Arrival day strategy question

[Pooh Crew]

We will be arriving at the airport at 12:30pm and staying at POFQ. I would like to go to the hotel, toss our bags into the room then head to MK for a while. I know getting to the hotel takes a while. My question is do you think we would have time to jump on the monorail and do dinner at Chef Mickey's then go back to MK for a bit or is that too much for arrival day???

 

[Muziqal]

I say dooooooooo it! I always go nutz on the first day. Last 'first day' we got there at 7 am, checked-in, laid by the pool, went to get groceries, went to the MK, stayed for wishes and then went to DQ at 11pm. Didn't get back to the room until 1 am. Then got up and did Epcot the next day.

You're only there so often...I say do it up.

 

[Disney Doll]

Assuming everything goes pretty smooth with your luggage etc. at the airport, I can see you getting to WDW around 230PM or so. Go to the MK till about 530PM, jump on the monorail(or walk) to the Contemporary, have dinner...you should be back to the MK in time for Wishes without really even feeling rushed.

 

[CuteKatCar]

I agree with Disney Doll. We always go to a park on arrival day. And we have usually been up since 5 a.m. (my kids were 9 and 12 last trip). We are up and at 'em bright and early the next day too- but I do make sure that we come back for a good 2 -3 hr. break that day. Adrenalin starts wearing off after awhile.

Anna

 

[Tammi67]

Your room will probably not be ready, so you will have to leave your bags in the luggage check room at FQ. I agree with everyone else....have at it!

 

[Chuck65]

I say go for it! Disney Doll is right about the Contemporary..............you can take the monorail but you'll probably save time by walking. It can't take any longer than 5-10 mins to walk there.

 

[BillyFeat]

Absolutely, you have plenty of time. When we arrive on property, we get checked in, go for a swim, go to dinner about 5 PM and hit the MK for the rest of the night. The parks are open late so have fun.

 

[vital]

When are you going? We are arriving at the same time staying in the same hotel! We may even be on the same plane! We are going June 19 on Delta from Atlanta!

 

[dm220]

i have a similar question on this, i plan on going to epcot for the evening of arrival after eating and settling in and maybe just touring the world showcase so that we actually have part of epcot toured already even though we planned a full day for epcot later in the trip [as well as full days for the other main parks],my thinking is that epcot is the larger of the parks and i am wanting to avoid the magic kingdom arrival day for the sole purpose of it being the first park we really hit on our first full day and keeping the suprise of seeing the castle and dining with the princess in the morning for our daughter whos never been to wdw before, its my belief that animal kingdom and mgm are the smaller of the parks with epcot and magic kingdom being the biggest (i have only been to the magic kingdom myself several times but not the others),we have a full day planned for each park and extra days to go to whatever park we wish thereafter,is this a good strategy for arrival day or does anybody suggest different? ty

 

[dm220]

bumping the page up

 

[dm220]

bumping the page up again

 

[dm220]

bump #3

 

[bobcat]

We have to ride the monorail the first day! I think you have a plan already. You will have plenty of time to eat at CM and go to MK.

 

[GEM]

Obviously I'm in the minority, but I like to plan a really relaxing arrival day - usually just hanging out and enjoying our resort, swimming, trying some of the other recreation options or activities, having dinner at one of our resort restaurants, etc. I find it helps us start the trip more relaxed, rested, and ready for action the next morning.

I would especially reccomend that, dm220, if you're staying at the AKL. There is so much to see and do there! Don't miss out on it by rushing to the parks all the time. AKL is a destination in itself.

 

[geffric]

dm220 How old is your daughter? How late are you arriving? LOts of fun things to do at AKL..

 

[dm220]

tx for the replys, my daughter is 7yrs, i have seen the list of activites for akl on the jambo thread on the disney resorts forum, just trying to make wise use of my time while there without overkilling ourselves, i am sure the family is gonna want to make good use of some of akls activities and we do intend to just relax some at the resort, of course i am more than happy to do whatever my lady and kids decide to do and intend to be flexible but i do want some kind of game plan to go with and flow with what happens thereafter, i think i pretty much got it figuired out but do appreciate other opinions

 

[kaysmommie]

Obviously I'm in the minority, but I like to plan a really relaxing arrival day - usually just hanging out and enjoying our resort, swimming, trying some of the other recreation options or activities, having dinner at one of our resort restaurants, etc. I find it helps us start the trip more relaxed, rested, and ready for action the next morning.

I would especially reccomend that, dm220, if you're staying at the AKL. There is so much to see and do there! Don't miss out on it by rushing to the parks all the time. AKL is a destination in itself.

Me Too!