First Day Help

[F5CHASER]

My wife, kids, and I will be arriving on Sat 12/4 at about 11am and planning to be to the ASMo by 1pm. We have a pkg with unlimited park hopper passes so I'm wondering if we should go to a park that first day or just hang out at Downtown Disney. Any suggestions?

 

[crow11ad]

Hey there they are arriving the same day as us. I don't know how many days they are going to be there, but I can give you a suggestion or 2 if it will help.

THat day we are arriving at about the same time. We are getting our rental car then heading to WL. We will probably look around our resort a little, then we are going to DTD and eating at Earl of Sandwich. After walking around a little bit, we are heading back and checking out some of the resorts. THen back to our resort for our ps at FW for HDDR.

 

[hockey mom]

If that were me with ultimate hoppers I would be staring at the castle by 2.

 

[NMAmy]

If I was getting there that early, I'd head over to a park for a bit. MK will probably be crowded but we never feel like we're really THERE until we see the castle and hit a couple of old favorites (like Tomorrowland Transit Authority).

Have a great trip!

 

[princess lovers mom]

YES go to the parks...catch the parade and fireworks at MK or do EPCOT and stay for fireworks...magical way to start your trip!!

I wouldn't waste an evening by not going to the parks...don't count it as a full day, go expecting to do 1-2 things and you won't be disappoiinted...

you might want to look at the schedules when they are out to make sure that something like spectro isn't showing just that evening of your trip...

 

[kandmwedding]

Originally posted by hockey mom
If that were me with ultimate hoppers I would be staring at the castle by 2.

Ditto!!! Normally I would never "waste" a park day on my travel day, but with an unlimited park hopper I'd be there in a second. It'd take all I have in me not to go straight from the airport with all my luggage!!

 

[ErinInCT]

Here is whate we are doing, which I think provides a great 1st day initiation to WDW:
Go to MK & get times schedule for shows.
Go to Harmony Barber shop for pixie dusting in hair!
Watch SADCT parade.
Watch Cinderella's Surprise Celebration in front of castle.
Listen to Belle's Story time behind castle.
(We have 2 girls, but you can do Sword in the Stone if you have boys)
PS for CP to have dinner with Pooh.
Watch Wishes!
We aren't going to ride any rides, just do the shows & take everything in!
Then we're heading back the very next day to do rides & we won't have to take time out to watch the shows.
We're literally dumping our luggage & heading right to the park!
Have a great time!

 

[crow11ad]

but if you arrive on a Saturday, the 4th of December and they are supposed to be filming the Christmas parade that weekend, do you really want to try and go over to the MK? I know the 1st 2 weeks are supposed to be value season with low crowds. But I just didn't want you to go all out to the MK and as so the ones above has pointed out "It probably won't hit you until you see the castle" but do what makes you happy.

Do you know how hard it will be for us staying at WL and the first day not taking the boat over and just walking down Main St.?

 

[F5CHASER]

I had already counted out MK in my mind because of the Christmas Parade taping on that date. I'm leaning toward going to a park, either Epcot or MGM and taking in one of the nighttime shows. It's such a tough decision!! We've already got Sunday 12/5, our first full day, booked for MK the entire day from 8am Crystal Palace Character Buffet til MVMCP that night!