Arrive Early - What to Do First Day?

[GotFids]

Hi all. We will be arriving in Orlando on a Sunday morning around 5:30 am. I figure we'll be at the POP pretty early then. How would you spend that first day? There is the EMH at MK that evening...should we just take it easy till then? What time do you have to be at MK to get into EMH? Where would you eat your first breakfast upon arriving at the World? Thanks for any and all suggestions!

 

[tinker-belle]

That is an early arrival! You may be too zonked to go the parks that day. On the day of arrival, we usually tour the disney hotels. We stayed at pop last time, but enjoyed checking out all the All stars, wilderness lodge, polynesian, animal kingdom lodge.
We also go to downtown disney, when we aren't going to the parks.
You can also rent the little water speed boats, or go horse back riding at fort wilderness.
The first night (of the day of our arrival) we also went to Fort Wilderness to the Chip and Dale sing along/campfire.
Enjoy!!!!

 

[remmy_7]

Hey there,
since you're getting there pretty early, you could just relax at your hotel for a couple of hours (maybe take a swim in the pool). What we usually do is have breakfast at our hotel first, then go to the park. If you're planning to spend the day at MK, a nice place to have breakfast there is the Crystal Palace. But hey, whatever you choose, you're sure to have a good time

 

[inloveindisney]

we always use our first day for "adjustments" We don't go to parks. We'll lay around the pool, shop in the gift store, eat a dinner at the resort, etc. If we get bored at night, we'll go resort hopping. then, we get good and rested for the days ahead of us! It works for us!
We use our dining plan snacks for breakfast. We aren't big breakfast eaters typically, so a muffin and some milk will suit us fine until lunch. Sometimes we'll get that the night before so we can eat it while we are getting ready/walking to the bus, etc.

 

[VAN]

I would certainly start out by checking in at POP and getting your room keys etc. It is unlikely you will have access to your room right away, but can have check-in taken care of. You will just have to phone into a number later in the day to get your room number.

From there, I think I would go for a leisurely breakfast at one of the resort restaurants ... maybe near the park that you plan to go to first. Then start out the day at one of the parks. -- Another thought is to have your swim wear with you and spend an hour or so at the POP pool before breakfast.

Mid-day, when your room is ready, I would go freshen up, take a power nap and then head to MK for the EMH. I think you just go to one of the stations to get your wristband by showing your resort ID after 4:00 or so. You can check on this at one of the websites and/or you will be given info upon check-in at POP.

Have a great time.

 

[bluejasmine]

We always get in early not as early as you but early. Sounds like you may have some time to rest and relax some and then hit the parks. Have you let your resort know you will be there that early? I would so that they can try and accomidate your early arrival. Anyway, you can always come back to the resort and rest up after lunch and go back out for dinner that evening. I know once I set foot on WDW I just cant wait until the next day to go to a park! Im worse than the kids! lol Of course we drive the day before and stay right outside WDW so we can check in as early as possible and hit the parks the first day..

 

[tchan03]

Like other said, i would tour other Disney hotels such as Grand Floridian and Polynesian. The views are beautiful!

 

[kvogel11202]

We are going to eat breakfast at Ohanas, play a round of minigols at WinterSummerland and then hang by the pool, ending our day with dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

 

[GotFids]

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions!! I get so excited just trying to plan the first day. I want to try to have a nice breakfast (near the park for that day, like that idea Van) and go back for a nap if our rooms are ready, then off to MK for EMH! Hopefully first day excitement will keep all of us up and going!

I would love to visit the other resorts...but I can just hear my 16 y/o son now....Mommmm this is soooo boring...can't we go on some rides???? (all in total whine mode of course).

 

[lc1965]

I think all of VAN's comments are fabulous and right on the money.

We usually stay at Riverside, so we grab some lunch at their food court or at Port Orleans. Then we take a leisurely Sassagoula Riverboat ride to Downtown Disney, where we get all of our shopping urges out of our system. Last time we drove over to Wilderness Lodge to see the holiday decorations and eat at their popular restaurant. (We're big believers in seeing the other resort hotels.)

I can't imagine you won't be completely exhausted, so my best suggestion would be not to make any set plans! lol. Start slow & don't hesitate to turn back for a nap.