Arrival day ritual/routine?

[ellie'smom]

We usually go to DTD and have lunch at Earl of Sandwich. This last Aug. we didn't do that because we had a large party to contend with. My daughter was not happy, she complained for( no kidding) hours. This upcoming trip it will hopefully only be the 3 of us , so 1st day DTD and EoS.

 

[mom2rtk]

We usually go to DTD and have lunch at Earl of Sandwich. This last Aug. we didn't do that because we had a large party to contend with. My daughter was not happy, she complained for( no kidding) hours. This upcoming trip it will hopefully only be the 3 of us , so 1st day DTD and EoS.

My daughter is addicted to EoS as well. We at there FOUR times on our trip to DLR this month! I think they put something addicting in their sauce!

 

[JaimeA]

I Love it! I'm surprised there aren't more posts about starting out at MK..Epcot seems to be the park of choice. We live in S FL & usually head up there around 11am. I've made a habit out of taking a few weekdays to go instead of just a weekend. It works out pretty well b/c we leave & head straight to AK or HS depending on what we decide on the way up. We somehow Always end the night at Epcot, no matter which park we start out at.

The last 2 trips I have started in EP instead of MK. I always end there too! EP just feels right for the beginning and end of vacation. Not sure why but it might have something to do with the grey goose slushy.

 

[tink1978]

We always explore the resort or head to Downtown Disney the first night.

 

[karly05]

This didn't start out as a deliberate plan, but it has definitely become a habit, and now it is a must-do: I fly, and get to MCO somewhere between Noon-1:30. Once I'm checked in, I head straight for Epcot and get something to eat! I like afternoon/evening touring at Epcot, and after a day of traveling I'm ready for food. On the two family trips we had ADRs, but on my solos I just grab counter service in the World Showcase.

 

[JustLoveDisney]

We always get in around 4 pm so we make reservations for Ohana's. The day seems to fly by and we never stop for lunch so we make it an early dinner and then play video games.

 

[wendybeth75]

If we get there early enough to justify having an extra day on the ticket (4:00 or earlier) then we usually hit MK or Epcot, depending on which is open latest. If we get there later in the day we head straight for DTD.

 

[Rustyroo]

Check in at the resort then off to DTD almost every time. Love walking around there and sort of easing into the full on Disney Experience. Also helps if we haven't received park tix yet...

 

[Rosebud123]

We pick up the rental car, stop at a grocery/liquor store, check in, unpack, and hang out by the pool for a few hours! I have no interest in going to a park or being tied to an ADR on arrival day.

 

[pheonixheart]

We fly in get checked in and usually straight to MK. The vacation doesn't start until we see the castle. This trip I wanted to eat someplace different but my daughter 17yr old informed me that we JUST HAVE to eat at Chef Mickeys, it's tradition. Since it's her last trip before heading off into the "great big world" she calls the shots.

 

[1000HappyWishes]

Explore the resort, unpack, relax, maybe head to Downtown Disney. We never do a park day on our arrival day.

 

[dayvewc]

Check in then head to wal mart to stock up on essentials for the week. Then just unpack and relax around the resort.

This is me to a T

Explore the resort, unpack, relax, maybe head to Downtown Disney. We never do a park day on our arrival day.

I won't say never do a park day on arrival day, but very seldom.

It is a 20 hour drive from where I live, and flying is usually not an option. I normally don't arrive until around 5 pm, so it is usually going to wal-mart for food for the week and then check in. Depending on how quickly check-happens, and how quickly I can get stuff unpacked and into the fridge, I may go to DTD for a bit. But normally not a park. I just can't see spending a park day from my ticket when I won't get there until 7 pm or later (at the earliest).

 

[emilyindisney]

Our routine is to fly in at night, settle into the resort and start our next day our bright, early and in Walt Disney World!

 

[Dsny4fun]

We always spend our arrival day at DTD...dinner is always Planet Hollywood...DS's favorite !! The 2nd day is always Crystal Palace breakfast @ 8:05 to enjoy an empty Main Street and pictures in front of the castle. Love starting my first full day in Disney at MK.

 

[KBT35]

I love reading that so many start their experience at Epcot! I totally just guessed when planning our upcoming trip out that way!

 

[jwwi]

We usually get to MCO about 12-1. Stop to shop at Publix or Target, then check in to resort. Most times we are hungry so we head to Beaches and Cream or EOS. The last trip we went to MVMCP, which was a fun way to start the trip.

 

[gray52]

We arrive early... Head to EPCOT and stay out as late as possible. We follow that up by sleeping in on day 2 and having a relaxing day.

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[Maggie7313]

We try for an early flight out of DC with a goal of arriving at MCO no later than 10:00. Pick up rental car, check in at hotel (unload if room is ready) and head off to the parks.

We nearly always arrive on a Saturday so Epcot is usually first up - we grab a counter service lunch at the bakery in France and then pack in as many Future World rides as possible before having a quick dinner and hopping to MK. It is absolutely imperative to me that I see the castle, eat a Dole Whip Float and ride Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain, and the People Mover on arrival day. They don't have to be first but they must happen before I sleep.

We then stagger back to the hotel and collapse.

 

[Katelly]

We usually check in somewhere between 10am and 1pm. We have lunch at the resort, take a look around and swim if we have time. Then we head over to Epcot (FW) mid-afternoon and go on a few rides. For dinner, it's become something of a tradition to eat at Garden Grill the first night.

For our trip next year I think we're going to switch it up a bit. We'll probably spend more time at the resort on arrival day and then head to DTD and have dinner at Raglan Road and do a bit of shopping.

 

[jester161]

We always go straight to MK - Hot Dog and Fries at Caseys first and then straight round to POTC!!