How much to do on first day?

[Fyrecat]

Hi guys,

We're coming to WDW in early Sept. We just have 5 days, and since we're flying in and getting in the first day about 11:30, we're wondering if we should get a ticket for that day or if we might do better, being it will be a very early day for us (we'll be up by 3am) to take that day to rest, relax, see the resort, go for a swim...etc?

I ask because I don't want to feel that I'm missing something, but I know that husband will be pretty tired.

Any ideas? We'll be staying at POR.

Thanks,
Deb

 

[Happyjen27]

I used that first day to do the things with weird timing. For example, shows in Disney Hollywood Studios that might be at odd times, or shows in the Animal Kingdom.

I felt compelled to go into the parks on day 1, if only for a few hours. My son really wanted to see Lights, Motors, Action but the only show times were 1:20 and 4:30, neither of them worked well into our day at DHS later in the week. So, we hopped the bus to DHS once we got in (about 11AM), and hit that show. Then we walked around, got Disney-fied and then went back to the resort.

 

[Aliceacc]

The difference in price between a 4 day and a 5 day pass is minimal.

I say you go for it. If you choose not to use it, it's not much money. But if you do choose to go to a park, even for an hour or two, you'll have that option.

We always plan SO much for a Disney trip that I can't imagine NOT hitting a park that first day. We call it an early night, but as soon as we've checked into our resort, we're on our way.

 

[mcuoghi]

We're in the same boat as you. We arrive at MCO around 11am. I got a ticket because it was only around $40 for the four of us to add the extra day. This is also my DD(4) and DS (3) first trip to Disney so I plan on taking in the sights and sound of MK with no rush. Maybe do a few rides. But I definitely want to see Mickey for the first time with my kids this day. I think it's worth it!

 

[DisDreamsAshley]

I'd say go for it too. We usually arrive at about 11am on our first day. We check in, sometimes nap, then go to MK for dinner, fireworks and the parade. I think I'd be too excited to be there to not go.

 

[SwimChicSQ]

Last time I landed about 11, was in park by 1pm, we usually do animal kingdom, to stretch legs after sitting and then head over to see MK fireworks when that closes.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

We usually head to MK for a little bit on arrival day. Basically, we get 5-day base tickets, so one park a day plus one. MK usually takes a little more than that one day. So we take advantage of arrival afternoon to get in a half day. Yes, we'll be tired earlier than usual, but even a couple hours will let you get in a few things so you don't feel as crammed on your full MK day.

And we usually take a later flight home, around 5:30 (which means leaving the resort around 2:30). We use that as our DTD day. Pack up the room, leave bags at the front, head to DTD for a little shopping and lunch. Then back to the resort to catch the bus!

 

[mckelvey72]

So I will give the opposite answer..if you are up at 3am and traveling to Disney, I would say...check into the resort and have some down time or nap if needed. We don't hit the parks on our first day....we use it as an excuse to rest up and do something at the resort and call it an early evening.

I will however agree that if you get down there and decide you want to hit the parks, you can add another day to your ticket when you are down there and it cost the same as adding a day now. So you could always wait and see how everyone is doing. If they rest up and want to hit a park for the evening, then go for it and the next morning just add a day to the park tickets.

I would mark it down as a "possible" day...possible park/possible rest and just play it by ear. And don't tell the kids there is an option for a park day until you actually arrive. If they think it is a down day and your flight is delayed etc then they won't be disappointed as they think they are not missing anything cause it wasn't planned anyway.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Blessedwith3boys]

We don't usually waste a ticket for a half day in the park. We love to arrive the first day and enjoy our resort! My kids love the pool and we end the night with a relaxing dinner and maybe a walk through Downtown Disney. Then we're all rested up to start the parks the next morning!

 

[kim532]

The difference in price between a 4 day and a 5 day pass is minimal.

I say you go for it. If you choose not to use it, it's not much money. But if you do choose to go to a park, even for an hour or two, you'll have that option.

We always plan SO much for a Disney trip that I can't imagine NOT hitting a park that first day.

Agree 100% Even if you do a couple of attractions and see a nighttime fireworks show. It is so worth it! A magical beginning to your vacation.

Kim

 

[kbee69]

we used touringplans.com to plan our visits to the park. I liked that it took the thinking out of what to do next.

 

[maplevale]

When we went 2 years ago we had a 6am flight. Traveling with a 4 year old and 9 month old. We opted to NOT go to the park our first day.

We used Magical Express and it was about 1pm when we got to POR. We checked in, went for a swim and took the boat to Downtown Disney. We walked around, checked out stores and had dinner with friends staying off the resort - then head back and went to bed.

Our first DAY.... we were on the first bus and at the park at 7:30. We had 8 am reservations at CRT....we were let into the park at 7:45 and walked up a totally deserted main street! It was awe inspiring to see everything so uncluttered and pristine!

If we had gone for even a few hours that first day - the magic wouldn't have been the same that morning (not to mention we were all ZONKED)!

 

[disneymom0811]

I didn't read the previous posts but did you include tickets in your package, do you have park hopper?

For me, we always went to a park the first day, but we had a park hopper, we would relax for a bit and then go at night to see a show or wishes Or something. The first day you are going to be very tired, no matter how you are getting there.

I would say if you don't have tickets and hopper, you might want to just relax, your paying for a ticket you might as well get good use of it, especially after an early day of traveling, but for me I wouldn't care I would be there ASAP lol

Enjoy your trip.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

We're usually on site by 11 a.m. and we always go to the MK for a while, arriving about one. This is just our preference, but we were *never* able to relax at the hotel knowing it was all out there just waiting for us.

We usually go for five full days as well and we have park hoppers to maximize our touring. I should add in the interests of full disclosure that we're not "relax at the pool" sort of people to begin with.

 

[disneymom0811]

We're usually on site by 11 a.m. and we always go to the MK for a while, arriving about one. This is just our preference, but we were *never* able to relax at the hotel knowing it was all out there just waiting for us.

We usually go for five full days as well and we have park hoppers to maximize our touring. I should add in the interests of full disclosure that we're not "relax at the pool" sort of people to begin with.

Then I would say go for it, get all the Disney you can get

 

[pawahl]

Hi guys,

We're coming to WDW in early Sept. We just have 5 days, and since we're flying in and getting in the first day about 11:30, we're wondering if we should get a ticket for that day or if we might do better, being it will be a very early day for us (we'll be up by 3am) to take that day to rest, relax, see the resort, go for a swim...etc?

I ask because I don't want to feel that I'm missing something, but I know that husband will be pretty tired.

Any ideas? We'll be staying at POR.

Thanks,
Deb

We are driving from SC to WDW which is about an 8 hr drive. We are leaving early and plan to get there by 11:00 am. We got tickets for that day. We will want to go to MK first thing! I would get the tickets. Sleep on the plane or take a nap when you arrive then go to parks.

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[LovesTimone]

We always head into the parks, on our first day. Except when we arrive to really late, 6pm or after. We do drop our stuff and head for the pool, then to dinner at DTD, walk around and maybe grab an adult beverage. Then early to bed.

You could head for the pool for a while, then hop a bus into one of the parks have dinner, then parade and fireworks.

 

[pawahl]

We always head into the parks, on our first day. Except when we arrive to really late, 6pm or after. We do drop our stuff and head for the pool, then to dinner at DTD, walk around and maybe grab an adult beverage. Then early to bed.

You could head for the pool for a while, then hop a bus into one of the parks have dinner, then parade and fireworks.

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[pawahl]

We always head into the parks, on our first day. Except when we arrive to really late, 6pm or after. We do drop our stuff and head for the pool, then to dinner at DTD, walk around and maybe grab an adult beverage. Then early to bed.

You could head for the pool for a while, then hop a bus into one of the parks have dinner, then parade and fireworks.

We plan to eat, rest, and do the pool, then head out to MK because they have EMH that eve when we arrive. cannot wait!! 23 days or 567 hours left to go!! We will be there July 21-27. Plan to do water parks and Disney Quest along with reg parks. Staying at POR.

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