Anyway we'll make it Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

[mom2dina]

We are arriving in FL at 2:45 pm (southwest) and renting a car. Do you think we can make the 5 pm Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue show? I keep trying to get the 7 pm show but no luck and the 9:30 is too late.
I
thought it would be a good start to our vacation. but would hate to miss the show and end up paying for a no show.

What do you think?

 

[vicki_c]

If I'm right, that requires advance payment? I would never book anything requiring advance payment on arrival day - much too risky.

 

[minniebeth]

Everyone operates differently, but I'm an uber-organizer and like to give extra time for everything, not only to anticipate for delays, but to enjoy the journey we're on and that includes the excitement of getting off the plane and enjoying the trip to our resort, checking in, etc. before moving on to other activities.
Personally, I think it's cutting it way too close. It sure is a great show and would be a great night to start off your trip, but there are so many other great options to start it off as well! You can make other plans and keep checking back to see if perhaps there is a cancellation?
Good luck with whatever you decide and have a great trip!

 

[mom2dina]

You're right I don't want to rush rush rush and stress out ...

What other place would be great for our first night?

I'll keep checking!

 

[Hopefully]

No, even if you are on time a scheduled 2:45 arrival to a 5 PM HDDR is too short a time to make. And you have no control over whether you will be on time or not.
Lot's of folks love Chef Mickey's for arrival night

 

[minniebeth]

You're right I don't want to rush rush rush and stress out ...

What other place would be great for our first night?

I'll keep checking!

Are you staying on property? Are you on the dining plan?
What's the make up of your group? If you don't mind giving that info, then I'm sure it will help give you lots of suggestions from posters~

 

[mom2dina]

Yes staying at Pop

DH, Me, DD (10) DS (9)

Paying out of pocket

Thanks!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Even driving, you will cut it close.
. . . 2:45pm arrive (assuming on-time flight)
. . . 3:15pm deplane and acquire luggage
. . . 3:45pm acquire rental car
. . . 4:40pm arrive Fort Wilderness
2) Still must
. . . park
. . . take internal shuttle bus to Pioneer Hall
. . . get ticket from tiocket booth
3) Personally, I would schedule another day or show time.


NOTE:
The above assumes you go directly to the show.
You can check-in after the show.

 

[jel0511]

1) Even driving, you will cut it close.
. . . 2:45pm arrive (assuming on-time flight)
. . . 3:15pm deplane and acquire luggage
. . . 3:45pm acquire rental car
. . . 4:40pm arrive Fort Wilderness
2) Still must
. . . park
. . . take internal shuttle bus to Pioneer Hall
. . . get ticket from tiocket booth
3) Personally, I would schedule another day or show time.


NOTE:
The above assumes you go directly to the show.
You can check-in after the show.

Another thing the above poster didn't take into account, your rental car agency even HAVING a car for you!!!! The last two times I've rented cars at MCO it seems that there is always a wait for a car of at least an hour. We've used Budget so do go with them!! Also, with the above time line I do think you're cutting it too close to get to the 5PM show, if your flight arrives late you're definitely not going to make it!!! I'd think about something else or the 9:30 show. We've done the 9:30 show before and it's fine!!!!

 

[OhThePain]

Do you plan on doing a park that first day or taking it easy? We tend to like to take it easy so I would suggest something in DTD. Ragland Road or T-Rex could be good choices. Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck's Express are nice CS type restaurants if that interests you. Then, after your meal, walk around DTD and head over to Ghirardelli's for some ice cream before heading back to Pop.

 

[Colleen27]

We don't do anything prepaid or with a cancellation penalty on our arrival days because of the possibility of travel delays.

We've started a couple of trips with dinner at the Poly (either Kona - my preference - or Ohana for the kids). It is a pretty resort to walk around, catch the torch lighting ceremony, have dinner, and maybe watch Wishes from the beach if we're not too tired from traveling. Another option, if you're wanting to check out Ft Wilderness, is to have dinner at Whispering Canyon at WL or Trails End at Ft Wilderness and then stay for the Chip & Dale's campfire.

 

[beroh2253]

Are you flying into Orlando Sanford or Orlando International, Sanford is an hour drive but quick to the luggage and getting your car ( I get the car while DW gets luggage and meet her out front), Orlando international could take forever to wait in line and get a car and i we get luggage together then head for the car and long line.

 

[TDC Nala]

Because of the possibility of flight delays, I wouldn't do this even with a car. I would pick a first night meal that is not prepaid or doesn't carry a no-show fee. Your flight would have to land precisely on time or be only slightly delayed for you to have any chance of making it to the 5 PM show at all. It's also my opinion that rushing to get somewhere is never a good way to start a vacation.

 

[beroh2253]

You would also have to head right to the Hoop from the airport and check into your room later, but you probably have to check in to get your tickets for the show (better do the pre check-in 10 days prior). Take Nala's advice. We always go to San Angel first night so if we don't make it no big loss. But we have always made it so far.

 

[minniebeth]

Some other first night ideas~

Spirit of Aloha Show at the Polynesian has later options and seems to have more openings than HDDR. While we prefer HDDR, it's still a good show that our kids like. It gets mixed reviews, but we like it.

It's a big splurge, but Cirque du Soleil's show La Nouba in Downtown Diseny is awesome for the family and we have done this on a first night, it makes a nice way to start a trip.

The Pirate and Pal's Fireworks Cruise based out of the Contemporary is a great way to kick off the trip with a bang, lol. You could have something light to eat before you go since they have lots of snacks and treats to load up on before the cruise. Very fun activity!

^^ Of course, these are pre-pay events as well, but most of them start later to give more time. I guess as others are saying, it can be taking a risk if you have flight delays.

Like others have said, Downtown Disney is fun at night to get you in a Disney mood at a casual pace. Lots of fun places to eat whether you want counter service or sit down meals. All the DTD restaurants including counter service serve LARGE portions, so if you are going on this trip out of pocket, be sure to share meals, you can always get snacks/treats later on.

I also agree with resort meals...take your pick, there are so many! As mentioned, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana with the fireworks.

Or miniature golf at Winter Summerland or Fanasia Gardens...

Or, you can just soak it all in at Pop and unpack, eat and swim and relax~ walk around and take lots of pictures. When we stay at Pop, my girls don't want to go anywhere, they just really love hanging out there! My DD13 took over 200 pictures with my DD9 around the resort, and they all came out adorable!

Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Travel day is tiring. By the time you check in, you'll want to take it easy. I'd personally grab food in the food court and send DH to the pool with the kids while I unpack. Then we'd be all ready to go nice and rested & refreshed bright and early the next morning. Yes I know that unpacking while others are at the pool doesn't sound fun, but I don't admit to DH that it doesn't take me long and I get to relax alone in the room for a bit with a good book while he watches the kids. Hee hee hee.

 

[chipscamping buddy]

<quote>1) Even driving, you will cut it close.
. . . 2:45pm arrive (assuming on-time flight)
. . . 3:15pm deplane and acquire luggage
. . . 3:45pm acquire rental car
. . . 4:40pm arrive Fort Wilderness<unquote>

I think this is accurate up to rental car, but you can make the trip in 30-45 minutes. However, this still makes it 4:15 for the BEST possible case to get to the parking lot at Ft Wilderness. Then you need to walk over to the bus stop, wait for a bus, ride to the other end of the campground, and walk to the ticket booth. Best case is 4:40 arrival at the show. Do you really want to plan on the plane being on time, the rental car agency to be spot on, and a bus to be waiting for you? Just the bus is likely to add 10 minutes.
I would try for Chef Mickey or even go over to DTD for dinner.

 

[mom2dina]

Yikes didn't even think about how we will get to the actual show! I thought you just parked and you were at there.

Thank you all, I'm gonna ditch the 5 pm reservations and maybe do 9:30.

 

[beroh2253]

Yikes didn't even think about how we will get to the actual show! I thought you just parked and you were at there.

Thank you all, I'm gonna ditch the 5 pm reservations and maybe do 9:30.

The bus you take from the parking lot to the Hoop-dee-doo Hall is the internal bus for the people staying at Fort Wilderness, so the bus is going to stop to pick-up and drop off people alone the way at their camp sites.

 

[mom2dina]

I canceled the 5 pm reservations and got 9:30 Cat. 1.

This is our first time there! Can't wait.