Need a little logistics help: adding a day

[megs1313]

This is a little convoluted, so forgive me...

Our scheduled arrival is saturday. 3 rooms in AB at POR booked (5 in each room.) Travel party is two families. Our family of 6 will arrive by plane. Other family (9) will arrive by car. BUT, one of the 3 rooms at POR has mixed occupants (our family and theirs.) This was the most budget friendly way to book, so we're splitting the cost of that 3rd room.

Because our family is flying, it made sense to add a day on the front end when the flights were cheaper. So we will arrive on friday around midnight. The rest of our party will arrive late on saturday.

Now I have to find a place for our family (6) for just that friday night. I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible considering we will just be sleeping there and then heading to POR to check in and hit a park or two.

Where???? POR doesn't have any rooms available at all (according to the website) and I hate to pay for 2 rooms, but we go over occupancy. So I feel like an on property resort might be out. How will I handle transportation off property? I've been thinking about one of the Disney Springs area resorts....does that make sense? Is there something I haven't thought of that would be better? maybe a suite at all stars?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would normally recommend staying at the Hyatt inside the airport for a flight that arrives at midnight, but you would need two rooms, which will probably be a bit pricey.

I think your best choice, simply based on transporting your family and what it would cost for cabs, private cars, etc., would be to book something onsite for that night. I would price out a family suite at ASMu or two value rooms to see what comes out cheapest. This way, you will get DME that night to your resort (saving on transportation costs), your first resort will transfer your luggage to POR and you will be able to access Disney transportation (or a Minnie Van) to get to POR. Just know, at that time of night, you'll have to collect your own luggage at the airport and bring it to DME. I would definitely look into the Hyatt at the airport (it would certainly be the most convenient), but I don't think it will be your cheapest option.

 

[megs1313]

I would normally recommend staying at the Hyatt inside the airport for a flight that arrives at midnight, but you would need two rooms, which will probably be a bit pricey.

I think your best choice, simply based on transporting your family and what it would cost for cabs, private cars, etc., would be to book something onsite for that night. I would price out a family suite at ASMu or two value rooms to see what comes out cheapest. This way, you will get DME that night to your resort (saving on transportation costs), your first resort will transfer your luggage to POR and you will be able to access Disney transportation (or a Minnie Van) to get to POR. Just know, at that time of night, you'll have to collect your own luggage at the airport and bring it to DME. I would definitely look into the Hyatt at the airport (it would certainly be the most convenient), but I don't think it will be your cheapest option.

I called today and the only thing they have available on site is an AoA suite at rack rate for $423/night. It's marathon weekend, so there are NO values or moderates available at all.

 

[lanejudy]

Anything in the Disney Springs area is going to require transportation because ME doesn't service those hotels. I don't know pricing, but have you looked at hotels near the airport? We like Hampton Inn but there are a few different chains, though you may need 2 rooms. They offer a shuttle from the airport, breakfast in the morning, then shuttle back to take ME to POR.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Anything in the Disney Springs area is going to require transportation because ME doesn't service those hotels. I don't know pricing, but have you looked at hotels near the airport? We like Hampton Inn but there are a few different chains, though you may need 2 rooms. They offer a shuttle from the airport, breakfast in the morning, then shuttle back to take ME to POR.

Enjoy your vacation!

Yes, I was just going to suggest this. Another option would be to find a hotel near the airport that offers a shuttles back and forth from the airport so you could take the shuttle to the hotel when you land and then back to the airport the next day to get Magical Express to POR. You may still need two rooms at one of these hotels, however, so I'm not sure what the cost savings would be over just booking the AoA suite and getting on property that evening.

I would post your question on the Orlando Hotels forum and see if someone has specific suggestions for hotels by the airport with a shuttle service: https://www.disboards.com/forums/orlando-hotels-and-attractions.15/