Are you searching for where to stay before a Disney cruise out of Port Canaveral?
If you are flying into the Orlando International Airport for your cruise, the simplest solution is only steps away! Did you know that the Orlando airport has a hotel right inside?
This post is a review of a pre cruise stay at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. I will discuss this super convenient hotel along with the DCL shuttle service to Port Canaveral.
Should You Fly in the Day before Your Cruise?
Let’s be honest…most families don’t really pack lightly when going on any vacation. This is especially true if you are traveling with babies or toddlers who require so many extra items.
Since you are undoubtedly packing things that are important to your family, can you imagine how heartbreaking it would be to arrive for a cruise WITHOUT your luggage?
During a recent trip to Orlando, Florida with my family, I realized just how easily this could occur if you fly in the day of your cruise. Our flight home from Orlando was delayed because of lightning in the area.
During this four hour delay, the airport crew members were not cleared to go outside to remove luggage from the plane that had arrived. So even though all of those people were allowed to get off the plane, their bags were going to be about four hours behind them!
This experience made me realize that any of those passengers who were headed to embark on a cruise ship were not going to have their luggage make it on time.
All of this stress can easily be lifted by scheduling a flight (at least) the day before you set sail. The weather in Florida can be so unpredictable and it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Hotel inside Orlando Airport
There are hotels near the Disney Cruise Line terminal in Port Canaveral, and they may seem like the most convenient option. However, you will need to find transportation to those hotels along with shuttles to the port on embarkation day.
A simple solution if you are flying into Orlando is to book a room at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. You really can’t beat the convenience of this hotel since it’s located right inside the airport!
If you have ever visited the airport in Orlando, you have probably seen the Hyatt Regency’s balconies overlooking the big common area. It is really easy to access this hotel from baggage claim.
After picking up your luggage, just follow the signs for the entrance to the hotel. The short walk only takes about five minutes, and it is super easy even with kids in tow.
(For a fee, the Hyatt will even pick up your bags allowing you to bypass baggage claim altogether!)
Rooms
I’m really particular about the places we stay when we travel, and I was really impressed with the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport as a whole.
The common areas were all well-kept and welcoming. Our room and bathroom were both very clean and updated.
You can visit the Hyatt’s official site for more information on their room options and availability.
Our hotel room had plenty of space for my husband, toddler, and me. My only disappointment was that the balcony didn’t have furniture on it.
Restaurants
The Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport offers many amenities that we found useful. I had planned to let my three year old swim in the outdoor pool before dinner, but our flight was delayed getting in to Orlando.
Instead we went straight to dinner after checking in. The airport offers a variety of restaurants ranging from fast food to sit down meals. We ultimately opted to eat at the restaurant inside the Hyatt called Hemisphere.
Our food was great and the service was excellent, so we were happy with our decision. The airport was pretty empty after dinner, but the shops were still open.
You can browse through the airport shops full of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Seaworld memorabilia.
Day Use Room
In addition to the Hyatt at Orlando International Airport being a super convenient place to stay before your cruise, it is also a really great option for after your cruise.
If you use the Disney Cruise Line transfers to take you back to the airport, you should arrive by late morning. If you have a flight that is later in the day, you could potentially have a lot of time to kill at the airport.
The Hyatt offers a really great deal on a day use pass for those who would rather spend their time in a hotel room rather than roaming around the airport.
Your family could swim in the pool, shower up in the room, or even take a nap before you head to the gate for your trip home.
Disney Cruise Line Transfers
The morning of our cruise, we ordered room service so that we could eat in the hotel room while we got organized.
At check-in we had signed up to allow the Hyatt to pick up our luggage and transport it to the Disney Cruise Line shuttles. It was so nice to not have to worry about dragging it down to the shuttle ourselves.
This whole process was so easy and seamless!
Final Thoughts
Overall we were so impressed with our stay at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport.
They made our vacation feel like it began right after we landed at the airport. Our time at the Hyatt helped our trip go so smoothly, especially with a toddler in tow!
Where do you like to stay before a Disney cruise from Port Canaveral?
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