Need help deciding on one night stay

[foolish-mortal]

My husband and I are flying into MCO in February the night before a Royal Caribbean cruise. We are disney fans and have taken our family to WDW many times. It will just be the two of us and it's hard for me to go to Orlando and NOT go to WDW at all. We are definitely not interested in going to a park and will likely get in mid afternoon. My husband isn't as big of a fan as me, so he could easily take it or leave it. So I don't want to add a lot of complication to one night. But he tends to enjoy when we stay at a nice resort that's a little on the upscale side. We like staying club level at the resorts sometimes. We also like going to nice restaurants and sitting at the bar when it's just the two of us. I've narrowed down our choices and can't decide.

1. Stay at either AKL, Poly (would be our first time here), BCR or YC and stay club level. Just enjoy the resort for the whole evening, have breakfast in the club, uber to port in the morning.
2. Stay at a deluxe resort (not CL) and go to Geyser Point for dinner.
3. Stay at a Disney Springs resort and go to DS for the evening. Have dinner there and maybe hit up one or two places for a drink. We don't like shopping but would enjoy the dining there. Not sure if there's enough for us to do for a whole evening if we don't like shopping?? I've been to DS once and enjoyed it. My husband has never been there.
4. Just stay at Hyatt MCO, keep it simple. Disney is farther than MCO from the port so don't bother with it.

I know it's subjective but I enjoy hearing others' thoughts and opinions on this. I'm sure many have been in similar scenarios and curious what you would do. Also open to completely different suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[DL1WDW2]

I would stay at MCO …the new terminal C is interesting to explore.
Be sure to visit the Universal Studios Gift Shop with 2 levels and walk up those stairs!

Plus the Bar that overlooks the airport lobby is very nice and relaxing .

If you plan to enter Terminal C and you do not have security / gate clearance ,
TSA will require you to register online at least 7 days in advance .
They will email a temporary clearance the night before .
Be sure to check out the new dining and Wine Bar George has a new location ..
HTTPS://fly mco.com
Experience MCO -mco-visitor-pass-program

I also notice Disney Cruise has a special check in on the same floor as the bar and restaurant for guests specifically staying at the MCO Hyatt .
While I was waitng for info for the restaurant I found a lot of history showcased In their Glass display cases.
I wonder if they have anyplace to watch planes depart / arrive …

 

[Marthasor]

Personally, I wouldn't do CL for one night. I would use the money saved on a nice dinner and better breakfast. I would pick a deluxe that appeals or even consider POFQ if you want to go to DS. It's a mod, but would be on par, IMHO, with any of the DS hotels and there is lovely boat transportation from there to DS. It is my understanding it was recently refurbished. The QS there is very nice and there is a coffee area with beignets and also live jazz in the evenings. Even consider a SSR studio (preferred location) if you want to go to DS for the evening.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Did you thoroughly research your plan to uber to the port? Because a little bit of googling says that’s not a great idea, especially on the return.

I would stay non-CL or MCO Hyatt. At AKL the animal viewing will add a different component to the stay vs something like Poly so I’d lean towards that and just eat & drink at AKL.

What’s the value of CL when you’re doing dinner out? I see very little so I’d find a nice hotel bar for afternoon drinks. Or I’d do CL and skip dinner.

I’m not much of a DS fan so I can’t see it being worth the effort over just staying at MCO Hyatt.

 

[foolish-mortal]

Did you thoroughly research your plan to uber to the port? Because a little bit of googling says that’s not a great idea, especially on the return.

I would stay non-CL or MCO Hyatt. At AKL the animal viewing will add a different component to the stay vs something like Poly so I’d lean towards that and just eat & drink at AKL.

What’s the value of CL when you’re doing dinner out? I see very little so I’d find a nice hotel bar for afternoon drinks. Or I’d do CL and skip dinner.

I’m not much of a DS fan so I can’t see it being worth the effort over just staying at MCO Hyatt.

No value in doing both CL and going out for dinner. Not one of the options we're considering.

 

[80sTerraceCafeFan]

I wouldn't do CL for a shortened stay - would have been more useful if you were headed out further after checkout- and it will be nice to have the freedom to explore about and not feel tied to eating there.

AKL is always a great choice when not needing to travel to the parks, but sounds like you've stayed there already. Poly is a cool atmosphere at night, worth experiencing for sure, and you could try to eat at the new restaurant in the tower, which to me is the best part of that new addition.

 

[Dave006]

4. Just stay at Hyatt MCO, keep it simple. Disney is farther than MCO from the port so don't bother with it.

I would check your price for a night at the Hyatt MCO vs $500 - $800 at a Disney Deluxe. You can also get Cruise transportation directly from the Airport.

Dave

 

[leebee]

Stay in the tower at Coronado Springs. Have dinner at Toledo. Have a nightcap at Dalia or Barcelona Lounges.

 

[kylenne]

Honestly I would give Swan/Dolphin a shout for a pre-cruise stay if you want a taste of the bubble without going into a park, plenty of great places to eat around there, entertainment on the Boardwalk, and certain rooms can get you Epcot fireworks views. The only reason we didn’t do it for pre-Wish cruise stay in September is bc we were doing a full Disney land & sea trip.

 

[Mle8308]

You can also do CL at the Grand Destino Tower (Coronado Springs). Only moderate with Club rooms. Will have an upscale feel without the large upscale price tag. You can also look into Disney transportation to/from the Port.

 

[sponica]

I might be inclined to just do option 4, depending on what time I had to get to the airport on the way down.

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

I’m curious to everyone that gave answers. I’m in a similar boat as the original poster. My family will be driving to Florida in July and going on a Royal cruise. We have three children who will be between the ages of nine and 13 at the time of the trip. Normally, we go on longer trips to Disney staying DVC. This time it’s just us, will only be one night and we will most likely be on property before 10 in the morning. So we were looking at possibly doing Polynesian (my husband and I would love to stay at) wilderness Lodge, possibly Caribbean Beach possibly yacht club The we’re worried about storm Bay being back open. The other possibility is of course, an off property hotel with a good pool, so curious to see what people would recommend. I feel like the higher weight would be given to the awesomeness of the pool and the food and beverage options at the resort.

 

[kylenne]

I’m curious to everyone that gave answers. I’m in a similar boat as the original poster. My family will be driving to Florida in July and going on a Royal cruise. We have three children who will be between the ages of nine and 13 at the time of the trip. Normally, we go on longer trips to Disney staying DVC. This time it’s just us, will only be one night and we will most likely be on property before 10 in the morning. So we were looking at possibly doing Polynesian (my husband and I would love to stay at) wilderness Lodge, possibly Caribbean Beach possibly yacht club The we’re worried about storm Bay being back open. The other possibility is of course, an off property hotel with a good pool, so curious to see what people would recommend. I feel like the higher weight would be given to the awesomeness of the pool and the food and beverage options at the resort.

Poly is great for a 1 day stay pre or post cruise. We did 1 night of CL after getting off the Wish in September and it was great. Even in a normal room without lounge access though there’s plenty of awesome food there and the pools are great (you can even get a patio at the quiet pool for very reasonable pricing). Grab a dole whip and can see fireworks that night too.

Idk if you plan on going into the parks, but my one concern would be maybe the kids having a bit of FOMO being that close and not going in.

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

Idk if you plan on going into the parks, but my one concern would be maybe the kids having a bit of FOMO being that close and not going in.

Haha it’s more of Dad having FOMO. It’ll be a gametime decision one day park tickets are too damn expensive on top of a seven night cruise! But that’s why we were thinking, Polly or wilderness Lodge or even yacht club because they’re so much to do there and you can still see a fireworks show so you’re not going in the park. You’re still getting that little taste of the magic!

 

[kylenne]

Haha it’s more of Dad having FOMO. It’ll be a gametime decision one day park tickets are too damn expensive on top of a seven night cruise! But that’s why we were thinking, Polly or wilderness Lodge or even yacht club because they’re so much to do there and you can still see a fireworks show so you’re not going in the park. You’re still getting that little taste of the magic!

I hear that! I would honestly choose Poly. SAB is a bit too unknown for July imo. Wilderness Lodge is a good shout though, i mainly lean Poly just thinking about fireworks viewing.

 

[Mle8308]

I hear that! I would honestly choose Poly. SAB is a bit too unknown for July imo. Wilderness Lodge is a good shout though, i mainly lean Poly just thinking about fireworks viewing.

Agree! We do split stays between the Poly and the WL and the Poly wins hands down for fireworks viewing. You can only see the higher fireworks at the WL. And both resorts have the Electrical Water Parade at night. Another Poly benefit is you can always ride around on the monorail. I do love both, for different reasons.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I’m curious to everyone that gave answers. I’m in a similar boat as the original poster. My family will be driving to Florida in July and going on a Royal cruise. We have three children who will be between the ages of nine and 13 at the time of the trip. Normally, we go on longer trips to Disney staying DVC. This time it’s just us, will only be one night and we will most likely be on property before 10 in the morning. So we were looking at possibly doing Polynesian (my husband and I would love to stay at) wilderness Lodge, possibly Caribbean Beach possibly yacht club The we’re worried about storm Bay being back open. The other possibility is of course, an off property hotel with a good pool, so curious to see what people would recommend. I feel like the higher weight would be given to the awesomeness of the pool and the food and beverage options at the resort.

With an onsite stay you'll get a free water park day on arrival. Considering you are arriving at 10am you'll have plenty of time to make us of this if you choose to. I'd probably stay at WL. I'd do the water park in the morning/afternoon. Come back and eat at Geyser Point. Then watch the Electric water pageant and then get a good night sleep.

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

For a one-night stay I would always lean toward AKL. I love that hotel, it has great food, and the pools are decent.

 

[cruising spud]

My husband and I are going to be driving near the Disney area in a few weeks, and we discussed staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge for a night. Eating at one of the lodge restaurants, walking the grounds, relaxing. We have never visited this hotel. So, if I were you, this is where I would go. Our ultimate decision-not doing it. Too expensive.

 

[Mynamewastaken]

Last year we stayed at MCO before our flight to Aruba. It killed me not to stay on a Disney property but our flight was at 9 am and international so we chose to be closer to avoid any snafus. It was nice but not what I would have chosen. If you can swing it, stay in the magic