super early arrival to Cabana Bay

[wendlle]

We are arriving on a red eye from LAX into Orlando at around 5:30am and will be going straight to Cabana Bay.

I haven't booked the room for the night before, but should I ??
I have a great AP rate that has gone up a lot so if I try to modify my reservation it is almost double the price.

I could add just 1 night and when we arrive let them know that I have another booking and could we stay in the same room ??

I was thinking of maybe just getting some breakfast then going to Volcano Bay and lounging on the chairs with the kids until the room is ready after dropping off our luggage.

Thoughts??
budget it tight so really didn't want to pay an extra $250 if I don't need to - but I know we will be tired.

 

[cincystamper]

Honestly, if it were me, I'd check in, dig out my swimsuit from my luggage, grab some food, then go lounge around the pool/lazy river. Rent a tube and float the stress of an early travel day away until your room is ready. Volcano Bay is another park ticket and the lazy river/onsite pool are free so if budget is tight (and mine usually is) I'd pick the free option...

 

[wendlle]

Honestly, if it were me, I'd check in, dig out my swimsuit from my luggage, grab some food, then go lounge around the pool/lazy river. Rent a tube and float the stress of an early travel day away until your room is ready. Volcano Bay is another park ticket and the lazy river/onsite pool are free so if budget is tight (and mine usually is) I'd pick the free option...

Thank you. We have UK 14 day tickets that include Volcano Bay so it's not stress for us to use a park ticket.
I also like the free option LOL

 

[CAPSLOCK]

If you're arriving on a Mon-Thurs, you're more likely to luck into your room being ready (since there is a bigger chance that the rooms were not all occupied the previous night). Having no "room requests" also helps with this.

Play it by ear when you get there. I certainly wouldn't book an extra hotel night for a guaranteed room early in the morning, that you might be able to get for free anyways, but that's just me.

Pack a separate pool bag, and drop the rest of your bags at luggage services. Change and hang out by/in the pool, or go to VB. When room is ready, get bags & go shower / rest. Depending on timing, and how tired you are, you could go to the main parks for the last few hours, or just venture out for dinner. The Cabana Bay food court is pretty good, if "out" isn't happening that night. Then get a good night sleep.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Keep the VB stuff easily accessible so everyone can change at the hotel and then drop the bag at bell services to join the rest of your luggage.

If you want a room book it and call ahead of time to tell the hotel it’s back to back and you’re requesting the same room. Shouldn’t have an issue. Only you know your crew well enough to know if you need a room that morning or not. I’d be tempted to skip it as the temptation to nap would be a lot and then it would really screw with getting on the new time schedule.

Do keep in mind VB opens later so you’re looking at a leisurely morning breakfast.

 

[wendlle]

Keep the VB stuff easily accessible so everyone can change at the hotel and then drop the bag at bell services to join the rest of your luggage.

If you want a room book it and call ahead of time to tell the hotel it’s back to back and you’re requesting the same room. Shouldn’t have an issue. Only you know your crew well enough to know if you need a room that morning or not. I’d be tempted to skip it as the temptation to nap would be a lot and then it would really screw with getting on the new time schedule.

Do keep in mind VB opens later so you’re looking at a leisurely morning breakfast.

Thanks, yes. Was going to take a backpack on the plane with everything we will need for the day so we can just dump everything else at the hotel.
Volcano Bay has towels right? Or do we need to bring our own?

Long breakfast is fine by us!! We actually don't mind the food court at CB so it will be nice.

 

[titojackson84]

Last Fall, I thought about adding a day and called to ask and they said because I booked with the 3 month bonus on the annual pass that was no longer available, I would either have to rebook and lose the 3 months or book one night separately. They said they could try to keep me in the same room, but couldn’t guarantee it. If you’re checking in that early and then have to switch rooms, you’d most likely have to drop your bags off a few hours layer anyways after having to check out of the first room.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks, yes. Was going to take a backpack on the plane with everything we will need for the day so we can just dump everything else at the hotel.
Volcano Bay has towels right? Or do we need to bring our own?

Long breakfast is fine by us!! We actually don't mind the food court at CB so it will be nice.

BYOT. I have only stayed Adventura/SF but both of them bell services had towels you could take to VB for free.

 

[wendlle]

BYOT. I have only stayed Adventura/SF but both of them bell services had towels you could take to VB for free.

Thanks so much. I really don't have room in our suitcases for towels and refuse to rent them. Was hoping I could take a few from the CB pool area.

 

[SnowWhite09]

Fellow Aussie here. On our last trip we did the long haul from Sydney to LAX with a four hour wait at LAX and then the flight to ORL. We stayed in the hotel at the airport the first night as our plane arrived in ORL around 6.30pm and after that many hours of travel and no sleep (we can’t sleep on the plane - too excited) I knew we would be super tired!!

On our first day, we checked in early and did as you have suggested - went and had some breakfast and spent the first half of the day at Volcano Bay. It was a good way to utilise the time while waiting to check-in. Alternatively, you could go to the pool as others have suggested or visit City Walk while you wait.

Hopefully your room is available early - our room at RPR was available at around 1.30pm.

 

[The Gatekeeper]

I think going to VB is a great idea. There are lots of nooks and crannies with loungers and if you explore a little, you should be able to find a somewhat quiet spot depending on the crowd level.