No hotel for a night?

[Jaimiebear5]

My DH and I are going to the world at the end of September we wanted to extend our vacation by one day but there is no availablity at our resort. We where thinking of just not having a hotel that night and just head out to the airport at midnight when our flight leaves at 6am. Has anyone done this or had any expirence?

 

[ibela]

I'd get an airport area hotel on hotwire to have somewhere to rest after a day at the parks. Then you're already in the vicinity for your early flight.

 

[SurfinTX]

Yeah. There are several hotels in the area that have shuttles to and from the airport. Unless your planning on staying in a park to 2 am which I'm not sure that is possible in Sept. your going to have a vary long wait. There is a Sheraton inside the airport as well. It might be pricey but it beats the heck out of just hanging around in a mostly closed airport for 5-6 hours.

 

[delmar411]

well you could possibly do what DH did one time. Stay in the parks until the last possible minute of a very late night EMH and then go back to the resort and wait the hour or so for the ME bus! LOL He didn't have a hotel room for that night on property but was able to arrange ME transport back to the airport for a 6am flight since he checked out less than 24hrs before.

 

[HeatherC]

I would get a Priceline hotel near the airport. You can check out biddingfortravel.com to see what hotels are coming up near the airport.

 

[skiingfast]

Are you using ME? What will you do with your bags?

I think if you can stay late say park closes at twelve. You are probably right to go to the airport and sleep at the gate.

If you exit say MK at 12 it will take until one to get to a airport, if you get there quick and easy. But still now it's 1, if you go to another hotel even the MCO Hyatt you won't be in bed until 1:45, then you can have 3 hours of sleep get up and run down to security. If you are active all day what will it take for you to get up after falling deep asleep, will you even make that flight?


I think going to the airport and waiting is the simplest and best idea.

 

[seashoreCM]

Unlike use of facilities except the room until park final closing for check out day, you are supposed to take Magical Express back to the airport on or before the calendar day of checkout. The last DME bus back is ca. 8 PM intended to meet the last flights out ca 11 PM; you must reserve it that way although you don't have to fly those flights.

If they let slip through for you a 3 AM the next day DME bus intended for guests who stayed that last night, and you get that on your confirmation page, quietly say "thank you".

 

[delmar411]

Unlike use of facilities except the room until park final closing for check out day, you are supposed to take Magical Express back to the airport on or before the calendar day of checkout. The last DME bus back is ca. 8 PM intended to meet the last flights out ca 11 PM; you must reserve it that way although you don't have to fly those flights.

If they let slip through for you a 3 AM the next day DME bus intended for guests who stayed that last night, and you get that on your confirmation page, quietly say "thank you".

DH didn't get it 'slipped' through. He made those arrangements with ME himself after arrival. Originally he was supposed to take the last ME bus back to the airport on day of check out and just crash there.

I just offered it up as a possible option to OP. It doesn't hurt to ask and the worst they can say is no.

 

[leebee]

Ummmm... how late can you stay in the parks or at DTD? Do you have your own transportation? I would priceline a 3 star airport hotel (should be able to get something like the Marriott for around $50) and stay at the airport. If you don't have your own car, either tell ME you have an 11pm flight, ride the bus to the airport and then take the hotel shuttle to the hotel, or go to DTD for the evening and take a cab to your hotel... or your rental car, if you have one. I would be worried about making it for the flight, or about airport security all night long.

 

[Pembo]

Keep checking with the resort...I bet you'll be able to add that night on at some point before your trip.

 

[Mike]

Use Priceline. I got the Country Inn and Suites by the airport for $30 and that includes a free breakfast. That is tough to beat - especially with a family.

 

[Kimberle]

There is a nice Hyatt right in the airport. The TV has a channel w/ the departure's (like you see at the gates) so you can keep tabs on your flight.

I doubt the parks will be open very late in Sept as it's one of the least busy times.

 

[seashoreCM]

Use Priceline. I got the Country Inn and Suites by the airport for $30 and that includes a free breakfast. That is tough to beat - especially with a family.

Careful about using Priceline. What you get might not have airport transportation. (Do Priceline and Hotwire let you narrow down the selections to hotels that have airport transportation, before you bid?)

 

[Alexander]

You have to be out of your room by 11:00 AM the day before your flight, so even though you have a really early flight, that is a long time to be in limbo without a homebase. What will you do with your luggage? Wouldn't you like a shower before you fly home--how about a few hours of good sleep? I would look for an airport hotel for sure.

 

[Alexander]

Careful about using Priceline. What you get might not have airport transportation. (Do Priceline and Hotwire let you narrow down the selections to hotels that have airport transportation, before you bid?)

Yes they do--well, I know Hotwire for sure. We've used them for our home airport the night before we flew out early. There will be a little logo that indicates transporation to the airport.

 

[skiingfast]

Yes they do--well, I know Hotwire for sure. We've used them for our home airport the night before we flew out early. There will be a little logo that indicates transporation to the airport.

Priceline does as well.

Careful using those sites thout as they add a big base fees+taxes. It takes a bargain basement deal to just deal pretty quick.

 

[Lewisc]

Priceline does as well.

Careful using those sites thout as they add a big base fees+taxes. It takes a bargain basement deal to just deal pretty quick.

Priceline does not guarantee an airport hotel will offer a shuttle. Hotwire doesn't guarantee the shuttle will be operating 24/7. AFAIK all 3* PL hotels in the MCO zone offer a complimentary shuttle 24/7. I'm not 100% sure about the 2.5* hotels. I'm not going to take the time to cut and paste from PLs site.

OP has a 6a flight. That suggests they'll be leaving their hotel before breakfast, complimentary or paid, is available. The shuttle to the hotel may only run every 30 minutes. Possibly even every 60 minutes that early. That suggests leaving your hotel 4-4:30a.

DME will pick them up at around 3a. I don't think they'll be getting much sleep under any option.

Do you have any experience with Priceline? I suggest you check out sites like biddingfortravel and betterbidding. People who know how to use PL save big bucks even after PLs fee. You also need to review PLs policy. PL is very clear an airport shuttle is never guaranteed. Where did you get this piece of information. You might want to correct whatever friend or website offered the advice. A $10-$20 taxi ride may evaporate much of your savings.

Again this isn't generally an issue at MCO. All but the lowerer * rated properties offer a complimentary shuttle 24/7. There are cities where PLs airport zone includes properties that aren't that close the the airport and don't always offer a shuttle. Last time I checked PL's zone for Newark Airport included the Hilton in Newark Penn Station. That hotel isn't really in what most people consider the airport zone and the hotel doesn't offer great shuttles.

 

[Donut23]

Ok, I'm going to sound like your mother.....but here goes.

I vote with the people who suggest getting a really-really affordable hotel near the airport.

Why?

Well, even the end of September there is a chance that the weather will still be hot. I cannot imagine spending an entire day at the parks and get on a flight the next day...without a SHOWER!!! (See, I'm your Mom!)

I did that in my crazy youth flying home from London Gatwick. . It was a long flight after sleeping in the airport and cleaning up in the ladies room.

On another trip years ago to central America, I flew back to New Orleans on the way home. We spent the entire night downtown --- and went back to the hotel to freshen up before our flights home. It was FAR more pleasant....and probably more pleasant for the other fliers nearby if you know what I mean.

Get the room. Grab a little sleep, good shower and fly home with visions of pixies in your dreams!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I have gotten the Hyatt right inside MCO many times through Hotwire, usually around $55. Even w/ taxes & fees it's around $70. It's easy to spot: it's the only 4* in MCO area with a trip advisor rating of 4.5. This has worked for me many times and last time I bought 5 rooms. In Oct I will be getting 8.

It's only steps away from security so no need to worry about shuttles at all.
As a back up, just in case it's not available, we have ressies with Hyatt at Costco rate of $119.

You can't beat the convenience and my sanity is worth more than those prices. ymmv.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

This is from our balcony last visit there. The Hyatt entrance is on the right(blue lighted sign). Airport security is also on the right, just beyond the escaltor. This was taken late on a Friday night. If I took it at a more crowded time, you'd see people lined up for airport security there too.
It's soooo convenient for early departures or late arrivals.
Even if you go with a hotel just outside the airport, Hotwire will state if the hotel has a shuttle. Also with HW, you can enter 4 people (say 2 adults, 2 kids) in your search to get bedding for 4. With PL they only guarantee bedding for 2.
hth