobby of the Hyatt on the morning of the cruise. There are also some in the main airport terminal area, one level below. You'll see a bunch of them.

Your cruise docs should spell out what to do on the morning of the cruise. Ours were pretty specific. I'd also let the Hyatt know that you are sailing with DCL when you check in, and they'll probably give you the same envelope with instructions that they give the guests who have the DCL air package.

 

[TX Shelly]

Senor Ferrari,
Thank you for your help. I'm sure we will have no problems with all the information I have gained from these boards from such helpful people!
Thanks again.