Hey Tammy, thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question.
I am so excited for your trip. Your plan is excellent! In fact, this is how I typically start off all of my Walt Disney World vacations because I drive too and don't want to miss out on a moment of magic. As a Guest of any
Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you are absolutely able to take advantage of all of the perks, including
Extra Magic Hours, on the day you arrive. What I typically do is check-in online a few days prior to my arrival. When doing this, I select an early time of arrival. I don't expect my room to be ready but more as a note that I'll be there in the morning. Your
MagicBand will already be activated so all you'll have to do is show it to the parking attendant at the entrance of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and you'll be able to park for free, another great perk of being an on property Guest. During the day, if you've checked in online, you can expect a text letting you know your room is ready. You can actually bypass stopping in at the resort front desk once you've got the text and head straight to your room. Isn't that neat?
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is so fun, it's going to be a great way to start your day. If you're looking for a yummy snack to enjoy while you're there, check out the corn on the cob sprinkled with curry seasoning. You can find it being freshly grilled at a small kiosk near the
Kilimanjaro Safaris. It's my new favorite snack.
I hope this helps. If you have any other questions please feel free to come back and ask.