Something to do the evening before the cruise

[wahoowa]

We are getting into MCO at 4:20 pm the day before the cruise and staying at the Hyatt at the airport. Will have 4 and 2 year old boys with us. Was not planning on renting a car as we are using Disney transport the next day to get to the boat.

Any suggestions on something to do for the evening? Quick trip to the Magic Kingdom if they offered an evening rate? Something neat at Downtown Disney? Sea World? I would assume all would have to be done by taking a cab. Any idea how far this things are away?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dreamer04]

Call me crazy, but how about hanging out at the hotel? We've done this twice and are doing the same thing in February. There is a nice arcade in the airport public area, the hotel has a really nice pool. Then have dinner and hit the hay!

 

[mommasita]

I agree with the PP....Take it easy, by the time you actually get to your room, you will more than likely be bushed ( I am..) and then relax and get a nice early fresh start to your cruise...

 

[mmouse37]

No evening rates at WDW.....but if you did want to venture out (though I tend to agree with the other to just hang at the hotel) you could catch a mears bus to Downtown Disney....though it may be about $25. per person...not sure how much a cab would be...might even be easier to rent a car for the evening...you would be charged a one day rental and they usually run about $40 or so for the day (depending on size, of course). WDW is about 20 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic.

The airport itself is very nice with many nice shops (Disney ,Universal, Sea World) and others. We enjoy the Hyatt and loved their rooftop pool.

MJ

 

[ChrizJen]

We're doing something similar...escept we're flying into Sanford the afternoon before, renting a car, and driving to Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach. We're just planning on getting settled in at the hotel, maybe going for a dip in the pool, grabbing a bite to eat, and then taking it easy for the evening, maybe play some cards or something.

Our goal is to get a head start, and get into the "total relaxation mode" that we'll be in on the ship

 

[TheWog]

I say hang out and enjoy the pool. By the time you get off the plane, luggage, check in, get to your room, etc. it could be after 5:00. Then the kids will be hungry and ready to eat and sounds like an 8:00 p.m. or so bedtime with a HUGE day the next day. Relax and enjoy.

 

[HeelMD]

It depends. Is that the last night you won't be sharing a room with the kids. If so, I have a suggestion that won't cost you a thing...

 

[DisneyMom&Fan]

We're doing the same... flying in the night before and staying at the Hyatt with DCL transfers. I also heard that hanging out at the Hyatt/airport is the way to go and am planning on doing that too. What a great way to start a relaxing vacation. Besides, with two young boys, I also would think that less hassle, all the better.

 

[Jillie]

Enjoy the hotel, pool, airport....our first cruise we(dh, dd 12, dd 9and me) arrived about 1pm the day before and rented a car, went to the Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge for dinner and then back to the Airport Hyatt. We were all soooo tired! The next night (our first on the ship) we were all so wiped out we ate dinner and went to bed. Really felt like we missed out on so much that first night. Our next two cruises we arrived the day before and hung around the pool, had dinner in the airport area and went to bed early. We so enjoyed our first day on board!!

 

[devotedchristian]

We will arrive the day before our cruise (with a 3yr old), maybe 6 or 6:30. I plan to order room service, take a hot bath, read and play with DS and just have family time with DS and DH and just relax at the resort. We want to start the vacation by relaxing and doing nothing.

Plus, we decided to keep DS to as much routine as possible to avoid sensory overloads or meltdowns.

 

[Jsme]

It depends. Is that the last night you won't be sharing a room with the kids. If so, I have a suggestion that won't cost you a thing...

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

We are going to fly in to MCO the day before and take a towncar over to the Cape yet that afternoon. We will chill out at whatever hotel there and be bright and bushy tail on cruise day!!

 

[GoofyFD]

Call me crazy, but how about hanging out at the hotel? We've done this twice and are doing the same thing in February. There is a nice arcade in the airport public area, the hotel has a really nice pool. Then have dinner and hit the hay!

YES YES!!! We do all this! Just relax and swim look at all the shops.
Have fun

 

[MickeyMania]

I live just outside of Disney - and a cab ride could cost you about $60 that time of day. And by the time you get to Downtown Disney it will be about 8pm... can anyone say OVERLOAD?

They have a Macaroni Grill at the airport - and the rooms are pretty nice. Throw on a movie and relax. (oh - and save your money for the cruise - sounds like there are plenty of ways to spend it!)

 

[tvguy]

By the time you get your bags it will be 5:30, 6 by the time you get into your room. I'd second the rest suggestion, you're about to be surrounded by more stuff to do than you can imagine.

It will also you a chance to discover what items you may have forgotten, and hopefully you can buy them at the airport, more shops there than on the ship.
I would have killed for some rest before our 7 day. I work graveyard shift, plus we flew out the day after Christmas, so by the time I hit the pillow at the hotel in Orlando, I had been awake 37 hours ( I can't sleep on planes).
Our flight didn't get in until after 11 pm, so it was nearly 1 am (eastern) when we got to bed, so grabbed a quick 7 hours sleep, got up, ate, and headed to the DCL buses.

 

[Laurabearz]

Hey there!

I too vote for hanging at the hotel. The airport is long way from WDW at that time of day, and with the kids... better to hang at the pool... maybe watch a movie and get a good nights rest.

I hope you can make it to our mini meet... I will be posting details in the coming days.

 

[MSWint]

We're doing something similar...escept we're flying into Sanford the afternoon before, renting a car, and driving to Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach. We're just planning on getting settled in at the hotel, maybe going for a dip in the pool, grabbing a bite to eat, and then taking it easy for the evening, maybe play some cards or something.

Our goal is to get a head start, and get into the "total relaxation mode" that we'll be in on the ship

We are also on the 9/17 Eastern ... driving down from Atlanta on Friday the 16th and staying at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront (just down the steet from you). We also plan on just hanging out, maybe checking out the Ron Jon Surf shop for some last minute cruise attire ... but that is about it. We plan on a relaxing and early night so that we can get up early, enjoy breakfast and head for the ship. See you there!!!