Late 20's couple, surprising girlfriend with weekend trip to Disney World, need help!

[insp86]

Hello,

I hope all is well. Right off the bat, I should mention I've only been to Disney Land (years ago) and have almost no idea what I'm doing. But here's the story...

My girlfriend's birthday is in a few weeks. Instead of getting her jewelry she may or may not like, I just bought us plane tickets to Disney World. She hasn't been in a decade (she's turning 28) and frequently mentions how bad she wants to go back.

However, we both work stressful jobs and can't miss work, so the only plane tickets that I could make happen have us landing at MCO at 11:40 p.m. Friday and leaving MCO at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

So basically, all I want is one perfect Saturday (likely at Magic Kingdom).

What I'm struggling with is how to get in a hotel/resort Friday night fast enough that we can get some sleep, and how to get out of there fast enough Sunday so that we can at least go to a park for a few hours in the morning.

Fortunately, cost isn't a gigantic consideration, but I'd like to not go totally bankrupt on this gift. I have a tentative solution, but I'm curious what the experts think:

My plan is to stay Friday at the Hyatt in the airport (or a cheaper airport hotel) then take a taxi to a resort on the property as early as we can manage Saturday (maybe one of the New Orleans themed places?). From there, we check in and head straight out the door. Then on Sunday, if we go somewhere first thing, we should be able to get in a pretty full day before we head back to our Saturday night hotel then the airpot?

Any thoughts? Great idea? Horrible idea? Anyone have any better ideas working with the brutal arrival/departure times? Is the night at the airport a bad idea? I really don't want to ruin Saturday, but two hotels always seems like a bad call unless it is the only solution. Or is it?

Thanks a ton in advance!

-i

 

[Eliza32]

Your plan sounds good, but I would really consider spending both nights at an on-site property, then at least you are there in the morning and can sleep a little later instead of having to 'transfer' to the on-site when you get up. Also if you do this, you can use ME which will take care of your luggage worries incoming and outgoing.

She's a lucky girl to have you plan this for her.

 

[MrsDrewsky]

What a lucky lady! I agree, staying on site both nights would probably be best.

Have you thought about possibly doing Epcot on Saturday? My husband and I had a Disneymoon, and Epcot was our favorite park due to the more adult theme, but with plenty of Disney magic. Also, it will be less crowded on a Saturday then Magic Kingdom.

Port Orleans French Quarter is very romantic Happy planning!

 

[rafiki14]

I agree with the above posters. Do both nights at the resort. Take the Magical Express to your resort and just enjoy your time as soon as you step off that plane.

Sounds like a great birthday! She's very lucky!

 

[rafiki14]

Also- you'll want to leave Sunday about 3 hours before your flight. Just plan that in to your time frame

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

If cost isn't a big factor, maybe stay on the resort line? That way you can have super easy access to Epcot and Magic Kingdom plus your hotel.

 

[catra121]

Just wanted to add my agreement that staying on property and taking advantage of magical express is the best way to go. On Sunday you will be able to check your bags with the airline (assuming its one of the ones that does this) AT the resort and then get on a bus and go to the parks. This will save you some time so that you can just focus on enjoying the rest of the morning and not having to worry about arranging transportation to the airport.

I would probably go to Epcot on Saturday. If you can make a reservation at a nice restaurant for dinner that would be a nice surprise and a pleasant way to spend the evening followed up by watching Illuminations. Then Sunday morning head to the Magic Kingdom. You'll be able to spend all morning until about 2pm at the parks on Sunday before you will have to take a bus back to the resort.

Not sure what your budget is but I just want to assure you that you can have a fabulous time at any onsite resort. When my boyfriend and I went back in 2004 we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and LOVED it. It was his first trip and I'm really glad we decided to stay onsite. I won't go any other way now.

 

[TLCdisneyfan]

So nice of you to do this for your girlfriend! I've done a quick weekend trip to Disney too, and it can still be really fun. IMHO, do two nights at the same Disney hotel so you don't waste time checking into and out of hotels. Skip Magical Express and take a taxi from the airport. Waiting for your luggage at the carousel can be faster than waiting for the bus, or just use carry-ons (its only a weeknd after all). A taxi will take you straight to your resort, whereas the ME bus may make other stops first. The taxi ride is only a half hour or so - not terrible for a tired person. I did the ME bus that late at night and it felt like forever.

Check in at the hotel when you arrive Friday night, and you can start touring early the next day if you want. Being at the park at rope drop really increases the amount of things to see at the park. Then either enjoy your resort at lunch to rest up, or make reservations for a nice slow lunch. And to give a special touch (but not real cheap), you can have flowers or a special dessert treat delivered to your room by Disney.

Think about spending Sunday at Animal Kingom. It closes early anyway.

Have fun!

 

[meriface11]

I agree that if cost isn't a huge factor I would forgo Magical Express and get a car service. It will give you about another hour and a half on Sunday since you won't have to leave 3 hours before your flight....try to carry on luggage and not check bags since you are only going to be there for a short amount of time and you should be fine leaving and hour and a half before your flight.

 

[Pascal1210]

I saw that you mentioned you were thinking about staying at one of the Port Orleans resorts. Just got back from a 10 day honeymoon at Port Orleans Riverside myself Just a suggestion though, if you are only going for one or two days, I would suggest French Quarter or another resort. Riverside is HUGE, and it may be difficult walking around to find your room in the middle of the night on Friday. Transportation can also sometimes be a hassle, because there are four bus depots. When you have plenty of days, then it doesn't matter when you have to wait 20 or so minutes because one bus comes through that it already packed. Make easy arrangements and perhaps you should just use a rental car. When my husband was my fiance at the time, we went to Magic Kingdom for one day and we found out it was so much easier to just drive our own car!

 

[arthuruscg]

I would suggest just taking carry ons for the trip since it is so short and you get to skip waiting for your bags. My wife could fit everything she needs in a back pack for the 2 days.
If you have the extra $ to spend, take a taxi, shuttle service. It would be quicker then the ME buss.
So, skipping baggage and ME, you could be at your hotel by 12:30.

Have you though about staying on a Monorail resort? The ride is realy quick to MK / Epcot on the monorails.

 

[DisneyRunnerChick]

If cost isn't a major consideration, I would definitely consider staying at one of the hotels near the park you plan on spending the majority of time at, i.e. Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach Club for Epcot; Polynesian, Contemporary, or Grand Floridian for Magic Kingdom. We stayed in our first Epcot hotel this year, and the time we saved in being able to walk to the park over riding the bus was well worth the cost for a short trip.

I'd also echo the others thoughts about spending Saturday at Epcot. I cannot tell you how romantic and awesome it can be walking around the countries (from the fountain in France to the shops of Morocco), hand-in-hand. Plus there is some great food at restaurants that may not be booked up. Illuminations is awesome, though castle fireworks are also amazing.

You might want to check out extra magic hours and see if you could squeeze in both....

Btw, what an awesome gift! Lucky girl! Have fun!

 

[alice99]

I agree with most of the other replies.... except for hiring a car service.
For 2 days I'd just rent a car, you won't be at the mercy of the buses, you can leave as late as you want to get to and from the airport.

I, most definitely , would not waste time staying near the airport. I'd check in at the hotel for both nights. You can get comfortable, and not spend time moving from hotel to hotel.

 

[arthuruscg]

I agree with most of the other replies.... except for hiring a car service.
For 2 days I'd just rent a car, you won't be at the mercy of the buses, you can leave as late as you want to get to and from the airport.

I, most definitely , would not waste time staying near the airport. I'd check in at the hotel for both nights. You can get comfortable, and not spend time moving from hotel to hotel.

I think for 2 days spending the $ on a monorail resort would be the best choice. It is a quick ride to MK and you would have to ride the monorail anyways if you had a rental.

Then at the airport you have to spend the time returning the car instead of handing the driver your credit card to swipe.

 

[Eringlaw]

Just a thought... but you might want to see which park has extended hours on Saturday... that way you can stay in the park past the time it normally closes and enjoy (sometimes up to midnight)... might make you feel less rushed.