Arriving at 5:30pm. Help me plan my first night!

[wdwnut2]

I'm down to 24 (yipee!) days and have my intinerary all set (yeah, right!) except for our first night. We (me and DH) are getting into Orlando at 5:30 pm and then taking a rental car to AKL to check in. After that I have nothing planned! I don't know that I should make a PS because I really don't know what time we'll end up checking in, never know about late flights, etc. I had thought about going to River Roost at POR to hear Piano Man Bob and having drinks and snacks there, but my husband doesnt seem to think that sounds very exciting... Any ideas out there? Would you make a PS if you were arriving that late? (well, its not THAT late, but you know what I mean)

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would make a PS at Bomas for 7 or later. You will want to spend some time exporing AKL, and hanging out watching the animals from your balcony. AKL also has a great loung area and the pool is fantastic!

 

[Harambe]

I like Diane's idea, also. But if hubby wants to go "out", head over to the Tambu Lounge at the Poly. They have great appetizers (really fill you up!) then go out to the beach and catch the fireworks, if they are having them.

Ride the monorail back to Epcot and hop a bus back the AKL. Go to Victoria Falls for a night cap.

 

[anne60]

Is that December 4? If so, then you will be landing thirty minutes before us! It is a MVMCP night, so we plan to head over to the Poly, out to the beach to watch the fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant. After that, if we're not too pooped, we might take the monorail over to the GF to look at the Christmas decorations, then back to the MK to hop on a bus back to our resort (the lowly but economical All Star Music!). I can't wait!

 

[susy]

Make a late Ps for Boma or Jiko. AKL is so wonderful you will not want to leave!!!!!

 

[WhispyPixie]

You could always go over to Downtown Disney and wander around window shopping! Grab a hotdog from the vendor and roam and have a nice relaxing evening! Our family loves to do this one of the first few evenings!

 

[KevinFSU]

I wouldn't try and do too much. Make a PS for dinner somwhere (might as well be Boma). After that, I'd go sit in the lobby for awhile. Just sit back, look around, and just let it sink in that you are finally, finally there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I do think the Christmas decorations at the GF are worth the time to see, they are special.

Bobbi

 

[pixiedust519]

When do they usually take down the Christmas decorations at the resorts? We will be arriving on Jan 1 and would love to see them.

Alyssa

 

[Harambe]

I think they come down around Jan 2 or 3! They were up on New Year's Day when we were there!

 

[wdwnut2]

Wow, all these ideas, I'm more confused then ever!! LOL! I think I'll make a PS for Boma (I have one later that week for Jiko) and then just see what happens. It is vacation after all, I don't want to schedule everything! Hubby was talking about going to PI but I think that would be better the following night. I'm always a little wiped out our first night of vacation, when he is ready is go party ( can you guess who does all the pre-vacation work, packing, cleaning, laundry, etc ).

 

[helenm29]

Lets see....if I were going without kids I would probably check in and go to Pleasure Island. Sounds like a great place to go! We will be at DW from 12/4 - 12/11 with three kids so that is not an option for us. We actually arrive at 5:30 pm 12/3 and decided that with as long as flight that we had we are just going to stay in a suite off sight for the first night and rest up for the park the next day. We'll check in at the Yacht Club on 12/4 rested and ready to GO!

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
I would make a PS at Bomas for 7 or later. You will want to spend some time exporing AKL, and hanging out watching the animals from your balcony. AKL also has a great loung area and the pool is fantastic!

This one gets my vote!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by pixiedust519
When do they usually take down the Christmas decorations at the resorts? We will be arriving on Jan 1 and would love to see them.

Alyssa

I've been the very first week in January for the last 3 years and find that it varies a little. However, if there's someplace you have your heart set on seeing, get over there the very first day. Because when decorations come down, it seems to happen overnite! Unfortunately, GF seems to be one of the first. However, I was at AKL 1/5/2002 and decorations were still up there. At POR 1/8/2000, they were still up, but not 1/5/2001. So there isn't one definite "take-down day".