Need a strategy for a nap on checkin day . . .

[BlueFairy]

I will be getting up at 4 am or earlier Central time on my travel day. Arriving at MCO by 8:40am EST. Hopefully that puts me at my hotel before 10am via ME. I have a ticket to the MVMCP and really wanted to be there from 4pm at least until parade #2.

In March we did this early flight and were in Epcot by 9:30. I had a raging caffeine headache and had to drink extra coffee. By 4pm we were dragging the kids and ourselves to make it through a meal and back to the hotel.

I could use some suggestions for how to beat fatigue on a long day like this. I'm paranoid I won't get a room until it's too late to squeeze in a nap. I'm also not a very good napper. Luckily it's just me this trip.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Most likely the hotel will have a room for you if you aren't picky about your room requests. When you arrive at the hotel that morning, just tell them that getting an early room is your highest priority and they should be able to accommodate you.

 

[Anonny]

When you do your online checkin and room request, request that early checkin has priority over room location. Hopefully, that gets you room earlier.
Don't push to do a lot the first morning. Leave park early afternoon.
Close the curtains and take a nap.

 

[BlueFairy]

When you do your online checkin and room request, request that early checkin has priority over room location. Hopefully, that gets you room earlier.
Don't push to do a lot the first morning. Leave park early afternoon.
Close the curtains and take a nap.

The good news is that I didn't buy park admission for that first day. Really the arrival is just dictated by the airline. I was going to knock around the resorts if my room isn't ready

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

If you don't get a room you could all take a snooze by the pool if it's a nice day. Under an umbrella. Depending what resort you can also book cabanas at GF. Some resorts like BC have nice rooms in too you could sit on a chair and snooze.

Maybe even use a spa.

 

[Anonny]

I stay at Pop Century.

If I was not doing parks on arrival day and my room wasn't ready, I'd go explore the deluxe resorts. They have nice places to relax and nap.

 

[Figmentmommy]

Why do I have the feeling that this is going to turn into one of those threads that debates the practice of napping at other resorts?!?

In all seriousness- like PP stated, I'd stick with relaxing by your resort pool and if a nap takes over....all the better.

 

[loves to dive]

Where are you staying? If we knew that we might could tell you some out of the way little hidey holes to just relax in. Since you just feel the need to relax and not necessarily nap, all the resorts have great little out of the way resting places.

 

[BlueFairy]

Why do I have the feeling that this is going to turn into one of those threads that debates the practice of napping at other resorts?!?

In all seriousness- like PP stated, I'd stick with relaxing by your resort pool and if a nap takes over....all the better.

Oh please NO!! That is not my intent at all. The pool is a great idea I'd not thought of, @Paula Sedley-Burke. Thanks! And I will definitely put early checkin as a request.

Where are you staying? If we knew that we might could tell you some out of the way little hidey holes to just relax in. Since you just feel the need to relax and not necessarily nap, all the resorts have great little out of the way resting places.

Sorry, if it's not apparent from my signature - CR. Actually, I would crave a nap, but if I am excited about my day I may find it difficult.

 

[loves to dive]

O.k., you are staying at the one resort I don't know a lot about, wouldn't it figure. I'd ride the boat over to WL and sit and relax in the lobby there. There are plenty of little nooks and it's a beautiful lobby, there is also a pretty covered porch there with rocking chairs you can just sit and rock and chill.

 

[inky dinky doo]

The Contemporary is where we stayed on our very first trip to WDW, and since then, we've stayed in the tower, the garden wing (for a conference), and the villas. I LOVE this resort. If the Beach Club weren't my home (love that resort, too), the Contemporary would be my pick. You'll find lots of quiet nooks where you can rest. The lobby area has several soft seating groupings that you might like. On the same floor as Chef Mickey's and the Contempo Cafe, head toward the other end of the building, past Fantasia Market (on your left), and go through the door that leads outside. There should be some seating out there, and not too many people seem to be aware of that area. Another relatively quiet spot would be down near the marina. Good luck! I hope you end up loving the Contemporary as much as we do.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Agree with the pool area as a great place to nap. I have done this before at a Universal hotel, I grab a book, some shade, a towel for a pillow and I am out. Even if you can't sleep you will still be relaxed.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Most likely the hotel will have a room for you if you aren't picky about your room requests. When you arrive at the hotel that morning, just tell them that getting an early room is your highest priority and they should be able to accommodate you.

I've had it go both ways a number of times. Sometimes we get a room, but often we don't get one until 4pm. (Honestly, this is kind of why we opt for late PM flights over early morning ones.)

We often stay some place inexpensive the first night and don't unpack much beyond toothbrushes. If we pack essential toiletries in a Ziploc, and day 1 clothes for our whole party in one suitcase, it is quite easy to make this work.

Sometimes we stay at the MCO Hyatt, other times we've done a WDW value. For Universal, the new Sapphire Falls is very pretty and inexpensive.

If you have a rental car, napping in the car is an option. We actually did that on the last day of our last trip. We set the alarms on TWO phones so we wouldn't miss out flight. It was comfy and more private than the pool.

I also some folks napping by the hot tub at Royal Pacific. I thought it was brilliant because the hot tub has lots of shade and a waterfall that provides white noise.

The WDW main pools tend to be VERY loud in the afternoon. Between shouting kids and the blaring music, I couldn't nap there. Sometimes you can find a much quieter spot in some of the lobbies. At CR, if the convention spaces are not being used for conventions, there are (or used to be) quiet couches and seats tucked away in the convention area.

I WOULD not suggest the 4th floor. That floor is very loud with Chef Mickey's.

The quiet pool area at CR is often relatively nice, but the boat horns go off all day.

 

[crazylady]

I believe CR still has hammocks out along the beach line.

 

[scrapquitler]

I will be getting up at 4 am or earlier Central time on my travel day. Arriving at MCO by 8:40am EST. Hopefully that puts me at my hotel before 10am via ME. I have a ticket to the MVMCP and really wanted to be there from 4pm at least until parade #2.

In March we did this early flight and were in Epcot by 9:30. I had a raging caffeine headache and had to drink extra coffee. By 4pm we were dragging the kids and ourselves to make it through a meal and back to the hotel.

I could use some suggestions for how to beat fatigue on a long day like this. I'm paranoid I won't get a room until it's too late to squeeze in a nap. I'm also not a very good napper. Luckily it's just me this trip.

We have arrived at the resort around 11:00 several times and the room has always been ready (and I do realize that might just be pure luck). So I think if you do online check in, tell them you are arriving early and don't make any other requests, your chances of having a room as soon as you arrive are probably pretty good.

 

[BlueFairy]

The Contemporary is where we stayed on our very first trip to WDW, and since then, we've stayed in the tower, the garden wing (for a conference), and the villas. I LOVE this resort. If the Beach Club weren't my home (love that resort, too), the Contemporary would be my pick. You'll find lots of quiet nooks where you can rest. The lobby area has several soft seating groupings that you might like. On the same floor as Chef Mickey's and the Contempo Cafe, head toward the other end of the building, past Fantasia Market (on your left), and go through the door that leads outside. There should be some seating out there, and not too many people seem to be aware of that area. Another relatively quiet spot would be down near the marina. Good luck! I hope you end up loving the Contemporary as much as we do.

Can't wait to love it as much as you do!

I've had it go both ways a number of times. Sometimes we get a room, but often we don't get one until 4pm. (Honestly, this is kind of why we opt for late PM flights over early morning ones.)

We often stay some place inexpensive the first night and don't unpack much beyond toothbrushes. If we pack essential toiletries in a Ziploc, and day 1 clothes for our whole party in one suitcase, it is quite easy to make this work.

Sometimes we stay at the MCO Hyatt, other times we've done a WDW value. For Universal, the new Sapphire Falls is very pretty and inexpensive.

If you have a rental car, napping in the car is an option. We actually did that on the last day of our last trip. We set the alarms on TWO phones so we wouldn't miss out flight. It was comfy and more private than the pool.

I also some folks napping by the hot tub at Royal Pacific. I thought it was brilliant because the hot tub has lots of shade and a waterfall that provides white noise.

The WDW main pools tend to be VERY loud in the afternoon. Between shouting kids and the blaring music, I couldn't nap there. Sometimes you can find a much quieter spot in some of the lobbies. At CR, if the convention spaces are not being used for conventions, there are (or used to be) quiet couches and seats tucked away in the convention area.

I WOULD not suggest the 4th floor. That floor is very loud with Chef Mickey's.

The quiet pool area at CR is often relatively nice, but the boat horns go off all day.

Well, those are some great ideas but changing my schedule and hotel at this point is not an option. It's a short trip and I can't tack on another overnight. Not going to have a car. I'll snooze on ME if I can. I am going to a convention, so I know that area will be busy. I'll check out that quiet pool.

I believe CR still has hammocks out along the beach line.

Ooh! That's a great idea.

We have arrived at the resort around 11:00 several times and the room has always been ready (and I do realize that might just be pure luck). So I think if you do online check in, tell them you are arriving early and don't make any other requests, your chances of having a room as soon as you arrive are probably pretty good.

Sounds encouraging. Thanks!

 

[KristinU]

How long is your flight? I'd plan on trying to sleep through the majority of the flight to catch up on the sleep and not bank on being able to catch a few zzzz's at the hotel, just in case.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Do online check in and check the early arrival box.
This will put your room ready as early as possible as a priority.
I have arrived early many times in the past and my room has always been ready when I get there.
On both of my trips in 2015 I checked the early arrival box and was there by 10am both times and my room number had already been texted to me.
I was able to walk directly to my room and take a nap.

 

[BlueFairy]

Less than 1 1/2 hours.

 

[Accident]

Call and tell them when you expect to be there. Ive never waited for a room.