Late Arrival--Airport or Onsite for 1 night?

[la la limon]

Evening! Heading to Disney for spring break with a late arrival (11 pm). We are staying onsite deluxe but don't want to pay spring break deluxe prices to just sleep that first night. We could stay at the Hyatt at the airport on points and catch the Magic Express to the hotel before heading out for the day or try a night at the Coronado, spend some time at that pool, then head out for the day while our luggage goes to our hotel. It might be nice to wake up at Disney but there will be a cost; I can't decide if the cost is worth it! Any suggestions?

 

[Kaytie]

That late, I'd opt for the Hyatt. Especially given your out-of-pocket cost

 

[pooh2001]

We are in the same boat - our plane would get in at 9 PM and then have our bags by 10 PM.

We plan to stay in a value resort or DTD resort the first night.
We could still take DME to the value resort with our luggage or a taxi service to a DTD hotel.
Then have our luggage moved to our designated resort, for free if a value resort, or a taxi if a DTD resort.
On day 1 (full day) go to a WDW Park which did not have an early entry morning.

Still up in the air where to stay our first night.
DH not a fan of value resorts.
DTD hotel might be our choice.

Just our plan - others may have better suggestions

 

[LYSE]

I always have that problem since award flights are always bad times, for my January trip I'm checking in at 11pm but for my April trip I'm staying off site first.

It's really a toss up, it is nice waking up and just starting your vacation.

 

[AngiTN]

We always opt to stay at a Value resort when we fly in late at night. But we don't have points to stay free at the Hyatt. I've priced it there and the rates are always higher than a Disney Value, which is why I always go on and pick to stay at the Value and let Disney move our bags the next day.

 

[la la limon]

Thanks everyone! This was helpful to get some different perspectives. I think I will just stay at the Hyatt, especially because it's already going to be such a long day. Plus, the Coronado looks so big that it may not be the best property to explore for a couple hours.

 

[helenm29]

We pretty much stay in a hotel by the airport for that first late night in....just easier. We have a clean set of clothes in one of our carryons so we don't have to dig through our luggage and a plastic bag to put our dirties in.

 

[Momto2minniemice]

We are in the same boat. We decided to stay at the Hyatt for a couple of reasons really. If we stayed on property we would have to catch DME and by the time we land at 9 get our bags and then to DME and wait for the bus that will be close to 10 if not later. Then the drive to the hotel, check in, find the room. It would be closer to midnight.
OR
Get off the plane and check in while the hubs gets the baggage. The kids can get ready for bed and be good for bed by 10. We will have a full nights rest and then head to DME at 0800 fully rested!

Just my thoughts

 

[maxiesmom]

I would do on site one night. That way you only have to hassle with your luggage one time. And when you wake up you are ready to hit your vacation, instead of having to haul your luggage to the bus, and then get to your resort, drop off your checked bags, and then hit your vacation. I'd get to a Disney resort and get that part over with. It is what I always do, and it is great waking up that first day knowing you are starting your vacation, instead of almost starting your vacation.

 

[wdhinn89]

We land at 11:30pm and we are staying at the Hyatt. Much cheaper than the Contemporary and we definitely do not feel like waiting for the ME to fill up and then travelling to Disney.

 

[Jack & Monica]

Not sure it makes a difference, but this might matter a little depending on the day you are arriving. I am talking about getting a one day jump on making fast passes. It would literally be 61 days out compared to all of the people making them 60 days out. My thought process here is fraught with the potential for errors though. Just another thought to make the decision tougher lol; sorry.

 

[AngiTN]

Not sure it makes a difference, but this might matter a little depending on the day you are arriving. I am talking about getting a one day jump on making fast passes. It would literally be 61 days out compared to all of the people making them 60 days out. My thought process here is fraught with the potential for errors though. Just another thought to make the decision tougher lol; sorry.

This can make a HUGE difference for short trips and getting a FoP FP. Right now they are hard to come by if your trip is less than 4 days long. Having a late night arrival in a Value can give you access that you may otherwise miss

 

[Jon84]

This can make a HUGE difference for short trips and getting a FoP FP. Right now they are hard to come by if your trip is less than 4 days long. Having a late night arrival in a Value can give you access that you may otherwise miss

Agreed 100%

On out last trip we were at BC over 4th July weekend, Staying for 14 nights from 21 June paid dividends in getting FP for FoP, 4th July Illuminations and a Cali Grill Ressie on 3rd July!

 

[maxiesmom]

We land at 11:30pm and we are staying at the Hyatt. Much cheaper than the Contemporary and we definitely do not feel like waiting for the ME to fill up and then travelling to Disney.

When I fly in late I usually pay for transportation to my resort. Be it Uber or a town car service.

 

[OKW Lover]

We'd do the airport area hotel for that one night. Its often the cheaper option and they all seem to have free shuttles back to the airport.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

We take a flight that lands at ~ 6:00pm and then spend the night at the MCO Hyatt. We eat dinner at McCoy's, do some shopping at the airport stores, then get to bed early. We reserve a town car and have the driver pick us up at 7:00am the next day so we get to the resort early - then it's breakfast and resort pool time!

 

[klacey1]

I just stayed at the Hyatt last week on points before moving over to the BC.
The convenience can't be beat. Landed at 9:45 and hit the bathroom, grabbed my checked bag, checked in, and was in bed by 10:05.
The hotel itself, I'm not a huge fan of. VERY uncomfortable scratchy sheets and no outlets near the beds. But it was free! I had a nice early ride to Disney on ME the next morning with my friend and thoroughly enjoyed it!

 

[mousefan73]

If you have little kids , I'd do the Hyatt. 11pm landing can also be a 11:30 or 12am landing. You're looking at 1am at WDW. Coronado is Huge. Will take a while to get to room. Plus it's "free".

 

[AngiTN]

We land at 11:30pm and we are staying at the Hyatt. Much cheaper than the Contemporary and we definitely do not feel like waiting for the ME to fill up and then travelling to Disney.

Luckily they don't wait till fill ME buses before leaving for Disney

 

[maxiesmom]

If you have little kids , I'd do the Hyatt. 11pm landing can also be a 11:30 or 12am landing. You're looking at 1am at WDW. Coronado is Huge. Will take a while to get to room. Plus it's "free".

My problem with this is, what child will be up and ready to go by 8 am if they are not in bed until almost Midnight? I know for my family it is better to stay up late and let everyone sleep in a bit the next day.