MCO Hyatt v. Three nights at Disney pre-cruise

[cruiser21]

You guys are SERIOUSLY the best. You're giving me a lot of peace of mind about all options, actually!

In reference to length of cruise--it is a 7 night cruise. I will have to spec out a Cocoa Beach pre-stay! I did kind of want to see Cape Canaveral...

We could rent a car but the carseat rental makes it more expensive (we have three that would need carseats).

For some reason I thought you were doing a 3 night. I would not rent a car in that case. Parking is too expensive.

 

[coloradocutie]

So, what do YOU want for your vacation, mama of 3 sweet children under 5? Seriously... mom's don't get a true "vacation" on vacation when there are little ones around, so what sounds best to you?

We love cruising with our little ones because it is somewhat of a true vacation for ME! Someone is cooking for me, cleaning for me, and (just wait-you will see...) someone is cutting up the little ones food at dinner for me! Your little ones will love being with you on vacation so plan it how YOU would like to get the most refreshment.

We have gone the lug 2 car seats/hired a private car transfer route to get some extra time before and after the cruise.. and car seats are just not fun to lug around. But it was really nice to lounge by a pool (WDW Four Seasons) prior to the cruise.

Another time we flew in and stayed the day before at MCO and took the first Disney bus over to the port the next morning. Hyatt MCO is NOT a luxurious vacation relaxation location- it is OK the night prior and there is a basic pool. But not somewhere you make a destination. I would not take the first bus again, unless you are aiming for a port upgrade, as we then had to sit around the port for 1-2 hours. Worth it for the upgrade but otherwise would not recommend getting there early. And as someone else mentioned, rooms are not available until 1 so you have to hold all of your carry ons until that time. It was ideal when we arrived at the port at 1, missed all of the lines, walked right on and into our room and the little ones could nap right away. That was really nice.

This last trip, we did Disney Magical express and that is truly luxurious for the parents!!! No car seats! Safe. Entertaining for the little ones. No car rentals. It sounds like you can stay at a nice resort at WDW... and you could just enjoy the resort without going into the parks. Little ones love the pools, and the pools on the ships are going to be really, really, really cramped (my DH used the phrase "mosh pit" in regards to the pools on board) if you are doing a warm cruise itinerary. Your little ones (and you!) might have a better pool experience before hand at the resort and then can spend the time on the ship doing other activities and seeing characters. Then let Disney transport you with ease to the ship. From a mom perspective it is sooooooooooo pampering.

Have a great vacation and enjoy your cruise!

 

[connie1042]

We are using "Fly,snooze and cruise. We will be picked up at MCO and taken to the hotel of choice for the night. On cruise day they pick us up and take us to PC. When we are done cruising, they take us back to MCO. We are a group of 7, so this was the cheapest option and the kids get to play on the beach for awhile.

 

[mathgeek]

IF your PAT is in the first slot. You could theoretically be on the first bus and yet have Boarding Group 26 (or something like that) because your selected PAT was later. I witnessed it happen to a family that was on my bus from MCO (the first one) but whose selected PAT was a lot later. I'm sure the possibility exists that you will get a person checking you in who will somehow override the system and give you a lower number (I think I've seen one on here say that happened to them), but it's far more likely if you have a later PAT but are on the first (or at least an early) bus you'll be watching people who arrive after you board before you.

Someone double check me, but if you use Disney Transport, I don't think you select a PAT.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong please, but I thought you only automatically get the earliest PAT, and thus an early boarding number, for staying at the Hyatt if you book the Hyatt through DCL. If you book on your own, then you still have to choose a PAT, and it'll possibly be much later (as what may have happened with the family Dug720 saw).

My personal experience...I booked the Hyatt on my own, not through DCL, b/c I had a great discounted rate that I could get by booking on my own. When I did online check in I ended up with an 11:30 PAT (which is what I get for booking a cruise less than 60 days out), then when I checked in at the terminal was given boarding group 7. But I was on the first DCL bus from MCO that morning. Some of the other families who were on the bus with me boarded before me, but I don't know if that's b/c they were platinum or b/c they booked the Hyatt through DCL. In any case, I was onboard by 11:40, so it really wasn't that bad, but there were a lot of people who boarded before me, and most of them arrived after I did.

 

[Elizakapeka]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong please, but I thought you only automatically get the earliest PAT, and thus an early boarding number, for staying at the Hyatt if you book the Hyatt through DCL. If you book on your own, then you still have to choose a PAT, and it'll possibly be much later (as what may have happened with the family Dug720 saw).

My personal experience...I booked the Hyatt on my own, not through DCL, b/c I had a great discounted rate that I could get by booking on my own. When I did online check in I ended up with an 11:30 PAT (which is what I get for booking a cruise less than 60 days out), then when I checked in at the terminal was given boarding group 7. But I was on the first DCL bus from MCO that morning. Some of the other families who were on the bus with me boarded before me, but I don't know if that's b/c they were platinum or b/c they booked the Hyatt through DCL. In any case, I was onboard by 11:40, so it really wasn't that bad, but there were a lot of people who boarded before me, and most of them arrived after I did.

oh no, you have me concerned, I booked hyatt on my own with a good rate. I never even thought about the possibility that people that booked through disney could get a earlier PAT simply because disney automatically schedules their PAT. Is this true guys?

 

[mathgeek]

oh no, you have me concerned, I booked hyatt on my own with a good rate. I never even thought about the possibility that people that booked through disney could get a earlier PAT simply because disney automatically schedules their PAT. Is this true guys?

Saw this thread pop up, and it looks like they're confirming it.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/mco-hyatt-and-ground-transfers.3578354/

To be honest, I didn't realize until recently that booking at the Hyatt through DCL gave you an advantage for PAT! I was just looking forward to being on the first bus and not having to schlep my luggage with me. Those were already great benefits as far as I was concerned!

 

[mrp4352]

oh no, you have me concerned, I booked hyatt on my own with a good rate. I never even thought about the possibility that people that booked through disney could get a earlier PAT simply because disney automatically schedules their PAT. Is this true guys?

So, PAT is really just a way for Disney to help smooth out the arrivals to hopefully prevent bottlenecks. But if you arrive early, you won't be turned away. Your Boarding Group number is something different - and that is affected by many things including your Castaway Club level. Even if you're not in one of the first groups - once boarding starts, it generally moves quickly. Everyone has a different preference - I like to arrive early, that gives me time to find a seat while I'm waiting for my boarding time. Others like to arrive later and hopefully go straight from check-in to boarding. All of them work, and all of them are great - because ultimately it ends with you on a Disney ship!!

 

[Elizakapeka]

thank you mrp4352 and mathgeek, you make great points. I booked hyatt for not having to bring my luggage to the port and to get there earlier than staying WDW. My fear is sitting in the terminal for longer than i anticipated, so I debated showing up around 1130-12 since I hear you can board pretty quick at that time. I know this is my fist cruise and there will be a thousands of people on the ship before me. Being a very competeive person which I try to wrangle on vacation if I get there at the same time as an entire bus and I am last to board I will likely get a little frustrated. I may consider calling DCL to price out the hyatt. I am past my PIF date, does anyone know if I can even book through DCL if I am past my PIF?

 

[Shanti]

This sounds like it would be a no-brainer, but I'm a bit overwhelmed! Please weigh in, all opinions are welcome.

Factors:

• I'm feeling a WEE bit burned out on WDW, but our three little kids are not.
• We have three little kids (under 5) and will probably have a lot of luggage.
• We have DVC & APs so I booked 3 nights in a poly studio pre-cruise just in case--so if we do that, it will be a cashless stay other than food/merch--but WDW food is not cheap for 5.
• We REALLY want to get on the boat as soon as possible and Hyatt has that deal where they transport your luggage and you have no set PAT.
• Flights are significantly cheaper flying in the Wednesday before the cruise.
• I'm nervous about planning a pre-cruise trip to WDW because I'm already nervous about the cruise--it's our first one and I'm unfamiliar with all the details
• We may stay a few days at WDW after the cruise for less expensive airfare (Weds to Weds fare is only $200ish ea)

Given these, do you think it would be easier to fly into MCO, stay at the airport and head to the port first thing, or go to the Poly for a few days and keep it low key (maybe not make FPs or ADRs at all and just chill as much as possible) and take the DCL ME? I'm assuming I'll get a late PAT since we are first time cruisers. HELP ME, DCL Forumites! YOU'RE MY ONLY HOPE!

We stayed pre-cruise at MCO Hyatt in December and loved it, even though we're Disney resort lovers. We booked it via DCL & were given boarding number 2 upon arrival at the port, in spite of the fact that we did not take one of the earliest buses & didn't arrive at the port until about 10:30am, & we're only silver-level CC club members. So you can get on the ship a bit earlier if you book the Hyatt via DCL (not directly through the hotel) & use DCL transfers.

Aside from that, though, you seem overwhelmed with planning, so I recommend making it a cruise-only trip for that reason. No need to add park days on in addition to the cruise- in your case, it will likely just wear you out so that you're tired before even setting foot on the ship.

 

[Shanti]

I may consider calling DCL to price out the hyatt. I am past my PIF date, does anyone know if I can even book through DCL if I am past my PIF?

Yes, I did so in December. We were not originally booked at the Hyatt, but I changed that after PIF, after I had already selected a 12:45pm PAT. We booked Hyatt via DCL and DCL transfers, so our previous PAT became a non-issue. We didn't arrive at the port until around 10:30am, & it was packed when we got there, but we were still given boarding number 2 (& we're only silver-level CC club members). So yes, it works, even when booking it after PIF, even after you had already selected a PAT.

The Hyatt is a very comfortable and attractive hotel to stay at, btw. Good service and food, great beds, and immaculately clean. More spacious and comfortable than a WDW resort room at a much lower price.

 

[Starwind]

OP: You might also consider a split stay. Two nights at the Poly (you can easily spend a full day at the pool; monorail hopping; exploring Disney Springs; playing Putt-Putt), but taking Magic Express back to the airport and spending the last night at the Hyatt (just find a flight about three hours after the time you'd like to be picked up, and tell Magic Express you're on that flight - they don't verify flight reservations). Then you can book your transfers from the airport and grab that early bus! Have a wonderful cruise!!

This is what we do. Our cruises lately and the next one have been in December, which means a risk of snowstorms messing up flying in. So we arrive on Wednesday for a Saturday cruise. Spend the first two nights at a WDW resort, then in the evening after a day lounging around the hotel or visiting Disney springs, take Magical Express back to MCO and check into the Hyatt for the last night. We usually time the return so we do dinner at the WDW resort as with our food allergies there are not a lot of good options at the airport.

Note that we have not had to give a fake flight for the ME return -- just explain we need to return to the airport and want to leave the resort at about X time and they make it happen. However I have seen others report they need to give a fake flight.

SW

 

[DisneyConvert]

When we were AP holders, we stayed off-site (Marriott/Residence Inns). Lots more room, free breakfast and free internet for fewer $$'s than a moderate. Knew all the routes in/out of the various places to park FREE inside WDW, so what about renting an automobile at MCO, putting all your luggage in it, staying off-site for a few days and enjoy the parks, and then drive to PCnvrl and drop the car off there before the cruise?

 

[hanscarlet]

MCO Hyatt
It was the best and we're sad we're not doing it this time and we're at the Beach club
So much so that we're ubering it to MCO from Beach club because I'm neurotic about getting on the ship early but if you don't care about ship boarding time, just take DCL transfers from the poly and relax, you can make it relaxing if you're not neurotic like me lol

 

[mrp4352]

This is what we do. Our cruises lately and the next one have been in December, which means a risk of snowstorms messing up flying in. So we arrive on Wednesday for a Saturday cruise. Spend the first two nights at a WDW resort, then in the evening after a day lounging around the hotel or visiting Disney springs, take Magical Express back to MCO and check into the Hyatt for the last night. We usually time the return so we do dinner at the WDW resort as with our food allergies there are not a lot of good options at the airport.

Note that we have not had to give a fake flight for the ME return -- just explain we need to return to the airport and want to leave the resort at about X time and they make it happen. However I have seen others report they need to give a fake flight.

SW

True - we use the fake flight method because I generally link to the request form through the DVC website. If you're calling in, they can just make it happen!