Questions about arriving at resort

[Gurkensalat]

We will start our first ever WDW visit on August 27 at Caribbean Beach. We arrive in the late afternoon on August 26 from Germany, transfer to an Inn for the night and will probably be awake 4 am due to jet lag. So we want to use the first day as efficiently as possible. Our plan is to arrive at CB early in the morning between 5 and 5.30 a.m. for check-in, knowing that the room will not be ready, but to get the ticket (Ireland 14 day hopper starting August 27) to the parks and to deposit our luggage. Then we aim for the first bus to Animal kingdom for rope drop early entry, to return in the afternoon when the room is ready.
Do you think that will pose a problem, because it is so early? Should I warn them in advance?
How does the luggage deposition work, is there a room where I can bring the luggage to and where it is safe?
Can I get the room key card already in the morning or do I have to return to the desk in the afternoon? We will use MDE on iPhone, but I would like to have physical cards, too.

Thank you in advance for your answers!

 

[Disnsyncey]

I have arrived at Coronado at 7am, dropped the luggage and then went to a park.....

I don't know if anyone will be ready to process anything a the desk at 5am, as they might have duties after they "roll the night" a few hours before, but there will be people there and you can drop luggage with SOMEONE at that time (I am assuming bell services is 24 hours as most big resorts are)

With online check in taking care of most things, you might not even need to stop by the desk unless you want to arrange charging privileges or anything setting up MB+.....

 

[erionm]

The front desk (along with bell services) operate 24 hours a day. As the PP noted, drop your luggage with bell services and the front desk can issue room keys.

 

[Skippyboo]

For Caribbean Beach, you want to go to the Old Port Royal building. That’s where the front desk and bell services are. There is also a bus stop for the parks . The QS, pool bar and Sebastian’s (table service) are there too.

Check with bell services if they will deliver the luggage to your room when you return or you have to pick it up from there. I know deluxes will bring it to your room but I don’t know about moderates.

 

[Dug720]

I believe the turnover for the new day is 6am. So I'd wait until then before showing up to avoid being charged for an extra day.

 

[Mle8308]

Speak with the FD when you arrive. You never know if there will be rooms available. If there was an unoccupied inspected room from the night prior that is in your booking category, they may check you in. Don't count on it, but it could happed. Otherwise, you will have an early start to DAK!

 

[Gurkensalat]

Thank you for your responses! In fact I don't not want a room in the morning, but rather start DAK at rope drop. If I see correctly on the dates for last year, DAK will open probably at 7.30 for early entry, so the first bus to DAK should start at about 6.45, correct? Then it should be OK to arrive for check in at 6 a.m., I think.

In this context: What is the best way to get an Uber or Lyft at 5.30 a.m.? Is it enough to just look when we wake up or should I reserve on the day before? Does this make a big difference in price? I have only use Uber a few times in Europe, so I do not have much experience.

 

[kylenne]

Thank you for your responses! In fact I don't not want a room in the morning, but rather start DAK at rope drop. If I see correctly on the dates for last year, DAK will open probably at 7.30 for early entry, so the first bus to DAK should start at about 6.45, correct? Then it should be OK to arrive for check in at 6 a.m., I think.

Much earlier than 6:45. Officially Disney states that transportation to the parks from the resorts begins 1 hr before it opens but in reality it's always earlier than that. I've gotten on buses to AK at 6:15 before, and sat at the bus stop watching people show up at 6:30 thinking they are getting on the first bus when we saw 2 show up before that one.

In this context: What is the best way to get an Uber or Lyft at 5.30 a.m.? Is it enough to just look when we wake up or should I reserve on the day before? Does this make a big difference in price? I have only use Uber a few times in Europe, so I do not have much experience.

Reserving rides ahead of time is nearly always pointless except in very niche situations (certain affinity groups like DashPass members and World Elite Mastercard getting 10% off scheduled airport rides on Lyft). You're not actually booking the ride then and there, rather just locking in the price. It won't get you a car any faster either. From experience, while rideshares are usually very plentiful around Disney property, that early in the morning availability is much scarcer and you will be waiting longer for a pickup. Many times on AK rope drop mornings I find myself panicking about how long the buses are taking to begin service, pull up both apps and see the nearest cars are like 8-10 minutes out, and just end up waiting for the bus anyway. It's rare that cars are quick to show up in those early AM hours, I find. I take them when they do, but it's generally not worth it over just taking the bus.

 

[Gurkensalat]

Thank you! To clarify, I am not looking for a Lyft as replacement for bus, but to get from our first accommodation to Caribbean Beach early in the morning.

 

[kylenne]

Thank you! To clarify, I am not looking for a Lyft as replacement for bus, but to get from our first accommodation to Caribbean Beach early in the morning.

Yeah I understood, I'm just saying you're most likely going to get a bus faster. There's very few rideshare drivers circulating around property that early in the morning.

 

[Dug720]

Much earlier than 6:45. Officially Disney states that transportation to the parks from the resorts begins 1 hr before it opens but in reality it's always earlier than that. I've gotten on buses to AK at 6:15 before, and sat at the bus stop watching people show up at 6:30 thinking they are getting on the first bus when we saw 2 show up before that one.



Reserving rides ahead of time is nearly always pointless except in very niche situations (certain affinity groups like DashPass members and World Elite Mastercard getting 10% off scheduled airport rides on Lyft). You're not actually booking the ride then and there, rather just locking in the price. It won't get you a car any faster either. From experience, while rideshares are usually very plentiful around Disney property, that early in the morning availability is much scarcer and you will be waiting longer for a pickup. Many times on AK rope drop mornings I find myself panicking about how long the buses are taking to begin service, pull up both apps and see the nearest cars are like 8-10 minutes out, and just end up waiting for the bus anyway. It's rare that cars are quick to show up in those early AM hours, I find. I take them when they do, but it's generally not worth it over just taking the bus.

When I have an early flight I always reserve my Uber in advance. It's assigned 24 hours in advance though I usually don't get the information. I'm not a DashPass member or other affinity group. Just a regular Uber customer. I definitely think reserving it in advance when there may be fewer drivers up and around is the way to go because it seems they DO put that call out for people to pick up earlier than just before.

 

[kylenne]

When I have an early flight I always reserve my Uber in advance. It's assigned 24 hours in advance though I usually don't get the information. I'm not a DashPass member or other affinity group. Just a regular Uber customer. I definitely think reserving it in advance when there may be fewer drivers up and around is the way to go because it seems they DO put that call out for people to pick up earlier than just before.

I think it really depends on where you're at. I only do it for my early AM airport rides at home for the Lyft discount, but I have cars constantly in my area 24/7. I've never seen any demonstrable difference in timing between reserving vs. not, possibly for that reason, but I also have never seen it be the case on Disney property--I can speak to this particular use case because I reserved a Lyft once specifically for rope dropping AK from the Grand on a day I was switching resorts on a split, hoping that it would guarantee a car, and it was just as slow to come as it normally is that time of morning. Most drivers just do not seem to like riding around property that time of morning. I feel like they are probably prioritizing MCO rides that early.

 

[Dug720]

I think it really depends on where you're at. I only do it for my early AM airport rides at home for the Lyft discount, but I have cars constantly in my area 24/7. I've never seen any demonstrable difference in timing between reserving vs. not, possibly for that reason, but I also have never seen it be the case on Disney property--I can speak to this particular use case because I reserved a Lyft once specifically for rope dropping AK from the Grand on a day I was switching resorts on a split, hoping that it would guarantee a car, and it was just as slow to come as it normally is that time of morning. Most drivers just do not seem to like riding around property that time of morning. I feel like they are probably prioritizing MCO rides that early.

I definitely stick with Uber on/around Disney. I had Lyft driver after Lyft driver after Lyft driver cancel on me. Uber is the only consistent rideshare service I've had on Disney property.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

If I'm traveling from that far away, I'd probably go ahead and book the arrival night at CB. Worth it to me (cost over 'Inn' $) to avoid the early morning hassle of luggage/Uber that you did on arrival. Whether you do or don't have the jet lag- you're set for whatever that "first" day.

 

[elvispursley]

I’d have the first hotel try and order a taxi for you for whatever time you want. But I’d do as mentioned above and just book another night at CBR, especially since it doesn’t sound like you’ll be taking advantage of the water park perk.

 

[Gurkensalat]

Good point about adding one night at CB, although I expect it to be very expensive. it would eliminate some hassle. I will phone tomorrow and ask if it is possible and at what cost.

 

[Gurkensalat]

It was a bit difficult to find the correct way to phone, but finally I managed to book the room one night before to extend the stay. It is a surcharge of 329 Euro, but since it includes the free dining plan it is not THAT much more expensive than the cheap inn we had planned. Thanks for the tip!

 

[dansdad]

It was a bit difficult to find the correct way to phone, but finally I managed to book the room one night before to extend the stay. It is a surcharge of 329 Euro, but since it includes the free dining plan it is not THAT much more expensive than the cheap inn we had planned. Thanks for the tip!

I think you'll find the extra cost well worth the convenience

 

[Mle8308]

It was a bit difficult to find the correct way to phone, but finally I managed to book the room one night before to extend the stay. It is a surcharge of 329 Euro, but since it includes the free dining plan it is not THAT much more expensive than the cheap inn we had planned. Thanks for the tip!

And the resort mug from the dining plan will be good for your whole stay at Disney! Well, up to 14 days, I believe.

 

[Gurkensalat]

Yes, the mug. Since it is our first time in WDW, I have no idea how much we will use this mug. But it may be good for a coffee during an afternoon hotel room rest.

Phoning to amend the booking was a strange experience. Probably due to my lack of experience. First I tried to amend via mail, but got an automated response that included the information way down the mail, that I had to phone for that. Mentioning a 0800 phone number for WDW, so I tried that, but it did not work. Then I studied the website with my booking (disneyholiday.ie) and found another number there, that did also not work. I tried with and without the country code for UK and Ireland. So in the end I look at the German site and found yet another 0800 number. That worked, greeted me in German and then transferred to a nice British lady which could help me in my quest. Puh...