Hyatt MCO or Port Canaveral Hotel

[palenskec]

Curious which you would choose for the night before the cruise....

Flying from West Coast, landing at MCO around 4:00pm, cruising the following morning.

2 adults, 1 child (age 5)

Trying to decide if we should to the Hyatt in MCO, and then catch the Disney Express in the morning,

OR

Do a private car transfer to Port Canaveral and stay somewhere close and shuttle to the port in the morning.

Thoughts???

 

[lanejudy]

Arriving that late in the afternoon, I would just stay at the MCO Hyatt. Get a good dinner, maybe a swim, before bedtime. You can take DCL Transfers (NOT the WDW Magical Express) the next morning - first bus usually leaves shortly after 9am. DCL Transfers cost $35 per person each way -- so $95 from MCO to port for your family (same cost if you take DCL transfers post-cruise).

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[grantclaire]

We have done both. For a later flight like yours I would stay at the Hyatt, less hassle. The Hyatt will take care of your luggage and the bus ride will be fun for the 5 year old. If you do stay at the Hyatt make sure you tell the front desk at check in that you are on a Disney cruise to book the luggage pickup.

 

[Sunseeker17]

I agree with previous posters...we have done both...depends on your arrival time. Stayed Hyatt and loved quick access to fast food and some shops, as well as the pool, then quick exit next morning via Disney. When we had a day or so before the cruise , we stayed at the Port, went to the beach, went to Fishlips for dinner, then took a taxi to the port the next morning...also a great experience.

 

[beckylola]

I think that the 5 year old would enjoy taking the Disney bus in the morning.

 

[RKKUNK]

We are from the West Coast also, and have done it both ways. Your flight is one of the earliest to get into MCO.

The first time we flew in, got our luggage, and had rented a car and drove to PC (it takes about an hour). Then we checked into our hotel and went to dinner. By the time we got back it was getting late and we were exhausted from a day of travel. Then the next morning, up early, hurry to eat breakfast so we could check out, run to CVS to pick up a couple of things and then return car and use their shuttle to get to the ship. It was not the most relaxing way to start a vacay.

The second time we flew into MCO, picked up our luggage and walked to the Hyatt and checked in. We rested for awhile, then went and had dinner and shopped a little. Next morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast to go and went down and caught the first shuttle to port. It was so nice! Much more relaxed! We would do it again. The cost of the convenience was worth it to us.

You can purchase the Disney transportation ahead of time on the DCL website. Then when you get to the hotel, just double check that you are on the list. In the morning just leave your luggage in your room and they pick it up and get it to the ship for you.

 

[bumbershoot]

What time of year is the cruise?is 4 nearly dark or will you have hours of daylight? If it's summer I'd rather go to PC to have fun and wear us out so bedtime feels like bedtime.

 

[emilyann415]

I've done both and personally when I come in at that time of the day, I find it most relaxing to just stay at Hyatt. By the time you deal with luggage and getting your private transfer there to pick you up and drive to the port it just seems like there is no time to do anything in PC anyway. I'd just relax at the Hyatt, take the Disney transfers (which kids just love) and relax. Plus you don't have to worry about car seats on the Disney transfers either.....BIG plus for us!

 

[Dlanod]

Would definitely stay at MCO. Disney usually has a special rate. We do so because if there are ANY delays, we are able to just relax once we get there. Pack carryons with two days worth of clothes and have them handle your luggage. Should you be delayed and get in after the restaurants are closed or super tired, order room service and split it. The servings were huge and the food was great.

 

[dtuleya]

For those of you that stayed near PC, where did you stay?

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd respectfully disagree with folks suggesting that a fling landing at 4:00 pm is too late to head to a hotel at the port. Especially for somebody flying from the west coast who's body will think its just 1:00 pm. I say go ahead and travel to the port and stay at one of those hotels. You'll be there by 6:00 pm (allowing time to get luggage and the drive to the port) and can have a nice dinner before retiring for the evening.

 

[OKW Lover]

For those of you that stayed near PC, where did you stay?

Before we moved to FL, we stayed at the Residence Inn 2 or 3 times. It was a nice, clean resort with rooms that are well laid out. Their complimentary breakfast buffet is really good.

 

[bumbershoot]

Op we have been looking at the Country Inn and at the 4Points.

Before we moved to FL, we stayed at the Residence Inn 2 or 3 times. It was a nice, clean resort with rooms that are well laid out. Their complimentary breakfast buffet is really good.

Would you stay there for more than a night pre-cruise?

 

[OKW Lover]

Would you stay there for more than a night pre-cruise?

Sure, although I might price-shop a bit. I've noticed the cost of the RI seems to get a bit high at times.

 

[anjuan]

Definitely recommend the Hyatt. Comfy beds, plenty of food options, can leave your luggage in the room and its put on the ship, walk down to the Disney Transportation in the morning. We were then the first ones allowed in the port building the two times I've used it. It was so simple and stress free!

 

[MaleficentRN]

Op we have been looking at the Country Inn and at the 4Points.



Would you stay there for more than a night pre-cruise?

I stayed at CIS for three nights. We had a family suite that had plenty of room, but we weren't in there for much more than sleeping. You'll definitely need a car to get to the beach, good restaurants and other attractions.

Which leads me back to the OP. IMO, it wouldn't be worth the cost or hassle of renting and returning a car to spend possibly a couple of hours on the beach. MCO Hyatt has a nice little pool and there are many fun shops in the airport. I'd stay there if I was arriving so late in the afternoon.

 

[Sytrace]

I would stay at the Hyatt at MCO as you are getting in at 4 PM. I suggest this for a couple of reasons and without knowing what time of year you will be here.
1. If you are coming in the winter, by the time you get to the beach, the sun will be gone for the day. Please keep in mind I am basing this on the following factors of flight arriving on time, ease of getting your rental car and departing MCO and of course rush hour traffic on the Beachline.
If you are arriving on a Friday night for a Saturday cruise, you will be on the Beachline for a minimum of 1.5 hours. Rush hour starts at about 4:00 PM daily, but gets intense on a Friday night.

2. If you are arriving after DST changes you will have a better chance of some time at the beach of course. But still not optimum sun and water time for the little one. You will still have the rush hour traffic to contend with no matter what time of year you go, BUT you will have more daylight to enjoy the beaches.

Dining options are plenty around the airport if you wish to dine outside and taking a taxi to Semoran BLVD would give you a variety of of chain restaraunts including, Cracker Barrel, Denny's, Bonefish, Longhorn, TGI Fridays etc.

Hope you have a great cruise.

 

[bumbershoot]

I stayed at CIS for three nights. We had a family suite that had plenty of room, but we weren't in there for much more than sleeping. You'll definitely need a car to get to the beach, good restaurants and other attractions.

excellent info, thank you.

IMO, it wouldn't be worth the cost or hassle of renting and returning a car to spend possibly a couple of hours on the beach. MCO Hyatt has a nice little pool and there are many fun shops in the airport. I'd stay there if I was arriving so late in the afternoon.

I think that the difference of opinion coming from a west coaster (me) has to do with 4pm not being late at all, because their bodies will think it's basically lunchtime. They will have to do something to work off the energy they'll have, to get to bed. So if there are another 5 hours of sunlight (depending on when they are getting in) after landing, doing some indoors shopping and splashing in the cool, but odd and smallish, pool at the airport hotel might not really cut it.

My son was 6.5 on our first stay there, and it was hard to convince him to get to bed, and we got in much later than 4. And we were going to the resort the next morning, much earlier than the cruise will start, so I really needed him to get to bed.


The discussion is so good, though, because it gives the OP different perspectives and ideas!

 

[valgal02]

Another west coaster with some thoughts here. Last trip we arrived at MCO close to 5 pm, took a private car to CSI, had time for dinner and headed to bed.
Yes we were in bed at 9pm (which would make it 5pm on the west coast). I think we were able to go to bed so early because we had to get up at 3 am to drive to the airport.
Next trip we plan on staying at MCO and taking a Disney bus to the port. It just seems like less work and thus more time to relax.

 

[codex57]

The age of the child makes a difference to me.

Mine are 6 and 8. We just got back a little over a week ago. Stayed at the Hyatt MCO before and after and did the Disney transfers.

We got in at 4:50 PM. At that point, being stuck in an airplane for so long, the kids kind of had it. MCO Hyatt is insanely convenient. And they have those magic carpet walkways. Your flight will let you arrive after check in time, so it's an easy check in, then head back down to the food court to eat dinner. Maybe check out the shops for a bit before dinner (Disney, Universal, Sea World, and the space port have shops). Helps the kids unwind and get excited for the trip.

Having your bags go from your room in the Hyatt and show up in your cabin without touching them was awesome. Really a great way to start the cruise vacation by not dragging your big bags around. We stayed at the Hyatt for a night after the cruise and really wish Disney had an option to send your bags from your cabin back to your room at the Hyatt.