1st Day

[Terk-1]

My flight arrives around 10:30am the day after Thanksgiving, so I'm guessing I'll get to my resort (via DME) around noon. I have a late ADR at EPCOT that night for dinner. Can't decide what to do. This is a solo trip.

Option 1: Head over to the Wilderness Lodge to view decorations. Have late lunch @ Whispering Canyon Cafe. Then grab the boat to the Contemporary and view the decorations at the CR, Polynesian & Grand Floridian. Get off the monorail at the Magic Kingdom and grab a bus to the Boardwalk. View the decorations at the BW, Yacht Club & Beach Club, then head into EPCOT. View the tree lighting at 6pm, wander around Future World, then head over to Canada & the UK before getting to my ADR @ the Rose & Crown. View Illuminations and head back to resort and to bed.

Option 2: Head straight to MGM Studios. Grab lunch at 50's Primetime & view Stars & Cars parade. Grab the boat the the Boardwalk and view the decorations there, then hit the YC & BC. Head over to EPCOT and repeat the EPCOT portion of Option 1.

Option 3: Head straight to EPCOT & grab a quick lunch there and wander around for a little while. Head back to resort around 4pm. Rest/swim, then head back to EPCOT.

Would like to avoid the Magic Kingdom this day, as I know it will be pretty packed.

Which would you do & why???

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Me? I'd head straight to EPCOT, and stay there. Why? Because I love EPCOT that's why! LOL.

Seriously, I'd just poke around and wander through the WS and listen to as many holiday around the world stories as I could before my dinner.

 

[aug16]

I'm a big Epcot fan, so I would spend the day at Epcot and walk around and relax.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I vote option 1 as I like to resort hop and soak in the ambiance of each resort. But honestly, none of the options sound bad! I would be happy with any of them, so I am sure you will have fun no matter what!

 

[Micca]

How late is the ADR? I think I'd go to Epcot and stay, but if the ADR is really late, maybe chill at CSR for a while(nap? You will be up early for your flight),
then head to Epcot and close it down.

 

[Lorelai]

Oh, I would definitely resort hop and check out all of the holiday decor. Then continue onto Epcot and the ADR!

 

[Terk-1]

How late is the ADR?

My dinner ADR is at 8:30pm.

My flight leaves @ 7am, so I'll be up around 3:30am to leave for the airport at 4am. I was thinking of maybe heading over to the WL for lunch, resort hop around the Magic Kingdom, then maybe head back to CSR for a break/nap. I can head over to EPCOT around 5:30pm for the tree lighting ceremony @ 6pm and wander around until my ADR.

I'm thinking I can resort hop at the EPCOT resorts on another day.

 

[TinkNH]

We get in around 2:30 and the plan is to go check in, then head to Epcot for a snack and some of the world showcase. We have ADRs at 7:30 at the GF for dinner with Cinderella. After that back to the resort to watch the fireworks from the beach before bed
Dummy (ME) just re read the post...I think if we didnt have the ADR wed head back to epcot as well....

 

[mom22boys]

Option #1 would be a few too many planes, trains, buses, and boats for me in one day! Hope you have a great trip!

 

[flortlebap]

We actually have #3 on our itinerary so definitely number 3.

We're up early, heading to Epcot, resting late afternoon and grabbing a pizza or something at the food court at POR, then back out for a couple of hours in the evening and to see Illuminations!

 

[wvjovifan]

I agree with going to Epcot and staying there....time flies in the parks and our first day we usually check in around noon - 1 pm and head straight to Epcot for a quickie lunch then either do Future World or wander around all the hidden treasures in WS then have dinner around 7 and hang out for Illuminations. By the time we return to our room, our luggage is there and we grab a snack and turn in.

 

[Terk-1]

The only concern I have with heading straight to EPCOT & staying until after Illuminations is getting over tired. That's why I was thinking about going over for a little while around 1pm, then take a break later in the afternoon around 4pm, then heading back over around 5:30pm for the tree lighting ceremony. I do like the idea of wandering around the nooks and crannies of World Showcase.

Another option would be to relax at the hotel first, then head over to EPCOT around 4pm and stay.

Again, I'll be up at 3:30am that morning and probably won't leave EPCOT until around 10pm.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Terk-1]

It looks like resort hopping, then heading over to EPCOT seems to be the most popular option vote. My ADR at the WCC is not until almost 2pm, so I'm thinking it will give me plenty of time to check-in & unpack, then head for the Wilderness Lodge. I'm thinking I may head back to CSR after wandering around the MK resorts for a break & quick nap to get that 2nd wind, then head over to EPCOT. I'm thinking I can get in the touring of the EPCOT resorts on another day. This way I won't be crashing in the middle of dinner.

 

[Karnak]

I would spend the entire day at Epcot.

My visits to WDW are also solo, by the way.

I never take a break and go back to my room during the day. Takes too long to travel both ways.

Enjoy.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

No suggestions here, but YAY for solo trips!

 

[Terk-1]

I always take breaks in the afternoon. I'm an early riser anyway, so I'm up around 6am. To try and do a park from the time it opens to the time it closes and never leave is just too much for one day. I find that I'll get to the AM EMH park early, get in the attractions/shows I want to, then either have lunch there or outside of that park, then head back to the resort to relax and swim. Later that day, I'll head to a different park. I find taking a break gives me a second wind for the evening.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I chose option 3 because the other ones seemed like too much "hit the ground running". I like to kind of relax the first day, and just soak up the happiness of finally being in WDW. One year I just wandered out to the bus stop and got on the first bus that came along. It happened to be going to Epcot, where I just walked around WS for a while. You don't want to tire yourself out too much right at the start!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Chances are, if I had a flight that early, I would not have slept the night before very much. In which case, I'd probably want lunch and a nap upon arrival. Last spring we had an early arrival like this, and we pushed it and went to a park for a few hours (we had dinner planned at a resort). It was okay, but next time I think I'd chill at the resort. Other times, we've gone to DTD if we felt up to doing something. Often we fly in at night - it works better for us. If you're keen on hitting a park, I'd go to Epcot after getting settled in the room.

 

[AKLRULZ]

Take it easy and at your leisure - resort hop and then head to Epcot for your dining later on would be my choice.

 

[AKLRULZ]

OOPS! Double post! Sorry!