Hoop Dee Doo On Arival Evening?

[1hero2princesses]

It seems like it might be best to do Hoop Dee Doo on the day we arrive. We get into the airport at 3:20. I am worried about timing. Using magical express, staying at POR. Would the timing be to tight to do a 7:15 show? We would have to get to the hotel (I assume about 4:30) and then I guess it would be a project to get over there! Any thoughts? Do-able? It will be the end of July so I assume we shouldn't have weather issues (although I guess we could have plane issues!). This is paid for and you can't get it back, right? This day, July 29th is our anniversary. Thought it might be fun and from what I am reading the kids (7,6,4) should enjoy it. Suggestions? Is the timing too tight?

 

[mmay60046]

Speaking for myself that would be too much worrying about being someplace on time after a day of travelling. We do HDDR often but we always do it on our first full day at Disney. We get to rope drop at MK, spend the day there and then head over to Hoop de Doo in the evening. Much less stressing about things that could go wrong because of something out of your control.

I especially wouldn't count on being at your resort by 4:30 if your flight is scheduled to arrive at 3:20.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

too close for comfort in my opinion. Travel days are rough on kids. We do NOTHING on the night of day of arrival. Well, nothing that requires a time restraint.

We arrive, swim, shower, relax, take the bus to MK, and walk over to Contemporary (5 minute walk), ride the monorail, decided what resort we want to have dinner at. We eat, ride monorail back to CR, hit the Observation deck at CR for Wishes, then head on back to resort, good night's rest....then we're off and running

 

[medicjch]

I'd agree with the others that it might be cutting it too close on your arrival day, mainly because what *if* a flight is delayed. On my last trip my flight was delayed about 8 hours because the plane was broken. Pretty much destroyed my plans for day 1. The good thing was that it was an EMH night at MK so I was still able to get basically a full day in. I just would not want to travel and be worried about making a dinner reservation (well, at least one that you have paid for up front). I WOULD DEFINATELY do it some other night of your trip. The show is basically a must do on every trip for my family. Just my 2 cents.

 

[beroh2253]

We never had trouble on the flight in but 2 times the first being at All star Music we got to our door and couldn't get in, went back to the front deck and they said we probably did something to the card and it lost the memory, they re-swiped the card and I went back but still couldn't get in, they had to send someone to replace the lock, we had reservations at San Angle so we went to EPCOT to eat and didn't ever get into our room till later that night to see if we could get in. Last year we were at POR when we got to our room it looked like Goldie Locks was sleeping the the beds, wet towels thrown all over and the bathtub full of dirty water, sinks a mess. Luckely we didn't have anything planed that night cause they would have swithed our room but it was the perfect room pool right outside the door and building 16 not too far from the food court so we told them to send somene over and remake the beds and clean the bathroom and sinks. Plus at POR they knocked the price of that night off the bill. So it may not only be the flight in but getting into your room.
POR is one of the closest resorts to the Hoop they may have transportation over or maybe the bus going to the MK make a stop there, we usually drive a rental so its about 5 minutes from POR to the parking lot but you have to wait for the internal bus to take you to the Hoop Building which is another 5 or 10 minutes plus the wait for the bus.
We have been to the Hoop 4 time and can't wait to go back. Also remember if you can't make it to the Hoop they have your credit card number that is hoow you have to book and will probably charge you even if you are not there.

 

[debaone]

I would agree that it is a bad idea, especially because you lose money if you miss this. We always do HDD on the last day, because we are also in Magic Kingdom on the last day, so it works well. We take the boat from MK to FW for HDD, then take the boat back to the Contemporary and watch the fireworks from the 4th floor balcony, then take the monorail back to the TTC for transport back to our resort.

 

[Hopefully]

Travel days are stressful!! There are many factors outside of your control.
I would never plan a non-refundable meal my first night. I think your time frames are too tight
Good Luck

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I would shcedule something that would not cost me if I missed it. One thing goes wrong and you'll be out the money. Flights get delayed all the time for things other than weather (or even due to weather unrelated to your location).

 

[monami7]

I just booked HDD for our arrival day. We get in at 11:30am though. I did ask the CM that booked it for us what would happen if Traveling made us not be able to get there. She said that that was a valid reason for canceling and to call them if something happened to the flights or something. I am guessing that if there was a peoblem with your hotel this would be a travel problem too. She aid that they would take care of it if this was the case.
Everyone I have expressed my concerns to has been extremely helpful!

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

We did HDDR on our arrival night last trip but we arrived at about 11:00am so we had plenty of time. If I were you I would pick a different night.

 

[Marty Joe]

Getting from POR to HDD will be an issue during the last part of July (we are going at that time too!) unless you have a rental car. If you don't (we never do), you may have to "taxi" it over (aprox. $20) if time gets tight..

 

[sharona]

I wouldn't book this even if they allow a last minute cancel. It's not cheap and you want to go on a night when you can enjoy it, not a night when you're tired from traveling. I would save it for later in the trip and just do something low key on the arrival night.

 

[VAN]

My DD and I are going in May and arrive at MCO at 3:20, using DME and staying at POP. We have tickets for the 7:15 HDDR.

We are very familiar with WDW having visited many times, including staying at the Fort.

I don't see having any issues in making my reservations for the 7:15 show.

If, however, I think we are running a bit late, we'll just take a taxi to the Fort from Pop. If time is not an issue, I'll take the MK bus and then the ferry to the Fort which docks real near Pioneer Hall.

If you think you are going to stress over this, then pick another night. I, however, am doing the same as you with the exact same schedule.

 

[TDC Nala]

There is no way I would do this on a flight arrival day, unless the flight arrival time is a good five or six hours before the event.

With a flight delay, transportation delay, check-in delay or any kind of delay at all you will miss your prepaid meal, and lose what you paid for it (or get charged the no-show fee if you booked with the dining plan). I would definitely not count on being allowed to do a last minute cancellation with refund for any reason. You can certainly try, but you could get someone who says no.

If you were to do the 9:30 show it might be better.

 

[Kimberle]

I don't book anything the 1st night I wouldn't mind missing. A few years ago, our plane was hours late due to a wind storm. We were staying at CR & had dinner booked at CM's. We checked in, threw our bags down in our room, and made it to CM by the skin of our teeth. I had such a headach and we were all drained we did not enjoy the meal at all.

 

[roberthuss]

It seems like it might be best to do Hoop Dee Doo on the day we arrive. We get into the airport at 3:20. I am worried about timing. Using magical express, staying at POR. Would the timing be to tight to do a 7:15 show? We would have to get to the hotel (I assume about 4:30) and then I guess it would be a project to get over there! Any thoughts? Do-able? It will be the end of July so I assume we shouldn't have weather issues (although I guess we could have plane issues!). This is paid for and you can't get it back, right? This day, July 29th is our anniversary. Thought it might be fun and from what I am reading the kids (7,6,4) should enjoy it. Suggestions? Is the timing too tight?

I wouldn't do it. What if your flight is late? There are too many variables. You should be safe and do it the next day if you really want to go.

 

[LisaTC]

I had this same ? in my mind, only with a couple of variables. We are going in Oct, probably come in early around 10-11am, but we, too are staying at POR. I think we may try it and also try going to MK when we arrive. I can't imagine telling my DD7 when we get there that she can't go to MK, even though it will be a zoo & I know she'd love the HDDR, so we're probably going to go for it. However, with your later flight...it's a bit more iffy. You ultimately need to decide if you'll be pinched for time. You'll know at the airport if you'll be able to make it and can call. What if you do get there in time, you'll wish you could've gone...I know that would be me!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

That is a very tight schedule. As others have said, I would not do it. Too much stress, and too many chances for roadblocks in the timing.