1st Night Blues

[DisneyJade]

wow. sorry i'm becoming the question queen on these threads. ..but i know the dis posters are the experts.

We (my mom and I) will have less than half a day to see the parks on our arrival day. (but we DO plan to hit the parks, b/c we are only in the world for 3 full days.. with 4 day passes.. and an early flight home on the last day)

soooooo.... my question is:
what should our first evening itinerary be?

here are our circumstances:
*we hope to be all checked in to our WDW resort by 6pm at the latest.
*we are arriving on a Tuesday night (August 8th).
*we have the park hopper option on our passes.
*according to the current schedule, MGM is open until 10pm -- EpWS is open until 9pm & 9pm Illuminations -- MK is open until 11pm & Fireworks at 11pm.

should we choose either Epcot or MK to ride 1 or 2 attractions and stick around for the show?
would it be a crazy waste of time to take the bus to MGM (to try ToT and RRC while everyone's at Fantasmic and THEN take another bus to MK to try to catch the fireworks?)
finally... am i overthinking this?

I just want my mom to get as much out of the trip as possible. She's a "see it all" kind of person, and she hasn't been to the world since i was a kid. (i've been there much more recently)

Thanks in advance for any help !!!

 

[checkwriter]

It's your first night, so why not take it easy? There's plenty to see at Epcot, you can work in dinner, tour the world showcase, maybe do a ride or two, catch the fireworks, and head back after for a decent night's sleep before you really dig in. It really would be a nice way to ease in to your visit.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

I say you are overthinking. Getting to go to WDW is a blessing, so just enjoy the fact that you are there.

I agree with the PP. Take it easy on your first night, get some rest and then you will be ready for the next day.

 

[momrek06]

JADE: ASK as many questions as you like!!! You did not mention what time you are leaving your home base! Remember to factor in how tired you and mom might be from traveling. That being said...My family is WILDLY crazy about WDW and we (no matter what time we arrive) literally throw the suitcases in the room, look around for a sec and OUT THAT DOOR!!! If I were you I would go to the PARK that 1st evening that has the latest hours. It sounds like to me, MK may be the best option. Hit a few rides and then secure a spot for the Fireworks. Don't forget you will want to eat at some point. You did not mention where you will be staying? (did you?) so I am not sure about grabbing a bus to MGM if you have ONE extra hour later at MK!!!
Think about which Park for that first night and then call for an ADR in MK for you and mom!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I agree with what has been said that on your 1st night you should take it easy. If you are unable for whatever reason to go to one of the parks after you arrive, do what my family & I do on our 1st night at WDW. That is going to Downtown Disney. It's always our tradition & a nice way to begin our vacation at WDW.

Also you mentioned you are arriving on August 8th, which happens to be the day my family & I also arrive. So just curious where are you staying at?

 

[DisneyJade]

I love how fast everyone responds on these boards! You're all making my trip planning so easy!!

"CR Resort Fan", We are staying at Coronado Springs (how funny that I'll be leaving Arizona behind to stay in the southwest themed resort!).. and I know it is close to Epcot, so I was thinking of making that our stop if we only did 1 park... but, "momrek06", you make a good point about MK being open later. I think we'll probably get the most touring time in if we go there. Then at least we won't have to worry about catching the fireworks later. That will already be done.

I do like the idea of taking it easy... but thanks to my convention, we already have down time built into our touring everyday... so we're going to try to power through the first night and morning.

And one last thanks -- for reminding me about dinner! I totally forgot to consider "eating" in my first night plans.

 

[dreamergirl78]

Just curious... where in AZ are you from? We live in Sierra Vista (south of Tucson and by the border). I am kind of shocked you are staying at a SW themed resort too. With the totally dry weather we have had I would LOVE to stay at the Poly *sigh* It would be a nice change of pace.
Anyway, enjoy your vacation!

 

[philaround]

Until our just finished trip we had always checked in and run right off to a park, usually MK. But this time we took a little time at the resort to cool down from trip and then we went over to Pioneer Hall for the Hoop De Doo Revue and then back to our room for a fairly early night. We were at the MK at 9AM the next morning.

 

[MonkeyPants]

I think it all depends on how tired you are. I would definitely have to say DONT try and do 2 parks. If you go to Epcot or MGM, when that is over call it a night. The insanity of getting out of a park once the final show of the night is over and then trying to hightail it over to the MK is just crazy (I know I've tried ) See how you feel when you get there and decide just how much energy you have. MK is just about always my pick for the first night. Seeing Wishes is just a perfect way to end my first day of Disney magic. Of course I have never arrived so late in the day, I am usually checked in by 1 at the latest. So just try and relax..remember you're on vacation

 

[Jrabbit910]

Enjoy your first day eating and extra park hours. Whichever park you go to at night, try to enjoy that same park after you hit the AK. Since the AK closes early it gives you some more time to enjoy whichever park you did the first night! Also try and use the monorail and boats to go between parks. it will help a little bit! have a great time and dont stress out about anything!

 

[Luv2Roam]

For a short trip, and assuming you are correct on the time you arrive, I would go out the first night.
But don't make set plans, such as reservations, just in case. You don't need to stress yourself out at the start.
For the shorter trip, I suggest the first night, eating a quick bit at your resort, then strolling and exploring World Showcase and enjoying Illuminations.
You should be fine. But relaize that will probably not put you back into your resort room until 11 p.m., eastern time. But you should be fine.
Illuminations is the #1 thing to view at WDW, IMHO.

 

[DisneyJade]

yeah, i keep going back and forth on Epcot/MK (i've definitely decided not to do MGM on the first night).

I found out Epcot has extra magic hours on our arrival night.. which means it may actually be open later than MK. Do Epcot EMHs only apply to the World Showcase, or for Future World rides too?

Dreamergirl, I am from Phoenix. I would never stay at a place that looked so much like home, except that's where my convention is.
I'm looking forward to Coronado though. I would never get to see it under any other trip circumstances. But I agree with you, the Poly is near the top of my list for future stays.

 

[jimmytammy]

We have been at both ends of this type situation. When we first arrive we hit the parks wide open. Turns out to be a bad way to start the trip. We are already tired, but happy to be in WDW. So that way of thinking has a tendency to overrule our common sense. And the next day, heck, the rest of the trip we are tired and worn out.
The other option is taking it easy. Get a good meal at say 'Ohanas. Time it so you can see Wishes from the restaurant. Thsi is a magical way to start your trip. Or go to Epcot and try Le Cellier. Very relaxing. Then catch Illuminations and ease your way back to the resort bus. Another magical way to start your trip. Or anything along these lines.

Point is...dont try to do too much, it will set the tone for the rest of your trip. Most of all, have fun!

 

[MagicMe]

Yes, I saw that your first day there you have EMH (evening) at Epcot. When we were there last year, the EMH applied to Future World. Although the WDW website states:

Includes attractions listed above and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, Journey Into Imagination With Figment, Mexico-El Río del Tiempo, Norway-Maelstrom, The American Adventure. The "above" part refers to the rides from the EMH (morning) which are Living with the Land, Mission: SPACE®, Soarin', Spaceship Earth, Test Track.

I think you need to play it by ear. You may find that you have plenty of energy and want to stay up late or you may find that the travel tired you out and you just want to have a good dinner, relax and start in the AM.

JUST ENJOY!!!!

 

[Lesley]

Just a quick note that we found the EMH in the evening at Epcot to be fairly useless last January. The lines for everything were very long and there were no fastpasses available for anything. As we have a child who is too young to ride most of the rides in FW it really wasn't worth it to us to have to wait in a long standby line and keep her occupied during that time.

I am really enjoying your enthusiasm about your trip! Its been a while since I've been that excited over our trips to WDW (might have something to do with being in charge of all the logistics and 3 children) and your post was so refreshing to read. Its like I can join in with your excitement!

I would most likely pick one park to start your visit...and base it on where you really want to be most! And don't forget to eat!

 

[DisneyJade]

Thanks Everyone!

I appreciate all the insider help. I promise to cruise the boards even after my trip, so I can "pay it forward" with some advice of my own.