Hi Denise! Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
I'm thrilled that you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel during your visit! It is definitely the way to go, especially with all of the
amazing benefits that you receive like
complimentary transportation and the ability to send purchases from most locations in the theme parks and Disney Springs back to your Disney Resort hotel for pick-up at a later time.
You can use the ferryboat from
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside on your check-in day, even if you arrive early. When you arrive at the entrance of the parking lot of this beautiful Disney Resort hotel, a Cast Member will verify your reservation. The easiest way to do this is to have your MagicBand available for scanning, but the reservation can also be looked up if you don't have your MagicBand yet and are picking it up at the front desk upon arrival.
If you wish, you can check with the front desk to see if your room is ready early, or you can go straight to the ferryboat and head for a fun day of shopping and dining at
Disney Springs. My family can easily spend the whole day at Disney Springs and we often go there on our arrival day, just like you plan to do!
If you can, try to dine at
Boatwright's Dining Hall during your stay. It is open for dinner and their Deep South Shrimp and Grits is so creamy and delicious, I am drooling just thinking about it!
Enjoy your vacation!
Tabitha