Are we crazy to red eye in?

[SarahInMN]

Hey all -

DH and I are heading to WDW in November for F&W. We have a free delta certificate but can only use it on limited flights. We would usually take a 6 am out of PDX and get in around 4pm at MCO but those flights aren't available. We're going to redeye in and land at MCO at 615am. At least we'll be in first class so our sleeping chances are better.

I'm excited we're getting in so early but we are going to be checking in at like 7 am. So, an extra full day at the park vs a 4pm arrival but holy cow it will be early! Usually if we take a redeye we're visiting family in the midwest and can grab a nap upon arrival in the guest room.

We're staying concierge level at BWI so I'm hoping that will give us a leg up in terms of getting into the room a bit early But what do you usually do? Check and head for the parks? Is continual movement the best?

Any west coasters have advice for us?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Hey all -

DH and I are heading to WDW in November for F&W. We have a free delta certificate but can only use it on limited flights. We would usually take a 6 am out of PDX and get in around 4pm at MCO but those flights aren't available. We're going to redeye in and land at MCO at 615am. At least we'll be in first class so our sleeping chances are better.

I'm excited we're getting in so early but we are going to be checking in at like 7 am. So, an extra full day at the park vs a 4pm arrival but holy cow it will be early! Usually if we take a redeye we're visiting family in the midwest and can grab a nap upon arrival in the guest room.

We're staying concierge level at BWI so I'm hoping that will give us a leg up in terms of getting into the room a bit early But what do you usually do? Check and head for the parks? Is continual movement the best?

Any west coasters have advice for us?

Thanks in advance!!

My family (DH, DS6, DS4) took a red eye last April (after a long day including a funeral) and checked into our hotel and were given access to our room immediately (about 7 AM). We ate breakfast at our resort (CBR), got settled in our room and got to Magic Kingdom around 9. We were exhausted by about 1 so went back to the hotel to take about a 3 hour nap and got up to go do dinner.

It was exhausting but I'd do it again under the same circumstances (our trip was shortened because of my grandfather's funeral so we were actually supposed to be there an extra day which was supposed to be a relaxing day). We are going again in November and taking a red eye again. Except this time we plan to use that day as a resort day (AKL) and celebration of my son's birthday with a nice dinner and cake.

I hate that we lose an entire day if we don't do a red eye.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would be crazy to do a redeye, because I cannot sleep on planes. And my son is iffy with it too. We got about 20 total minutes of sleep from Vancouver to Heathrow last summer. Awesome.

But...just the two of you and in first class, there's a chance it won't be totally insane. Remember that 7am eastern time won't feel like it to you. Phoenix is Mountain? But you don't do daylight savings? So work out what time it will feel like and remember that.

Pack for options in your carryons so you are ready for that day.

 

[wdwrich]

We've done sevaral trips from the west coast on red-eye flights, and we prefer it! We get an extra day in WDW that way. Your room may or may not be ready at 7am, but even if it's not, head off to a park and have fun until later in the afternoon. We make it an early night that first day and it works out great for us.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

......

But...just the two of you and in first class, there's a chance it won't be totally insane. Remember that 7am eastern time won't feel like it to you. Phoenix is Mountain? But you don't do daylight savings? ......

PDX is Portland Airport, not Phoenix (PHX).

OP, I hate red eyes, even in first class. You actually won't have that much time to sleep.

Booking a Concierge level room should have nothing to do with how early you can actually get in the room. Be prepared to be waiting until late afternoon.

 

[Lewisc]

We're staying concierge level at BWI so I'm hoping that will give us a leg up in terms of getting into the room a bit early But what do you usually do? Check and head for the parks? Is continual movement the best?

Concierge level won't give you a leg up. There aren't even 40 concierge level rooms at BWI, many will be accommodating guests already checked in. You may get lucky. You might have to wait until 4p until a room is ready. Your chances would be much better at a value resort. Hundreds of rooms.

I'd only do it if you know you'll be OK without a room until 4p. Don't assume you'll be sleeping on the plane. Could you get a different flight if you book coach?

 

[bumbershoot]

PDX is Portland Airport, not Phoenix (PHX).

OP, I hate red eyes, even in first class. You actually won't have that much time to sleep.

Booking a Concierge level room should have nothing to do with how early you can actually get in the room. Be prepared to be waiting until late afternoon.

That's what i get for reading on my phone, after two incredibly sleepless nights in a row. I read PHX, not PDX. Had I seen the D I wouldn't have made the mistake.

******************
Makes it easier. You're landing at what your body thinks is 4am. That's not setting *me* up for a day of excellent fun. But what doesn't work for me might be just fine for the OP. That's the problem with this sort of question; we aren't you and you aren't, um, we? Different abilities (sleeping on a plane, or, for me recently, plain old sleeping), different tolerances for being up early, different tolerances for low sleep. We're all unique.

 

[SarahInMN]

Ha - PDX vs PHX. Rainy vs sunny.

We've done red eyes before but usually to family (where there is no check in time for the guest rooms) and not for vacation. We'll definitely pack what we need in carryons - but are doing car service so we'll have the checked luggage until we drop it off at bell services.

My take home message from all the above replies is to keep moving until the room is ready. Our thinking too is well we may be tired but we get a full day at the park. My challenge is now to prevent my DH from sitting down and getting too comfortable!!

Check in, drop off, head to parks. Got it.

 

[biim85]

We always take the red eye and get in around 7am, getting to WDW around 8-8:30. Personally I prefer it, even if we can't get in our rooms until four. We like to stay at AKL so we usually grab some breakfast at Boma and then head over to Animal Kingdom for some mellow-ness. We nap after check-in and then head out to dinner somewhere at Downtown Disney. It makes for a calm day if you're pooped from your flight and feeling like you've been awake for days.

 

[seashoreCM]

No. You are not crazy.

Don't forget that 6:15 in Orlando is 3:15 AM back at home. It's up to you whether you want to drowse off immediately upon disembarking the plane or drowse off after doing preliminary check in at your resort (if you can't get a room immediately) or to go off and enjoy the park for a couple of hours and then drowse off on a bench or on the Walt Disney Railroad if you absolutely positively have to.

 

[SarahInMN]

Drowse off the railroad - love it.

I'm actually excited about the prospect of a red eye: the adrenaline should keep me up until we can get into the room. I know it will feel a bit otherworldly given past experience with redeyes. I'm more worried about my husband: he can get grumpy without sleep but a) he agreed to it and b) he's the one who got me into this disney thing, so I'm hoping his excitement will carry him.

Actually, hanging at the pool is a good idea as drowsing on lounge chairs is socially appropriate.

 

[Judique]

I think you've got a good chance of getting your room fairly early. I've gotten a room as early as 8am, but not in busy times.

There are some nice cozy places to lounge around at BWI, both inside and outside if you don't get in your room early.

Make sure you let them know what time you are arriving.

Enjoy your visit and let us know how it went!