Hi Margaret,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Thanks for submitting your question!
I'm so excited to hear that you're staying at
Disney's Art of Animation Resort-it's a family favorite. I absolutely would check-in ahead of time and put in your actual arrival time. Depending on when you plan to arrive and any special requests you've made for your room, it is possible that it may be ready for you when you arrive (that has happened to me a few times, even sometimes with early morning arrivals). However, if your room is not ready for check-in, yet you're ready to start exploring the parks, you may leave your bags with Bell Services to pick up later once your room is available if you choose.
Depending on the size of your carry-on bags, they may not fit into the lockers that are available at the entrances of the four theme parks, so I would exercise caution and leave them at the hotel. There would be nothing worse than bringing your bags to the parks, only to find that there's nowhere to store them.
I'm not sure when you're planning your visit, but I can't wait to see the new
Disney Skyliner that will be available starting this fall from Disney's Art of Animation Resort to Disney's Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.
Margaret, I hope this answers your question; please come back and see us again!
Best Wishes,
Amy S.