Arriving Super Early @ Resort

[brockash]

We are driving to Disney and we originally planned to leave super early in the morning/middle of night, getting in around 9/10am.

However, I naturally am just way more awake late evening to very early morning hours and feel I'll have an easier time driving and getting in atound 1am.

Will we be allowed past the gate at our resort? Honestly, I just want to be able to park at our resort and then sleep in the car for a few hours before even bothering going into check in. - I know our room won't be ready etc. until then afternoon most likely, but we're meeting up with friends for lunch that day and I really think I'd prefer driving in the evening/night and then just sleeping in the car once we're on property as opposed to getting up super early and driving down...however I'd feel much safer sleeping in the car inside our resort gate parking lot, so just trying to determine if they'd allow us through.

 

[Dave006]

Will we be allowed past the gate at our resort? Honestly, I just want to be able to park at our resort and then sleep in the car for a few hours before even bothering going into check in. - I know our room won't be ready etc. until then afternoon most likely, but we're meeting up with friends for lunch

Not instantly, the Guard will not have the check-in list readily available but they can look up your reservation when you provide your name, ID, and proper date. Just let the guard know that you arrived earlier than originally planned.

Your room or one that matches your primary requests may be available any time after 6:30 AM when the folio system rolls over so it is worth a stop at the Front desk any time after 6:30 AM.

Dave

 

[brockash]

Not instantly, the Guard will not have the check-in list readily available but they can look up your reservation when you provide your name, ID, and proper date. Just let the guard know that you arrived earlier than originally planned.

Your room or one that matches your primary requests may be available any time after 6:30 AM when the folio system rolls over so it is worth a stop at the Front desk any time after 6:30 AM.

Dave

Ok, thank you!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’d get a cheap room off-site. I don’t know that we have any reports of anyone who tried to essentially sleep overnight in their car at a Disney resort though so if you try do report back.

It sounds horridly uncomfortable, physical seat aside the weather might not be cooperative and cracking a window could just lead to a bug party in your car.

 

[Lewisc]

1a is a late checkin, previous night. You'll be arriving more then 24 hours before the time your room is promised.

Get an inexpensive room.

 

[Dave006]

I’d get a cheap room off-site. I don’t know that we have any reports of anyone who tried to essentially sleep overnight in their car at a Disney resort though so if you try do report back.

Most guests don't actually sleep in their car. Many resorts have numerous quite areas around the resort where guests can relax, catch a quick nap, and have an early breakfast before starting their park day. After all @brockash is really looking at about 5 hours to wait for their park day to start.

Dave

 

[japanese maple]

We are driving to Disney and we originally planned to leave super early in the morning/middle of night, getting in around 9/10am.

However, I naturally am just way more awake late evening to very early morning hours and feel I'll have an easier time driving and getting in atound 1am.

Will we be allowed past the gate at our resort? Honestly, I just want to be able to park at our resort and then sleep in the car for a few hours before even bothering going into check in. - I know our room won't be ready etc. until then afternoon most likely, but we're meeting up with friends for lunch that day and I really think I'd prefer driving in the evening/night and then just sleeping in the car once we're on property as opposed to getting up super early and driving down...however I'd feel much safer sleeping in the car inside our resort gate parking lot, so just trying to determine if they'd allow us through.

What resort are you staying at? Some have out of the way spots around the resort where you can close your eyes!

 

[brockash]

1a is a late checkin, previous night. You'll be arriving more then 24 hours before the time your room is promised.

Get an inexpensive room.

Hmmm...it wouldn't be more than 24 hrs before the room is promised...it'd be 15 hrs.ish.

IDK...I think we'll try it and see how it goes. If it's terrible than I guess a good lesson learned, but I do feel it'd be way better for me to drive when I'm naturally more awake than not. Unfortunately there's no way I'll get DH onboard with paying for an extra night with a checkin time of 1amish.

 

[brockash]

What resort are you staying at? Some have out of the way spots around the resort where you can close your eyes!

We'll be at Pop this trip. I'd prefer to be inside the gates just because I'd feel a little safer, but not 100% necessary.

 

[japanese maple]

We'll be at Pop this trip. I'd prefer to be inside the gates just because I'd feel a little safer, but not 100% necessary.

Ah. I'm not really familiar with Pop but maybe someone else can chime in with a quiet spot to rest your eyes!

 

[Lewisc]

Most guests don't actually sleep in their car. Many resorts have numerous quite areas around the resort where guests can relax, catch a quick nap, and have an early breakfast before starting their park day. After all @brockash is really looking at about 5 hours to wait for their park day to start.

Dave

Good news. We have a room available for you. No thanks. I'll just sleep on the lobby. Our hotel is for registered guests. Do you want a room or will you be leaving.

Some guests checkin after a party night. 1a is too early to crash in a resort and to early to expect a free room.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I have a friend who does room assignments at Disney. The turnover happens at 6 am. If you arrive at 1 am the security guard will not know you are guest. It is possible they take pity on you and let you in and it’s possible they will turn tou away. I would get a cheap room offsite and get a few hours of real sleep or change your hotel reservation to start a day early and you will be a guest and will have room.

 

[SL6827]

I would feel safer inside the gates of any Disney resort too. But arriving at 1 am sounds like it might raise an eyebrow, possibly?

 

[Mle8308]

I'd wait and leave as originally planned. Have your DH drive if you get too tired, take turns. You won't be able to get a room at 1am unless you pay for the technical night prior. The guard at Pop may not even let you in since nothing is open at that time. You can try and find a spot to sleep, but don't be surprised if you are awakened by Security and asked to leave, as you are not currently a resort guest. The resorts are not for people to crash at all night unless you have a room to crash in! You might find a spot, but you may also be asked to leave, and then where will you go?

 

[sponica]

I would either book a room at Pop for that night and let them know you're arriving late, book a room offsite either in Orlando or somewhere along the way and just drive to lunch from wherever you spend the night.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Hmmm...it wouldn't be more than 24 hrs before the room is promised...it'd be 15 hrs.ish.

IDK...I think we'll try it and see how it goes. If it's terrible than I guess a good lesson learned, but I do feel it'd be way better for me to drive when I'm naturally more awake than not. Unfortunately there's no way I'll get DH onboard with paying for an extra night with a checkin time of 1amish.

I'm with you and would give it a try, if you are dead set on getting there around 1AM. The guard does have access to the reservation system and once you tell him that you are checking in, essentially tomorrow, he has the ability to find you. Personally, I would just try and time it to arrive closer to 6AM.
We always arrive around 1AM but that's on our check-in day. LOL So we already have a room ready, we much rather get in late then to stop at another hotel.

 

[Lewisc]

I've read Walmart parking lots are a good place to crash.

 

[Genie+]

DH has a habit of going to sleep in his recliner middle of the night. When staying onsite at WDW, this means going out to our rented SUV at 2am. Security doesn’t like it. They don’t really want people sleeping out in the lots. I’m not sure the guard will allow what you are asking.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

You’re a guest until midnight on the day you leave, is the same true on arrival day? If so, since you’d be there after midnight they’d probably have no problem letting you into the lot and I doubt anyone would say anything about you napping. It’s a little unusual but I don’t see the harm in it personally

 

[Genie+]

While you might get a guard that allows, I don’t think it’s 100% dependable.

What I’ve found with the guards is it’s up to their judgement and level of experience, so depending who you get might change the outcome.

DH has back problems making sleeping flat painful after a few hours. He goes out to the car frequently in the wee hours to sleep. Ususally within a couple hours he gets a wrap on the window, checking to make sure he is ok and letting him know sleeping in the lot is not permitted. He is an early riser, so at that point he just leaves to the Waffle House or somewhere for coffee.

If you were coming in very late for check-in, that’s different and no problem at all.

I would have a back-up plan just in case they turn you away. Technically it is private property, and for security’s sake they might decline letting you sleep out there the night before checking in. There’s a Speedway over by Boardwalk where we’ve parked for a midnight nap with no issue. Maybe use that as a back-up plan? We’ve done 1am MK closing with super early flight and just hung out at that Speedway for a few hours before heading off to MCO.