Maine_Belle
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 4, 2008
- Messages
- 148
We're taking our first family trip- a short one, but one I'm SO excited for!- at the end of this August. We'll be driving in to WDW from my IL's in Tampa, which is anywhere from a little over an hour to an hour and 40 minutes depending on traffic, construction and when we actually manage to get out the door. (In my head we'd aim to leave at 8 am, but it might not actually be until 9 or later- who knows.)
Once we arrive (a Wednesday), I figure it makes the most sense to check in at the hotel (POR) and either get in our room if it's available or just leave bags with the bellhop service so we don't have to be stressed about leaving bags in the car. Then we'll head to the Magic Kingdom.
I'm trying to get a sense for what time I should start looking to book Fast Passes. Once we get to the hotel front desk, I don't have any idea how much time it will take to get semi-settled and then be at the park gates. Is it like an hour to check in and ride the bus over? 2 hours? Half hour? Would it make more sense to drive to MK after checking in that first morning than take the bus given we'll be arriving in Orlando mid to late morning? Or do we go straight to the park and not worry about paying for parking because I'll have done online check-in and our bags will be plenty safe?
I want to make this trip as smooth as possible from the start, but it's tough when I have no idea when the organized chaos is going to begin! Any insight about what my timing might be will really help me plan out our first day.
Once we arrive (a Wednesday), I figure it makes the most sense to check in at the hotel (POR) and either get in our room if it's available or just leave bags with the bellhop service so we don't have to be stressed about leaving bags in the car. Then we'll head to the Magic Kingdom.
I'm trying to get a sense for what time I should start looking to book Fast Passes. Once we get to the hotel front desk, I don't have any idea how much time it will take to get semi-settled and then be at the park gates. Is it like an hour to check in and ride the bus over? 2 hours? Half hour? Would it make more sense to drive to MK after checking in that first morning than take the bus given we'll be arriving in Orlando mid to late morning? Or do we go straight to the park and not worry about paying for parking because I'll have done online check-in and our bags will be plenty safe?
I want to make this trip as smooth as possible from the start, but it's tough when I have no idea when the organized chaos is going to begin! Any insight about what my timing might be will really help me plan out our first day.
