Advice for arrival day

[Nancyg56]

We almost never hit a park on our arrival day, but if I was going to do so, I would plan CS for dinner. You are planning to be settled around 5:30, and you may indeed be, but what if you are not? Or the kids are cranky and tired, or if you are?

CS give you the freedom to be tired because you have no commitment. If you want to see Wishes from outside the park, you can choose a monorail resort for dinner and watch Wishes from there.

 

[GreatLakes]

I never go to the parks on arrival day. I use that day to go check out a resort or two and eat at one of those resort's restaurants. I prefer to start the trip more relaxed and, quite frankly, don't want to waste a park ticket on half of a day.

 

[MrInfinity]

We are arriving on Nov. 14. If we fly, it looks like the cheapest flight will get us to the airport around 3:30pm. I would expect to be at the hotel and unpacked no earlier than 5:30pm. We have an ADR at Garden Grove, but I was thinking about going ahead and hitting up MK that evening. I want to avoid EC due to F&WF and the likelihood of crowds. And HS and AK will already be closed or close to it. The only open ADR at MK right now on that day is Tony's. Should I book the Tony's ADR and spend that evening at MK (or simply eat a QS at MK)? Or should I just keep the Garden Grove ADR and use that time that evening to rest? I really wanted to bring the trip in with a bang, but with 4 kids an evening of rest may be the better option.

I would have to know more about the rest of your trip to be able to make a recommendation here. If this is a 4-day trip, then I would push it and pick up the extra half-day. If this is a 7-day trip then it's not necessary and I would relax more... or at least not book Tony's. That seems like a waste to hop over to the park just to do an ADR. I would plan on Quick-Service. Also depends if your family is all go-go-go. As others have said, some ppl get to WDW and immediately need to go to a park. Others are more relaxed. Where your family is on this spectrum is what matters... If your family is split, then picking up some pool time early can do a lot to get in the relaxation time which you might find hard to fit in later. The dinner shows are great options too.

 

[Fizban]

Hit Disney Springs (DTD) for dinner and do some pre-shop shopping. Thats where you see what is in all the stores so you can decide when you are in the parks if you want a souvenir you can pick them all up later before leaving.

 

[Beegirl4]

I'm usually really tired and want to relax, but my 4 kids want action. I don't enjoy trying to corral them and force them to relax...They are usually too hyped up. I am having them all head to MNSSHP when they arrive.