Extra day of passes worth it?

[Champs040713]

We're making our first trip down from NC in late Jan. Will get in on Mon afternoon is it worth the extra $30 to have park access on Mon night?

 

[Aliceacc]

Absolutely!!!

Check into your resort, and head right to a park.

We stay 7 nights, and get 8 day passes, heading to the parks on both our arrival and departure days.

 

[Champs040713]

Thanks I figured as much, even if it's just to take a quick spin around and get dinner...

 

[Klayfish]

Let's see. Is the sun hot? Is the sky blue? Is the ocean wet? There's your answer. Unquestionably yes.

 

[bashuck]

Yes because you get the same # of scheduled fastpasses whether you show up at 8am or 4pm. We really like the 3pm flight out of town as that gives us until noon for the magical express so we can use our last 3 FP the morning we leave.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I think so, but I think it depends on who's with you, what time you arrive, and how early you got up.to travel!
If you have little ones and have traveled far a resort afternoon with a relaxing dinner and comfy bed might be in order.
It is just DH and myself this time, and it's only a 2 1/2 hrs flight from PVD. By the time we hit MCO we are ready to see Mickey and friends.
There are a lot of options for arrival day!
DS, resort/pool time, etc. One time we had an ADR for Boma, and just toured AKL after our meal. It was a great way to start our trip!
Such terrible choices! lol

 

[aretha30]

On our arrival day we like to go to DS, explore our resort, just relax in general. We think hitting the parks on arrival or departure day (we drive) is just to much after (or before) being in the car all day. It isn't the expense of adding the day for us but the fact that a Disney vacation can be very tiring and any time we can relax for a few we do! If you have plans to be up early the next day you might want to think about staying in rather than hitting the parks late on your arrival day.

 

[IrishNYC]

We like to take our arrival day as a day to just relax, swim, and do nothing before hitting the ground running on our first full day there. Next trip we'll be taking a late afternoon flight down after school/work, so there won't be time to hit the park anyway.

 

[Koz]

Not happening for us. 630AM flight means that the kids are getting woken up no later than 430AM. Plane to Pool is the Plan.

 

[heath92681]

I'm considering adding a ticket for our arrival day. My boys want to see the MSEP and Wishes. Right now the plan is airport to resort to drop our stuff then MK for some QS dinner and parade/fireworks and maybe a couple rides.

 

[DisneyFive]

Yes!

-Dan

 

[DisneyFive]

Not happening for us. 630AM flight means that the kids are getting woken up no later than 430AM. Plane to Pool is the Plan.

We all do our vacations differently, but we have done that same situation a couple of times. Once checked into the resort (before noon), we spent the rest of the day at the parks until close.

-Dan

 

[GaryDis]

If you're uncertain, and you're already planning a multi-day pass, don't plan the extra day in advance. You can decide when you get there, and if necessary add the extra day to your existing passes the next morning. You'll only pay the incremental cost, which is likely to be the same $30.

Personally, I'd use the arrival day as an opportunity to go to DS (which I ordinarily wouldn't schedule) or possibly to a dinner at a different resort, and then explore the resort.

 

[Klayfish]

If it's really only $30 to add the extra day, I don't see a lot to lose. OP stated they would get in Monday afternoon. Guess it depends what time. If they don't arrive until 5pm and have been in the car all day, I'd be inclined to skip it too. If they leave early in the morning, arrive at 2pm, and most of the passengers slept a lot for the drive down, then without a doubt I'd go to the parks.

For us, we typically drive down after I get off work. It's a 7-8 hour drive and we usually leave around 4 or 5pm, so it's a non-issue for us...we don't arrive until midnight. When we used to live in PA, we had to fly down. We'd get an early am flight, such as 6:30am. We'd be at the parks by 10:00am. We were all tired and didn't make it a late night, but we still went to the park.

It also depends on how long your trip is. If it's only a few days, I'd take advantage of every possible second. If it's a really long trip, not as worried about it. OP also mentioned making their "first trip". If I'm a first time WDW visitor, I'd be in the parks whenever possible.

 

[gzmtlock]

Like a PP suggested, you might want to hold off until you are there; you can always add to your tickets later in your vacation. With an afternoon arrival in late January, travel can be unpredictable (whether by car or plane). Your arrival could be delayed by several hours or more; if so, then you've paid for a ticket you may no longer have the energy to use. Waiting until you arrive at WDW leaves you more options. . .

 

[Hootch]

We drive to WDW most years and stop in Atlanta on the way down to visit the in laws. This past trip we arrived at the resort around 3:30 and made it to the park around 5:00. I made the FP+ times closer to 6:00. Going to the park that night 1) decompressed the trip by covering some attractions that night and 2) scratched our itch for getting to the parks. Thirty bucks is way less than 1% of a Disney vacation (or NYC which we just finished visiting).

I agree with the others on waiting until you arrive to determine if you go. It's easy to add a day.

 

[RLGNC]

We're heading to FL from NC next month Arriving MCO around 10:30, planning to check-in and explore resort, and then head to MK early evening (around 5:00). Couldn't resist taking advantages of our FPs on arrival day, and also hope to catch Wishes. We will be there for 6 nights and have 6 day passes. Will not be going to parks on departure day, though. So my answer to your question is yes! Have a great trip!

 

[scrapquitler]

For my family? YES definitely worthwhile.

 

[katt789]

The obvious answer seems like yes, esp if it's only an extra $30. But it really does depend!
Most trips, we get in around 6pm, and just head to DTD or a nice dinner to kick things off (either at dtd or a resort) to get into the spirit, but not have to pay for a night we might not use/enjoy. You could be super tired

 

[goofyernmost]

I drive from Raleigh leaving at 6:30am and arrive at Disney (or vacinity) by 4:30pm. Even though I have been there 43 times I never attempt to got that evening. I spend the time relaxing from the trip, check out the area for new things, pick up some supplies from a store and chill out until the next morning. I have always been a believer that going anyplace tired will not give me the best experience so I don't even try.