Day of arrival at WDW

[cinmell]

What do you do the day you arrive at WDW? Do you have a tradition? We generally go to the pool that day and then have a character dinner at either Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare. This year we may head over to the MK the day we arrive for a while. What about you?

 

[lizzie64]

Hi cinmell,

We have a 7 am flight, so I think we're going to make our first day a pool day. We're staying at the Poly and hopefully the weather will agree with us. If not, then maybe downtown disney.

We have PS for the Hoop De Doo show at 5pm. Thought we'd get back to the Poly and watch the fireworks, but alas, no fireworks that night.

Can you see illuminations from the Poly?

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

We either get to WDW in the afternoon so we head right over to the Magic Kingdom and ride pirates, or at about one in the morning so we wait until the next day and do it. No matter what that is the first thing that has to be done.

 

[stinkerbelle]

FUNNY - I think, without realizing it, that's the same thing my honey and I do (Pirates) after arriving to WDW...the last two times we have been, we've always hit MK and pirates first I believe!

 

[gonga]

We always get in before noon...dressed and ready for the park. First thing HM...and just walking thru the MK feeling like a kid again.

 

[Pirate Mickey]

We typically drive in and arrive in the afternoon. The trips where we did not have our APs we would go to DTD and shop and eat. This would get us in the Disney spirit without having to burn a day on our passes.

 

[slp87]

We usually arrive in the early evening so we eat at Beaches & Cream, get my DD a hair wrap and go to bed early ready to hit the parks the next day.

 

[*Fantasia*]

unfortunately we have to take the later flight. My son still have school on the day we leave. By the time we settle down in our room...it will probably be around 10:30pm....so there really is nothing much we really could do...unfortunately.

 

[Jen D]

We've been twice and tried two things. We always arrive late morning (having left on an evil morning flight) and are at the resort by noon. Swimming is a priority no matter what. The first time, we swam, and then went to Epcot. But between lunch, swimming, and checking in, we didn't make it to Epcot until 4pm. It was fine, we did Illuminations, but I decided next time we wouldn't do a park and "take it easy."

When we went last time we also got in early and made it to the resort at lunchtime. We went swimming for a while and ate; went to Downtown Disney for a while, then Chef Mickey's for dinner. Frankly, after an early morning flight (and lack of sleep-- I never sleep the night before a trip)-- this didn't really qualify as taking it easy! We were still running around a lot and the Kid passed out on the bus.

Next time I resolve to REALLY take it easy our first day and just relax at the resort-- swim and veg by the pool, nap, and have a nice dinner at the resort. Some people like to go-go-go on their first day. In theory, I like the idea, but I think if I relax and soak up the resort vibe I'm in better shape for touring. Just my opinion!

 

[Ratpack]

We always eat at Chef Mickey's the day we arrive and then the rest of the day is spent doing things outside the parks; front car of monorail, swimming, DTD and so forth.

 

[Matty_Disfan]

Why do so many people go to Chef Mickey's when they arrive?

I've never been....

 

[KFISCHER]

We relax, walk around the hotel, swim if there's time.... but we always dine at California Grill our first night.
Nice, relaxed dinner, good drinks, fireworks...then we're ready to dive into the parks the next day!

 

[jennymouse]

The last two trips we've hit the parks upon arrival. Like Jen D. I can never sleep the night before a trip, but went to the parks tired. For our upcoming June trip, we won't be arriving until around 4pm. We're staying the first two nights at the Poly (our first visit there) so we'll just check out the resort, dinner PS at Ohana at 7:20, see the fireworks & water parade, then call it a night. I think I like this plan better.

 

[Jen D]

Why do so many people go to Chef Mickey's when they arrive?

The idea is to start your trip off with a character meal-- but it probably won't be breakfast because you won't be there in time, so it has to be dinner, and if you don't want to burn a day on your park passes, you need a resort dinner, so that mean's Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Faire. A lot of people pick Chef Mickey's for the Mouse, the monorail...

I did it because everyone recommended I go my first night. Fine to do once, and characters were good, but not again. The good was just too mediocre for the price. Maybe next time we'll try the Ohana+fireworks plan.

 

[B'rer Karen]

My plan depends on when I arrive. If I take the first flight out, I'm at the resort by 8:30 am, and I immediately head to MK. Generally Splash Mountain is my first ride.

If I take the last flight out, I'm at the resort by 8:30 pm, then I head to downtown Disney, have dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, then head into Pleasure Island to the Adventurer's Club.

 

[The Duchess]

The last three trips we have arrived at about 5pm (driving from Southeastern MASS) at Fort Wilderness. We stay at the cabins that Friday night, eat at Trail's End, visit the General Store, catch the Outdoor movie and S'mores. Fort Wilderness seems like a lot of fun, but I don't know if I could take a full week there!
Early the next day we move over to YC for the week.

 

[madthemouse]

We arrive mid-afternoon, check-in to our resort, go for a swim, then head over to the Poly catch the resort monorail to the TTC. There we change monorails for the ride to EPCOT and back. This gets us in the vacation mode at WDW. Back to the Poly for the lighting of the torches and then off to DTD for some shopping.

 

[photobob]

We drive in and usually arrive around 4pmish. Check in, unload the car. DW sends me, DD and DS to the resort pool while she arranges the room and unpacks. She wants everyone out of the room while she does that and gives her the only time of solitude for the week. Since we are staying at POFQ this trip we may take an early evening boatride to Downtown Disney for shopping and dinner. Early to bed, early rise the next day for first day in the parks..

 

[eeyore#5]

We usually drive so when we get to WDW it always around 2:00. So we just lounge around the pool and relax.

 

[glewis1123]

Well, we fly in from California - leaving there around 6 or 630AM and not arriving at MCO til anywhere between 330 - 530 depending on the airlines.

Unless its an "e-night" my husband will take our son down to the pool while I unpack and then I'll join them poolside for a drink before heading out for dinner and some decent food - then we'll walk around the resort and check things out and just relax.