Hi Rona,
Welcome to planDisney. What an amazing first visit experience you have planned! My family loves nothing better than a land and sea Walt Disney World vacation.
The second you arrive at your
Disney Resorts Collection hotel, even if it is well before the afternoon check-in time, you are free to begin enjoying all the amenities: the pool, the dining, the recreational activities, the free Disney transportation and more. If your room is not ready early, you can leave your luggage at Bell Services and begin your fun.
Head to the pool. Hop on a bus to
Disney Springs. Grab a meal or snack at one of the resort's restaurants. Hit the arcade. Find a quiet place in the lobby or on the grounds to relax and start basking in the Disney magic.
(If you plan to go to the pool, you might want to pack a small day bag with your swim necessities so that you don't have to dig through your luggage before you leave it at Bell Services.)
Early check-in is never guaranteed, but there are a couple of things you can do to put in your request. First, when you complete
online check-in, note that your arrival time will be before 3 p.m. (That's the earliest choice in the dropdown menu). Then, in the Room Requests section, check the box that notes that having your room ready early takes priority over other requests.
Then, as soon as you arrive at the resort, drop by the front desk and ask if there's any way to get an early room. If there are rooms already cleaned and prepped, the cast members do their best to get you settled in.
Last year, when we returned from a cruise on the Disney Treasure, we stopped at the desk at Port Orleans -- French Quarter at about 10 a.m. and asked politely if any rooms were available for early check-in before we headed to Blizzard Beach for the rest of the day. The cast member at the desk made a couple of calls and found one for us within a few minutes.
And while you are at the desk, Rona, you can ask for free "First Visit" buttons for your entire family to note this momentous occasion.
Thanks again for visiting planDisney. Your first Walt Disney World vacation is just around the corner, so please let us know if you have any other last-minute questions. We're always happy to assist.
Enjoy every magical moment,
Wilma