Logistics of arriving a day early.

[TeamBlack]

We have a reservation starting Sept 29th at POR. We want to arrive a day early and spend the night at POP. Whats our best option.
Will this work?
Take Magical Express to POR, leave luggage with concierge or front desk. Let them know were checking-in in the morning. Take a cab to POP with a small bag. Check-in at POP, spend the night. Check-out at POP and take a cab back to POR and check-in there.
We will be arriving on the 28th very late, so i assume a cab is the only transport between resorts.
Thx

 

[bumbershoot]

Arriving on the 28th by Magical Express you can only take it to Pop. Not POR. So you'll take DME to Pop with your bags on the bus (since you're getting in very late), you'll sleep, then Bell Services can take your bags to POR on the 29th while you go about your day.

 

[Sue M]

We've done the arrive a day early thing and have stayed at Pop for the first day. I just get up early the next morning and cab over to next resort with luggage to do early check in. No need to back and forth so much.
Also resort will take care of moving your luggage but we've always preferred to take it, this way I know it will be there. Sometimes our rooms have been ready early, and if not I just leave them with bell services.

 

[Lynne M]

There's no need to go to POR first, and anyway, you wouldn't be allowed to board a ME bus to POR on the 28th. Your reservation there doesn't start until the next day.

After you make your reservation for the single night at Pop, just tell them you want to switch your Magical Express drop-off to Pop.

On the morning of the 29th, you can either take your luggage to Bell Services and have them bring it over to POR for you, and spend your day however you'd like (theme park, waterpark, etc), or you can take a cab to POR with your luggage.

 

[TeamBlack]

On the morning of the 29th, you can either take your luggage to Bell Services and have them bring it over to POR for you, and spend your day however you'd like (theme park, waterpark, etc), or you can take a cab to POR with your luggage.

We haven't been to WDW in quite awhile, so sorry for the noob questions.
Will magic bands be active with park tickets and FD credits the next morning without physically checking-in at POR?

 

[dansdad]

We haven't been to WDW in quite awhile, so sorry for the noob questions.
Will magic bands be active with park tickets and FD credits the next morning without physically checking-in at POR?

Yup.

 

[Lynne M]

We haven't been to WDW in quite awhile, so sorry for the noob questions.
Will magic bands be active with park tickets and FD credits the next morning without physically checking-in at POR?

Yes, they will. That's one of the cool features of magic bands.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We did the same thing a couple of years ago. If you use luggage transfer just make sure to be clear that it's RIVERSIDE. Our bags went to FQ by mistake. Not fun at 10pm after a long day in the parks!

 

[TeamBlack]

Thanks for all the tips