9:10AM arrival - what would you do?

[MaryKM]

We have had 2 early arrival trips so far, each time landing around 9:30. We have done a park both times and I have to say, we've been pretty darn exhausted by the end of the day after getting up and out so early. Not only that but we've just about needed to carry my kiddo away from the pool area at check in because it's just so alluring when we first get there and she's dying to go in. (We don't have a pool at home so it's almost as good as the parks to her- she's a fish!)
So this year we're going to spend the first day really enjoying and exploring the resort and going out to a nice dinner (hopefully I can get Artist Point for day one) and then get to bed early so we can do a rope drop the next day. We usually got to the park around 12:30-1:00. I can't wait to not feel rushed upon landing this year!
I didn't see how old your party is. If you have teens, you could probably do a park and enjoy the full day - maybe even stay for fireworks and still be awake. If you have smaller kids, it may be worth making it an exploration/pool day and save the energy for day 2. I liked the PP's idea of doing the HoopDeeDoo that night. That's a fun way to kick things off, and you can poke around over by barns and explore the fort a bit.

 

[Samantha Morgan]

We landed about that time last summer and we went to Legoland for that day. It was a great way to combine the trip!

We rented a car and drove straight there from MCO, then returned the car back to Disney Car Care Center early the next morning.

So maybe if LL isn’t your deal, there may be other local attractions.

With 6 Day park hoppers, you should be able to move around plenty within those days.

 

[ps17]

To each their own. We have gone to parks, gone to waterpaks, or layed low.

If we were you, we would check in but leave bags at bell as rooms won’t be ready. We would boat to MK and do a ride or two or more.

Example: we had 4 nights booked at Beach club, but wanted to take in HEA the first night and our flight arrives at 10:30. We changed our ressies to a split stay with first night at contemporary. We plan on driving straight to contemporary. We will check in and walk to MK where we have FP+ for splash and thunder at 12:30 1:30... we plan to then walk back to settle in to our room. We then have a 7DMT at 7:00 of which we walk over will catch HEA at 8:00 and then we have an 9:00 at CG.

We have maximized our first day - and if you are at WL you could do something similar which involves MK...

 

[kappyfamily]

We land at 6am (red eye from Oregon), I like the idea of a water park. I was going to do Disney springs but think I may change this around!

 

[kydisneyfans]

We just had an 8:50 AM arrival staying at Animal Kingdom.
Went to the resort via ME, dropped bags(our tags never came in the mail for some reason), then went to the MK around 11.

It was the most unenjoyable day we've ever had in a park. We were tired, hungry and felt dirty. Our wake up time was 3:30 for the flight. We will never do that again, it just plain sucked. Next time we will do Disney Springs to kill time instead.

 

[AngiTN]

I must be the only one in the world that is flabergasted that folks consider DS a destination. What am I missing that someone would spend time going there, over a park? I just don't get it. And trust me, this gal loves to shop. At home. Not at Disney. 2, 3 hours wandering around MK seems SOOOOOOO much more appealing than shopping. Rides vs buy/looking at stuff. No contest here. But reading all these comments I'm clearly the only one.

We land at 6am (red eye from Oregon), I like the idea of a water park. I was going to do Disney springs but think I may change this around!

Be sure that won't wear you out even more. We find 4 hours at a water park more tiring than 8 hours in a park. Something about combining sun/water is just draining. Same reason we don't swim for breaks from the park.

 

[smiths02]

I would add a park day to my ticket. With the way Disney does FP+, I think they encourage partial days.

We drive and arrive early afternoon. I do as a PP said, schedule 3 FP+ (2-3,3-4,4-5) before a relatively early dinner and then prepare for the next day. I would choose something with a unique Disney quality for dinner...Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, Be Our Guest, Sci Fi, etc. depending on what park I chose.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I must be the only one in the world that is flabergasted that folks consider DS a destination. What am I missing that someone would spend time going there, over a park? I just don't get it. And trust me, this gal loves to shop. At home. Not at Disney. 2, 3 hours wandering around MK seems SOOOOOOO much more appealing than shopping. Rides vs buy/looking at stuff. No contest here. But reading all these comments I'm clearly the only one.


Be sure that won't wear you out even more. We find 4 hours at a water park more tiring than 8 hours in a park. Something about combining sun/water is just draining. Same reason we don't swim for breaks from the park.

*raises hand* I completely agree with you. I find Disney Springs exhausting. Walking down Main St and riding a few rides is energizing to me on arrival day.

 

[L_MD]

This is an interesting thread because I always get into MCO around 8:30am but have only done a park on arrival day once...and didn't like it!

Usually I'm solo and I like to take my time at the airport, relax at the resort for a bit, maybe swim, then hit Disney Springs. I intersperse eating/drinking/shopping then I usually head back to the hotel and try to get some early sleep so I'm ready for the next few days! But in October when I went with my mom we went to MK on arrival day and it just felt so chaotic. I was tired, we were running late, it was already hot and crowded...it didn't feel like the 'proper' introduction to MK on that trip, if you know what I'm saying.

I guess basically to OP...see how you and your family feel on the day of!

 

[subtchr]

We landed at MCO at 9:30 a few weeks ago, and were also staying at WL. We waited for our last group member, who landed at 11, to join us (don't feel sorry for us, we went to enjoy free snacks and relaxation at the USO lounge!). Walked right onto a WL bus and arrived at noon. Enjoyed a wonderful Geyser Point lunch by the water in the sunshine, then as we were finishing lunch, I got the text that our room was ready. We retrieved our carryons from bell services, went to our room, and within minutes of arriving, our checked bags were at the door from DME. We were on the boat to MK by 1:30 and had an amazing afternoon and evening there, finishing with Happily Ever After and then EMH from 9-11. A truly magical, relaxed day. Even if you don't have EMH, or are too tired and want to be back earlier to crash, you can still have a great start to the trip if you spend the minimal amount to add a ticket for that day!

 

[sailored]

Our plane is landing at 10:45 and we are renting a car. So, we will go to Blizzard Beach for a couple hours and then the 6:15 showing of Hoop Dee Doo.

 

[MousetersInc]

Here's something to think about: Hollywood Studios can easily be the shortest day of any of the parks. Why not make that first day your HS day? Land, do some HS, still be able to knock off in the afternoon and come crash at WL.

We're in a similar position: wake up 3am in NC for a 5:00 flight, land 7:10 at MCO, probably get to WL ca 8:00-9:00. We're personally planning on a half-ish day at AK and coming back in the afternoon to WL to unpack, explore, and enjoy the pool.

 

[dominiondad]

When that happens to us, we head to a park. It's three more fast passes so I can hit a couple big rides, freeing up some time when we go back to the park later in the trip.

 

[Realgrumpy]

We always arrive that early and we always do a park.

 

[Oneanne]

For me an early arrival means I took a red-eye from the west coast, so my plans for the first day are either take a nap (if a room is available) then head to a park for the afternoon/evening or if no room is available head over to a park, then back to the resort for a nap when the room text comes, then out again for the evening. I don't pre-book ADRs the first day, but will do FP+ for mid-day.

 

[Bullseye]

We always arrive between 9-9:30am. Arrival day is usually a waterpark day for us. By the time were done at WP the room is usually ready. This year we are staying at Poly for the first time so instead of waterpark we are going mess around at monorail resorts for a couple hours and then enjoy Poly pool until our room is ready.

 

[Beer Me]

Only thing else I would say is that if you really want to do a park that, add a day to your passes. The cost to go from 6 days to 7 is minimal.

Exactly - I used to buy like 5 day tickets for a 7 day trip but now I like to have tickets every day. The cost beyond 5 days is pretty cheap and there are a lot of benefits.
- gives you flexibility to change plans (obviously)
- allows you more opportunity to see nighttime shows or other special events that have limited viewing opportunities
- gives you more opportunities to book fast passes ! Get some for evening on your first day and morning on your last.

 

[TI double-GUH ER]

We did the park on arrival day once and it didn't work for our family. We were too tired to really enjoy things, kids were slightly cranky, and by the time we got back to the room and could unpack, we didn't want to.
So - now on arrival day we ask for an early check in, pack swim suits in a carryon, and explore the resort gift shop, get lunch and go for a swim. Usually by then our room is ready, and then the kids are satisfied - so they then don't bug us to go to the gift shop again the rest of the trip. We then plan a nice sit down dinner somewhere - usually disney springs, and head over there for a while. My kids can easily kill an hour just in the Lego store, so I have no problem with that. There's also often some sort of concert or performance, so that can be fun too. We keep it easy - and when we are done we just head back to the resort. If it's early we might do another swim, if not we just head to bed. (Although last year we did take a quick monorail ride...) We find we start out much happier if we get a full night sleep before hitting a park, and a smidgen of anticipation also seems to help. YMMV.

 

[kappyfamily]

I must be the only one in the world that is flabergasted that folks consider DS a destination. What am I missing that someone would spend time going there, over a park? I just don't get it. And trust me, this gal loves to shop. At home. Not at Disney. 2, 3 hours wandering around MK seems SOOOOOOO much more appealing than shopping. Rides vs buy/looking at stuff. No contest here. But reading all these comments I'm clearly the only one.


Be sure that won't wear you out even more. We find 4 hours at a water park more tiring than 8 hours in a park. Something about combining sun/water is just draining. Same reason we don't swim for breaks from the park.

Thanks for the thoughts will keep that in mind!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We like to go to Epcot on our first day.