MCO Hyatt/ME question

[shan136]

We will be flying down in October for a Saturday to Saturday trip. If we fly in on Friday we can save $255. Using our AAA discount we can get a $170 dollar room at the MCO Hyatt on Friday then take Magical Express Saturday morning to WDW. I realize that it's only an $80 savings but it does give us a better night sleep before our first day at WDW and allows us a little wiggle room in case the flight times change.

My questions are:

1. How convenient is the Hyatt to the terminal/baggage areas? Do we have to take a shuttle or is it directly connected?

2. In order to hook up with ME do we just give them flight information from a morning flight or do we need to make some sort of special arrangement?

3. I assume we will have to bring our own luggage to ME, since we won't be on an AM flight. How does this process work, do they unload it with us as the hotel and we give it to bell service? Since the driver will be loading our luggage on the bus, what is the recommended tip?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We will be flying down in October for a Saturday to Saturday trip. If we fly in on Friday we can save $255. Using our AAA discount we can get a $170 dollar room at the MCO Hyatt on Friday then take Magical Express Saturday morning to WDW. I realize that it's only an $80 savings but it does give us a better night sleep before our first day at WDW and allows us a little wiggle room in case the flight times change.

My questions are:

1. How convenient is the Hyatt to the terminal/baggage areas? Do we have to take a shuttle or is it directly connected?

2. In order to hook up with ME do we just give them flight information from a morning flight or do we need to make some sort of special arrangement?

3. I assume we will have to bring our own luggage to ME, since we won't be on an AM flight. How does this process work, do they unload it with us as the hotel and we give it to bell service? Since the driver will be loading our luggage on the bus, what is the recommended tip?

I can't answer #s 2 or 3 since the times that we used ME, they took our luggage. I'm curious how other poster answer though since we have stayed at the Hyatt many times pre-cruise and we'll have an evening flight in Sept after school for a WDW visit. Kind of silly to pay for a deluxe WDW room for just a few hours and it would save $ to stay at the Hyatt. We've had flights delayed several hours so instead of arriving at 11:30pm, we arrived at 2:30am. Boy were we happy to be able to stagger to our room.

When we fly, usually SWA, the Hyatt entrance is immediately to our left as we exit the secure area.(after tram ride from gates) Veer right & go downstairs to baggage claim. It's very easy. I will dig up some pics. From your Hyatt email confirmation, you can click on e-concierge to request Hyatt to retrieve your luggage from baggage claim though we've never done it. I would guess it's faster to get it yourself. Probably nice if you need to get some dinner still. Airport porters can take your bags to the Hyatt entrance then Hyatt porters have to take over. No stepping on each other's toes.

What I like best about flying down Fri night vs. Sat am is that Fri night probably would be more "getting ready to go away" time. Kind of wasted time to me. You could do all the getting ready before that. When you wake up Sat am, you're ready to start some fun and no need to get up at 4 am for an early flight. As my kids get older (teens) they do better with staying up late than getting up early.

hth

 

[stargazertechie]

We will be flying down in October for a Saturday to Saturday trip. If we fly in on Friday we can save $255. Using our AAA discount we can get a $170 dollar room at the MCO Hyatt on Friday then take Magical Express Saturday morning to WDW. I realize that it's only an $80 savings but it does give us a better night sleep before our first day at WDW and allows us a little wiggle room in case the flight times change.

My questions are:

1. How convenient is the Hyatt to the terminal/baggage areas? Do we have to take a shuttle or is it directly connected?

2. In order to hook up with ME do we just give them flight information from a morning flight or do we need to make some sort of special arrangement?

3. I assume we will have to bring our own luggage to ME, since we won't be on an AM flight. How does this process work, do they unload it with us as the hotel and we give it to bell service? Since the driver will be loading our luggage on the bus, what is the recommended tip?

1) you'll take the tram from your gate to baggage. The Hyatt is inside of the atrium area, in the center section of the airport. It'll just be a quick elevator ride with your suitcases.

2) Yes, Just give ME a morning flight (find the earliest incoming flight of the day.) I've also had luck after sleeping in the airport (too cheap to spring for the Hyatt, so I just slept on the benches in front of the hyatt) heading down to the ME desk and letting them know I arrived earlier than expected. If they have pax who are flying home on an early flight, there may be a bus waiting, or one coming shortly that could get you there earlier than the earliest arrival. Doesn't hurt to try after you arrive. Just take your suitcases to the bus with you, and the driver will load.

3) Once you arrive at the hotel, the driver will unload your bags and you will take them to bell services. I normally tip $1-$2 a bag depending on size and weight.


However, if your Friday flight isn't getting in too terribly late, and you don't mind staying awake an extra 2 hours, you could book a room-only ressie at one of the Values for between $130 and $140 for any Friday night in October. Split stays aren't terrible- especially since Bell Services will handle your luggage transfer for you.

 

[shan136]

Thanks for your responses, they are really helpful.

What I like best about flying down Fri night vs. Sat am is that Fri night probably would be more "getting ready to go away" time. Kind of wasted time to me. You could do all the getting ready before that. When you wake up Sat am, you're ready to start some fun and no need to get up at 4 am for an early flight. As my kids get older (teens) they do better with staying up late than getting up early

I also find it easier to stay up late rather than get up at 3am for a 6am flight. Plus, I am a bit of a nervous flyer and it's more appropriate to have a glass of wine before an evening flight

I've also had luck after sleeping in the airport (too cheap to spring for the Hyatt, so I just slept on the benches in front of the hyatt)

LOL...my DH would do that if I let him.

We have done the stay at WDW value then transfer to deluxe for remainder of our trip. Bell services was great, but we found the whole transfer cumbersome. On our Friday night trip will be landing at 11, so basically we are just crashing then getting on DME in the morning.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

To the right of the security lines are 2 escalators with 4 glass elevators in between. The escalators on the right go up directly to lobby.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

No need to give DME a morning flight info. Just use your evening flight info and you will be just fine. We stayed at the Hyatt in the past and DME didn't care the next morning. We got to DME around 0700 and got on a whole big bus with about 6 other people and were at made it to rope drop to whatever park we started in that trip.

Don't know your dates or how many in your party, but you can get the Hyatt MCO on Lastminutetravel.com for $108/nite. It's through the Club feature, but if you call their number they will give you that rate.

 

[tinkerbell313]

We actually did what a PP mentioned this past October...arrived on a Friday and took ME to POP where we stayed one night. It was less expensive for us to stay at POP...with a room only discount it was $100 (including taxes)...then it was to stay at MCO Hyatt.

On Saturday morning, we had our bags sent over to BLT and we went on our way to AK for the day.

We came back to BLT before dinner to check in and we had our bags snet to us within 15 minutes of checking into the resort.

Similar to your situation, staying an extra night at POP was $400 cheaper for us then to fly down on Saturday.

Have a great time.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

No need to give DME a morning flight info. Just use your evening flight info and you will be just fine. We stayed at the Hyatt in the past and DME didn't care the next morning. We got to DME around 0700 and got on a whole big bus with about 6 other people and were at made it to rope drop to whatever park we started in that trip.

Don't know your dates or how many in your party, but you can get the Hyatt MCO on Lastminutetravel.com for $108/nite. It's through the Club feature, but if you call their number they will give you that rate.

Can you explain the club feature? We have gotten the Hyatt through LMT before but it stopped showing up except for 2 adults only and we are a family of 4. Really, we could get by with a king bed & letting ds12 sleep with us and give ds16 a rollaway cot.

Also, wouldn't me entering our evening flight leave a bus driver sitting there scratching his head wondering where we are?
I'd rather enter a bogus morning time than leave someone waiting for us.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Can you explain the club feature? We have gotten the Hyatt through LMT before but it stopped showing up except for 2 adults only and we are a family of 4. Really, we could get by with a king bed & letting ds12 sleep with us and give ds16 a rollaway cot.

Also, wouldn't me entering our evening flight leave a bus driver sitting there scratching his head wondering where we are?
I'd rather enter a bogus morning time than leave someone waiting for us.

There are plenty of people coming in at all hours of the night, so id doubt any bus sits and waits too long. That was just our experience. When we showed up at DME in the morning, they just scanned our voucher and away we went.

The LMTClub feature is a membership thing, and there are promo codes out there to sign up, If I see one I will let you know. But basically it's the same as calling LMT...they will usually have a better rate if you call as opposed to the basic LMT site.

Good luck.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

There are plenty of people coming in at all hours of the night, so id doubt any bus sits and waits too long. That was just our experience. When we showed up at DME in the morning, they just scanned our voucher and away we went.

The LMTClub feature is a membership thing, and there are promo codes out there to sign up, If I see one I will let you know. But basically it's the same as calling LMT...they will usually have a better rate if you call as opposed to the basic LMT site.

Good luck.

Thank you very much. We also used to get Hyatt on Hotwire easily for about $55 but that seemed to dry up too. I can still "see" it on HW but now they're asking $180 + tax.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I dont see the membership rates that someone mentioned at that club thing...
but also read thru and it seems that people that are already members are then somehow paid for the bookings of others??? Hmmmmmmm does not sound right to me, but perhaps someone can explain that...

So, I guess Ill be happy with the 170 AAA rate.
We are once again staying Hyatt for a fri night stay, arriving late (which by the way, the food court area at the airport is basically closed except for McD's, so be prepared if you arrive late at night)
anyway, we also enjoy waking up refreshed and staying split stays are too much of a hassle for our family...we'd rather relax, sometimes take a swim, or grab a bite to eat (hyatt has options) and wake up refreshed.
I am not giving flight info but will just arrive at ME in the morning instead, likely near 7ish to get to our resort. I also prefer morning check in, when IMHO you get a better chance at a room location request.
We pull our own luggage and take it with us to Hyatt and also to the ME. Usually tip $2-3 per bag when we exit bus.

worth the money IMHO..Hope everyone has a great trip!

I re-reviewed that site that was mentioned. HYATT MCO is NOT included in their inventory, unless you are a PAYING member., otherwise its the Hyatt that is 8-20 miles AWAY form the airport!!!
Your Fee to join is Not disclosed, and It is automatically renewed every renewal period, which is also not disclosed. And there are commissions paid to other members for referring you.
So if anyone is interested, atleast know what you're really getting involved with...I guess Id just say, read before you sign...........
anyone have experience with them first hand???

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

I dont see the membership rates that someone mentioned at that club thing...
but also read thru and it seems that people that are already members are then somehow paid for the bookings of others??? Hmmmmmmm does not sound right to me, but perhaps someone can explain that...

So, I guess Ill be happy with the 170 AAA rate.
We are once again staying Hyatt for a fri night stay, arriving late (which by the way, the food court area at the airport is basically closed except for McD's, so be prepared if you arrive late at night)
anyway, we also enjoy waking up refreshed and staying split stays are too much of a hassle for our family...we'd rather relax, sometimes take a swim, or grab a bite to eat (hyatt has options) and wake up refreshed.
I am not giving flight info but will just arrive at ME in the morning instead, likely near 7ish to get to our resort. I also prefer morning check in, when IMHO you get a better chance at a room location request.
We pull our own luggage and take it with us to Hyatt and also to the ME. Usually tip $2-3 per bag when we exit bus.

worth the money IMHO..Hope everyone has a great trip!

I re-reviewed that site that was mentioned. HYATT MCO is NOT included in their inventory, unless you are a PAYING member., otherwise its the Hyatt that is 8-20 miles AWAY form the airport!!!
Your Fee to join is Not disclosed, and It is automatically renewed every renewal period, which is also not disclosed. And there are commissions paid to other members for referring you.
So if anyone is interested, atleast know what you're really getting involved with...I guess Id just say, read before you sign...........
anyone have experience with them first hand???

If you just call the LMT toll free number and ask for the Hyatt MCO, they will give you the Club price. As often as I book hotels, a $50 fee is no big deal. I use LMT, Priceline, Hotwire, et.al., to get the best deal, and more so LMTClub if I want to know the hotel I will be getting. With most bookings you can cancel up to 3 days before check in with no penalty.

 

[thefigueroas]

I am not sure if they still do this but bell services at MCO were able to pick up our luggage at baggage claim for us the evening we arrived. It was very handy to have them pick it up for us and bring it to our room so we did not have to go get it. Just wanted to throw that out there for you. By the way, it is VERY nice. We really enjoyed it. The beds were nice and they had a nice buffet breakfast though I am not sure if they still have it.