Hyatt MCO? Or Port Canaveral hotel

[flexsmom]

Well, we're only.....21 months out to 11 Nov 2006! So, I don't have much time to decide where to stay the night before!

In Dec 04 we arrived in early afternoon, took a car to the Port, and stayed at the Radisson the night before. We aren't arriving this time until late Friday night (Yes, I already know this, even though we obviously can't make reservations! I don't want DD to miss that Friday of school since we're pulling her out for 5 days for the cruise, so we'll fly down after school.)

So, if we arrive at 9pm or so with DD7 and DS3, I'm kind of thinking that the Hyatt is an attractive alternative so we can get everyone to bed fairly quickly, and then take a car or DCL transportation in the morning. I'm looking for opinions about the Hyatt? Plus, if we stick with DCL transport, what time would we get to the Port? I'm not really hung up about being one of the first to get there. We had a good experience with FL Tours last time, and DCL before thata, so I'm pretty flexible about our approach here, as long as we don't have to wait until noon or so to leave MCO for the Port.

The other approach is to gut it out on Friday night and head to Port Canaveral, check in to the Radisson or Ron Jon's, and get everyone to bed really late. Of course, then we could sleep in a little bit later (although if your kids are like mine, 7am or so is standard wake-up, regardless of bedtime!) Not my number one choice at the moment!

Thanks!

 

[CTFamilyCruisers]

We are staying at the Hyatt in April, so check back later and I'll let you know. Here is what I CAN tell you. I've stayed at the Hyatt several times before for business and it is very convenient. We, too are arriving around 9 pm, if we arrive on time, so I want to get the kids to bed and be done! Disney told me they will give me a sheet at check in with the particulars, but that we will place our luggage outside our room in the AM, with our Disney tags and meet the CMs in the lobby around 9 am to board the motorcoach. Not having to deal with luggage or transfers is nice. In the end, I may be paying a bit more, but the peace of mind is worth it to me. I'm a planner. My contingency plans have back ups, so this seemed the most stress free for me.

 

[budwmn]

We've stayed at the Hyatt for our 5 cruises and have reservations there for our next 2. It is just soooo convenient.

We normally get in around 7:15 pm the night before. We eat dinner at the Macaroni Grill inside the airport and then head up to the room for bed. We're normally on a bus and heading to the port by about 10:15 in the morning and arrive in the terminal by 11 am. It's wonderful! The bus to the port shows a DCL video. Even if you're an experienced DCL cruiser, it's fun to watch the video -- it gets you excited about the trip (and it's fun to spot castmembers you know). You can't go wrong with the Hyatt!

 

[flexsmom]

Great! I was worried that the DCL coaches wouldn't even leave the airport before noon-ish, and while I don't want to be rushing to the terminal in the morning, I also wanted to be getting there early enough to have lunch on board during a normal "lunch time"! Sounds like this is a perfect approach.

Thanks!

 

[inkkognito]

Another option is to get another MCO area hotel via Priceline if you can't get a good deal at the Hyatt. The ones at the highest star level have free shuttles, and they are located very close to the airport. We've stayed at them many times and get a room for $25 to $33. Most of the time we end up at the Marriott.
Barb

 

[budwmn]

flexsmom - Now that I think about it, we're not on the first bus to the port. We're more toward the end (normally they have several going because so many people stay at the Hyatt). I believe you could leave even earlier if you wanted to. We hate standing around the port for too long before boarding. Lately, we've been booking suites and board first, so it really doesn't benefit us to get there early, but you could if you wanted to.

 

[prymsu]

we have stayed at the Hyatt, and it was really easy especially for those coming late at night. Plus you meet in their lobby to catch the DCL transportation, and the time we did this, we were the first people at the port. I would recommend the Hyatt.

 

[Squeakcat]

Hi all. How do I arrange to get transfers from the Hyatt? I booked online, and included airport transfers, as I wanted to use the Disney transportation. However, we are arriving by Amtrak the day before. Staying at the Hyatt sounds especially nice if we could have our luggage collected and board right at the hotel? Can this be arranged for people not flying, or booking a flight with Disnay? Whom would I call? We are repeat DCL cruisers, but have always flown before.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I have to say go with the Hyatt! We stay there every night before our WDW or DCL vacations! Love their turkey bagettes with homemade chips and a pina colada while lounging by the pool or sitting on the balcony watching planes come and go. Love the Hyatt!! (And worth every penny to us!!)

 

[Jiffymom]

Just curious.
We arrive at 5:30. How is the pool. Our kids won't be sleepy and thought it might be nice to take a dip. Now here's the question. The next day we go to the Polynesian. Will they have DCL transportaion or are we on our own. We booked a extra day at the Poly so not on the normal schedule. Staying four days instead of three.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm not sure about the transportation issue because we always get a towncar or limo. The pool is nice. Our kids love swimming under the fountains but they are very high pressure. The pool is only 5 or 6 feet at the deepest so no jumping or diving. It is on the 6th floor and the patio area overlooks the runway. You can have roomservice deliver out to the pool if you like. We find it really relaxing between swimming and just watching the planes. Here's a picture...

 

[CarolAnnC]

We stayed at the MCO Hyatt prior to one of our cruises. We used a towncar, but did note the folks placing luggage outside their doors and then lining up early for the DCL buses. I would highly recommend trying this out prior to a cruise, particularly if you arrive on a later flight. Good luck!

 

[zeldacruiser]

I also vote for staying at the Hyatt or other MCO-area hotel because if your plane is unexpectedly delayed, you would be looking at a VERY late drive to Port Canaveral.

 

[jeeper9]

We are cruising in October 06 and I thought I had plenty of time to book a hotel. After reading these posts, I'm not so sure! We will have 2 adults and 4 children ages 2-11. Will we need 2 rooms at the Hyatt and should I call them for a reservation now or book online now?

Advice appreciated.

Diana

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Go online to Hyatt.com as soon as you have their dates. I've found that the price only goes up as the time gets closer. I believe you can book a year in advance now. I've had my November dates booked for months. Good luck and enjoy your stay!
PS...They are really good at honoring any requests, for example, runway view or high/low floor. Just type in your request in the space provided when filling out your reservation.

 

[jsinohio]

I'm not sure about the transportation issue because we always get a towncar or limo.

We're doing the same....staying at the Hyatt and using a limo the following morning to get to the port. I was curious...how do you handle the luggage thing both ways?? We're flying in the night before, so how do you get all your luggage up to the Hyatt?? Subsequently, how do you get all that luggage back down again in the morning to the limo??

Thanks for any info/advice you can offer!!

 

[jeeper9]

Thanks luckmommyx2. I went to their web site.....you can only make reservations up to April 2006 right now....so I will keep checking.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

We're doing the same....staying at the Hyatt and using a limo the following morning to get to the port. I was curious...how do you handle the luggage thing both ways?? We're flying in the night before, so how do you get all your luggage up to the Hyatt?? Subsequently, how do you get all that luggage back down again in the morning to the limo??

Thanks for any info/advice you can offer!!

If you can't handle all your luggage yourself, they do have bellhops available. We never have any problems because we just roll everything to our room. Our room never seems too far from the elevators. Any other questions just ask!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Thanks luckmommyx2. I went to their web site.....you can only make reservations up to April 2006 right now....so I will keep checking.

You're welcome. Another tip...when checking the hyatt.com site look and see if they have an anniversary package. It was actually cheaper than the prepay rate which we thought was really strange but didn't argue with! I checked with the hotel front desk before booking on line and it doesn't even have to be your anniversary. It comes with a bottle(?) of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries! YUM...we'll be using that package in 15 days!! Happy planning!!

 

[Anastasia]

Also - If the grandparents are travelling with you, the senior rate is cheaper than the Hyatt.com rate. I got $149/nt vs $189/nt with the senior rate.