Arrival Day logistics questions (non-park day)

[travellingphilly]

Our flight arrives at 10:30 am this May. We will be taking Magical Express to WL. Is it safe to say we should be at the hotel by 12:30? How likely is it that we can check in early? Should i assume the room won't be ready until 3?

Since we have to get up early that morning, we are not planning on doing any parks that day. I was hoping to hang by the pool (or check out Disney Springs if we are up to the bus trip despite all the traveling that day) but i'm having a hard time planning meals.

Currently have ADR for Whispering Cannon at 5:40 but was also considering Hoop Dee Doo or Chef Mickey (we have CM scheduled for 1 the next day on our first MK day) There are no dinner reservations available for CM on arrival day - only brunch. Is 1:40 pushing it too close? Or if we do HDDR, i'd rather do earliest show, but will that give us any time to relax between arrival at hotel and show?

Thanks!

 

[DizneyMommy]

I wouldn’t try 1:40. Figure 30 minutes to get to the gate - if your plane is even on time, off the plane and down to ME, then if you have to wait for a full bus it could be another 30, then the drive there, it could be 2 hours before you are at the resort, probably less. Then you’ve still got to check in, find your room, and then walk back to the busses, bus to MK and walk to the Contemporary. I don’t know about your party but with potty breaks and stops for everything under the sun my kids would never make that, I’d be super stressed!

 

[travellingphilly]

thanks! then that means no CM on arrival day. There is a 2:25 reservation, but that's probably not much better.

 

[DizneyMommy]

The problem is if your flight is delayed at all or you get caught up somewhere and miss your ADR, you get charged a no show fee :-(

 

[travellingphilly]

so do most people avoid ADR on arrival day if flying in?

 

[Haley R]

so do most people avoid ADR on arrival day if flying in?

We just make sure it’s late enough that we can still make it there. We didn’t fly in this trip until 5:40 pm so didn’t do an adr this time.

 

[kwdw]

I would have said yes to the 1:40 ADR for Chef Mickey's on arrival day - as long as you are willing to pick up the no-show costs if your flight is late. Yes - it could be 2 hours to get to your resort - that's a real possibility. Regardless of whether your room is ready or not - you can leave large carry-ons at bell services and have plenty to time to get to CR.

 

[Hopefully]

Our flight arrives at 10:30 am this May. We will be taking Magical Express to WL. Is it safe to say we should be at the hotel by 12:30? How likely is it that we can check in early? Should i assume the room won't be ready until 3?

The average time from arrival at the gate ( not scheduled arrival/landung) is 90 minutes
You can check in as. Ea r ly as 6 A M. Yes you should plan on your room not being ready til 3 PM. You ma y be lucky and it is ready early but don’t count on it. You can leave your bags with Bell Services.

Since we have to get up early that morning, we are not planning on doing any parks that day. I was hoping to hang by the pool (or check out Disney Springs if we are up to the bus trip despite all the traveling that day) but i'm having a hard time planning meals.

Currently have ADR for Whispering Cannon at 5:40 but was also considering Hoop Dee Doo or Chef Mickey (we have CM scheduled for 1 the next day on our first MK day) There are no dinner reservations available for CM on arrival day - only brunch. Is 1:40 pushing it too close? Or if we do HDDR, i'd rather do earliest show, but will that give us any time to relax between arrival at hotel and show?

I wouldn’t do HDDR on travel day. That is an extremely expensive meal to pay full price for if you are delayed.

Thanks!

Travel day is. Exhausting. I would plan to check in, explore WL, hang at the pool until your room is ready. I would keep WHISPERING Canyon for dinner and make it an early night

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I wouldn’t try 1:40. Figure 30 minutes to get to the gate - if your plane is even on time, off the plane and down to ME, then if you have to wait for a full bus it could be another 30, then the drive there, it could be 2 hours before you are at the resort, probably less. Then you’ve still got to check in, find your room, and then walk back to the busses, bus to MK and walk to the Contemporary. I don’t know about your party but with potty breaks and stops for everything under the sun my kids would never make that, I’d be super stressed!

Travel day is. Exhausting. I would plan to check in, explore WL, hang at the pool until your room is ready. I would keep WHISPERING Canyon for dinner and make it an early night

There is a boat that goes from WL to CR, so there is zero reason to bus from WL to MK and walk to CR.

That being said, I, too, would stick with the WCC dinner reservation. This allows plenty of time to relax at the resort, check in to your room and settle in after a long travel day. If you get bored hanging out at the hotel, you could always take the boat to Ft. W and see the horses, boat over to CR and ride the monorail, etc.

I wouldn't do HDDR because if you have a really long delay, you will be out the entire price of those tickets.

Another option is to simply not make an ADR and see what's available in the area once you arrive at the resort so you aren't subject to any no-show fees should delays arise.

 

[gillep]

WL is such a beautiful resort that I would just stick around there and explore the lodge and hang out by the pool and eat at WCC. As a pp said if you need a change of scenery you could always explore the monorail resorts or go over to Ft. Wilderness.

 

[Minnesota!]

I love arrival day! So much ahead of you...

Arriving when you do, I would say you WOULD make the CM reservation. However, I much prefer a little time in my room before I run off. Unpack, freshen up, let the kids rest a bit. If our room isn't ready when we arrive, the kids like to hang out watching cartoons in the lobby, or having a snack. Anything that just keeps them still (yes, even now, as teens/preteens)....

 

[travellingphilly]

I love the idea of staying by the resort that day. I just wanted to see the kids reaction to Mickey and the gang!
I don't know if i should post this somewhere else, but if we stick with WCC on arrival day, do CM the next day as a break during our first MK day, is it better to do Hoop Dee Doo on our 2nd MK day or on our "free day." The free day will most likely have some abbreviated MK or Animal Kingdom time. We only plan on AK one day, if at all because I'm not sure how my kids will like it. Wondering if I should skip HDDR altogether even though i was really looking forward to it.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I love the idea of staying by the resort that day. I just wanted to see the kids reaction to Mickey and the gang!
I don't know if i should post this somewhere else, but if we stick with WCC on arrival day, do CM the next day as a break during our first MK day, is it better to do Hoop Dee Doo on our 2nd MK day or on our "free day." The free day will most likely have some abbreviated MK or Animal Kingdom time. We only plan on AK one day, if at all because I'm not sure how my kids will like it. Wondering if I should skip HDDR altogether even though i was really looking forward to it.

I would try to do HDDR. We love going there when we stay at WL because it's so convenient to get to and it's just an overall, great experience.

What time were you planning on leaving MK on your second day? What time would you end your park time on your "free" day? I would pick whichever day you were planning on stopping your touring the earliest so you don't feel rushed getting to HDDR.