Hyatt questions

[FantasticDisFamily]

Have a couple questions for those who have stayed at MCO Hyatt the night before. We're using DCL transport to the port the next morning.

When I spoke with DCL rep this morning to confirm flight details he mentioned that we'd get a letter with all the details when we checked in and then meet in the lobby at 10:30 the morning of the cruise to go to the port. So what I'm wondering is...

1) how is the luggage handled on Saturday morning? I know we pick it up from baggage claim and bring it to the hotel on Friday and only AFTER that tag it with the DCL tags. But does someone pick it up from the room like at the resorts? If so about what time? Do we have to be there? Or do we bring it to the lobby with us?

2) Obviously if we need to bring the luggage to the meeting in the lobby the 10:30 transportation time is pretty well locked. But if they pick it up from the room...can we aim at an earlier bus? Do I recall correctly that the buses start running from MCO to the port about 9:30 am?

3) General Hyatt question - is there a pool? Just wondering as we're arriving a little earlier than we originally thought we would but still too late to really do anything like pop over to WDW.

TIA!!!
Deb

 

[Señor Ferrari]

We're veterans of the Hyatt-DCL bus run, so I think I can help:

1) You're correct about the tags. This should be noted in your docs. If you booked your air through the cruise line, and the hotel is part of the package, you'll be instructed to leave your bags outside your room by 8:30 or so in the morning. The Hyatt bell staff will collect it and it will be transferred to the ship. I've been able to do this when booking my own air, too, but I've heard reports that some people have been told that this service is only for those who have booked their air through DCL. In any case, let the front desk know you are a cruise line passenger, and they'll give you an envelope with instructions on what to do with your luggage and where to check in for the bus.

2) 10:30 seems kind of late. In my experience, check-in is usually around 9:30, and we're on the bus shortly after 10:00am. Again, the info the hotel desk gives you should clarify.

3) Yes, there is a pool. Not too large, but nice to plunge in to after traveling all day.

We generally get in at around 5:00pm, check in to the hotel, hit the pool, then shower and grab dinner in the terminal. I like to eat at the Shipyard Brewery, but there are plenty of choices.

A word of advice: avoid the breakfast buffet at the Hyatt (in the restaurant on the top floor). I feel it's way over-priced (something like $12/pp, and the food is decidedly mediocre). I usually grab a bagel in the terminal to save room for the shrimp once on board.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

That is exactly what I needed to know. Yes, we did book our air through DCL - lots of reasons including (for us) no more expensive and decidely less hassle than dealing with it ourselves.

Thanks Sr!

Deb

 

[Señor Ferrari]

We often let DCL book our air, too. Unless it's very much more expensive, I think it's worth it for the convenience. The combination of Hyatt-DCL Buses is much less taxing than some of the other options, and when compared to the overall cost of the vacation, I feel like it's worth it. The other perk for doing this is that if there's a problem with the flights, or with the ship returning late, they're responsible for making new arrangements for you. I especially like this peace of mind.

When we land, I go to the baggage claim and my wife checks us in to the Hyatt. We can usually be in our room within a half-hour of walking off the plane, and into the pool shortly afterward. No waiting for shuttles, rental cars, etc.

Also, it sounds like you've done this, but you can get your flight information from DCL before they've sent your cruise docs. Usually 30 days in advance. You can then call the airline to get seat assignments, so you don't have to worry about being split up on the plane.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

what we do also. In fact I did all of that today! Spoke with them for flight info and then confirmed with Delta on our seat assignments which are all together.

The convenience of all of this is the real selling point for us. I just don't want to deal with all the separate arrangements when it can be so easy and we don't do this that often that it is a save money/cruise more often issue. Schedules just are not going to have that happening.

We've always done land/sea before so didn't worry about the day early option. But didn't want to take the chance or add the stress of flying in the day of the cruise. And with all the schedule changes that have been happening I'm particularly glad someone else was worrying about it!

Of course changes can still happen but as you said it isn't our problem to make it work!

Deb

 

[jds]

Enjoy your stay at the Hyatt! Our group (2 extended families arriving from 4 different cities) started our cruise vacation last July by spending Friday night there and it was WONDERFUL! The two 13-year-olds in our group enjoyed the workout room and all the kids had fun splashing in the pool after a relaxing dinner in the hotel restaurant. Then our bags were whisked away from our hallway in the morning while we grabbed an inexpensive breakfast from the airport food court (very close, and MUCH cheaper than the hotel restaurant, plus this allowed the kids to sleep late and eat in the room) and then took the DCL bus to the port. What a great way to start a vacation!

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Did you have to pay extra to fly in a day early from Michigan? We really don't have a choice. Well, actually we do, we can take the red-eye, or fly in the day before. But since it takes most of the day to get across the country (we generally are on a 7:00am flight), and the cost is the same, we always opt for the day before. I've heard that they'll offer the day-before option for an added cost for other cities. Just curious.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

We did have to pay a slight upcharge but when we compared it to what we would have spent on a hotel in our gateway city it was virtually no different.

To fly in the day of the cruise there is no doubt - and the CM confirmed it when we made our reservations - that we would be on the flight leaving home at 5:15 am! And that is an hour plus a few minutes away from home. Plus time at the airport - getting up at what...2 am! So that would mean staying in one of the hotels near the airport the night before and still getting up terribly early.

So we opted for the day before. The CM (this was a year ago) thought it likely we'd be on a late morning or early afternoon flight. We are on a 7:00 am departure but we can do that spending the night at home. Still means getting up at 4 am but that is ok - we'll be all loaded up the night before (including breakfast to eat on the way ).

And this gets us in the night before so if there are delays we aren't stressed about missing the ship. When I spoke with the CM for our flight details this morning he said (and Delta rep confirmed) that the later morning flights right now are "iffy" because of passenger loads but this 7 am flight is already essentially sold out so it should be a solid schedule. As that is standard for that flight.

Deb

 

[tecdavidt]

We always fly in a day early and stay at the Airport Hyatt. We love it. This last cruise we arrived around 1:30 pm and was in our room about 2:30 pm. The pool was great. What we do in the morning is order room service. The food is excellent and it arrives hot. Pricey but worth the convenience. We always go to bed a little early and wake up refreshed for our cruise! Happy cruisin' Kathy

 

[rae519]

We will be staying at the Airport Hyatt AFTER our cruise since our plane doesn't leave til late afternoon. There's a special deal of only $60.00 for the day rate! Seems worth it to have the time to relax rather than sit around t he airport!!

I think we will try it overnight during our October cruise though.
Thanks for the information!

Rae

 

[beattyfamily]

Is the pool outdoor or indoor??

We're paying $83 Internet rate...was tempted to try Hotwire but afraid we wouldn't get the Hyatt.

Thanks!

 

[rae519]

Try calling the hotel directly for the $60.00 rate.

Rae

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by rae519
Try calling the hotel directly for the $60.00 rate.

Rae

Yes, but I thought you said it was for the day only?? Not overnight?

I need to sleep there. We arrive at 6:30p and will sleep there and then get our rental in the morning...

That's a great rate you got though! I heard some people here got $36 to $50 through Hotwire!!! I'm too chicken!

 

[rae519]

You might call them and still try to get a better rate for an overnight. I did assume that you were on a day rate, sorry!!!!
You know that it's bad to assume!!!

Rae

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

The pool is an outdoor pool. After posting here I did find the internet site for the hotel and was able to pick up the details on the amenities.

Deb

 

[pgesler]

I'm booking my own airfare - it was $148 vs $325 thru Disney.

Has anyone recently had trouble with the Hyatt bell staff transporting their luggage when not using Disney to book airfare -as mentioned below?

Do you need to tip?

The Hyatt bell staff will collect it and it will be transferred to the ship. I've been able to do this when booking my own air, too, but I've heard reports that some people have been told that this service is only for those who have booked their air through DCL.

 

[jds]

You DON'T have to book your air with Disney for this service. We didn't, and had no problems at all. We got the luggage tags with our cruise documents and put them on after we got to the Hyatt. When we checked in at the Hyatt, we identified ourselves as DCL passengers and were given an envelope with directions about what to do the next morning. We didn't tip whoever picked up our bags because we didn't see them...