Arrival day ideas?

[jacksgirl]

We (me, DH, DS12, my parents) will be coming in on Sunday, November 8th, arriving around 3:00 p.m. We are staying 9 nights but only have 8 day park tickets, so I really don't want to waste a precious park day that night. However, I want to do something that will be fun for DS so he won't be upset about not going to a park as soon as we get there.

 

[Cando86]

Downtown Disney sounds perfect! Lots of little (ok and BIG) shops, a cool Lego store if your DS is into that, TRex restaurant, live music...it's a great way to spend your first evening! There's just a lot to explore. Explore, have a good dinner and then head back for an early bedtime to start your trip!

 

[Alesia]

Adding another day to your tickets would only be $10.80 per person - much cheaper (and more fun) than any other ideas that I can come up with.

If you really don't want to go to a park, there's Disney Quest.

 

[samsteele]

Downtown Disney is a great idea & usually my go to for arrival day. Depending on when you get in, and if you purchased the magic your way package, you may have free admission coupons for disney quest & this would be a good time to use them. Also, since your stay is longer than 7 days, and if you are staying at a disney resort, purchasing an extra day's park admission might be very reasonable depending on the number of people in your party. The cost of an extra park day goes down considerably with a longer stay. Something to think about.

 

[Jfsag123]

We like Downtown Disney for arrival night as well. It gets us into the spirit of the trip and we start our park days fresh and ready to go!

Could possibly provide some alternate ideas if I knew where you were staying.

 

[ErinsMommy]

We're arriving on the 8th at a very early 8:45 a.m. I'm hoping for a quick run to MK for lunch while we wait for our room to be ready, then crash.

 

[mom2rtk]

Adding another day to your tickets would only be $10.80 per person - much cheaper (and more fun) than any other ideas that I can come up with.

If you really don't want to go to a park, there's Disney Quest.

This is the most bang you will get for your buck.

 

[tlmadden73]

With any trip to Orlando .. I like to get to the area around mid afternoon and hit Downtown Disney that first night. For me . .that is what DTD is for .. the first and last day of the vacation.

It has a great Disney vibe .. is free .. and you have a ton of choices of meals (and shopping) .. rather than waste time in the parks themselves shopping.

Depending on the ages of children going .. some kids could spend all afternoon at the lego store or in the World of Disney store .. plus RainForest cafe and T-Rex restaurant are unique places to eat (food is nothing exciting . .but the atmosphere is fun).

(as above listed too .. paying another $10/ticket to add a 9th day to just hit a theme park for a half day .. just for dinner . .maybe a ride or two and see a night show is worth it too).

 

[MouseTale]

There's a Lego store at Downtown Disney. My son likes it a lot. It's rather large and there are free things to see and do. We also like to eat at Downtown Disney. Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich are two of our favorites. By November, the new Indiana Jones lounge should be open too. Have fun!

 

[itchin2go]

This is going to be the most boring answer, but maybe the most practical. We always just take it easy, have dinner somewhere and get a good night's sleep so we can hit rope drop for our first park day. From your signature, it looks like you're staying at CSR? I would make an ADR at the resort or somewhere easy to get to, and have a low key night - take in the resort amenities - maybe go for a swim?

This is just my opinion, but I would avoid Downtown Disney after seeing some bad reports here of the traffic and construction issues.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I totally agree itchin2go!

 

[bamastar]

We are eating at the resort and going for a swim on our arrival day. We may also try and catch the Electrical Water Pageant to get in the mood for Day 1 at the parks.

 

[Figmentmommy]

We (me, DH, DS12, my parents) will be coming in on Sunday, November 8th, arriving around 3:00 p.m. We are staying 9 nights but only have 8 day park tickets, so I really don't want to waste a precious park day that night. However, I want to do something that will be fun for DS so he won't be upset about not going to a park as soon as we get there.

I also would suggest that you add a day to your tickets and have dinner/FP a few rides to kick off the vacation. If you really don't want to hit the parks then I would suggest dinner at DTD and then an evening swim at your resort pool. We did that one year and my boys had a great time going down the slide all night!

 

[Fastpassminus]

Swim & dinner at resort. With 8 days you don't need to rush right to the park&

 

[Aerinha]

Are you staying on property? If so, I would do Downtown Dis and from there catch a bus to a monorail resort to watch Wishes and the Water Pageant from their beach or dock.

 

[Belleandtinker]

By the time you actually arrive at your resort, it will be dinner time. My suggestion (and what we do) - get settled in the resort, check out the resort/pools then head to DTD. DTD has shopping and dining. Head back to the room to get a good night sleep from a day of traveling and to prepare for rope drop the next day.
Enjoy!

 

[Mainemama]

Not a fan of DTD here... It feels like it takes more energy to navigate crowds than in the parks. That could be the (younger) ages of my group, though. The only time I had a similar arrival time, we checked in and swam, and then headed to a dinner show! HDDR or Spirit of Aloha would both be fun!

 

[itchin2go]

Not a fan of DTD here... It feels like it takes more energy to navigate crowds than in the parks. That could be the (younger) ages of my group, though. The only time I had a similar arrival time, we checked in and swam, and then headed to a dinner show! HDDR or Spirit of Aloha would both be fun!

I agree with your assessment of DTD. It always *seems* like a good idea, but in reality, it's SO packed. I like it when we can go early in the day just to shop, but the later it gets, the more gridlocked it gets.

I think a dinner show is a really good idea.

 

[pens4821]

We went in January 2014 and we went to dtd. We were planning on a swim too but it was cold. Our plane landed around 9 but by the time we got to the resort, got to our room (it was ready) relaxed a bit and got to dtd it was about 2 ish. We ate at trex then walked around and we're back to the resort between 6 or 7 and just relaxed.

We are planning on a trip next May and our tentative plan is going to see the hoop dee doo review (if that interests you). We did it many years ago and would like to go again. Probably the 6 but maybe 4. Either that or chef mickeys for dinner (gets bad reviews but it's a must for us). Whichever one we don't do first night we will do on our relax (no park) day.

 

[mhingher]

We'll be arriving a few days before you, and our cruise leaves 11/9. We originally decided not to spend time in the parks but the first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is on 11/8 so we bought tickets. Might be a fun way to start your vacation?

Otherwise our traditional first stop is usually Ghiradelli's at Downtown Disney. We have also done dinner at Chef Mickeys our first night. Another great option is to just enjoy your resort pool and relax!