Arrival day ideas?

[dwherewecome]

My husband and sons (ages 8 and 5) and I will be driving down from New Orleans and should arrive at Disney World about 4 or 5 in the afternoon. We're going during the last week in November, so the parks won't be open very late. Any ideas on fun things to do on our arrival afternoon/evening?

 

[ssleblanc]

We're flying in (from New Orleans too) in mid-September. We aren't doing a park that day, until MNSSHP that night. We are going to Downtown Disney when we arrive to look around, let the kids buy a souvenier or too (probably get their Mickey Ears hats, and maybe a T-shirt). The Lego store is supposed to be really fun for the kids. There is the Adventure Room, they can build their own pirate hat or skull, play video games, and see pirate, cowboy, superhero and space explorer gear and apparel. We'll just have a leisurely stroll through the shops and stuff there, then we will have a late lunch (Rainforest Cafe - we don't have one here in New Orleans so my kids have never been to one - the food is OK, and the atmosphere is just fun) before heading back to the resort to relax, maybe swim for a short bit before we head to the party.

CLICK HERE FOR ALLEARSNET'S LIST OF THINGS TO DO AT THE MARKETPLACE IN DOWNTOWN DISNEY.

 

[KTSMOM]

We spent our arrival day at the pool and then went to DTD and had dinner. It was nice and relaxing after traveling. If it's too cold for the pool you guys could catch a movie at the theater in DTD. That was our backup plan in case it was raining.

 

[Em_in_FL]

I agree with the Downtown Disney suggestion... lots of shops and a movie theater...
Or just tour your resort and enjoy the pools... most resorts have extra things to do... like family bike rentals or boat rentals... LOTS of fun! We've rented boats several times...

 

[Evil Queen]

We did DTD and DQ last year. We did ok, but we were extremely tired, and we only drove 3 hours.

This year (driving again) we are playing a round or two of mini golf. We're saving DTD/DQ for another day.

 

[isla bonita]

I think taking a look around at everything is a great idea. Not sure how your kids would feel but I like to know the area and get a good feel for how to get to things. Might be because I have a horrible sense of direction. I give directions all the time on here but only because I have really gotten it down to a science the certain places I know.

Down town disney sure sounds fun thee is always something to catch every ones eye.

 

[Paxtrist]

On our first day we always swim, do a little shopping at Downtown Disney, and of course grab a bite to eat at Earl of Sandwich

 

[C.Ann]

We're going to be landing around 2:30 pm - Sat. Dec 2nd.. Game plan right now is to go to the hotel and get checked in, then head over to Ft. Wilderness for the buffet at the Trail's End.. After we eat, we're going to do a little exploring in Ft. Wilderness as we've never been there before and if the Chip 'n Dale campfire is going on, we may stop there for awhile..

 

[Leah and Emily's mom]

We are going to the activities at Fort Wilderness.

 

[Donald is #1]

My first suggestion is like the other posters and to go to DTD. This is a great place to spend a few hours and have dinner. Another suggestion is to spend time relaxing at your resort and/or to go and see some of the other resorts. Another option if your kids like mini-golf is to go to either the of the mini-golf courses.

Have a great trip!

 

[dwherewecome]

Wonderful ideas, everyone. Thanks a bunch!

 

[lisabelll]

We are driving down to Orlando and plan to do the Chip and Dale campfire on our first night. I wanted to go one night and only the August movie listing is up. We arrive 8/31 and they are playing the Incredibles that night. We haven't seen it yet, so I thought it would be perfect!!

If we had chosen to go to the campfire another night, I wanted to visit the Animal Kingdom lodge to show the girls the animals there (since we will be staying at Pop), or going to DTD.

 

[bethann1970]

We're arriving around noon at our hotel (hopefully), then rest at the hotel until 4:00 and then on to MVMCP! Thought it would be a great way to start our vacation on a high note!

 

[Sweedee]

activities at Fort Wilderness
Downtown Disney
resort hopping
Boardwalk