animal kingdom on first day?

[MagicalMom]

We are driving from Delaware & stopping for the night in Savannah. The next morning we had planned to head to downtown disney, then dinner at Chef Mickeys. Now I am thinking, we have never been to animal kingdom. Would it be doable if we got there around noon, stayed til 5:30 or 6:00 & then headed over to Chef Mickeys? Our PS is for 7:00 pm. Would it be a waste? we would have to buy single day tickets to do it. We are pretty much just going to Downtown Disney to have something to do, if we had a full day we wouldn't even bother going there. So, what do you think? Good idea or a waste?

 

[redskiesx25]

That's what my family is thinking of doing. We will be arriviing in orlando at about 7:00 with my whole family (21 people..aunts uncles, cousins, grandparents) and will be taking a rented bus back to the hotel (POR) we think we will be ready by 11:00, but we arent sure if we should just hang around..go to a park..maybe wide world of sports....
Sorry if i didnt help!

 

[pjlla]

First of all, check the park hours. AK is usually the earliest closing park. It may not be open past 5pm, depending on when you are going. But even so, you would still be able to experience a lot of the park in 5 hours, including the terrific parade, which I believe is daily at about 3pm. If the lines are long and/or Fastpasses are gone (depending on the time of year) you may not be able to ride the big "headliners" like Kali River Rapids or Kilimanjaro Safari. But there are plenty of other things to see and do. I REALLY like the AK and would be sad not to see it during a WDW vacation. If my options were half a day or not at all, I would certainly pick half a day!..................P

 

[MagicalMom]

Our arrival day is the 8th of July. The park closes at 6pm with the parade at 4pm. We would skip the water rides b/c we would probably not have time to change before dinner. They open at 9am that day so if we arrived at noon, we would only be missing 4 days of park time. hmmmmmm, I still have 40 some days to decide.

 

[kilee]

The parade at this park is at different times depending on how late the park is open until. Last time I saw it, it was at 4 pm. I think if you make a game plan ahead of time, you can see a few things. You'll have to decide if that is worth it to you.

With a PS at 7pm-- you may want to be cleaned up before and you may need to unpack (you may not get into your room right when you arrive). So, you'll need to be back to your room by 5 (ish). Meaning you'll only really have about 4.5 hrs in the park.


EDITED--- We must of been posting at the same time. I just noticed you don't intend to clean up before dinner. So, if you go right from AK to Chef Mickey's it may be more worth it. We always clean up before dinner. After being in the parks in the heat for a few hours we feel really grimey.

 

[kilee]

One more thing, remember the parks will still have some of the July 4th crowds might still be lingering around.

 

[MagicalMom]

Oh well, the family is against my idea anyways. They would rather go to the pool. I have also been given orders to stop trying to change the plans & not to think about the trip until it's time to go! Mean family huh? I should leave them home! LOL They don't even know where I keep the reservation numbers!
So I guess it's DTD, Pool & then chef mickeys & I'll just have to live with it!

 

[Maddle]

I think your plan (DTD-pool-Chef Mickey's) is a great one, and will take the clock-watching stress away from the drive.

MJ

 

[HunnyPots]

I have also been given orders to stop trying to change the plans & not to think about the trip until it's time to go!

You've got over a month to go and you're not suppose to THINK about it?! Who are they kidding?! I give you permission to think and plan to your hearts content.

And whenever you want to talk about your trip with people who understand you, this is the place to come!

 

[MagicalMom]

Thank you so much for your kindness Hunnypots! It's nice to have someone understand. I struggle & struggle not to mention Disney at work, I know they get tired of it. It's hard for me not to go on & on & on & on..............................

 

[mic_key_mouse]

I second Maddle's post. Go with the DTD plan. If you get delayed for any reason, you will have gotten your trip off to a very bad start. First day should always be away from the parks and stress free- unless you only have 4 or 5 days

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse