What would you do?

[denily]

We will be arriving at MCO around 9:30pm the night before our stay at AKL starts.
I'm conflicted as to what to do. I was thinking about getting a room at Pop Century and using DME. What time do you think we'll end up actually getting to our room?? 11pm?? And what about our luggage? Will they end up bring it to our room in the middle of the night? Can we ask them to just hold it at the desk and then transfer it to AKL in the morning?
I was thinking we could just check out and have them transfer our luggage, then we could go to a park and check into AKL later that day.
The other option is to stay at a hotel near the airport and getting a towncar to take us to AKL first thing in the morning. Then we would need to get our luggage that night and wait for a shuttle to the hotel. I'm not sure how late we would actually be in our rooms if we did it that way.
What would you do?? Pop for the night or an airport hotel??
Thanks for any advice!!!

 

[Kae]

I would do Pop. Call Bell services at Pop directly give them the info & see if they just can do a hold-I have heard people say that they have them hold it when they fly in late, so that can be done & then just transfer it to AKL for you.

Kae

 

[punkin1763]

When we arrive late - we go ahead and get our luggage and take it on the DME bus with us. I know that takes the "magic" out of the magical express, but we found it was easier and quicker. The next day bell services at POP can transfer the luggage to AKL, so that makes it nice. The only problem with that is it can take awhile to get there - so if you were wanting to have a little pool time at AKL before hitting the parks - don't forget to take that with you. Have fun and enjoy your time at WDW!! I'm ready to go back.....

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Having just come back. I agree with punkin1763, atleast as far as picking up your bags at airport. I don't see why you couldn't have WDW transport your bags to AKL for you. You might be able to have WDW transfer most of the bags directly to AKL, and just pick up one key bag at the airport - or bring one bag carry-on.

the other glitch in you concept is if you have a package booked at teh second resort. If that's the case, someone will have to go there in person to get your park tickets, etc. they can store your bags at teh second resort

Last, FYI, WDW won't deliver your bags to your room late at night. they will deliver them inthe am, but that could make getting ready complicated if you don't have your stuff.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Maybe just pick up your bags and stay at the Hyatt in the airport for the night, the next morning just go to DME and take it to AKL. Might be the easiest solution.
I am thinking the same thing - our flight gets in at 830pm (I am watching for a price drop on an earlier flight, but we are flying cross country from Seattle, so not as many options). Right now we are booked to go straight to POFQ, but I have been considering the airport hotel that night and going in the morning.

 

[dopeynme]

As for using ME...we flew in pretty late. We had packed what we needed for the 1 night in our carry ons and asked Bell Services to hold our bags until we called in the morning. They came up pretty quickly after we called but they do not guarantee that, so it might be a good idea to have what you need for the first day, too, so you don't have to wait around for the clean clothes to arrive.

Have fun!

 

[Tigger2]

I would stay at the Hyatt. That way you'll get to sleep earlier & will be well rested for the parks the next morning.

DH & I are staying at the Hyatt in Dec for our first night & our last night. The rate is about 1/2 that of the YC (where we'll be..no AP rate for us ). We have an AM flight home anyway, and can used in the money we saved for in the Parks!

 

[Pig Pen]

We landed at 9:30 pm, got our own luggage and took DME and were checked in before 11:00 pm. The airport was not crowded at that time of night and the DME line moved very quickly. I would not hesitate to do it again.

I think doing this would save you much time and stress over any other option.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

Another vote for staying at the Hyatt INSIDE the airport.

Nothing like coming off a late flight and checking right into your hotel!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would do Pop. Call Bell services at Pop directly give them the info & see if they just can do a hold-I have heard people say that they have them hold it when they fly in late, so that can be done & then just transfer it to AKL for you.

Luggage Assistance at the Value resorts is, effectively, closed from about 11 PM to 6 AM - so no, they will not be delivering luggage in the middle of the night. If you let DME pick up and transport your luggage, you can call or go to Luggage Assistance in the morning to arrange the transfer.

When we arrive late - we go ahead and get our luggage and take it on the DME bus with us. I know that takes the "magic" out of the magical express, but we found it was easier and quicker.

I have to admit, I'm confused. I can't really figure how taking extra time to go to baggage claim, waiting for luggage to appear, then bringing it to the DME line and bus, and adding luggage load/unload time, is quicker or easier than not doing any of that and instead letting DME pick up and transport your luggage?

I don't see why you couldn't have WDW transport your bags to AKL for you. You might be able to have WDW transfer most of the bags directly to AKL,

Disney will not do that. They will only transport Guests, and luggage, to the resort where the Guest is registered on arrival day.

 

[denily]

Thanks for all of the input! I think we're going to go with Pop. It would be nice to stay at the Hyatt right at the airport, but I can't find a rate less than $175-229 for the night. And $89 (maybe less) at Pop sounds a lot better to me....especially since we'll need 2 rooms!
Thanks again!