HDDR check in time

[Purple & Pink Mommy]

I am trying to fit in a carriage ride and HDDR. I currently have an ADR for 6:15. The earliest carriage ride at FW is 5:30. The carriage ride is 25 min long. Then we have to quickly get from Tri-Circle Ranch to Pioneer Hall. Am I cutting it too close? I know I can book the carriage ride after the meal, but I don't know if it's better to do the ride in daylight or nighttime. I've considered moving our ADR to 4 to allow an evening time carriage ride for after. We are going in early June. This is our arrival day and instead of going to a park I'm trying to plan an afternoon at FW. Thanks!

 

[snowmedic]

This is from the Disney website:

As this experience is quite popular, we recommend arriving 30 minutes before the doors open at 4:00 PM, 6:15 PM or 8:30 PM. Seating will begin immediately at these times, and the show begins 20 minutes later.

The carriage rides are right next to Pioneer Hall, not even a 1 minute walk to HDDR.

 

[Purple & Pink Mommy]

Thanks! When I made the reservation the CM told me it was a mile walk. She was obviously mistaken! I know it says to check in 30 min prior to the show, but if we do the carriage ride we wouldn't check in until 6 or slightly after. I booked a category 1 and it's paid for already. We will make it for the 6:15 show, it's just the checking in time that concerns me.

 

[OKW Lover]

As @snowmedic said, the carriage ride will drop you off right next to Pioneer Hall. It will take you all of 30 seconds to cross the driveway. Also, since seats are pre-assigned and the doors don't open until exactly the stated time there is really no reason at all to be there early. Everybody gets seating within about 5 minutes from the time the doors open. No need to stand in line.

 

[Purple & Pink Mommy]

Thank you so much! I will keep the carriage ride for 5:30 and our adr for 6:15.

 

[cigar95]

My experience at HDDR has been that unless you want to do the photo opportunity at check-in, there's not much reason to be there earlier than about 10 minutes before the doors open. Otherwise it's a lot of milling around, with folks waiting in a long line even though all the seats are reserved.
Of course, unless you are staying at FtW and have a place near Pioneer Hall, there's always the uncertainty on when Disney transportation is going to arrive and get you there. If you just miss a bus or boat, your arrival time has just slipped by 15-20 minutes.

 

[disnut8]

My experience at HDDR has been that unless you want to do the photo opportunity at check-in, there's not much reason to be there earlier than about 10 minutes before the doors open. Otherwise it's a lot of milling around, with folks waiting in a long line even though all the seats are reserved.

Totally agree. Your seats are already assigned, you will be dropped off very close to where you need to be and I can vouch that the people that have been waiting for that hour or half hour before the doors open will have kids that will see the horses come near them and want to run off to see the animals. You have nothing to worry about.

 

[Cinderella94]

I know this wasn't your question, but since you said it was your arrival day, it jumped out at me- when and how will you be arriving?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you so much! I will keep the carriage ride for 5:30 and our adr for 6:15.

with 615 being the second show of evening first show will have to get out and tables reset for your show. as others have said they are right next to each others.

 

[Purple & Pink Mommy]

I know this wasn't your question, but since you said it was your arrival day, it jumped out at me- when and how will you be arriving?

We should arrive at our hotel between 2-2:30. Our plane is to land at 12:30 and I plan to book a limo as a surprise to our girls to GF.