1st Time Flying Solo to WDW and Arriving Very Early

[Montana Minnies]

Hi Everyone!
I have been to WDW many times, but usually I am with or meeting up with a family member at the airport. This time I am taking a Red Eye Flight from Missoula, MT and arriving in Orlando around 5:20AM- October 11. I think I will be able to get the Magical Express bus to take me to Saratoga Springs, but once there I doubt I will be able to check in. What do I do? My sister won't be arriving until 4:00PM that day and she is the DVC Member.

I've thought about taking one of the Tours offered at the Magic Kingdom, like "The Keys to The Kingdom Tour". I am basically a night person, but I'm not sure how rested I will feel after traveling at night and arriving in the early morning hours.

Any tips or suggestions? Anyone ever arrived super early after flying all night?

 

[brad813]

I don't know if you will be able to check in, but I do know you can at least leave your luggage with bell services and then go out and explore. I am a night owl(insomniac really), and I will tell you if you travel at night you may want to take it easy. It would wear on you by the end of the day if you try to commando the first day. I would suggest maybe getting some breakfast, to get your energy back up, and then do anything you want to do, but don't push yourself too hard.

 

[captaindavidhook]

Keys to the Kingdom is a great tour. I had a lot of fun and did a learn on it. I feel like you will have a lot of fun on that.

 

[wisteria1019]

I'd pack a bathing suit in my carry on and nap by the pool for a few hours when your energy wanes.

 

[Montana Minnies]

I don't know if you will be able to check in, but I do know you can at least leave your luggage with bell services and then go out and explore. I am a night owl(insomniac really), and I will tell you if you travel at night you may want to take it easy. It would wear on you by the end of the day if you try to commando the first day. I would suggest maybe getting some breakfast, to get your energy back up, and then do anything you want to do, but don't push yourself too hard.

Thanks, I am somewhat of an insomniac myself. I'm sure by the time I get to Saratoga Springs it will be time for breakfast.

 

[Montana Minnies]

I'd pack a bathing suit in my carry on and nap by the pool for a few hours when your energy wanes.

Great Idea! I will definitely keep it in mind. Thanks.

 

[Montana Minnies]

Keys to the Kingdom is a great tour. I had a lot of fun and did a learn on it. I feel like you will have a lot of fun on that.

Thanks, I think I may just give it a try.

 

[brad813]

Thanks, I am somewhat of an insomniac myself. I'm sure by the time I get to Saratoga Springs it will be time for breakfast.

I hear ME takes two to three hours so probably about right. Last time I went I took an overnight bus to Orlando and then did a water park and that wiped me out, so better to plan on a slower day even if you go to the parks. My flight next month leaves at 5 and I get to Orlando around 8, so I definitely get your concern.

 

[squeezle]

You should be able to check in if your name is on the reservation (as least this was the case when we had groups arriving at different times at VWL), but that doesn't mean your room will be ready. Personally, I would be exhausted so I would plan on a good meal or two and some pool time while you wait for your sister.

 

[tellemarie]

KttK is such an amazing tour. I would totally go for it if you can get into one for the morning you arrive, especially since you get in so early. I will say that it is a LOT of walking though, so depending on how you feel after a red-eye it may not be as fun as it should be. Also, if there are any delays in arriving to the resort you could lose out on your tour. Just something to keep in mind!

 

[krkillerqueen]

KttK is amazing, but they are on a strict schedule. If anything doesn’t go right in your travel you risk missing the tour. The tours are at 8 and 9 am so that gives you three hours at most to get from the airport to SSR and then to MK.

The tour is also a lot of walking in the hot sun. When we did it last summer we were exhausted at the end and we were well-rested when we went.

I might opt for a walk to DS when they open and some relaxing shopping. And you can always pop back to SSR easily if you get tired.

My brother lives in Missoula so I know what a long flight you have!! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Hi Everyone!
I have been to WDW many times, but usually I am with or meeting up with a family member at the airport. This time I am taking a Red Eye Flight from Missoula, MT and arriving in Orlando around 5:20AM- October 11. I think I will be able to get the Magical Express bus to take me to Saratoga Springs, but once there I doubt I will be able to check in. What do I do? My sister won't be arriving until 4:00PM that day and she is the DVC Member.

I've thought about taking one of the Tours offered at the Magic Kingdom, like "The Keys to The Kingdom Tour". I am basically a night person, but I'm not sure how rested I will feel after traveling at night and arriving in the early morning hours.

Any tips or suggestions? Anyone ever arrived super early after flying all night?

If your name is on the reservation, you can check in. Your room likely will not be ready, but there is a small chance it could be. You can at least leave your bags with bell services and then start having fun. You would be cutting it very close to book a morning tour. But you can always head to a park early and use some fast passes.

 

[newcomer52]

I think the KTTK would be too much after your redeye. Also I agree with the PP that there is the chance of missing it. Check in, eat breakfast, relax by the pool or boat to Disney Springs. Enjoy

 

[StageTek]

Anyone ever arrived super early after flying all night?

Me!

I always get in around 6AM. When I'm not solo my travel companion doesn't arrive until 3 or 5PM. I don't know how rested you will feel but I, too, am a night person and arriving at the World pumps my adrenaline. Only once has my room been ready so I settle in at the resort with a coffee and a light breakfast, check my backpack at the Bell Desk and head in MK for a bit. I wouldn't book a tour for the same reason tellemarie mentions. My friend will call when she lands and I head back to the resort. I usually get a second wind and am ready to head out again.

 

[iluveeyore]

I have arrived early a couple of times after driving all night (with two drivers though, not solo), and they can be very accommodating if you explain your situation. I know they will have room assignments done, but sometimes, especially with a resort the size of SSR, if you just ask if there are any rooms ready right then, they can switch the room assignment for you - it never hurts to ask, and then you can at least unpack, have a nap if you like and freshen up. Going to Disney Springs would be a good way to pass the time if your room isn't ready because it's close by, so if you feel overtired you can quickly return and lounge in the lobby or by the pool, and also if you get a text the room is ready, you are nearby.

 

[davper]

Have your roommate do online check-in and to use your telephone number. As soon as the room is ready, you get a text with the room assignment and your magic band will let you in. The earliest my room was ready was just after noon time.
Be sure to send her the room number after you get the text.

While waiting, definitely nap by the pool. And Disney Springs is a great time killer. Maybe see a movie at Disney Springs while you wait.

 

[jillt2ph]

When I have arrived at the resort before 7AM in the past, I have had a leisurely breakfast and then rested by the pool. I then went to the park and caught a few of the shows that I usually don't get to see when it is a group of us.