Help me plan our arrival/non park night!

[Dr.Cinderella]

Hi everyone! I was not sure which section to post this in but I wanted some advice regarding planning our arrival night, which is the only day we wont be going to a park. I think we'll be staying at Pop, although I am currently considering whether it is worth it to uprade to POR, but I am not sure it is. I am going with my fiance who has never been to Disney so I am trying to pack in as much as he can see in 4 nights, 5 days! So anyways, this day our flight arrives at 4:20 pm and we are using Magical Express to get to the hotel. I am wanting to go to Downtown Disney that night and do some shopping, a hot air balloon ride, dinner at Planet Hollywood to make use of the free voucher, and a carriage ride at POR. I am wondering if there will be enough time to do all of this in one night and trying to figure our logistics. The last carriage ride is at 9:30 pm and I know there is a boat that you can take from DTD but am not sure how long it takes. The hot air balloon ride is open until 11pm, but I had wanted to do that around sunset time which is 7:45 that night. Also dont want to stay up too late, because we have an early next morning. Can anyone help out with a possible schedule? Thanks so much!
Marissa

 

[amyy]

We stay at POR all the time but I am not good with a schedule. After your carriage ride check out Piano Bob if he is at POR that night.

I don't think I could get it all done in the time you say. It is a ballpark but even though your flight arrives at 4:20 I would plan an hour to get to the hotel. It depends ME is leaving right when you get there etc. Plus you have to check in. Even with doing on-line checking it too us a bit in Dec. Maybe you could get to DTD by 6:00 but I think that is pushing it. Maybe dinner at 6:30ish. The balloon ride at 7:45ish. I spent a few hours, at least, shopping in DTD. I doubt this schedule would give you much time for shopping. I would probably cut out the carriage ride so you aren't so rushed. But fit in Bob if you can!!

 

[beroh2253]

It's a real nice boat ride from POR to DTD maybe a 15 minute trip, but it may take longer to wait for the boat then the actual ride. Then walking around DTD take time it's really spread out. I never took the magical bus but that may take time to get to the different resort drop offs. Just wing it and do what you can, if you miss the carriage ride just take a nice slow walk around POR that is a beautiful resort our favorite but these days we go to POP and will probably do that till both my 2 are out of college. Have a great trip and if you don't get everything done there is always next years Disney trip.

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

We are now staying at Port Oleans French Quarter! Do you think we should do carriage ride before we leave for DTD for dinner? So check into the hotel by about 6, carriage ride at 6:30, balloon ride at 7:45, and dinner around 8? Or do should we do it last, later in the night? So check in 6, DTD dinner 6:30-7:30, ballon ride 7:45, carriage ride 9:30? Shopping isnt too important, we'll just do what we have time for. Also do you think we need to make a reservation for the carriage ride at POR? Thanks so much for your help!
Marissa