Where to chill out after checkout?

[nkereina]

If you tour until noon at MK, you realistically won't get back to CSR to start your break until 1pm or so, maybe a little earlier. If you relax and read for two hours-ish, that puts you at the bus stop back to MK or DS around 3pm let's say. By the time you get to your destination, it will be closer to 4pm. That really only gives you 2 hours more at MK or at DS, before you need to head back on the bus to the resort to get DME. You need to be at the DME stop 10-15 minutes before your pick up time, and with any carry on items that you've stored. So I agree with PP that I would just stay at MK longer when you're there at the beginning of the day. Or if you want to leave at noon, maybe head to a monorail resort or even DS from there, and do the relaxing after that so you don't have to rush to be back for DME.

 

[Disneyhayes]

I know some people frown upon hanging out in a resort lobby where they aren't staying, but I'm not one of them. I would go to the Grand Floridian and grab a bite to eat at Gasparilla Island Grill, maybe do a little shopping there, then sit in the lobby for a while.

I would hope this isn't the case at WDW. I love to get to Wilderness Lodge well before a meal reservation and sit in the lobby. It's my favorite.

 

[AngiTN]

I would hope this isn't the case at WDW. I love to get to Wilderness Lodge well before a meal reservation and sit in the lobby. It's my favorite.

It's perfectly fine. Anyone who has an issue with it just has issues, period. I wouldn't worry about it at all.
Besides, a guest there is dine is a guest of the resort. But even those who are just there to look around are welcome. Disney hopes folks do this, fall in love and stay there sometime.

 

[terri33inne]

If the PPO at CRT is really important I would consider adding a night to my reservation.. spend your morning at MK, then head back early to mid afternoon to relax, swim, pack up, etc.

 

[hsmamato2]

I like to relax by the pool of the hotel after checkout..... if the weather's nice that's my choice.....

 

[elaine amj]

I would hope this isn't the case at WDW. I love to get to Wilderness Lodge well before a meal reservation and sit in the lobby. It's my favorite.

I agree - LOVE the lobby at WL My kids thought all those giant toys in the lobby were amazing and I had a hard time dragging them away when our buzzer sounded for WCC. They were so absorbed in the lobby toys, they barely glanced at the Lincoln Logs in the WCC waiting area! Of course, I spent the time relaxing in the rocking chairs

 

[kniquy]

I did just notice that this is your first trip in quite some time so for me i would want to end my day in a park. You already have your PPO reservation and if this is only your second day at MK i would plan on just doing a full day there then at 5ish head back to your resort, relax, grab a bite to eat then catch the bus. soak up your last day at the park. I think MK is the best park to end your trip at!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm taking to heart the questions about our PPO ADR --it does leave us without a hotel room even earlier. I booked at 114 days, so when a PPO at CRT popped up I just had to grab it because.....well yeah. Maybe I can let that bit of good fortune go in favor of a more leisurely day.

It's definitely worth really thinking about what will be required for you to be ready to get to that ADR. If you're morning people AND aren't exhausted then it's no big deal, but I know I would have a hard time with it. Nothing wrong with having a day at a park, but that PPO ADR can be tough if you haven't mapped out the packing etc for the night before.

It's perfectly fine. Anyone who has an issue with it just has issues, period. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Totally.

 

[Harambe]

I did just notice that this is your first trip in quite some time so for me i would want to end my day in a park. You already have your PPO reservation and if this is only your second day at MK i would plan on just doing a full day there then at 5ish head back to your resort, relax, grab a bite to eat then catch the bus. soak up your last day at the park. I think MK is the best park to end your trip at!!

^^This! This is what we do on our last day, with a nice table service lunch built in the middle. Last time it was Tony's and we relaxed there, lingering over coffee and dessert. Then off to ride HM and POC one last time before heading to our resort to wait for our pick-up service.

 

[2binak]

We always get the last flight home on our departure day. We used to go to MK that day but one year we tried Epcot since we were staying at BWV and now, EPCOT is our favorite park for that last day. Its far less hectic than MK and there are some really nice, quiet spots where you can just relax and soak up that last bit of Disney before heading home.

 

[housetomouse]

Yes you can.

Great, thank you!

 

[Spork24]

I know some people frown upon hanging out in a resort lobby where they aren't staying, but I'm not one of them. I would go to the Grand Floridian and grab a bite to eat at Gasparilla Island Grill, maybe do a little shopping there, then sit in the lobby for a while.

Imo, if you are spending money at the resort (shopping, dining) then you are just as entitled to hang out in the lobby as the night guests. Even if you aren't, Disney is basically one big resort so I still wouldn't feel too bad.

 

[Spork24]

I thought you could swim at your resort pool on checkout day. Anyone know?

Other than that, I'd always choose Magic Kingdom for last day

My issue with swimming the last day is a having a nice place to shower/change. I personally would never hit the pool after checkout.