If we have to fly in the night before the FTP?

[Disneycrazymom]

We are thinking of flying in the night before our FTP begins and I am wondering if anyone has done this, and where you stayed for that 1 night. Should we:
1. Go directly to Movies and book a room only rate.
2. Get something near the airport and then checking into Movies in the early AM, getting our passes and heading out to the park until the room is ready.
3. Hilton at DD, enjoy shopping the first night and check in early at Movies.

Our flight will get into MCO at about 6:30, we do not plan to rent a car.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Geoff_M]

Not having a car, I'd go with #1

 

[banana hammock]

I would try and book a rom only at allstar,

Disney can move your stuff to the new resort

 

[njdizneygal]

We have the FT package starting on Aug 24( value season). We have booked room only for the night before(regular season) at the All Star Movies. They will mark on your reservation that it is a continuing reservation. It was noted on my confirmation from WDTC even though the room only is through CRO.

Dizneygal

 

[ducklite]

I agree. If you wo'nt ahve a car then the costs of moving around from hotel to hotel will offset any savings you'll get for being off property for the first night.

We often fly in at night. We actually prefer it. That way we can wake up fresh and ready to go on our "first day".

Anne

 

[cindyfan]

No car, Yep......#1....room only one night All Star

 

[Jen D]

Here is what I would do. Priceline a 3 star by the airport. I've gotten the Marriott for about $28. There is a free shuttle to take you from MCO to the hotel (All airport 3 stars have them). Then have a town car service pick you up the next morning-- the round trip price will be the same as if you were picked up from the airport.

 

[dznyntnh]

I agree with the 'stay on property' group, but my suggestion would be to book a room at a deluxe for one night.

I did this with friend a few years ago, we arrived a day before the rest of our party and spent a wonderful night at the Grand Floridian, before moving to Dixie Landings.

I know some will say that it is a downer to move from deluxe down, but really its a great way to start your vacation, especially since you don't have plans and get to enjoy the resort.

 

[Kimberle]

If you're flying into MCO, you can stay at the Hyatt that is right in the airport. We stayed there once, when our flight was delayed until the next day. It's a lovely hotel and very convenient.

Just have your towncar or whatever transportation you are using pick you up at their door.

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

We frequently fly in the night before. I would use Hotwire or Priceline (for an even better price). Hotwire is just easier if you've never booked that way before. I almost always get the Marriott right by the airport. We take the shuttle and then have the towncar service pick us up at the hotel. We have also stayed at the Hyatt that is right in the airport, but paid about $100 for that.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[cindyfan]

You are arriving at 6:30...to me that is early enough to start the "Disney Magic"!!!!
Do the All Stars room only for that first night!!!
Enjoy the resort...pool, arcade, etc.
Or hop on the bus over to MK, and then the fairy to Poly and enjoy a great dinner at Ohana's. You will get to watch the MK fireworks (depending on the time and if they are scheduled).

IMHO....there is no way I would fly in that early and actually be able to relax at a hotel that is only 35 minutes away!!!! I would want to get there as fast as possible!!!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks to you all. We are going to go directly to the All Star Movies. I hope that we can stay in the same room for our FTP stay, I will request that when I make the ressie. Your right Cindyfan, if I am that close I will want to be There!!! We will most likely shop at DTD and maybe get a late dinner at Rainforest or Chief Mickey's. And then we will not need a rental car. Thanks again for the good advise.

 

[Selket]

We had a split ressie once at POFQ and they let us keep the same room the whole time. I don't think they get any benefit by moving you unless you had some different class or category of room reserved (we didn't). Have a great trip!

 

[wdwfan]

I also think that you should go directly to All Star Movies. Less hastle with moving around. Have a great trip!!

 

[robinb]

I would also suggest that you check into the All Stars the night you arrive. If your flight was much later, I would suggest something different. I will never check in at 11:30 pm again! Pickings get pretty slim in room locations if you check in too late. But ... with a 8:00 pm check-in you'll be fine. Plus, you'll get a hear start on the Disney "magic". You'll be able to purchase your refillable mugs, eat your dinner at the food court and even have a nice swim.

 

[glo]

Have you thought about Priceline at the airport? Then you could get your towncar the next morning? There is info on Priceline on the budget board. Could save you a ton of money, and it is a place to put your head down for the night,

 

[Pongo101]

Why couldn't you just add an extra night on to your FTP?? I thought you could add on as long as you already had it booked,

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thank-you but I don't want the park tickets since we will arrive later in the day, we will ask for a room only rate and to remain in the same room once our package starts the next day. Does anyone know if I go through Disney Club will we still get mini golf with our room only? That could be fun the first night. We could head over to the Swan for dinner and golf. Thanks again everyone.

 

[yecats]

I am flying in the night before the FTP begins. I will bid for a hotel in the Disney vicinity for the first night. (Check out a site called biddingfortravel as DTD hotel's Hilton and Wyndham frequently sell rooms on priceline at good prices. Additionally, so do the Swan and Dolphin. With any luck I am hoping to obtain one of those for the first night. That way I can use one of my old plus features and enjoy a night at Pleasure Island in the Adven. Club and Comedy Club (If end up at Swan or Dolphin, then I am checking out the Boardwalk that first night). I am not renting a vehicle and intend to use one of the transportation companies to drop me off at my hotel and then get a cab the next morning to move me to my home for the next 7 nights. If a good code comes out, I am thinking about booking a room only so I won't have to move the next morning but either way, I won't be disappointed.

If I were you, I would get off the plane, get your rental car and check into your hotel. Since your staying at the AS, see if you can a room only code (when out) for your first night, check in and just unpack and take it easy. Maybe go for a late night swim and pizza. Next morning your ready and raring to go.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I just got off the phone with Disney Club and added Friday to our existing ressie at Movies. To my surprise it was only $69 for the night! Yea! So now I just need to firm up the flight times and we are set. 2 things I learned: We will be able to stay in the same room and we will only have to check in once. Thanks everyone.