Any suggestions for day of arrival

[JJ&JSMOM]

Just wondering what people do on there first day of arrival. We have 3 kids, ages will be 7,4 & 2. OUr flight lands at MCO at 12:10 pm on a saturday - we're using ME to our resort VWL. We'll have been up since 5:00 am and I'm just wondering if I should schedule an ADR that evening.

I'm thinking of scheduling a 5:30 or 6:00 adr at CM that night. That should give us time to enjoy the pool/rest get lunch. I'm also having groceries delivered that night. Is this too much for the day of arrival? My kids are either going to be exhausted or bouncing off the walls - won't know until that day.

Just need some opinions - my gut tells me to not schedule an adr just to relax but what a way to start our wdw vacation meeting mickey. Thanks as always!

 

[scootch]

We arrive at 1230... and have Chef Mickey's planned for 5:30pm... plan on spending a liesurely dinner so they get their character fill.

 

[luvmy2sams]

We always schedule an ADR at Chef Mickey's for our arrival night. It's a great way to kick off our vacation!

We usually arrive at our resort by early afternoon, and then spend the afternoon lounging around there. Our kids (7 and 3) have time to rest a bit, so they're ready to go by the time we leave for the evening. Our ADR's are made for 6:30-7:00 pm, after which we hop the monorail to the MK to catch our first dose of fireworks.

We've also made a tradition of taking the ferry across to the MK either before or after our ADR. That first glimpse of the castle from the water is breathtaking!

Have a fantastic trip! The Lodge is our favorite area of the world!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I think I'll go ahead and schedule it (when our time comes to make adrs). I think taking the boat to CR and eating at CM then riding the monorail sounds great! Its also our DD1 2nd b-day so we'll have a cake delivered to our room too. I just want to take things nice and easy w/them so they can enjoy themselves and not be totally overwhelmed! Afterall its there first trip to WDW. Thanks for the advice.

 

[luvmy2sams]

I think I'll go ahead and schedule it (when our time comes to make adrs). I think taking the boat to CR and eating at CM then riding the monorail sounds great! Its also our DD1 2nd b-day so we'll have a cake delivered to our room too. I just want to take things nice and easy w/them so they can enjoy themselves and not be totally overwhelmed! Afterall its there first trip to WDW. Thanks for the advice.

Don't forget to mention that it's your DD's birthday. We celebrated our DD's 7th at CM's in January. They brought out a special placemat and cupcake for her, and several of the characters gathered around for a special photo op. Everyone in our section then clapped along and sang "happy birthday". DD loved it! You can also have your cake done at the restaurant, if you'd prefer.

Have a great trip!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Don't forget to mention that it's your DD's birthday. We celebrated our DD's 7th at CM's in January. They brought out a special placemat and cupcake for her, and several of the characters gathered around for a special photo op. Everyone in our section then clapped along and sang "happy birthday". DD loved it! You can also have your cake done at the restaurant, if you'd prefer.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for the tips! I'll mention it when I make my ADR. This is getting me so excited - I wish we had scheduled this trip sooner Hopefully we'll be able to get an ADR sounds like lots of people go to CM on Saturdays.

 

[rluey29]

Yeah I hope you haven't waited too long on your ADR'S.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Yeah I hope you haven't waited too long on your ADR'S.

Sorry I wasn't very specific on my dates. We don't go until May 07 so I have about 2 more weeks until I make our ADRs.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My gut sense on this would be to make your ADR for around 4pm as opposed to later. What's usually happened with us is that we intend to "rest" in the afternoon, but who can rest when you're finally at WDW and raring to go? Not us. My kids are fine until they stop. Once they stop, it can get ugly pretty quickly, LOL. At least at 4pm, you can have your fun dinner done, and the rest of the night is "gravy". I'd maybe plan to watch the Electric Water Pageant from VWL later on for anyone who's still awake.

 

[thompsonfamily]

We leave in 16 days, and I was just wondering what a ADR is? We arrive in Orlando at 12:30 pm and I also was wondering what to do the first evening. We are staying at the CBR. Also, where do you get on the Ferry, and where do you get on the monorail that you are talking about? This, as you have guessed, is our first trip!

Thanks,
Kim

 

[ntburns22]

We leave in 16 days, and I was just wondering what a ADR is? We arrive in Orlando at 12:30 pm and I also was wondering what to do the first evening. We are staying at the CBR. Also, where do you get on the Ferry, and where do you get on the monorail that you are talking about? This, as you have guessed, is our first trip!

Thanks,
Kim

ADR
Advanced Dining reservation. Head over to the dining board.

 

[phantom728]

Somehow we usually end up over at MGM for our first evening. This year is no exception. We reserved a Fantasmic package, so have an ADR at H&V, then are going to see the Osborne lights, then over to Fantasmic.
This is our first Holiday trip, so haven't had the opportunity to see Osborne lights. Also, on our last trip we missed Fantasmic because of poor weather each night. Can't wait to finally see it...it was MIL's only request.