Late check- in or offsite for first night

[DisneyFan09]

We arrive in Orlando pretty early but thought we'd use this day to visit Cocoa Beach, so by the time we actually check-in it will probably be like 7:00 or 8:00 o'clock at night. Is it worth it to pay for a night when we are getting there that late or should we just spend the night in CB and plan on leaving early in the morning? I should add that we are staying at the Poly and I found a $55 rate for a Hojo in Cocoa Beach.

I hate to waste time travelling on our first full day there, but I could save a substantial amount of money. On the other hand, it would be really cool to wake up in the morning already at the Poly.

What should I do?

 

[Susiesnowflake]

That $55 does sound awful nice but......I'd want to get to the Poly as soon as I could! We didn't arrive until just before midnight last Nov. The time didn't matter. We were so excited to get there and the resort looked so pretty at night with the torches lit. There also weren't any other people checking in, and we rec'd some nice individualized attention. It was nice being able to unpack, settle in, and be ready to start our vacation early the next a.m. With the time you are arriving, you will also have time to familiarize yourself with the resort and GCH and take a walk around the grounds. Have fun! I'm so jealous!

 

[Lewisc]

Is there fireworks in MK and will you get their in time? If so go for, watch fireworks from the beach and wake up the next morning in your resort.

Otherwise I'd get a cheap hotel in Orlando (maybe PL) and check in early at POLY.

 

[dahess]

I personally think it would be too much of a hassle to switch resorts for $55.00.

 

[DisneyFan09]

Thanks for the much needed advice you guys!! I think we'll check in that first night! I really wanted to go to Epcot that next day anyway and that way we'll get off to an early start!

 

[goofy4tink]

We've booked the FT pkg. at the Polynesian. We also are arriving on the latish side, about 7 or 8. We were originally supposed to get to WDW on Sat, about 11 am. But, our flights changed and we're flying in the night before. I really didn't want to spend the money, about $300, just to sleep for that one night. So, we booked an AllStars room and will check-in at the Polynesian early Sat morning. I'll let AllStars move my luggage over when they can get to it. I just couldn't justify the amount of money and not be using the parks.

 

[Toots]

Goofy4tink did you have to add the extra night on as part of the FTP? I was thinking of doing the same thing but didn't want to include an extra day of park passes. I booked our FTP online with Disney direct and thought I might also reserve a room only @ the Allstars for an additional night so we could get full use of our final day of UPH. We're driving down so could possibly do an extra night. We're staying at CBR for our package but I figure we'd save about $50 to switch to Allstars. Not much but we'd also get to try a new resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi Toots. I actually have two reservations...one for AllStars and one for Polynesian. So, it looks like I've saved myself about $300. However, now my dh says..."Do you really feel like checking in, sleeping, checking out (early) and re-checking in and having to wait for your luggage all day??" The AllStars are not known for their quick delivery of your things to another WDW resort. It will get there but maybe not until late in the day! So, now I'm thinking I may just suck it up and pay the extra to make him happy!! Sheesh, what a wimp! So, I guess my answer to you would be...no, our AllStars ressie is separate from our Polynesian FT one.

 

[patsal]

I've tried both ways. While the savings is very tempting it was such a disappointment. I found the late check in and waking up ready to go worth the expense. I look at it this way now. I waited and saved up and I finally get there, I check in off site--no magic--I have to check out, recheck in and then I can go to the parks. With late check in there is usuallly no line at check in, I can get right into my room and when I wake up I can get up and out and on with the reason I went on vacation to WDW for!

 

[hookedup]

I have this dilema every year when we take the train to Orlando. Amtrak is supposed to arrive at 8:45 pm but is notoriously late - last year we got in at 3:00 in the morning!
All I can say is it is so much easier to just go to WDW - dont bother with switching hotels - it may seem like a waste to pay for a night that you arrive later in the day - but being there and waking up there vs. losing a whole other day while switching checking in and getting settled (maybe even having to wait for a room) wastes a whole other day!!!

 

[DisneyChristmas]

It's your vacation! Check in late at the Poly and have something to eat at Captain Cook's (open all night). Walk around the grounds. Wake up the next morning in paradise instead of along the interstate.

 

[clkelley]

The other downside of checking in late, especially when the resorts are close to full is room location.

If you check in late at night you might not get as many of your requests if you check in early in the morning.

Although for me, I could really care less about room location. Being there the night before is much more relaxing for me, especially when my family is with me as they are not early risers.