Arrival Day Question

[Minkies]

Our plane gets in at 2:45. We are using Magic Express transporation to Saratoga Springs. We will need to schedule our Garden Grocer delivery.

Will we have time to check in, etc, and still get to Blizzard Beach for a couple of hours before they close at 8:00? Or is that pushing it, and we should just enjoy our resort pools the first night?

We have 7 nights, and bought the 5-day plus water parks - so I'm working on our itinerary.

First family trip, twin daughters are 8. They are mostly interested in swimming, so we thought we would let them get that out of their system a little first, or they will just be asking for the pools and water parks and be annoying about it!

I joined Touringplans and I'm trying to figure all this out! We plan to visit all four of the major parks, but really pace ourselves, and always have an afternoon break back at the resort.

I noticed that Undercover Tourist and Touring plans' crowd calendars conflict. Any thoughts on which is more accurate?

Thanks for any advice for a newbie just starting out on our itinerary. Our dates are July 22-29.

 

[Robo]

Our plane gets in at 2:45. We are using Magic Express transporation to Saratoga Springs. We will need to schedule our Garden Grocer delivery.

1- Will we have time to check in, etc, and still get to Blizzard Beach for a couple of hours before they close at 8:00?

2- Or is that pushing it, and we should just enjoy our resort pools the first night?

We have 7 nights, and bought the 5-day plus water parks - so I'm working on our itinerary.

First family trip, twin daughters are 8.

3- They are mostly interested in swimming, so we thought we would let them get that out of their system a little first, or they will just be asking for the pools and water parks and be annoying about it!

4- I noticed that Undercover Tourist and Touring plans' crowd calendars conflict.

5- Any thoughts on which is more accurate?

6- Our dates are July 22-29.

1- Yes.
2- Not "pushing it" at all. But, if you'd rather just rest, that's a fine option, as well.
3- Well, I guess that answers #2 above.
4- COUNT on that. Those "prediction sites" are offering their best "educated guesses."
Ripe for conflicting info.
5- Toss-up.
6- Have a magical trip (and pack the sunscreen!!)

 

[Quin]

Pushing it. WAY pushing it.

In July, the ME will be pretty darn busy. EVERYTHING will be pretty darn busy. Even if you plane lands on time (no guarantees) it may well be 2+ hours before you are in your room.

I'd enjoy the resort pool and plan on a CS dinner so you're also not stressing about an ADR time. From Sarasota Springs, DTD naturally suggests itself. WPE and EOS are both good CS options. For an extra-special first night treat, maybe a big ice cream creation at Ghiardelli's. Early to bed so everybody can hit the ground running the next morning for rope drop. In July you are goign to want to tour in the morning and evening only. Mid-days are for swimming and sleeping.

 

[Cherinva]

You will most definately have time.

 

[Minkies]

For an extra-special first night treat, maybe a big ice cream creation at Ghiardelli's.

Love this idea!

I guess I will put BB as a big maybe, but be sure to schedule it in another day as well.

I guess I should ask: Is it always best to have an itinerary?

I know we can always choose to deviate from it but do some people enjoy just winging it more? The guide books don't advise that, so I'm trying to do my homework and come up with an outline.

As far as ADRs, my kids are saying they don't want to go to restaurants. So we don't plan to make any ADRs, and eat mstly counter service, snacks, back in our room.

I am thinking we can get into some of the less popular sit-down places without ADR if we eat at an off time? Like 3:00? True or False?

 

[Robo]

Love this idea!

I guess I will put BB as a big maybe, but be sure to schedule it in another day as well.

I guess I should ask:

1- Is it always best to have an itinerary?

2- I know we can always choose to deviate from it but do some people enjoy just winging it more? The guide books don't advise that, so I'm trying to do my homework and come up with an outline.

3- As far as ADRs, my kids are saying they don't want to go to restaurants. So we don't plan to make any ADRs, and eat mstly counter service, snacks, back in our room.

4- I am thinking we can get into some of the less popular sit-down places without ADR if we eat at an off time? Like 3:00? True or False?

1- Drop the word "always" and we can talk.

2- If you already know the place, you can wing it.
If you are not fully familiar with all of the options, attractions and events, I don't see how you can be aware of what to do when without at least a rough outline.

3- Many do that.

4- Many try that.
Sometimes it works, but I don't know why you'd be
especially interested in eating at "less popular" (yet still pricey) places.

 

[Minkies]

4- Many try that.
Sometimes it works, but I don't know why you'd be
especially interested in eating at "less popular" (yet still pricey) places.

By "less popular" I mean like the the Turf Club at our resort. It would be nice to have a couple of TS meals without being tied to an ADR - so I'm hoping that will work out.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

By "less popular" I mean like the the Turf Club at our resort. It would be nice to have a couple of TS meals without being tied to an ADR - so I'm hoping that will work out.

You should be able to walk up at any off time and get into Turf Club with no issues. Even at peak dinner times it rarely is full. You should be good.

FWIW I'd totally head to BB when I arrived too. I think you have plenty of time.

 

[laughinplace199]

OP, I think you will have time for a few hours at BB.

As for your gardengrocer delivery, I'd schedule it for before your arrival time. They will deliver it to Bell Services if you are not at your resort yet. Then, once you check in and get to your room, call Bell Services and they will bring your groceries to your room. That way, you don't have to work the grocery delivery into your schedule.

 

[minnie mum]

I know that several of the PPs have said that you'll easily have a few hours to enjoy at BB. I'm not so sure, but then I don't know how you feel about using a WP admission for only a couple of hours.

If you get in at 2:45 (and aren't delayed- a big IF) then you can anticipate arriving at your resort at around 4:30. By the time you check in and get to your room it will be closer to 5:00. Then you have to call Bell Services and wait for your Garden Grocer order to be delivered and (I assume) stored away. Then you have to get to Blizzard Beach. By now it could be pushing 6:00pm. And you haven`t had dinner yet.

JMO, but if it was me, I`d just let the kids hit the resort pool for an hour or so after such a long travel day.

But maybe I`ve missed something that would allow you more time at BB.

 

[Robo]

Then you have to get to Blizzard Beach. By now it could be pushing 6:00pm.

But maybe I`ve missed something that would allow you more time at BB.

That is exactly what Minkies asked...

Will we have time to check in, etc, and still get to Blizzard Beach for
a couple of hours before they close at 8:00?

That was why I answered in the affirmative.

 

[minnie mum]

That is exactly what Minkies asked...



That was why I answered in the affirmative.

. By now it could be pushing 6:00pm. And you haven`t had dinner yet.

And being a Mom and wanting to keep my kids fed on a reasonable schedule, this is what my main question was.

 

[Minkies]

Minnie Mum makes a good point - my kids are 8 and we don't travel much, so we may enjoy staying at the resort more and settling in and having a hot meal.

However, if the adrenaline is going and we're all up for an adventure, I'm not worried about using one of my 5 WP days for just a couple of hours, because I'm not sure we will use them all anyway.

Are you allowed to eat on the Magical Express buses? If kiddos are rearing to go, and want to head for BB, they may be happy with a snack from our grocery delivery on the bus ride over and skip a real dinner.

Just looked at the transit times, and it looks like TL is a little closer to SSS than BB. But it still looks like transit time to either will eat up at least a half hour.

I am so excited about this trip!! I think resort pool and ice cream will be our best bet for the first night!

Next task: See if there is some kind of activities calendar for SSS.