A few questions about arriving early

[MaC410]

For our next Disney trip my wife and I are planning to arrive early on our first day. Using magical express we will most likely get to our resort around 10am. Since we won't be able to get a room that early (I'm assuming) what exactly is the process with everything? What do we do with our carry on luggage? Will we just get notified at some point during the day that our room is ready? If/When we get notified, does that mean we have to head back to the resort and do anything? Or will our luggage from the magical express be brought directly there?

 

[ohiotodds12]

We have done that exact thing many times with different outcomes each time. First off, you are doing Magical Express so your luggage will come to your room once the room is ready, nothing for you to have to worry about there. We go to the resort and check our carry on's with bell services and then we have done a few different things. Once we ate in the food court, several times we hopped on a bus and went to a park, and a few other times, our room was ready before we got there, received the text when we landed and put our phones, and went and checked out our room. Another time, room wasn't ready but we did pack our swim stuff in our carry on and changed and headed to the pool. If you done online check in you should be good to go, unless there is a reason you want to stop at the front desk. Have a great trip!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You can leave carry ons with bell services/luggage services.

You might get notified via text. Maybe. I don't know that text is totally reliable, but it does happen. You don't have to stop, drop and go back to the resort to do anything.

Your ME luggage will not be brought to the room until you're there and accept the room, generally.

 

[RefillableMug]

When you arrive at your resort, you can ask the front desk to hold your carry-on bags until you get back from the parks. You will receive a text telling you that your room is ready and what room number you have. You do not have to return when you get this text. Your luggage will be delivered to your room as usual.

 

[Shanti]

For our next Disney trip my wife and I are planning to arrive early on our first day. Using magical express we will most likely get to our resort around 10am. Since we won't be able to get a room that early (I'm assuming) what exactly is the process with everything? What do we do with our carry on luggage? Will we just get notified at some point during the day that our room is ready? If/When we get notified, does that mean we have to head back to the resort and do anything? Or will our luggage from the magical express be brought directly there?

When you check in, if they say your room isn't ready, ask if any are available. There might be one you can take. If no room is available for you, you can store your luggage with Bell Services. Just bring a few dollars for a tip for the porters- otherwise, it's free. They'll activate your Magic Bands at check-in when you arrive, and you won't need to return to the desk for anything else. If you're not going to a park that day, you might want to bring a bathing suit in your carry-on so that you can swim at the resort pool. Most resort pools have towel service at the pool, so you wouldn't need to worry about towels.

 

[Flora Fan]

We have experienced this same dilemma twice. If your room is not ready when you arrive take your carry on bags to bell services, they will happily tag them, hold them, and even take them to your room when it is ready. When your room is ready, guest services will text you, but you do not have to go back to the hotel immediately. Stay in the park and enjoy your day.

If you are planning to leave your bags at bell services, keep this in mind while packing. There are a few items that I wanted with me in the park and it was easier to have them already sorted out before we arrived. Also dress for the park day. My first experience I dressed for a plane trip in blue jeans and was so uncomfortable in the parks. (Summer trip) I put a pair of shorts in my carry on the second trip and changed in the restroom before handing our bags over...much smarter idea.

Have a great trip!

 

[MaC410]

My first experience I dressed for a plane trip in blue jeans and was so uncomfortable in the parks. (Summer trip) I put a pair of shorts in my carry on the second trip and changed in the restroom before handing our bags over...much smarter idea.

Good tip! We will be coming from the north east in December so surely I won't be thinking of wearing shorts. Will need to pack shorts in our carry on.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Don't assume.
Do online check in and check off the box for early arrival.
You may get a room ready text/email before you even arrive.
If you do not then go to the online check in area and they may be able to get you a room right then or they will notify you via text/phone call when your room is ready.
You do not need to rush back when its ready.
You can always check your carry on luggage with bell services if your room is not ready and you'd like to go exploring.

 

[maxiesmom]

We have experienced this same dilemma twice. If your room is not ready when you arrive take your carry on bags to bell services, they will happily tag them, hold them, and even take them to your room when it is ready. When your room is ready, guest services will text you, but you do not have to go back to the hotel immediately. Stay in the park and enjoy your day.

Technically they are not supposed to take your bags to your room without you being in the room. They do it sometimes, but don't depend on it.

 

[melanielll]

We have had variable experiences with getting into the room early. One day we drove in and got into the room at 6am. Another time the room wasn't ready till 5 pm. I never expect to get in early - but not having any room requests seems to help a lot. When we arrive, I go and ask at the front desk if anything is available.

You should also investigate where is the best place to change at your hotel. The Contemporary has a gym that I have never seen another person in. It has great bathrooms for changing. And put a small sunscreen in with your carry on liquids.

 

[TBR82]

Love having all this info at my fingertips. We will also be arriving in the early morning.

 

[StageTek]

Terrific info! Thanks. In the past I've arrived around 2PM and the room was ready each trip. My Sept trip I'm arriving close to 9AM so this thread has been very helpful.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

We spend the night before at the MCO Hyatt and take a towncar to the Poly the next morning arriving before 8:00am. We check in (room has never been ready), leave our luggage and most carry ons with Bell Services. I do keep one carry on that that has our swimsuits, sunscreen, and other personal items. We eat breakfast at Kona Cafe. After we eat we head to the pool right when it opens, snag a table/chairs, change into our swimsuits and spend the day at the pool. It's an awesome relaxing way to start the vacation! We eat at California Grill for dinner then get to bed early to start our first park day at Epcot bright and early!