What would you do..ME or rental car...1nt offsite or onsite stay....

[Our3ps]

Hey everyone,

So I have a small dilemma and I am not sure which of our two options would be easier/more convenient for travel, time saving. I posted this here as I am not as concerned with where we stay but with our travel options and ease of transition. We are checking into the Poly on 7/26, however, we are flying in Thursday night 7/25 and our flight arrival time is about 10:30pm.

Option 1: We can rent a car and drive to a DTD hotel and stay for one night. We would have the hassle of returning the car in the morning to the car care center after checking into the Poly. Between the car rental and the hotel we would be at about $175

Option 2: Take ME to the Contemporary for 1 night and then get on the monorail in the morning to check into the Poly. Unfortunately we would still have to get our luggage at the airport that night and we would have to wait on the luggage transfer the next day. The expense for 1 night at the Contemporary is $310 (so $135 more than the above option, but is it more convenient?).

Poly is out as there is no availability and Expedia has it at over $400 for the night, guess they do not have any more discounted rooms to sell. We are a family of 5 so no cheap value resort stay or even moderate stay (as POR is booked solid). The monetary difference between the Contemporary and a DTD hotel isn't a deal breaker.

Thoughts??

 

[CarolMN]

Have you checked out the cost of staying at the Hyatt in the MCO airport the night you arrive? It's right in the airport - you can easily walk to in without leaving the terminal. For ME, you can give them the flight info for a flight the next morning that arrives about the time you want to go to the Poly.

No matter what you do, you still have to get your own luggage and take it with you on the ME bus..

 

[Tink415]

If you're ok with driving from the airport at 11pm I'd probably go with the rental car. You could stock up on drinks and snacks before checking in at the Poly, you'd have your luggage with you, one person could get dropped off and check in while the rental car is returned. Its usually pretty quick to get a ride from car rental back to the resort and Poly is close by.

If you don't care about getting snacks and drinks or waiting for luggage to be delivered, I'd probably go with staying at the CR.

Another option would be staying at the airport hotel and taking ME in the morning.

Is 11pm bedtime or time to party on first night of vacation That might help you decide. Disney resorts are kind of dead at 11pm

 

[ncc1701]

Have you checked out the cost of staying at the Hyatt in the MCO airport the night you arrive? It's right in the airport - you can easily walk to in without leaving the terminal. For ME, you can give them the flight info for a flight the next morning that arrives about the time you want to go to the Poly.

No matter what you do, you still have to get your own luggage and take it with you on the ME bus..

If it is doable I also vote for staying at the Hyatt. Then go to ME in the morning and start your vacation

 

[Day-Day]

I would check out hotels near the airport that provide airport shuttles for free and go with one that has a "decent price and rating"; use Disney ME the following morning after riding the hotel shuttle back to the airport.

I would also consider a priceline bid on an airport area hotel and renting a car. I like the idea of an airport hotel because I'd be ready for bed with a 10:30pm arrival.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Country Inn and Suites just 3 miles from the airport has a free shuttle and free breakfast.

Or stay at a Disney Value for $113 booked on Travelocity and not have to deal with a rental car.

 

[MKFan-PR]

Keep in mind that after you arrive at 10:30 pm, you still have to claim your bags, get the car, then drive about 35 minutes to Disney property, then check in at the hotel. It could be about 1.5 to 2 hours before you actually get to your room. This, on top of the actual expense of the room, so another vote here for staying at or near the airport. Almost all of them have free shuttles back to the terminal, and some have free breakfast. Next day, go to the ME counter and start your vacation "officially".

 

[wdwrich]

Keep in mind that after you arrive at 10:30 pm, you still have to claim your bags, get the car, then drive about 35 minutes to Disney property, then check in at the hotel. It could be about 1.5 to 2 hours before you actually get to your room. This, on top of the actual expense of the room, so another vote here for staying at or near the airport.

This!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Please count me as another vote for the Airport Hyatt on your arrival night and DME to the Poly in the morning. It would save money and it would be a very pleasant way to start your vacation.

It's been reported on this board that it's possible attach the yellow DME tags on check-out morning at the Hyatt, call Hyatt bell services, and have your bags show up in your Disney resort room after it's ready. I would recommend confirming that this is still possible before relying on it.

Please let us know what you decide.

 

[Our3ps]

I had suggested to my DH that we should stay at an airport hotel that night, but he wasn't thrilled about having us shuttle to and from the airport with all our bags, stroller and 9, 6 and 4 year old just to shuttle back to the airport in the morning to catch ME. I didn't realize that the Hyatt is on airport grounds. This could be an option as there would be no shuttle involved. This would also save us from having to bring our car seat and booster seat. Thanks for the heads up about the Hyatt!

As a second option...we have stayed at the Buena Vista Suites in the past and were considering this place as mousesavers currently has a good deal and they serve a free full service breakfast. Google has it 20 minutes from MCO, this may be somewhat accurate at 11pm at night.

Thanks for all the input everyone!

 

[Our3ps]

It's been reported on this board that it's possible attach the yellow DME tags on check-out morning at the Hyatt, call Hyatt bell services, and have your bags show up in your Disney resort room after it's ready. I would recommend confirming that this is still possible before relying on it.

Please let us know what you decide.

This may be the golden ticket! I will follow up to confirm! Thanks!

 

[wdwrich]

I didn't realize that the Hyatt is on airport grounds.

Not only is it on airport property, but it sits atop the main terminal building itself. You don't have to go outside at all- It's basically "upstairs" in the terminal.

 

[Our3ps]

We are going with the Hyatt. We got a great rate thanks to DH's employer. Thanks for all the input!

Oh and I asked on their Facebook page about delivery to ME the next morning and this was their response...

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport: "Yes, our Bell Staff will be more than happy to assist you with luggage delivery to Disney Magical Express. Please just let the Front Desk know at check in and we can make the arrangement then. We look forward to your upcoming stay and thanks so much for considering us during your visit to Orlando. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to us at orlan-reservations@hyatt.com. Have a great day!"

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Have you checked out the cost of staying at the Hyatt in the MCO airport the night you arrive? It's right in the airport - you can easily walk to in without leaving the terminal. For ME, you can give them the flight info for a flight the next morning that arrives about the time you want to go to the Poly.

No matter what you do, you still have to get your own luggage and take it with you on the ME bus..

This, nothing like having a bed so close and early start to the day!

 

[Day-Day]

We are going with the Hyatt. We got a great rate thanks to DH's employer. Thanks for all the input!

Oh and I asked on their Facebook page about delivery to ME the next morning and this was their response...

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport: "Yes, our Bell Staff will be more than happy to assist you with luggage delivery to Disney Magical Express. Please just let the Front Desk know at check in and we can make the arrangement then. We look forward to your upcoming stay and thanks so much for considering us during your visit to Orlando. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to us at orlan-reservations@hyatt.com. Have a great day!"

NICE!