Arriving at SSR at approximately 6pm, worth it to head to the park that night?

[luv2sleep]

We are flying into FL from LA on Jan 1st. Our flights gets in at 4:50 so I figure ME won't get us there until at least 6pm or later. We are staying 3 nights. I will be with my 6 year old. Is it better to just hang out at DTD or the resort that night, eat dinner, swim (if not too cold, of course), etc and not try to hit DHS that night? I want to see the Osbourne Lights and different decorations. This isn't a ride focused trip.

 

[DisK]

If you have an annual pass, i'd go!! If not, I don't think it would be worth the cost to go for a few hours, but that's just me!

 

[luv2sleep]

If you have an annual pass, i'd go!! If not, I don't think it would be worth the cost to go for a few hours, but that's just me!

Thanks! No annual pass and no rental car either. Was also wondering if bus transport would be a hassle for just a couple of hours. Probably not.

 

[heynowirv]

Not to mention on a flight like that you might be feeling just a bit burned out and just chillin' may not be a bad idea. After some food and sleep you'll have a different perspective in the morning.

 

[AnnaS]

If I had an AP - I would also say why not!

You might be tired and not sure if it will be worth an extra day/park ticket - then again you might want to squeeze in as much time as possible. So how often do you go and when will you be back? Have you seen the Osborne Lights before? How late is DHS open that night? Some things to consider.

For me - I would head over to DTD for dinner, walk around and possibly catch some entertainment. Get settled at the resort.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Last August, when we used Disney's Magical Express, our resort was the last drop-off and our wait, from queue to resort arrival, was over 1.5 hours. Also, my flights out of LAX, especially later in the day, rarely departed on time. Instead of planning on an hour, I would suggest planning on arriving around 7pm or later.

Personally, I would plan on a night at the resort, which would include dinner and pool time. However, if our flight and resort arrival were earlier than anticipated, then we would likely reevaluate upon arrival.

 

[DreamerWDW]

If it were me, I'd definitely go into the parks. Especially if coming all the way from the West coast. I'd maximize my park time and take full advantage of seeing all the holiday decorations and doing the holiday events like the Osborne lights. The castle lights are just beautiful and I'd head to the MK that night and see them. But that's just me!

Have a great trip!

 

[keaster]

Without an annual pass I'd say no, I wouldn't want to waste a whole day ticket on just a couple of hours.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since Jan. 1 is mid-week this time, I'd probably go to the parks, since they will be open later. If Jan. 1 was on a Sunday, I'd say forget it, because they would likely reduce park hours that night.

One of the best things about having APs is the ability to go even for an hour or two and not feel like you are "wasting" a day.

 

[DizBub]

One of the best things about having APs is the ability to go even for an hour or two and not feel like you are "wasting" a day.

Annual passes are awesome. Can't go back to regular daily tickets.

 

[Kidanifan08]

HS closes at 8 every night you are there, so I would probably save HS for another day. Your bodies will still be on west coast time. If your 6 yo naps on the flight, then maybe head to MK that evening of 1/1. It will be open until 11PM and you can catch the MSEP at 9 and Wishes at 10. Of course, if you are buying regular park tickets, that evening could cost you about $180, so only you know if it is worth it.

You could always take a bus to MK and just visit the monorail resorts that evening. You could probably watch Wishes from TOTWL, although I don't know if it is open to all DVC members staying on points in 2014 and on that day.

 

[Ellester]

I would also go to the parks. We've arrived at SSR in the evening and headed to MK arriving around 7pm and had a great evening staying till the midnight close! Since midnight EST will feel like 9pm to you, I would go for it. If your flight is delayed and you don't feel like going once you get to the resort, you can always do that as well.

 

[BestDadEver]

If you have an annual pass, i'd go!! If not, I don't think it would be worth the cost to go for a few hours, but that's just me!

I wouldn't do it either it's a waste . I'd just chill at DTD there is lots of stuff to do there and no admission fee

 

[nolanboys]

I wouldn't do it either it's a waste . I'd just chill at DTD there is lots of stuff to do there and no admission fee

Spend a couple of hours at DTD and get a good night sleep so you're ready for rope drop.

 

[luv2sleep]

Spend a couple of hours at DTD and get a good night sleep so you're ready for rope drop.

Haha that won't happen. We can't even make that at Disneyland in our own time zone!

We will just relax that night and hit a park the next day. Thanks!

 

[luv2sleep]

Woot! My waitlist came through for VWL! Looks like we will be hitting MK that night if we can. Will check the times.