WWYD? Need help with precruise plans - MCO/Orlando.

[tee11]

I could use some advice!
We arrive at MCO at 2pm one day before our cruise (January), and we have 2 young kids, ages 2.5 and 6. We do not want to rent a car, and want to keep the logistics as simple as possible.
The original plan was to book one night at the Hyatt inside the airport, and take the Disney shuttle to the port first thing in the morning (we like to board early).

I saw a good rate at the Hyatt, booked the flight, and ... the rate is GONE! It's almost as if I imagined it - I'm not sure how it could change so drastically in one hour. The current rate is 415 Dollars!

So now I'm wondering, if there are better, but still stress free alternatives...
I'm considering:
-Finding a hotel that has complimentary and reliable airport shuttle service. Disadvantage: dragging kids and luggage back and forth from the airport, at mercy of walkable restaurant, which might not exist near airport hotels?
-Possibly looking into a hotel that has airport shuttle service AND is walking distance to Sea World?
Does such a hotel exist? Our kids haven't been to Sea World (which they would love!), and I haven't been in 20 years either - not sure if it's feasible to do one afternoon at Sea World and shuttle back and forth to the airport. Advantage: We could take the early Disney shuttle to the port from MCO.
-Booking a WDW hotel for one night - advantage: They will take care of our luggage both ways, disadvantage: We are at their 'mercy' regarding the pick up time and length of trip to the port the next day from the resort...
and maybe I should add that we will have a few days post-cruise planned at WDW already.

What would you do in our situation? TIA!!!

 

[FigmentSpark]

Well, first off, the rate may change again! I watched the Hyatt rate for most of last year and within about 3 months, it went down and then on the night before our check in, it went down again. So, a year before our trip it was at $361, then went to $293 for most of the year, then down to a "reasonable" $251. I finally ended up paying $216. So keep watching the price... daily and don't get discouraged if you don't see it move (but make alternate plans for sure). One thing you could do is book that $415 now, so if the price goes down you can call and change your reservation, but you don't risk not having a room at all. If you don't want it, cancel once your other plans are firm.

Other than that, I'd say do WDW resort hotel and just enjoy the hotel pool. You'll get to the ship later, but you also won't be stuck with your carry-ons through lunch with kids pulling at you to go in the pool. You could even use that time to do a character breakfast in the World, if your kids are interested.

 

[Dug720]

Always, ALWAYS grab a rate you can live with - as long as it is either no upfront charge or is refundable.

Unless you grab a non-refundable reservation, you can always cancel or modify it.

 

[wombat_5606]

I saw a good rate at the Hyatt, booked the flight, and ... the rate is GONE! It's almost as if I imagined it - I'm not sure how it could change so drastically in one hour.

Also try clearing your cookies or searching from another computer.

 

[sdjen]

Check out last minute travel too. I have gotten a really good rate through them over a year out.

 

[jrabbit]

Or you could try - Go Port Canaveral. They pick you up at the airport, deliver you to your hotel in the Cocoa Beach area and then the next morning a shuttle will take you from your hotel to the port. At the end of the cruise they will take you back to the Airport.

Book an oceanfront hotel and go for a walk in the evening and then again in the morning before heading to the cruise.

There are LOTS of hotels that participate in this program.

 

[tee11]

Well, first off, the rate may change again! I watched the Hyatt rate for most of last year and within about 3 months, it went down and then on the night before our check in, it went down again. So, a year before our trip it was at $361, then went to $293 for most of the year, then down to a "reasonable" $251. I finally ended up paying $216. So keep watching the price... daily and don't get discouraged if you don't see it move (but make alternate plans for sure). One thing you could do is book that $415 now, so if the price goes down you can call and change your reservation, but you don't risk not having a room at all. If you don't want it, cancel once your other plans are firm.

Other than that, I'd say do WDW resort hotel and just enjoy the hotel pool. You'll get to the ship later, but you also won't be stuck with your carry-ons through lunch with kids pulling at you to go in the pool. You could even use that time to do a character breakfast in the World, if your kids are interested.

Thanks so much! Yes, good point to follow the rate. It seems crazy high. $216 sounds much better! Will plan to have back up hotel lined up. Again, thanks, so helpful!

 

[tee11]

Always, ALWAYS grab a rate you can live with - as long as it is either no upfront charge or is refundable.

Unless you grab a non-refundable reservation, you can always cancel or modify it.

I know!!!
A rookie mistake. I just got so busy with the flights... the booking page of the Hyatt was open, I signed in, and it was gone.

Also try clearing your cookies or searching from another computer.

You are right, this must have something to do with it. It was just crazy.

 

[tee11]

Check out last minute travel too. I have gotten a really good rate through them over a year out.

Last minute travel over a year out? Can you explain? Thanks! We are about 3 months out at this point.

 

[tee11]

Or you could try - Go Port Canaveral. They pick you up at the airport, deliver you to your hotel in the Cocoa Beach area and then the next morning a shuttle will take you from your hotel to the port. At the end of the cruise they will take you back to the Airport.

Book an oceanfront hotel and go for a walk in the evening and then again in the morning before heading to the cruise.

There are LOTS of hotels that participate in this program.

Oh, I will definitely check this out, this is new to me! Great lead, thanks!

 

[tee11]

I know!!!
A rookie mistake. I just got so busy with the flights... the booking page of the Hyatt was open, I signed in, and it was gone.

You are right, this must have something to do with it. It was just crazy.

In fact, I was mad at myself for signing in, I could have just paid without signing in, and it seemed like it would have had to go through. I really don't know what happened there.

 

[shoes99]

DCL books a block of rooms at the Airport Hyatt. We are paying $225 incl tax for our Oct
2017 pre-cruise stay. If you book with them, they add it to your cruise fare.

 

[tee11]

DCL books a block of rooms at the Airport Hyatt. We are paying $225 incl tax for our Oct
2017 pre-cruise stay. If you book with them, they add it to your cruise fare.

Thank you! I didn't know! That sounds so much better already! This is not something I can book online, right?

 

[shoes99]

Thank you! I didn't know! That sounds so much better already! This is not something I can book online, right?

Not online, you have to call DCL to get a quote, then it can be added to your DCL reservation.

 

[lklgoodman]

We used Go port Canaveral for our cruise last January and are using them again for our next cruise in March. They are very easy to use. We stayed at the Marriott's at Lake Nona in Jan and were going to stay there again for our next cruise, but the hotel is no longer with Go port. Go port contacted me to tell me that the Marriott hotel is no longer with them. They let me pick a more expensive hotel at the same rate that the Marriott was. We were able to book a room for 3 people, 2 queen beds, transport from airport to hotel, to the port, and then from port to airport for less than $300.

 

[abuck75]

I was able to use a Hilton reward night at the Waldorf and paid a nominal fee to updgrade to fireworks view. Figure Disney springs and or pool and then off to port. Hilton bonnet creek attached has great rates and pool.

We rented a van for about half the price of any other transportation.

 

[mmdreamer]

Our first choice has always been to stay in Cocoa Beach the night before. It is great to be so close to the port and we can get an extra hour sleep!
On our last trip, we stayed at the airport at the Homewood Suites Orlando Airport. We had a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom room with free breakfast for $150! They have a free airport shuttle and there were several good restaurants right next door.

 

[sdjen]

Last minute travel over a year out? Can you explain? Thanks! We are about 3 months out at this point.

It’s a travel website that sometimes has great rates. Just google it

 

[tee11]

We used Go port Canaveral for our cruise last January and are using them again for our next cruise in March. They are very easy to use. We stayed at the Marriott's at Lake Nona in Jan and were going to stay there again for our next cruise, but the hotel is no longer with Go port. Go port contacted me to tell me that the Marriott hotel is no longer with them. They let me pick a more expensive hotel at the same rate that the Marriott was. We were able to book a room for 3 people, 2 queen beds, transport from airport to hotel, to the port, and then from port to airport for less than $300.

At approximately what time did you reach the port's terminal, when you used them in the past, if you recall? Thanks!

 

[lklgoodman]

At approximately what time did you reach the port's terminal, when you used them in the past, if you recall? Thanks!

We stayed at a hotel in Orlando. We arrived around noon. We had very little wait once in the port, stood in line for maybe 2-3 mins to get checked in. They work with hotels in both Orlando and the PC area.