Arrival Day Plan

[GaryDis]

Now that the EE times have been posted for September, I can ask my burning question.

We're scheduled to arrive at MCO at 4:30 on a Saturday that has HHN. We have no desire to go to HHN, but we did get (unexpectedly) 3 days for the price of 2 on our regular, both-park tickets. IOA is open to 8 the day we arrive, and we're staying at Cabana Bay. Two adults, no kids.

Should we plan on trying to get into the park at all? I don't know how much time to allow for getting luggage, shuttle bus, checking into our rooms. If we get into the park, it will probably just be enough time to get our bearings, maybe get a wand in Hogsmeade, and maybe a quick bite. Then we need to be prepared to get into USF the next morning at 7. Or would we have time to do more?

I so wish they'd keep IOA open later, but I understand why they don't.

 

[bumbershoot]

We landed just after 4 yesterday. I totally thought we would be fast and on our way, but we didn't even get to the rental car until after 5. And we only had carryons! Getting off the plane, walking, bathroom breaks, DS changing into shorts (should have done that on the plane), finding out that the Alamo Drive Happy deal checkin email being on my phone was fine (didn't have to have the printout), getting to the Alamo area (so so so so so HOT yesterday), figuring out what car we wanted...it all took time. We made it worse by heaing to Trader Joe's instead of going straight to RPR. By the time we got in and got our car unpacked (I was being cheap and didn't want to use Bell Services), checked in and to our room, we were wiped out. Could have salvaged maybe 1.5 hours at a park, but just didn't have the energy.

I wish you better luck and more energy!

(should mention that DS and I got 2.5 hours of sleep and had a 5am flight plus a 3 hour time change to deal with)

 

[macraven]

Gary if you land at 4:30, by the time you get your luggage and arrive at the hotel, it could be going on 6

The traffic getting to the parks will be heavy for those coming in for Hhn

Parking garage will be packed as the line to it will be long

Why not grab a dinner at city walk or go to rpr for dinner and sit around the oil there

You can enjoy the pool at Cbay the next evening

Make it an early night and hit the parks early the next day

 

[damo]

I agree with the others. Just enjoy the hotel and perhaps Citywalk that night. You could go bowling or go mini-putting or something like that.

 

[georgina]

If this is a day on your ticket that you will not use otherwise, why not wait until you get there to decide? If IOA closes at 8, you will still have a chance to get to bed early if you go. If you are going to Citywalk, IOA is not much farther. I love just being in Hogsmeade at night, even when it is crowded, the atmosphere is great. If you get there and don't feel like going into the park, then don't.