Which Ohana time to keep?

[FSU Girl]

I need help deciding. For my first day at Disney before my wedding we have a 4pm reservation and a 6:20pm reservation at Ohana. The one we don't use I'm giving to my MOH and her boyfriend. They are also driving up the same day so either time works for them. I want to go to the Grand Floridian Spa to have my nails done when we arrive, but I didn't want to arrive too early because our room won't be ready and I'm not sure what to do with my wedding dress. We are staying at the Poly this night

Here are my two scenarios:

• Have an earlier appointment for my nails, probably not have the room and maybe less my dress in the car? Or with bell service? Go to the 4pm reservation and then go swimming and watch fireworks from the pool.
• Do the later nail appointment and the 6:20pm dinner. I know the wait can be longer the later the day goes on so I feel like we won't be out in time to go swim with the pools closing? We could watch the fireworks from the beach?

Which should I choose?

 

[crabbygal902]

I'd choose the 6:20 ADR. Even though you will likely be able to check in to your room early, it would make me uneasy to leave my wedding dress in the car or with bell services. Also, that's an awfully big meal to eat at 4 but maybe that's not a problem for you.

The Poly pool will be open at least until 8, maybe as late as 11 during busy times. It could be an after-dinner option depending on when you're visiting.

You can watch the fireworks from Poly beach, it is a lovely viewing area.

Enjoy!

 

[FSU Girl]

I'd choose the 6:20 ADR. Even though you will likely be able to check in to your room early, it would make me uneasy to leave my wedding dress in the car or with bell services. Also, that's an awfully big meal to eat at 4 but maybe that's not a problem for you.

The Poly pool will be open at least until 8, maybe as late as 11 during busy times. It could be an after-dinner option depending on when you're visiting.

You can watch the fireworks from Poly beach, it is a lovely viewing area.

Enjoy!

What to do with my dress is what is most concerning me. It's a normal room so it should be ready by 3pm, so that does make a lot of sense to alleviate stress

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

First - congratulations on your wedding. That is so exciting. I have to say we started eating at Ohana on the early side and we love it. There is less of a wait so you get out earlier. It also gives you more time to digest. I am not sure what time the pools would close when you go. I would say that I am sure you will get in your room before the Ohana reservation. Is there someone you are traveling with that can watch your wedding dress while you get nails done? If not I would leave it in the car rather than with bell services. Many blessing for your wedding day.

 

[FSU Girl]

First - congratulations on your wedding. That is so exciting. I have to say we started eating at Ohana on the early side and we love it. There is less of a wait so you get out earlier. It also gives you more time to digest. I am not sure what time the pools would close when you go. I would say that I am sure you will get in your room before the Ohana reservation. Is there someone you are traveling with that can watch your wedding dress while you get nails done? If not I would leave it in the car rather than with bell services. Many blessing for your wedding day.

I have been to Ohana a few times and the food is a lot. We've eaten there early and late and it is nice to have some time to digest such a large meal. A few people are going up that day, but all checking in then so they won't have a room early either. I don't want to make someone sit in a hallway with my dress until a room is ready lol. Another option is getting my nails done the night before at home, but I feel like they'll do some special Disney touches a normal place can't do.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I have been to Ohana a few times and the food is a lot. We've eaten there early and late and it is nice to have some time to digest such a large meal. A few people are going up that day, but all checking in then so they won't have a room early either. I don't want to make someone sit in a hallway with my dress until a room is ready lol. Another option is getting my nails done the night before at home, but I feel like they'll do some special Disney touches a normal place can't do.

I understand about not having a room. I hope it all works out whatever you end up doing.

 

[Hopefully]

“... A normal room should be ready by 3...” is maybe a stretch. Checkin starts at 3- not guaranteed by 3.
Good Luck

 

[NYCgrrl]

I would choose the later ressie simply because less children will prolly be around.

No idea what style your dress is or type of fabric but I'd leave it with Front Services. Tell the bellperson what it is and how important it is to you, how you want it stored (hanging generally eases out wrinkles), and I'm sure your dress will arrive in pristine condition.

You didn't ask but ensuring it's stuffed with rumpled tissue paper and plastic bubbles and encased in an evening dress bag (assuming it's floor length) would be a wonderful way to transport it. Hang it on the bathroom's shower rod will probably be better than the oftimes small closets and a 1-2 hour "steam bath" by turning on the shower on warm to hot to create steam will keep you from looking like a wrinkled mess. I might consider tipping the bell service person ahead of time and doing a lot of smiling to ensure premium treatment.

 

[FSU Girl]

I would choose the later ressie simply because less children will prolly be around.

No idea what style your dress is or type of fabric but I'd leave it with Front Services. Tell the bellperson what it is and how important it is to you, how you want it stored (hanging generally eases out wrinkles), and I'm sure your dress will arrive in pristine condition.

You didn't ask but ensuring it's stuffed with rumpled tissue paper and plastic bubbles and encased in an evening dress bag (assuming it's floor length) would be a wonderful way to transport it. Hang it on the bathroom's shower rod will probably be better than the oftimes small closets and a 1-2 hour "steam bath" by turning on the shower on warm to hot to create steam will keep you from looking like a wrinkled mess. I might consider tipping the bell service person ahead of time and doing a lot of smiling to ensure premium treatment.

It's a ballgown, so it's really big and heavy. I bought a personal steamer, but that is great advice on how to transport it I never would have thought about doing that. It just makes me nervous to have it out of my possession. I think we'll do the later time to ensure we have a room when we arrive.

“... A normal room should be ready by 3...” is maybe a stretch. Checkin starts at 3- not guaranteed by 3.
Good Luck

I've never had a room not ready by 3pm when I booked a normal room and 4pm when I booked a villa. Maybe I've just been lucky.

 

[Hopefully]

[QUOTE="FSU Girl, post: 59698013, member: 588568"


I've never had a room not ready by 3pm when I booked a normal room and 4pm when I booked a villa. Maybe I've just been lucky.[/QUOTE]
Yes you have been very lucky. Rooms are not guaranteed to be ready at 3. Lots and lots of reports of folks waiting longer.

 

[rg35]

If you're driving up can't you leave your dress in the car?

My thoughts were actually around your nail appointment...will you need some time for whatever they do to your nails to dry/set before doing other activities so they don't get ruined?

 

[FSU Girl]

If you're driving up can't you leave your dress in the car?

My thoughts were actually around your nail appointment...will you need some time for whatever they do to your nails to dry/set before doing other activities so they don't get ruined?

I have an SUV so there should be a decent amount of space for my dress, it makes me a little nervous to leave in the trunk, but we could do that. I think the nail appointment will be around an hour long. I'm planning on getting gel nails to help prevent chipping so they should be dried quicker than if I did normal nail polish. I'm also thinking about maybe booking to get my nails done the morning of my rehearsal instead of the arrival day. But Disney won't tell me what time that'll be at until 30 days before so I'd have to wait and see if the time at the salon works with the time of the rehearsal.

 

[rg35]

I have an SUV so there should be a decent amount of space for my dress, it makes me a little nervous to leave in the trunk, but we could do that. I think the nail appointment will be around an hour long. I'm planning on getting gel nails to help prevent chipping so they should be dried quicker than if I did normal nail polish. I'm also thinking about maybe booking to get my nails done the morning of my rehearsal instead of the arrival day. But Disney won't tell me what time that'll be at until 30 days before so I'd have to wait and see if the time at the salon works with the time of the rehearsal.

I'm sure the dress will be OK. I don't think smash and grab style car break ins are common at WDW You could also cover it with a sheet or something if you're worried about people seeing it.

Good luck with the wedding and congrats! Sounds like WDW weddings have even more logistical concerns than a regular wedding!