Arrival ? and checkin info?

[baseballmom3]

We are going to be staying at POR in Feb. My question is on arrival time and checkin. We have 2 flights to chose from. One would get us in at about 10:30am the other at 4:30pm. We are traveling with a 4 year old. Trying to decide if we should take the earlier flight and hit a park that day. Or just take the later one and maybe just do a Character Dinner and enjoy our Resort the first night. We will be staying for 5 nights and probably do 3 or 4 days at the Parks.

 

[Bob P]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!

I'd always take the earlier flight. I don't know how far away you are, but remember: the later in the day you fly, the greater the chance that you will be delayed. And that gets multiplied in February if you are flying from the north.

Why not take the 10:30 flight and have a "bonus" day at WDW? Even if you don't go to the parks, you'll have six extra hours of vacation!

 

[baseballmom3]

Thank you Bob. What about that early of a checkin? Has anyone had a problem checking in that early? I forgot to ask that in my original post.

 

[Bob P]

You can check in as soon as you arrive. Your room may not be ready, but POR will store your bags, and you get your park passes and start enjoying your trip!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I agree with Bob the earlier the better. Plus some say you get better choice of rooms the earlier you check-in ( Not sure aout that at all).
Between 6and 7 am is when the rooms hit the system so it's just a matter of when they become ready and are cleaned as to when you get them.

You still get to use everything a the resort even if the room is not ready including park tickets if they are part of your room.

 

[LowesChevy]

Yes I think with the earlier arrival you have a better chance at getting the requests noted in your reservation. We always take a flight that gets us to WDW around 11-12 PM, and we always get the special requests like ground floor room and special building. It does not guarantee it, but your odds are better over someone checking in late afternoon or evening.

Plus we are dog tired after travel and especially with little ones, we prefer to get to the resort early grab lunch, walk the grounds, get a nice dinner in, plan the next day, get a good nights sleep and be ready for the next day.

 

[Shmily1]

I get there as soon as possible. I don't want to miss any minutes at WDW. We drive down, so we usually leave by daylight and check in as soon as we can. That gives us another day and stretches out what we can do. You can check in as soon as you get there. They will give you your Key to the World which will be used for your tickets and room key. The tickets are valid then and they will give you a number to call to find out your room number. Take the early flight! You will be glad you did.

 

[noahdove]

I agree, get there earlier...even if you just went to dtd and checked out the resort...no way would I want to get there later Enjoy and have a great trip

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I agree with the previous posters -- always better to have more time in WDW!

If you are taking ME from the airport, you can expect a minimum of 90 minutes from touchdown to check-in. During busy times that number can easily climb to two hours and more.

 

[baseballmom3]

Earlier flight it is!! Thank you all for your input!

 

[CPT Tripss]

Now that that's settled, remember to pack everything you'll need for 24 hours in your carry ons!