HDDR on arrival night?

[kellya22]

Hi everyone,
My family (2 adults, 1-10 year old and an 18 month old), will arrive in Orlando around noon that day. Do you think it would be took much to do HDDR that night? Because we have the baby, we would probably try the 5:00 show. Will we have plenty of time to settle in at the hotel (POR) and then get there in time? Also, we don't want to use a park pass that day but we want to take the boat from MK to HDDR. We don't actually need to enter MK to take the boat over, do we? Thanks so much!!
Kelly

 

[Shells9]

I don't know that it would be something I would attempt. If you have any flight delays or unexpected events along the way you might be pressed for time.

 

[danny1649]

No you can get boat to FW in front of Magic Kingdom and you do not have to enter park.If this is what you want to do get your reservations soon has you can.DW and I do this each trip we always arrive on a Sunday around noon.Settle in at OKW and relax for awhile.Then go to 7:15 HDDR and afterwards go across street from Pioneer Hall and do hayride then down to beach to see EWP.This year going May 22nd and December 4th.Great show and gets us charged up for MK the next day.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I learned not to plan much the first day of arrival.
The one time I actually had confirmed, paid for dinner plans, our flight was around 2 hours delayed. (The mystery dinner show at the Grosvenor -- which is/was on only Saturday evenings.) And of course when you are in a rush, then other things don't go as they should or are expected.
We made it, but by the skin of our teeth, and no time to go to our room. We only checked in and dropped off our luggage.
It can be done. But I advise to be prepared with a back up plan.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Kelly,

I'll advise something that seems to go against "the common wisdom" of the Disboards. I say, "Go for it!" We did the 7:30pm sitting of HDDR in early January and we only arrived at the hotel around 5:30 or 6:00pm.

While the boat is a nice touch, you will be driving right past FW on your drive from POR to MK to catch the boat to FW. I would suggest lightening the load there a bit:

1. confirm your HDDR PS when you check-in at POR.
2. drive to FW and park.
3. take the bus to Pioneer Hall -- check the map at the bus stop.
4. enjoy a little wander around Pioneer Hall area before the show.
5. say "Hi" to Wayne the waiter from his friends in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

 

[sters]

Kelly,

I'll advise something that seems to go against "the common wisdom" of the Disboards. I say, "Go for it!" We did the 7:30pm sitting of HDDR in early January and we only arrived at the hotel around 5:30 or 6:00pm.

While the boat is a nice touch, you will be driving right past FW on your drive from POR to MK to catch the boat to FW. I would suggest lightening the load there a bit:

1. confirm your HDDR PS when you check-in at POR.
2. drive to FW and park.
3. take the bus to Pioneer Hall -- check the map at the bus stop.
4. enjoy a little wander around Pioneer Hall area before the show.
5. say "Hi" to Wayne the waiter from his friends in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

I agree. If time is really precious and you don't have a car, get a taxi. You can also boat over from the Contemporary I think. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[crow11ad]

We went in Dec of 04. The first night we went to HDDR. We arrived in the am so it was not a proplem what so ever. It is really fun.

 

[ncbyrne]

We are doing the same thing. Arriving at CS around noon, with 5:00 PS for HDDR! If something should delay our arrival, then we'll take your advice and drive to FW, but our plan is to take the bus to MK and then the boat to FW (and bus directly back to CS)

 

[Nanabug02]

Not to be a downer, but be careful making dinner reservations like that on the arrival day. Our last trip, we had PS for Citricos for our anniversary dinner that night. We should have landed around 3:00...plenty of time for our 8:00 PS. But, our flight got delayed and we didn't land until almost seven....it make for a really upsetting first day.

 

[lajones81]

I didn't plan anything much for the first day just in case there is a delay. However, with that being said the HDDR is fantastic! I've seen the show a number of times and it was really fun! Enjoy!

 

[pattyT]

Hi Kelly

My opinion-

don't do it that night - only because you HAVE to pay forit even if your plane is late - the baby has a rough day etc...

BUT YOU MUST GO - it is great - call exactly 90 days out and you will get great seats!
t
here are a lot of other things you can do that first night if you all are up for it -
like get a priority seating for a Character Dinner at The Contemporary
your always safe with a ps...

 

[whiteboy]

Whats HDDR?

 

[lajones81]

HDDR is the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. It can be booked up to two years in advance.

 

[pattyT]

opps thats right - HDDR is 2 years out -
forgot sorry
so call NOW
and have fun whatever you decide!

 

[yooperfan]

We go to HDDR almost every trip, that said, we did have a dinner planned arrival night one year and didn't make it. We now go to Ohanas the first night as we can make a ressie but don't need a pmt in advance. That way if we miss it, we just reschedule for a different night and still go to HDDR another night without the stress. You do not need park passes to go to Ohanas either.

 

[Catrin]

A while back, we did the Hoop Dee Doo our first night...

While me made it, and had fun... I wouldn't schedule anything like that again the first night.
Our DS was 20 mths.. and it was just too long of a day for him. From the plane to the shuttle, to the car, to the monorail, to the bus, to the boat etc etc....

The next time we went.. our kids were 5 and 2.... we had fun at the pool in the hotel, dinner at the food court, and then went to the Poly, sat on the beach and watched the fireworks. That night on the beach was my all time favorite family moment in Disney.

Have fun going.. just remember, you need to go on the 18mths schedule, not yours!
Catrin

 

[disneygoof]

We do it every time on our first night. We've been fortunate that we've never had a problem, but we have been close to arriving late. We just didn't let it bother us.

It can be difficult to get to, however, as you may have figured out from the replies. If you have a car, you can drive to Fort Wilderness, but not Pioneer Hall, so you have to park and then take a bus. If you don't get the direct bus, you will make many, many stops.

If you don't have a car, and this is how I would do it if I didn't, I would take the POR bus to TTC, then the monorail to MK, (you don't have to enter the park), then the Resort Launch to Fort Wilderness (on your right as you exit Monorail). It might seem like a lot, but being broken up with three different modes of transportation will make it go by quickly, and your 10 year old will probably love it. After the 5:00 show, if the timing is right at MK, you can watch Wishes from the Fort Wilderness beach.

I'd go for it, but if you're concerned about being rushed, the 7:15 show might be better, depending on the nighttime mood of your young one.

Have fun!