Welcome to planDisney, fellow Pennsylvanian Jessica!
You've asked a great question! The short answer is YES!
Whenever possible, we like to arrive at
Walt Disney World as early in the day as possible. This helps us maximize the magic of our days of touring. Because of this, we often arrive well before our WDW Resort hotel room is available. No worries, though. If you are staying at a
Walt Disney World Resort hotel, just leave your luggage with
Bell Services, then go to your resort's
Disney Bus Transportation and catch the next bus heading to
Disney Springs.
Even better? You can use
Disney's Direct-to-Room service and get notified via your
My Disney Experience app when your room is available. There's nothing better than finishing a lovely lunch or checking out with some favorite finds and getting notified that your home-away-from-home is ready for you. If you've checked-in online, you can skip that Front Desk and settle into your room seamlessly.
Until then? Disney Springs is a great idea! What I love about DS is that it's the perfect place to spend some non-park time, as it's packed with so many shopping, dining, and entertainment options--all without needing a theme park ticket. While I couldn't pick just one favorite location, there are some that are a must-do whenever we get the chance.
World of Disney is a great spot to shop for all things Disney. Forgot a pair of sunglasses? They've got them. Need another T-shirt? You'll have trouble deciding which one. It really is a world of merch that you'll love exploring!
Jessica, as you plan your arrival day at The Most Magical Place on Earth, then add details to the rest of your stay, be sure to send additional planning questions our way. We love to help!
Andrea H