Looking for booking advice for newbie/spring break

[basketrn]

So we are considering a 2 day visit to US prior to our week long spring break trip to WDW. I had requested a quote trough travel agent and had some sticker shock. So I started looking on these boards for tips/advice. So to save some cash here's what I am thinking....

We wil drive from Indy on Wednesday March 22nd. Was thinking about doing "value" resort (Cabanna Bay) that night. We would be checking in pretty late. So my reasoning for staying on property for the first night is to take advantage of 1 hour early entry the following morning. Then my plan was to change resorts and stay at one that offers unlimted express pass for Thursday, with checking out Friday. My question is if I switch hotels is the express option going to be available the day of check in and the day of check out (so in my case Thur/Fri)? If so, do I physically have to check in before I can use express pass? Any advice is welcomed. We don't mind moving resorts and will have a car. We have also just thrown around the idea of just staying at dvc instead, driving to US every morning and paying for express pass. The down side of this is having to drive/park and not early entry.

 

[macraven]

Yes
You would have to physically check in to the deluxe hotel Thursday morning

You can do that early morning

Once you check in you receive the hotel card key
You need that card to create the ep photo ID card

You could reverse your plans and check into the deluxe hotel the evening you arrive at UO

You could go directly to the park the next morning for EE and continue the park with the ep to use

Check out the next day for Cbay and still use the ep all of that day in the parks

Or if you arrive in Orlando late night or after 7:30 pm, stay at a near by cheap hotel then check in at the deluxe hotel around 6:30 next morning

Stay deluxe first then move to Cbay

 

[wookiebeck]

Short answer, yes.

You are looking for 2 days in the parks. If you check into a deluxe early on Thursday morning, you can get the EE and the EP perks. Your room will not be ready, but you can get your passes printed out and be on your way to the park. Those perks are still available to you all day Friday, too.

Thus, you can stay in any hotel that you choose as a cheaper alternative on Wednesday night and Friday night.