Doing MK on arrival day

[Farps]

We also head straight to MK on our arrival day. And FP+ definitely helps in this case. So my vote is go for it! And have a great trip.

 

[Hootch]

I would go for it. We're driving in from Atlanta on the Sunday before Memorial Day. We should arrive around 3:30 PM but there could be traffic. I prefer going in arrival day just to get the feel of the parks and it's only $10/person extra. I like Big Thunder at night so we'll try for that Space Mountain and Seven Dwarves that evening. We are planning to schedule the first FP+ starting around 7:00 PM and each of the next two hours. The MK is open until midnight that night so we may get a couple of other good rides in that night. Who knows?

 

[sharona]

Also, if you don't plan on watching Wishes from Main St, you may find a lot of short waits during that time. We were on BTMRR one night during the fireworks and that was pretty cool. We rode BTMRR and Splash several times with minimal waits while most other guests were watching the show. A plus was that by the time we were ready to leave, the majority of the crowd was gone.

 

[nooneshome]

I just posted that we get to WDW around 4-5 PM and we love to head out to MK and get something to eat and watch Wishes. Last November we had three FPs but really only needed the one for 7DMT. My avatar is from that night.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

We always go! I also agree with previous posters. Assume that you will spend a bit of time exploring, grabbing a QS meal, then throw the FP+ in after that

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I normally go to MK on my arrival day too. It's a great way to start off the trip.

 

[mastermind307]

After looking at what things we want to do in the parks, I'm thinking it might be better to go to EPCOT on our arrival day. There are more things we want to get done in MK so having 2 full days there makes more sense. DD loves Test Track and that is the main reason we will go to EPCOT for 2 days. With FP+, we should be able to ride it and a couple of other things. I know food and wine is going on, but we wouldn't go over to world showcase. We went to EPCOT on our arrival day back in November 2011 during food and wine, and it was fine. Here's what I'm thinking. Arrive at VWL around 2. Catch a bus to EPCOT around 3. Get a FP+ for Test Track, Mission Space, and Spaceship Earth. If time allows we could walk through innoventions and ride Figment. We would hit up the rest of Future World (and TT again) and World Showcase on another day. We would probably leave around 7-7:30. Does this plan seem doable?

 

[NickEslick]

i would make your fast passes no earlier then 4 PM for MK. Now, getting from airport to your resort depends on a few different things. If you are flying an airline that Disney gets your bags for you and takes them to your room and you do not have to go to baggage claim, if you are lucky you could get on to your ME and leave within 5 minutes and in that case it may only take you 45-50 minutes from getting off your plane to your resort. Once you leave on ME expect your drive to WDW 30 minutes long, and then depending on your resort if you are first or last on the line it could take 5 minutes from the time you enter WDW to another 30 minutes. My point is that yes it could take 2 hours, but do not be surprised if you are at your resort by 1PM if you are landing at 12ish.

My family usually lands around 4 or 5 flying from California, and I have arrived at the GF 45 minutes after my plane landed one time. That was also lucky that they only filled the bus with about 6 groups of people going to only the GF.

 

[davkata]

So, you will probably think we are nuts for having done this...we arrived a day earlier than expected last Saturday in order to head off a blizzard on our planned flight day of Sunday. We booked a hotel near the airport as Disney had no rooms for that extra night that I was willing to pay the price for (we were staying value). Next moring nt back to the airport Sunday morning and caught our ME to ASSports. We lucked out and our room was ready!

Here's where we are crazy: Bus to DHS we got there by 10:30 for RnRC single rider 20 minute wait, did Great Movie Ride, bite to eat, caught bus over to AK for Everest single rider. Bus back to resort to grab jackets for evening. Bus to Epcot for Test Track single rider short wait, did The Seas and got one of those yummy Brioche ice cream things in France. Monorail to MK where we had our 3 FP+ booked for Space, 7DMT and Splash. Did all 3, saw MSEP in Frontierland and headed back to resort for night.

Yes, 4 parks in one day!! Crazy, I know and we spent a lot of the time on busses, but we were so excited we had gained that extra half day we wanted to ride all our favorites!! Our FP for our first day didn't start until after 7 pm. Like others, I allow at least 3 hours from landing to park entrance.

So, to answer your question, yes it's worth it for extra park time! Just plan to book your first FP for 3/3:30 or later and I agree don't book any you HAVE to ride unless you are doing them again. I also would not book any ADR for arrival day as you could get charge the cancellation if you have travel delays.

Enjoy! Your arrival day is our Anniversary!