Arrival day plans

[leahlefler]

We're landing at 9:15 am so we're heading to EPCOT once we're checked into our hotel. We plan on taking it easy, though - I'm sure we'll all be tired after our early flight!

 

[monorailsilver]

We spend it at the pool. I get to watch the monorail, ferries and resort shuttles and listen to the boats, haunted mansion and train while sitting at the pool. I think "am I really here" over and over again.

Then we go to chef mickeys, go back to the pool, watch the fireworks and go to bed.

 

[redhotariel]

In my personal opinion I wouldn't waste a full days worth of a ticket on a few hours at the park. You probably won't even make it to your room until about 2 ish. So at that point you might as well experience some other Disney magic. There are always plenty of things to do at the resort, many of which other families will never even know happen because they are always at the parks. You can walk around and explore it, many of the resorts have great photo opportunities, it is a fun way to get the vacation started especially with kids. If it is warm enough you can enjoy the pool and just the little bits of Disney magic. If you then feel so inclined DTD is always a good option, but so is Disney's Boardwalk. Which many people tend to look over, unless they are staying at a resort on the boardwalk. And if you chose to go to the Boardwalk then you can explore those resorts too. If you are there later at night, from some areas you can get a really good look at the fireworks. Kind of start to build up the excitement in the kids (without spending money on a park ticket). This way by the time the walk into a park the next day they will be so psyched, and you will be happy that you saved that ticket to spend another full day in the parks!

 

[Alesia]

In my personal opinion I wouldn't waste a full days worth of a ticket on a few hours at the park. You probably won't even make it to your room until about 2 ish. So at that point you might as well experience some other Disney magic. There are always plenty of things to do at the resort, many of which other families will never even know happen because they are always at the parks. You can walk around and explore it, many of the resorts have great photo opportunities, it is a fun way to get the vacation started especially with kids. If it is warm enough you can enjoy the pool and just the little bits of Disney magic. If you then feel so inclined DTD is always a good option, but so is Disney's Boardwalk. Which many people tend to look over, unless they are staying at a resort on the boardwalk. And if you chose to go to the Boardwalk then you can explore those resorts too. If you are there later at night, from some areas you can get a really good look at the fireworks. Kind of start to build up the excitement in the kids (without spending money on a park ticket). This way by the time the walk into a park the next day they will be so psyched, and you will be happy that you saved that ticket to spend another full day in the parks!

As long as you already have at least 4 day tickets, that extra day only costs $10.

 

[to102981]

Our trip is booked for October. We are planning on going to Mickey's Not So Halloween Party one night while there. On the day of the party we don't plan on going into the parks so only got 6 day tickets with park hopper. If we decide to go into the parks on our party day, and we add another day to our plan, will it add meals to our meal plan or will we be on our own for meals for the added day?

 

[HollieS]

Our plane lands at 11am, but our room wont be available until 4. Our plan is to check in, eat a counter service meal at the hotel and walk to the Magic Kingdom. We'll have FP some rides for the evening but the main "goal" of that evening is just to have the kids soak in the wonder that is Disney.

 

[pixiemama91]

I don't have any definite plans yet, and it will depend on our flight. I always try and get the earliest flight out in the morning so we can there as soon as possible. I am thinking once we arrive at the resort to swim for a while and relax, get something quick and easy for lunch. If our room isn't ready yet, we will wait around for that and then maybe head out to a park in the evening to catch a few rides and enjoy the atmosphere. If we don't go to a park, then we will probably head over to DTD for dinner and a little shopping. I have been thinking about heading down on Friday instead of Saturday and then just having an afternoon to hang at the resort. I just need to convince DH.

 

[AlexisMaxMommy]

On one of our trips, we just hung out at the resort, relaxed, and went to the parks the next day. On another trip, we went to the parks as soon as we could. My kids were exhausted when we did that and took forever getting up the next day, so I don't think we will do it again.

 

[Lids]

We are driving from South Jersey and stopping in Georgia overnight. Yes we can probably make it but we rather stop and get a good night's sleep especially as there is a total of 6 in the group. So Saturday we will head from South Jersey to Georgia. Then Sunday we will have about a three hour drive to our hotel - staying at POP. No need to get up super early or anything as we just plan to hang at the hotel, pool, walk around, unpack/organize, and then probably head to DTD for an early dinner.

Plan is to hit MK on Monday - though every site says do not hit MK on Monday we have two kids who never been and there is no way we are going to make them wait. Our goal is to have an ADR for Crystal Palace for 8am so we will be there bright and early.

 

[Kae]

We also skip parks on that day. We hang at the resort. then do CM or 1900 PF. Ride the monorail both loops. Maybe catch the Electrial Water Parade.

Kae

 

[Grendalynn]

Depending on what time we arrive depicts what we do after we check in... If its early enough, and we aren't exhausted, we will go to a park but only if we have enough ticket days to spare. One time we drover over to WDW from the Gulf Coast. We checked in and went to AK since its not an all day park or open late. We have also checked in, swam in the pool and explored our resort before heading to DTD or another resort for dinner. I think its all in how you plan to spend your days/tickets. Same goes for the last day of our WDW vacations... Enjoy!!

 

[Gracie09]

Usually checkin, get settled if the room is available, some pool time, dinner at the resort, often by the pool because the girls love to swim, then back to the room unpack and settle if we haven't already. Grab a few essentials from the gift shop for breakfast and get to bed fairly early so we are ready to go the next day.
We have tried the straight to the park method and it just doesn't work with out family. We end up cranky and exhausted the next day and it's not worth it.

 

[emh23]

We can't book our flights yet but I'm thinking it's going to be such a crazy day already we are going to do downtown disney that night and just eat at the hotel quickservice.

 

[MrsHuffy09]

We usually arrive in the afternoon after driving. We explore the resort and head to DTD. That's when we feel vacation really starts! Having an ADR or FP on arrival day is too stressful for me. I'm just never sure on what everyone's mood is going to be or (since we drive) how long it will take us to get there (if there's traffic or we have to make unscheduled stops). Then, the next day we're well rested and ready to hit the ground running!