Arrival day - to park or not to park?

[Tattylou]

What would you do?
Our trip is in Feb 2022 for a week (Presidents day week). Our flight is a 7am direct flight and we will be in Orlando by 10:15. (Yes I already bought the flight bc it was a good price and in my experience school vacation week prices just go up and up). So if you landed that early, would you go to a park after dropping luggage at the resort?
We are staying at CBR. My plan A thought was take the skyliner to Epcot and get some lunch in the World Showcase and just take it easy around the countries for a bit Then head back, check in and chill at the resort for the evening. We will likely go to bed super early from being up at the crack of dawn for a 7am flight. Plan B was no park and was chill at the resort all day - go to the pool if it is warm enough (my kids will swim even if it’s a little chilly honestly) and hit Disney Springs for an early dinner. We are a party of 8 - 6 adults and 2 kids who will be 11 and 13 at the time we are there. We are all Disney veterans. I’m leaning towards making it an easy park day.
Thoughts?

 

[LovesBelle]

We would do the easy park day because my kids are always so excited to hit the parks. They love a resort day later, when they are tired, but that first day they want to go go go! And so, I admit, do I!

 

[loves to dive]

If the cost of the tickets doesn't bother you, I'd do it. We always do (and have always done since my son was just shy of 3) a park on arrival day. We drive down from Ga. and get there some time between 1 and 3. I'll be going down April 11-16 and am doing Epcot the day I arrive (F&G booths) and might even hop over to HS for a little while. Since your kids are a little older, the flight shouldn't tire them out and it would probably be nice to let them get some energy out.

 

[Twitterpaited]

If you are already planning on getting at least a 4-day ticket, the added cost isn’t as much so it would be worthwhile.

 

[Bete]

I see value with either plan. I would probably get to a park if it were me.

 

[Jeskova26]

I would make it a resort day. Get comfortable, go to the pool which CBR has an awesome pool and hopefully by then they will have more experiences around the resort.
Go to Boardwalk and/or Beach and enjoy what they have to offer. Get in at a normal time and charge it hard the next couple days

 

[Tattylou]

If you are already planning on getting at least a 4-day ticket, the added cost isn’t as much so it would be worthwhile.

I should have said we already have 6 day tickets so adding a 7th day isn’t too expensive really.

 

[LadyDiznee123]

I have always taken my time to first freshen-up once I arrive at my resort, but then I always head straight to a PARK for my Day One's. My arrival time is always around 12 Noon. And I always post in my itinerary that I will be at my scheduled Park 1pm-ish.

Unless it is late at night there is no reason for me not to get my "Disney Parks" on. In 2017 I arrived later (don't remember the time), but I still started off my Day One with a bus trip to Disney Springs. So refreshing and enjoyable. I enjoy just getting on a Disney Bus to head off somewhere... if even just to sit by the water at Disney Springs and watch some of the live entertainment for a half hour and head back. I want to always say and make note that I did something Disney.


Unless it's really late like 8pm. I would probably decide to freshen up and take a stroll around my resort lake and have a light meal at the resort food court - just to get that "doing something Disney" started. (and yes the Resort food courts and restaurant's are "doing Disney" to me!)

For all of the money you are spending.... hit the Disney attractions!

ENJOY!

 

[Disneymomma18]

With the group dynamic you have I would definitely hit the park. I still have 2 toddlers so arrival day for us will be resort day, but if I had kids 11 and 13 I’d let them get in a few rides while you take it leisurely and enjoy some great food!

 

[Marthasor]

What would you do?
Our trip is in Feb 2022 for a week (Presidents day week). Our flight is a 7am direct flight and we will be in Orlando by 10:15. (Yes I already bought the flight bc it was a good price and in my experience school vacation week prices just go up and up). So if you landed that early, would you go to a park after dropping luggage at the resort?
We are staying at CBR. My plan A thought was take the skyliner to Epcot and get some lunch in the World Showcase and just take it easy around the countries for a bit Then head back, check in and chill at the resort for the evening. We will likely go to bed super early from being up at the crack of dawn for a 7am flight. Plan B was no park and was chill at the resort all day - go to the pool if it is warm enough (my kids will swim even if it’s a little chilly honestly) and hit Disney Springs for an early dinner. We are a party of 8 - 6 adults and 2 kids who will be 11 and 13 at the time we are there. We are all Disney veterans. I’m leaning towards making it an easy park day.
Thoughts?

I would plan on going to EP. Chances are, your room will not be ready when you arrive at CBR and, while the pool will be open, who knows what the weather will be like and you may be at that pool for several hours before your room is ready. I, personally, wouldn't want to be wet from the pool and potentially homeless with no where to dry off. I would go to EP, get lunch, make it a relaxing park day and then head back to the resort once your room is ready so you can unpack and get to bed early.

 

[LiveLifeLoud]

I would definitely do a park day. We always hit a park on arrival day.

 

[Tattylou]

I would plan on going to EP. Chances are, your room will not be ready when you arrive at CBR and, while the pool will be open, who knows what the weather will be like and you may be at that pool for several hours before your room is ready. I, personally, wouldn't want to be wet from the pool and potentially homeless with no where to dry off. I would go to EP, get lunch, make it a relaxing park day and then head back to the resort once your room is ready so you can unpack and get to bed early.

This is a very good point!!

 

[RamblingMad]

When there were fireworks, we would go the park on arrival day to check out the fireworks. Now, I'd probably go to Disney Springs.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I’d do a park day at your favorite park.

 

[Tattylou]

Thank you - So I’m leaning towards hitting Epcot that day. Provided nothing changes with the flight schedule, which I know could happen this far out, and we are in MCO at 10:15 then I do think dropping our stuff at CBR and heading out for an adventure would be fun.

 

[PetePanMan]

Both good plans but I would probably go for easy Epcot park day with early return to resort.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I’d do Epcot ... what a great way to ease into ur vacation. Countries. Good eats and a few rides if possible. And do whatever u don’t get too, on ur next Epcot day. Have a great time!!

 

[Meglen]

We either do Epcot or Disney springs on the first day. Unless staying at a MK resort.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

I would go to Epcot, as others have said not sure of what the weather will be. It could be a beautiful 80 something or a chilly day and with being wet and still possible room not ready, not worth it to risk.

 

[Shellyred8]

What would you do?
Our trip is in Feb 2022 for a week (Presidents day week). Our flight is a 7am direct flight and we will be in Orlando by 10:15. (Yes I already bought the flight bc it was a good price and in my experience school vacation week prices just go up and up). So if you landed that early, would you go to a park after dropping luggage at the resort?
We are staying at CBR. My plan A thought was take the skyliner to Epcot and get some lunch in the World Showcase and just take it easy around the countries for a bit Then head back, check in and chill at the resort for the evening. We will likely go to bed super early from being up at the crack of dawn for a 7am flight. Plan B was no park and was chill at the resort all day - go to the pool if it is warm enough (my kids will swim even if it’s a little chilly honestly) and hit Disney Springs for an early dinner. We are a party of 8 - 6 adults and 2 kids who will be 11 and 13 at the time we are there. We are all Disney veterans. I’m leaning towards making it an easy park day.
Thoughts?

Given the ease of using the Skyliner to get to and from EP, I would vote for an easy day at EP on arrival day.

Have a great trip!