Arrive at Parks at 4pm? Too Late???

[bob_bldr]

We will be arriving on Saturday 2/17 for 7 days and expect to check in at Saratoga Springs about 3:30pm. This is our first time staying on property. Should we try the parks or take it easy until the next morning? Any tips, suggestions or success stories are appreciated.

 

[DVC Jen]

My personal decision would be based on how late the parks are open that night - namely the MK since we always do that park first.

Do I personally think it is too late? Heck no! You can always go over to Epcot grab a counter service dinner and stake out a great place for Illuminations. Or do the same with Wishes (if it is being shown that night) at the MK.

If you think you may be tired or don't want to use a park ticket for just an evening you could always go to the Boardwalk area - maybe get dinner or dessert at Beaches and Cream or head to the Downtown Disney area.

 

[dzneelvr]

First, find out what time each park closes. then decide on the one that stays open the latest and whether you want to spend the $$ for the time. When we arrive later the first day, we do a meal at Ohanas in the Poly and then monorail over to the Transportation Center to catch a bus for Downtown Disney. DD ususally has extended hours and you can look around and do some great shopping. Get a good nights sleep and hit the park early to begin the magic!

 

[addicted2disney]

You will be there over Presidents Day weekend, and I was there then last year. The parks were open pretty late.. The MK was open until midnight a few nights. We always head to what ever park is open latest the day we arrive. Its usally EPcot , but this year both MK and Epcot are open until 9. We will be going to MK so we can see Spectromagic Parade that night too.

I would definately hit one of the parks that night!! Even just a few hours walking the countries at night at Epcot is worth it for us!! Have fun!!

 

[bob_bldr]

Thanks for the encouragement.

MK is open until midnite but we will be there all day on Sunday. We don't want to stay out too late on Saturday, but the excitement may be too much for the 4 kids and the 3 "big kids" (Brother and niece going with us).

We have been considering the following options:

• Epcot Dinner and Illuminations
• MGM Dinner and Fantasmic
• Downtown Disney
• Resort Pool & Playground
• MK Parade and Fireworks

Our flight isn't too early and we will have APs so this should help with our options.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I would do MGM and get Fantasmic out of the way .It would be a great start and as your just sitting a bit relaxing as well. Might even be able to grab a quick ride as well.Nothing like saying your at Disney then a ToT drop.

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

I was going to suggest the Fantasmic Dinner Package --- I think this is an excellent beginning to a Disney Vacation!!

 

[vassar36]

Coming from Central, Ma is a long day, by the time you drive to the airport, fly, get to the hotel etc, (esp with kids) that's a long day in my book. (but just IMHO) I would do something close to your hotel (maybe just go swimming in the pool and dinner) and then get a good night sleep and a very early start the next day so you can be at MK when it opens...that way the excitiment to get the kids up and ready to go early the next morning will be working in your favor...

 

[bgirl29]

I too would recommend MGM and seeing Fantasmic. That way if later in your trip you start your day in MGM and are done earlier in the afternoon you can just leave and go to another park or take a break at your hotel. You didn't mention your children's ages, but usually Fantasmic would get you back to your room earlier than staying at Epcot to watch Illuminations.

Just remember to be flexible. If everyone is tired by the time you check in you could eat at your hotel and get a good nights sleep so you can be to MK bright and early the next morning.

Have a great trip.

 

[TaraPA]

If the kids are young I'd say skip the parks & attractions - have a nice meal at the hotel or maybe Downtown Disney - you will all be exhausted & adding cranky little ones on top of that will be no fun. My kids are 6 & 9 and were DONE by 7 or 8pm that 1st day, one even got sick from the exhaustion of the day (yes I was trying to fit in every little thing we possibly could!) If the kids are pre-teens or older then they can probably handle a late night after travelling all day.

 

[Whosemom]

I don't think we could get to Disney and not go in a park even if it were illogical. It's all like...
WE'RE HERE, WE'RE HERE

 

[1000th happy haunt]

We've gone to the parks as late as 5:30-6:00 on our arrival day. If you have annual passes, then definitely hit one of the parks.

 

[ncbyrne]

I think it will depend on the age of the kids and what kind of tickets you have. But....if the kids aren't too pooped from the long travel day, and if you have tickets you don't mind using for less than a full day....then, yes, by all means hit the parks if that's what you want to do!
For my family, arriving at 3:30, we would want to get settled in the room first -there's another half hour. On our first day with a later afternoon arrival we seldom go to the parks on the first day. Swimming and just taking in all that the resort and the FL sunshine has to offer is enough stimulation for the first day. It's all magical.

 

[WDWCPAlumni]

We usually hop on a Mouse boat and get a great look at the Magic Kingdom from the water!
Then we check out all the cool things at the hotel and eat.....unpack and browse the gift shop!
We go to bed early and make it to park open the next morning.
My kids are 5 and 3 and can not make it past 8 or 9 and that is PUSHING IT

I wouldnt make big plans, pay it by the day and see how everyones moods are. If you have PLANS you will feel like you should do whatever it was you planned, if you leave it open you can decide.
For all you know, the kids could nap on the flight on in the car OK, maybe not

 

[SoonerGirl]

Our first trip we arrived late afternoon and just went to Downtown Disney to look around and have dinner. The next time we went I made dinner reservations at Crystal Palace in the MK and we spent the evening hanging out there & riding their favorite rides. The kids definately enjoyed this more, they are so excited when we arrive, they want to hit the parks! The added cost to our multi day ticket for this was only around $8 for all 4 of us, so even if you just spend a couple of hours in a park that day it's worth it to us.

 

[bob_bldr]

Thanks for all the great responses.

Kids will be 12 (almost 13), 10 and 5 (but the youngest will never admit he can't keep up with his older brother and sister).

Our flight is non-stop from Providence at 11:30am so we plan to sleep until 7 or 8am and leave at 9am for the 45 minute ride to the airport. We have flown out at 8am for previous flights but we needed to be out of the house by 5:30am; everyone needed an early night on day one that year!

I am nervous about the rides on Saturday night, thinking that FastPass will be gone and the lines will be long. That is the main reason I was leaning toward the show or parade or fireworks route. We hope to head back to the resort by 8 or 9pm to get a good night's sleep before we leave at 8am on Sunday for the opening of MK at 9am.

 

[solgent]

In my case, we arrived a SSR shortly after noon for our first time on property and didn't go to the parks that first day! But we didn't have APs. We enjoyed the pool-- so much more special than anything we'd ever experienced before-- and went to DTD.

If I had APs, though, we might go to the parks, but I would not get Fantasmic Dinner Package reservations that are not refundable. Also I wouldn't go to MK since that is planned for the next day. Then I'd wait & see what the mood was. Even though you don't have to get up super early, people might not sleep well the night before from anticipation.

 

[GinaMattsMom]

Our first trip we arrived late afternoon and just went to Downtown Disney to look around and have dinner. The next time we went I made dinner reservations at Crystal Palace in the MK and we spent the evening hanging out there & riding their favorite rides. The kids definately enjoyed this more, they are so excited when we arrive, they want to hit the parks! The added cost to our multi day ticket for this was only around $8 for all 4 of us, so even if you just spend a couple of hours in a park that day it's worth it to us.

How does that work? You can add $8 to eat in MK without using your park hopper? I don't have hoppers this year and we are arriving late too.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

first of all, let me tell you how jealous i am of you that you that you get to go to Saratoga Springs. i was there in october (my faily owns that resort for their dvc membership) and i LOVED it.

now, i also vote for the downtown disney the 1st night. there's so much to do there and it's right next to saratoga springs, so it would probably be your best bet. Plus, it all depends on how tired you guys are. However, going to downtown disney itself is free to get it, going to a park would cost money. I vote for dtd and theme park the next day when you are all rested, and have the whole day to get your moneys worth!

 

[bytheblood]

It's never too late. And if there is an EMH, that makes it all the better. JMO.