Should we stay first night outside of WDW?

[bcbmommy]

Okay, I hope this makes sense. It's looking like the only flight we can get will arrive at MCO around 9:30 pm! I really hate to miss an entire day at Disney when I'm paying $800 a night for a room! So...would it be a royal pain in the rear to stay that first night at an airport hotel, and then hopefully get ME to the resort the next day? Is that even possible?

 

[rwdavis2]

How about a value resort room then move to the booked resort the next day?

 

[DebbieB]

Okay, I hope this makes sense. It's looking like the only flight we can get will arrive at MCO around 9:30 pm! I really hate to miss an entire day at Disney when I'm paying $800 a night for a room! So...would it be a royal pain in the rear to stay that first night at an airport hotel, and then hopefully get ME to the resort the next day? Is that even possible?

Where are you staying for $800 a night? Does that include dining plan & tickets?

I would find an airport hotel, we did that once. Make sure it has a 24 hour shuttle unless you are staying at the Hyatt. Then give DME a flight # for the morning that arrives when you want to leave the airport.

You could do an onsite hotel but then you would have to arrange for luggage transfer in the morning.

 

[bcbmommy]

Ahh....that's a good idea! Why didn't I think of that?? Well they move our luggage for us the next day?

How about a value resort room then move to the booked resort the next day?

 

[bcbmommy]

BC 2 bedroom Villas. I have a free dining code, so that helps, but ugh!!! Can't stand thinking about the cost!
I'll have to run these ideas past my dh. Thanks!

Where are you staying for $800 a night? Does that include dining plan & tickets?

I would find an airport hotel, we did that once. Make sure it has a 24 hour shuttle unless you are staying at the Hyatt. Then give DME a flight # for the morning that arrives when you want to leave the airport.

You could do an onsite hotel but then you would have to arrange for luggage transfer in the morning.

 

[redrosesix]

BC 2 bedroom Villas. I have a free dining code, so that helps, but ugh!!! Can't stand thinking about the cost!
I'll have to run these ideas past my dh. Thanks!

I would definitely do a split stay -- WDW will move your luggage to BC while you're in the parks or DTD. It's actually great to arrive late at night and then have the whole day at WDW to enjoy, rather than checking in half way through the day and really getting not much done on your first day other than setting up.

When we do a split stay we usually have everything we need for the first 24 hours in our carry-ons and we leave our big bags at luggage services.

 

[DebbieB]

BC 2 bedroom Villas. I have a free dining code, so that helps, but ugh!!! Can't stand thinking about the cost!
I'll have to run these ideas past my dh. Thanks!

Are you sure free dining is the best deal? You can sometimes get 35% off on room only.

One thing to consider is you would get another set of dining credits if you stay that night. Depending on how many people you have, it might be worth it vs paying for a separate room or rooms (how many people do you have?).

 

[MKFan-PR]

Ahh....that's a good idea! Why didn't I think of that?? Well they move our luggage for us the next day?

Yes, you can arrange for luggage transfer to the next resort.

 

[bcbmommy]

Lovin' this idea!

I would definitely do a split stay -- WDW will move your luggage to BC while you're in the parks or DTD. It's actually great to arrive late at night and then have the whole day at WDW to enjoy, rather than checking in half way through the day and really getting not much done on your first day other than setting up.

When we do a split stay we usually have everything we need for the first 24 hours in our carry-ons and we leave our big bags at luggage services.

 

[bcbmommy]

For some reason, they wouldn't let me use the room discount on the villa, just the free dining.
If we do stay at a cheaper resort that first night, would we be able to get the free dining, since we're splitting it up, or could we possibly use the room discount?

Are you sure free dining is the best deal? You can sometimes get 35% off on room only.

One thing to consider is you would get another set of dining credits if you stay that night. Depending on how many people you have, it might be worth it vs paying for a separate room or rooms (how many people do you have?).

 

[Mkrop]

I would do a Value or somewhere onsite the night before. Before you head to a park, go to bell services, give them your bags, and then head to a park and then go check in later in the day or early evening.

We did this on our last trip started AKL (DVC) and woke up, gave them the bags, went to DHS, then went to the early show of HDDR, then went back to the BW around 7ish, then we checked in. We almost went back out to Epcot except we had some other problems with flight delays and the a late party and we were exhausted.

 

[redrosesix]

For some reason, they wouldn't let me use the room discount on the villa, just the free dining.
If we do stay at a cheaper resort that first night, would we be able to get the free dining, since we're splitting it up, or could we possibly use the room discount?

If it's available you could use either discount. It's a totally new reservation and isn't connected to your existing reservation in any way.

You can check in at your 2nd resort first thing in the morning if you want to. If the room is available they'll let you have it right away -- otherwise you can call them at 3 pm or have them text you the room number. That way you can use your dining credits from your BC reservation for breakfast.

 

[DebbieB]

For some reason, they wouldn't let me use the room discount on the villa, just the free dining.
If we do stay at a cheaper resort that first night, would we be able to get the free dining, since we're splitting it up, or could we possibly use the room discount?

I don't think you can get free dining, I believe it's a 3 night minimum plus you would have to buy 2 day tickets with that reservation. I would look for a room discount.

 

[disneyfanbcv]

Differently stay at a value resort and let them do the transfer. If you stay at the airport you will still feel as if you are not there yet.

 

[quandrea]

You can rent points from a dvc member for way less than disney charges. Check out dvcbyrequest.com. this would be your best deal. I bet you could even add on that first late night. You wouldn't get free dining, but it's overrated anyway. Let us know what you decide. I bet with dvc rentals you won't feel so sick about the cost.

 

[redrosesix]

I don't think you can get free dining, I believe it's a 3 night minimum plus you would have to buy 2 day tickets with that reservation. I would look for a room discount.

yup, you're right -- can't do free dining on a one night stay.

She could, however, add the DDP for the one night but I don't think it would be worth it since she'll have dining credits as soon as she checks in to BC

 

[Sunnywho]

I found transferring rooms after one night to be a real pain. We've stayed at Wingate near the airport which was an ok hotel with a hotel shuttle back to the airport to then catch ME. We've also stayed at an All Stars value and then transferred the next day. You don't get to unpack and then there's the hassle the next day of transferring. For us we wouldn't do it again.

 

[bookgirl]

I did stay offsite one year (had a rental so super easy to get up early and checked in by 9am) and it saved money for sure.

Next time I still had a car but did a value stay then moved to a moderate. Still saved money for the partial day I was there (no parks arrived in early evening).

I have a later arrival this year as well but since I'm only doing a value stay I'm not worried about first night costs.

In your case I'd for sure do a value. Doubt you can get free dining but would you really need free dining arriving at 9:30 pm.

Your free dining on your deluxe stay can be used at anytime the day you check in, so just send one person over to check in and activate your MB's and you should be able to use your credits at lunch (or breakfast if you eat late and they check in early). OOP for breakfast is usually pretty cheap especially if you hit the food court at your value. Even paying for breakfast and the value night you're still not going to spend what you would for sleeping at a deluxe on arrival.