Last Minute Trip Change Need Advice

[DSF767]

Hello All,

you have all been very helpful before so thought you might have some insights.

We are scheduled to stay at the Wilderness Lodge next Week starting Tuesday 2/28 to -3/06. Well we are flying out of Boston and a potential snowstorm popped up as a potential issue Late Monday night into Tuesday.

So we decided to bump our flights up to late Monday 2/27 at 7:25 PM and will be getting into Orlando at 11 PM.

The question is where to stay that extra night, do I call Disney and see if they are able to add on another night at Wilderness which I don't even know if it's possible? Then there is the matter of getting to the resort that late at night with our 2 kids (We were originally planning to take the Sunshine Flyer and assume it does not run that late).

The other option we were thinking, was just booking a night at the Hyatt that's right at the airport. That way my wife can bring over 2 kids who are already up past their bedtime coming off a flight to the room more quickly while I go collect our bags.

Very torn on it because it would be nice to wake up at Disney already checked in and take full advantage of the extra 3/4 day, we are ending up getting by making this change but also know the cost will be more and the kids will be less happy having to do another leg of travel after an already late flight where they are up later than normal.

If we do decide to just stay at the Hyatt are we able to go to Wilderness Early and have them store our bags for us and use the resort while we wait until they can check us in?

 

[Stacybaeasm]

If you have time, I would check both. Which one is the less expensive option? I have had this situation myself a couple of times with weather. Both times, I ended up at the airport Hyatt because it was a bit cheaper. And, since I was getting in late, it wasn't worth the extra money to head to Disney. As for heading to Disney early the next day, YES!! Just change your reservation time on Sunshine and head over when you are up and moving. Bell Services will hold your luggage and you can head to the pool or Disney Springs or a park (if you have tickets). Enjoy your bonus day!!!

 

[DSF767]

If you have time, I would check both. Which one is the less expensive option? I have had this situation myself a couple of times with weather. Both times, I ended up at the airport Hyatt because it was a bit cheaper. And, since I was getting in late, it wasn't worth the extra money to head to Disney. As for heading to Disney early the next day, YES!! Just change your reservation time on Sunshine and head over when you are up and moving. Bell Services will hold your luggage and you can head to the pool or Disney Springs or a park (if you have tickets). Enjoy your bonus day!!!

What is the best way to check with Disney giving them a call? Online since we are so close won't let me really mke any reservation changes. I assumed if they could accommodate it would cost a lot more and nice to know we can use the full resort even if we aren't checked in.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Call or try the chat feature on the website. As to the resort - you have full access to activities, pool, etc on the day of check in until midnight on the day you check out. Just pack a smaller bag with swimsuits, sunscreen, pool stuff and clothes to change into after swimming. There are usually bathrooms, etc really close by that you can use to change. Enjoy your bonus snow day! Your post made me remember the last time I flew in early to beat a storm and found a great picture waiting in line for Big Thunder with friends who work at Disney. The title of the post - Best Snow Day EVER!!

 

[Mle8308]

What is the best way to check with Disney giving them a call? Online since we are so close won't let me really mke any reservation changes. I assumed if they could accommodate it would cost a lot more and nice to know we can use the full resort even if we aren't checked in.

Yes, definitely call. Call or look online at the Hyatt, too. If the WL can accommodate you and the price is close, I'd stay there so you don't have to move. If it is a significant price difference (or if no rooms are available at the WL), then the Hyatt. Or, you could see if there is a room at a Disney value for the night, stay there, then have Disney move your luggage to the WL while you are at the parks for the day. You can pack it all up, leave it with Bell Services and tell them it needs to be transferred to the WL. Instead of going back to the value resort at the end of your day, take Disney transportation to the WL.

 

[JodyK]

Just looking at what is available online without knowing your potential discounts, it looks like I see these options:

Wilderness Lodge - $561
Hyatt MCO - $350
Disney Value Resort - $150

I guess the other factor is the sunshine flyer looks like the last bus is at 11PM so I'd probably be calling them to see if your schedule would allow you to make the bus.

I think for me I'd probably go with the value resort and have Disney transfer my luggage but if the cost to switch around Sunshine flyer etc was more, you have some Hyatt discounts, that is also an option. My last choice would probably be WL just because the cost is high, they only have a Nature View now which may not be what you booked so you'd still have to move, and with the Value you can access the amenities on your check-in day for a more affordable cost.

 

[Marthasor]

I would opt for staying at the Hyatt so you can get the kids to bed as quickly as possible and start your next day ready to go. As PPs mentioned, WL will hold your luggage until your room is ready the next day.

 

[kiford]

We had to consider that very same question a few years ago (also staying at WL, also in February). The factors we considered: stay at MCO Hyatt so you can crash right after the flight so you can get some sleep, but then you need to get up earlier in the morning to get to WL/WDW for some decent time in the parks but you have to partially unpack and then repack again, OR don't get to sleep until later and have to wake up a bit later but early enough to get some breakfast. Cost differential wasn't an issue.

In the end we opted to go to WL from the airport. We got there around 2:30 am and unpacked so that I wouldn't have to do it in the morning plus I needed some time to wind down. It's definitely a great time to get photos of the lobby without anyone in them. It was just us and the front desk CM. Got to bed around 3 am and slept in until 9:30. We had breakfast in WCC and then off to the parks around 11 am for a very leisurely day. We were tired but it was one of our better trips IMO because we were so tired that first day that we had to deliberately take it slow, stop for snacks and drinks a couple of times and really just enjoy the much better weather.

But, if the price differential was big or you can't get another night at WL, I'd so do MCO Hyatt and have breakfast there. Either way you probably won't get to the parks early unless you're prepared to do it on little sleep and that's no fun. If I had kids, I'd probably opt for MCO and make sure to pack a carry-on so that it's the only thing you have to unpack that first night.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

We did an evening flight many years ago when our kids were younger. Our flight got in after 10pm and we went straight to the YC and slept in late the next morning. It was great not having to repack and move to another resort the next morning.

I would suggest either booking Mears Connect or a private car service from MCO to WL. I think the car or shuttle ride will actually help everyone decompress somewhat from the chaos of the airport. It will be trying for both parents and kids late at night but so worth it once you arrive at your hotel knowing you can just settle in and start vacation. Getting a good night's sleep will solve the previous night's crankiness.

 

[Anna131517]

So what did you end up doing? We had a similar situation last year. We ended up doing a split stay, which was a lot of fun because we could check out another resort - we stayed at CBR that first night then transferred to BWI for the rest of our trip.

 

[SEAGULL59]

We had a similar experience in November. I switched my transportation from Sunshine to Mears due to getting in late. Sunshine refunded the charge, so that was very nice. We stayed the night at our resort for the whole trip, POP. I was going to do the Hyatt at MCO but due to it being last minute, it was $500. The extra night at POP was $200.
It was nice waking up at our resort even though we arrived late.

 

[DSF767]

So what did you end up doing? We had a similar situation last year. We ended up doing a split stay, which was a lot of fun because we could check out another resort - we stayed at CBR that first night then transferred to BWI for the rest of our trip.

We booked the MCO Hyatt, figured it would be less work since we can get the kids to bed quicker and then get going early. Since we didn't have a park day planned for Tuesday anyway, we just plan to get to WL around 10 and just explore the resort use the pool and maybe go into Disney Springs or go down to the Boardwalk to check out one of those areas.

 

[Anna131517]

We booked the MCO Hyatt, figured it would be less work since we can get the kids to bed quicker and then get going early. Since we didn't have a park day planned for Tuesday anyway, we just plan to get to WL around 10 and just explore the resort use the pool and maybe go into Disney Springs or go down to the Boardwalk to check out one of those areas.

Sounds good! Have fun!

 

[moonshadow]

Curious too.