What would you do?

[CatNipRules]

Okay, so our original plan was to check in to our hotel on the 13th of September. Now, we are picking up our rental car on Saturday instead of Monday morning. So, I asked my TA to book us an additional night at our resort.

Here's the dilemma. The first night we are there would not be on the dining plan and with no tickets. Or I can book a hotel offsite for a night and then check in the following day into our Disney hotel. I'm leaning towards the first option.

Thoughts?

 

[wzwild]

I like to stay put at a resort when on vacation, although I know many people love split stays. You could add another night at your resort and take advantage of Disney transportation to resort hop or head to Disney Springs, or even just to explore your resort. You'd just have to budget for a days worth of meals off the dining plan.

 

[fabulousfive]

I would definitely just check into the hotel onsite. I think it would be far more relaxing to simply get there and start exploring the resort. Plus, if flying, you have the luxury of the Magical Express! You can hit the pool, visit the shops, and get settled with a good night's rest so you can hit the park running the next day. For food, I would just do quick service dining out of pocket.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would check into my resort, have QS or a meal that I would not have chosen using the DDP, and enjoy the day.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would stay at our resort and enjoy some pool time or Disney springs. Maybe make a dinner ADR at one of the monorail resorts.

 

[Los213]

I've tried both ways except my extra days were at the end of my stay, we stayed offsite at a nearby hotel the first time and only paid $40 for the night. We took that day to shop at the nearby outlets and had fast food that night. The second time we booked an additional nights at the resort and it just felt 10x more relaxing to not have to pack and unpack in the middle of a vacation. It was much cheaper staying offsite but way more convenient and enjoyable to just stay in the resort.

 

[Jonas_Swe]

I would stay at our resort and enjoy some pool time or Disney springs. Maybe make a dinner ADR at one of the monorail resorts.

That's a great tip!

I'd suggest the very same thing. Arrive, check-in and enjoy the resort, perhaps visit Disney Springs or play some Mini Golf?

Pool time is always nice of course.

CatNipRules - What resort have you booked?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

In your case, I would stay at the WDW resort. If doing room-only for the first night, ask your TA to book the same resort and room category for that one-night stay. This will improve your chances of not having to switch rooms the next day. Most convenient thing to do, if there is availability, is to simply add that night to your package. You do not have to increase your ticket lenght but you would have to pay an extra night of the dining plan.

 

[Aliceacc]

Either way, you'll have no DDP and no park tickets, right?

Then why not stay on site? It will make things so much easier for the next morning, particularly if you can get the same resort.

 

[Serenebean]

How many nights are you staying? Adding a day to a ticket beyond 4 (or 5) days is about $10 a person. Just because your package doesn't start until the next day, I believe I read that you can use your tickets a few days in advance.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

I would dislike switching between an off-site and on-site hotel. That is a little more complicated than a split stay all on-property, I think. I would do as previous posters suggested and add an extra day at my Disney resort. Relax by the pool and go to a restaurant you wouldn't go to on DDP - maybe a signature restaurant that, at two credits for a meal, wouldn't be a good value on DDP, but you would like to try and pay out-of-pocket for. I think that would be my plan in your scenario.

 

[melana]

We switch between an offsite and onsite all the time and it is a pain!! No matter how well we pack our one night offsite bags we always end up having to bring in everything and then load up the car. If i ever go back with my sister and niece we are just going to stay onsite. I did it mostly because I always have a boat load of Holiday Inn points and can get a free room. But after our last trip I decided that the free room is not worth the hassle of unpacking and packing the car two times.

For my solo trip in December i am staying onsite the entire time. I am using the arrival day as a relax in the room/by the pool day. Plus doing laundry because it is at the end of a cruise.

 

[mm1971]

We would book and stay on site if we could get the same resort and a good chance of not having to change rooms. Its a PIA to have to pack up and move twice. Much rather hang at the resort, maybe have a nice dinner on the monorail loop and get in some pool/relaxation time before hitting the parks. Have fun!

 

[mickeygirl78]

We ran into a similar issue. We are booked at CBR 9/17-10/1 with free dining. We had planned to stay at a hotel near our local airport the night before. We decided it would be a pain so we changed our flight to 9/16 and booked one night room only at CBR as free dining packages are max 14 nights. It will be so nice to just be at Disney. I don't think it's worth it to stay offsite that one night.

 

[Mousetopia]

Okay, so our original plan was to check in to our hotel on the 13th of September. Now, we are picking up our rental car on Saturday instead of Monday morning. So, I asked my TA to book us an additional night at our resort.

Here's the dilemma. The first night we are there would not be on the dining plan and with no tickets. Or I can book a hotel offsite for a night and then check in the following day into our Disney hotel. I'm leaning towards the first option.

Thoughts?

On site ! get that magic started! In addition to DIsney Springs for a fun evening and lots of cool walk up food choices, another idea is take uber to the Boardwalk, have dinner stroll and take in Jellyrolls piano bar and sing your heart out! ..or head to the Poly and Trader Sams!

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I'd check in onsite one day early. Maybe enjoy a round of mini golf or Disney Springs?

 

[Spoiledraf]

I'm a little confused. The OP said she is checking in on the 13th which is a Tuesday but getting a car on Saturday. But says only one extra night?

Anyway, we do stay offsite our arrival day to save money when we drive. We usually arrive in Orlando early afternoon after an all night drive. We hit the Boardwalk for a late lunch and maybe Downtown Disney... Excuse me, Disney Springs for a while and get to bed early. We stay at BC or GF and I can save $300 staying off site that first night. Then we are up early and checked in by 8:30 and off to the parks!

This September we are flying and arrive late afternoon on a Friday. Since we are using ME, we will spend one night at a Little Mermaid room and save about $275 over a GF room. It is an add on day. We thought about tickets for the evening but the only thing open late is Epcot (MK has a party) and the kids don't care for it. Plus I hate the stampede after Illuminations!

 

[Scott MC]

When arriving early, our favorite things to do are....

1. Stay at the Hyatt at MCO, and enjoy all the food and shopping options at the airport. I've always found airports to be exciting places!
2. Just go to the resort, have a nice dinner, if there's a bar, have a cocktail, go to your room and take a long bath/shower, watch TV and get ready for all the excitement in the morning!

 

[scard192]

you can pick up your park tickets before the FD package starts, have your TA add an extra day to the tickets. Go to Guest Services and have them activate the tickets. you would not be able to make FP+ in advance for your first day (RO).

 

[Disneypapa]

I would stay at your resort to avoid having to pack and unpack (what a bear!). You could plan to enjoy the pool or go to Disney Springs and enjoy a good relaxed meal or some shopping.