<p>SO--how annoying is move in day? Is it horribly crowded with no place to park? Since the dorms open on a Wed, and my daughter is a freshman and anxious to get to school, that's when we're taking her. We live about 3 hours away so we plan to drive up when we get off work on Tuesday and then take her to the dorm as soon as it opens, unpack and then go home. Does this sound okay?</p>
<p>It depends on where your dorm is. I moved into Smith Hall the first day of moving day, and got there around late afternoon - 3-4ish? Wasn’t packed.</p>
<p>You might have a tough time if you are moving into Reynolds, Jennie-Murphee, etc, where the dorms are on Convacation Way.</p>
<p>Me and parents live in Orlando, so that’s about a 4 hour drive. They went home after we brought all my stuff into my dorm. So your plan sounds good!</p>
<p>Yeah, I don’t want to be an annoying clinging parent, organizing her stuff, and I don’t want to cry in front of her. She’s going to be in Broward.</p>
<p>It will be hot. Best time to move in is after 6pm. Less crowed, no lines for hand-trucks or getting keys. The sun is not as hot. You can move in 24/7 once dorms open up. Elevators are not as crowded, parking not as crazy. Many will not move in until Thurs or Fri. The worst day is Wed before 2pm. </p>
<p>At the time you plan on moving in, be prepared to pull the car up, unload everything in an area on the grass, then go move the car. There is not really parking to move in. You get close, unload, then go park somewhere while someone stays with the stuff. Then you move it in. Your stuff is safe, everyone has stuff and doesn’t want your stuff. If it is raining, be prepared to be frustrated, and pack as if there will be rain. Use plastic bags and covers so stuff is protected. Bring extra large trashbags in case of rain. </p>
<p>The heat in Tally is oppressive in August, no breeze, and the heat index is often over 100. Six PM is a great time to move in…</p>
<p>Unfortunately, since my husband and I are both teachers, we have to take off from school for the trip and can’t take off two days since its the first week of school. But thanks for the tips about unpacking and then moving the car, and the garbage bag idea!!</p>
<p>We moved D into Broward at around 2pm and were gone by 3. It was hot but we did not have a problem finding a place to unload. However, we waited until the 2nd day of move in to go up there from Orlando. Getting the key, etc. was quick and painless. </p>
<p>I’m not sure what it would have been like if we had gone on the first day. I followed the advice of some of the posts on here and waited. And it worked out well! Good Luck!</p>
<p>I’ve moved in every year around the same time (1pm, give or take- leave my house near Tampa around 9am, then a 4 hour trek).
Never once has parking been a problem. Yeah, it’s been hot, but that’s a product of being in Florida in the summer- it’s going to be hot pretty much any time unless it just rained.
Yeah, you have to dump your stuff somewhere, usually and park elsewhere, but no one wants your stuff as they are busy enough trying to figure out where to put their stuff. </p>
<p>What I have found is the easiest honestly is to just go in, get the key, and have only a light supply of stuff (maybe a backpack full) first trip, so that while you are filling out the mandatory paperwork, you aren’t constantly moving a whole bunch of stuff out of other people’s way.</p>
<p>Also, prepare to pay the $10 social fee for dorms. It’s a GREAT investment, and especially for move in as it allows you a free rental of the dollies for moving stuff (provided there are any available). It’s a small investment but aside from that it also has some other perks that are worth the investment.</p>
<p>we moved my son into Broward last year. I think we ended up going the first day–we got there in the late afternoon. I think we were able to park in the parking lot right across from Broward. We didn’t even use the hand truck. I packed a lot of stuff in Publix re-usable shopping bags–they are great. You can get a lot in them and they are easy to carry. I would avoid first thing in the morning…I hear people are lined up waiting for the dorms to open.</p>
<p>If you have one day, then consider doing the same thing on Thurs not Wed.</p>
<p>Sunnyflorida–you said its open 24/7–if we arrive after 9pm, can she check in and get her key that late?</p>
<p>There’s night staff for the dorms from 11pm to 7am, so 9pm should be fine- someone will be working at that time.</p>
<p>Last year one of my roommates moved in around that time on Sunday, and was able to get a key. I’m sure you will be fine.</p>
<p>YES!!! Once the dorms officially open, you can move in even at midnight… The front desk is manned 24/7 from the time the dorms open until they close for Christmas break. You go to the main entrance, ring the bell, they buzz you in and you can check in, get a key and move in. </p>
<p>We moved D in the first time in the evening. We called ahead and housing confirmed that there was no check-in “time.” We drove up after I got off work on a Friday at noon. On the road by 1. We arrived at around 7pm, checked into the hotel, ate, and by 8 she checked it. Sun was setting, it was warm but not oppressive. We moved most stuff in and did a little unpacking. We went back to the hotel and slept, and Sat we went to Target/Walmart, she finished unpacking, and I headed back.</p>
<p>Thats great to know, thanks!! I think we’ll go on Wed, get there at 9-10, and like you said, it will be a tiny bit cooler, and then we’ll just take Thursday off. Perfect!</p>
<p>D’s roommate moved in Wed as soon at the dorms opened. It was a zoo. And then she texted my D constantly asking when she would get there. She was bored, didn’t want to go the the cafeteria alone, wasn’t outgoing or up to visiting hallmates. Suitemates also did not arrive until Fri/Sat. </p>
<p>When we made plans to move, and do it so that I did not miss work, D was a bit upset that we were not moving in Wed AM. Until it was Wed. Roommate texted how hot it was, how she was waiting in a long line to get a key, that she was frustrated that the elevator was always full, etc etc. Then the texts that there was not as much to do as the roommate thought. Our plan worked out well. Yours will also.</p>