Arrival day thoughts

[RogueKnits]

On our November trip, we are arriving at BC around 1pm, so our plan is to head straight to Epcot to eat lunch at the Food & Wine kiosks and do some rides up until our 8pm reservation at Flying Fish. This is a short 4-night trip for the Wine & Dine half marathon, though, so we are anxious to get some park time every day that we're there. Typically, I would go with your option 1 and head to Downtown Disney for dinner and shopping.

 

[W.E.D.]

We always do something similar to your option one. My wife says she likes to let the pixie dust slowly settle over her. We usually get checked in, take a nap (typically have the red-eye from home to Orlando), swim, take a walk around the resort, and have a nice dinner on the resort restaurant. We store up our energy for our first full day at MK!!

 

[ttintagel]

We're generally too tired to do anything but #1 on arrival day, no matter how early in the day it is. I don't know how long a trip you have, though, so that may not apply.

 

[lustergirl]

<<<early flight: hit MK

 

[scanmom]

If you don't mind spending the money, I highly recommend booking a Wishes Cruise! We did this our 1st day/evening and it was wonderful! It's only your family on the boat, they cruise around for awhile, then watch the Electric Water Parade, then cruise over to see Wishes. The music is piped in, and I think this was the best way to see Wishes,by far. There are snacks and drinks on board,and anything you don't eat/drink they sack up and you take it with you.
We had me, DD27,DS21,DNeice 24, and grand babies ages 3,4 and 5. It was fun, but not over stimulating.

 

[ZoaKrystyn]

Have you considered Fantasia mini golf and then walking around the Boardwalk (and getting ice cream)? That's another fun option and there are two different courses to play.