First Day Itinerary (MCO to DS to WL to DHS?)

[DirectGirl]

Are we trying to do too much? Is this feasible?
9:20 am - Flight Arrives at MCO
Will Need to Get Rental Car and Bags
11:15 am Lunch at T Rex Cafe
1 pm check-in/hang out in lobby at Wilderness Lodge
2:30 -3 pm leave for DHS (have 3:50 pm droid reservation)

 

[DWillowBay]

whew! Yes. Have to say that sounds like a lot, for me at least. Is it possible to move your lunch to Whispering Canyon (in the lobby of Wilderness Lodge) rather than go from airport to DS to WL to DHS? You could get to DHS earlier and enjoy more of it than just hitting time markers throughout the day. I imagine that there's someone in your party who likes dinosaurs. Does T-Rex fit anywhere else in your stay? I hope this all works out well for you and that you have a great trip!

 

[Schneewittchen37]

I think you might be cutting it a bit close with that early lunch reservation.

 

[CynBeth]

I would not book a lunch on arrival day. Our last trip the flight departed 2 hours late due to a mechanical issue. By the time we got our bags and rental car and drove to our resort and stopped to drop off luggage in our room we missed our early afternoon FPs and were so glad we did not book an ADR except for dinner that day.

 

[DirectGirl]

Le sigh... I don't know what to do. I hate second guessing my plan - all of this planning and reservation is making me resent the vacay a bit.

 

[DirectGirl]

I imagine that there's someone in your party who likes dinosaurs. Does T-Rex fit anywhere else in your stay? I hope this all works out well for you and that you have a great trip!

We do (a 2 & 4 year old - both <3 dinos and SW), but it doesn't really fit anywhere else, since it's a super short stay b/f cruise. Thanks for the well wishes!

 

[gharter]

Personally, if you are not going to spend any time at DS except for lunch, that is out of the way.
I would get lunch at Wilderness or just grab QS at HS (not great options) as mentioned above.
However, since your kids love dinos, it makes sense.
Any chance of moving your ADR to 11:45? That buys you a little more time.
If you have any delays at the airport, you will not make the 11 ADR.
The rest looks very doable.

 

[DirectGirl]

Personally, if you are not going to spend any time at DS except for lunch, that is out of the way.
I would get lunch at Wilderness

The earliest lunch time I can get at Whispering Canyon is 12:50, which is OK I guess, but sort means that we have to go to DHS right after lunch (closer to kids nap time). I was hoping for a break in between. Now the break is before lunch, which I wouldn't personally mind, IF we could get into the room, which I am sure won't happen. Fiddle sticks. NM - Found a reservation for us at noon at WC. Maybe that's the way to go.

 

[DisneyDillyDally]

like others have said, I would ditch the DS lunch reservation. WL has a great bar restaurant on the water that could do nicely for kicking off that I’m on vacation feeling, and you don’t need to worry about a reservation.

 

[mountdew1]

That lunch might be tight. Especially if you are checking luggage. If you can get away with carry ons, that would help alot. Or if you can divide and conquer with one person getting the rental while the other grabs bags. I'd say its doable, but you need to sit near the front, not make any bathroom breaks at MCO and hope your bags get pulled quick.

 

[KMarston]

We have a 4yo DGS who loves dinosaurs and are considering T-Rex on arrival day. Rather than get an ADR I’m considering ordering the Landry’s card that gives you front of the line privileges. You could do that then skip checking in early at WL if there’s a time crunch.

 

[HeiHei2018]

I just looked back at our last trip, and I would worry about that ADR. Our flight landed on time at 1:05, our luggage came really quickly, we did not rent a car (picked up by family already at the terminal), we had SunPass (no stopping for tolls), and we hit no traffic. It was still a full hour before we arrived on Disney property.

 

[itsdisneytime]

I'm sure you're feeling overwhelmed & I'm praying it doesn't make for a stressed out trip.
I'm hating to point this out ... but, Disney Springs is FARRRR from a quick in & out. I personally, do valet there to try and avoid some of the traffic on the area, but .... my goodness between the busses & cars, it's a nightmare at DS to get around. You need PLENTY of time.
Not to mention..... (and it may be because I'm getting old and slower) but .... you're not factoring in wait times to "get luggage" ... "get the rental car" ... (I've seen nice people go mad waiting in line at rental lines)...
Emotions run high on trips. You want everything to go "perfect" and I'm sure it will be as perfect as it can get. Enjoy making memories. Have fun

 

[Nancyg56]

Le sigh... I don't know what to do. I hate second guessing my plan - all of this planning and reservation is making me resent the vacay a bit.

I think your Whispering Canyon Cafe is the better choice, however I would not even make that one. If you are resenting the planning, perhaps you are trying to plan too much and maybe let yourself wing it that first afternoon. There are plenty of CS choices between DHS and WL to choose from, and while your child may like dinosaurs, he will not miss what he does nto know is there.

Travel day is rough, and can be so tiring on parents and kids alike. If you are arriving at 9:30 Am that means you will be up early for the flight. And probably up late the night before. I would not add more stress by trying to get to any appointment once I arrived on vacation. That stress can set the tone for your trip.

 

[DirectGirl]

Good points! What he doesn't know, he won't miss. And, this will set the tone.

 

[sunflowerblooms]

I am usually the one who pushes the Disney envelope and cheers others as they are set off on their own foolish mortal plans but in this case I think your current plan to head straight to Wilderness Lodge and skip Disney Springs is excellent. The lodge itself offers a few nooks and crannies worthy of a fun and low stress adventure that will stretch your legs after the journey and also give you a chance to catch your breath. Your first day lunch at Disney is really to put food in your kids so there is a better chance they will keep it together for the rest of the day. I think you will find this choice the best way to start your vacation on the right foot. I hope you all have a great time.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Are you only staying one night before your cruise? Do you have plans prior to going to port? If not, could you have an early lunch at TRex prior to leaving for the port? Other idea, from MCO, go to the WL, have a QS lunch there (far more flexible than having an ADR on arrival day), go to DHS and then TRex for dinner? If you get the Landry's Select Card, as someone mentioned above, you can show up (or not show up) at TRex at any time and get priority seating without a reservation. That way, you can make the decision as to whether you will go to TRex or not at the last minute. The card costs $20, but that $20 goes toward your dining bill. Even if you end up not using it this trip, it's good at any Landry's restaurant throughout the country. https://www.landrysselect.com/

 

[Breezy2]

Just some experienced traveler and frequent DW guest advice....we NEVER plan an itinerary around a flight arrival time at an airport. This is something you have absolutely no control over and causes built in stress and a horrible way to start a vacay. Your flight could be cancelled, delayed, rerouted, and though it "lands" at 9:20 will the gate be available? How long will the lines be at the rental car counter, and/or, do they have a car for you that's ready to go? You are already stressed out by your own planning and vacay hasn't started yet. RELAX.....you have a flight reservation and a hotel reservation-that much is a given. Enjoy the flight, get to the hotel, and slow down at Wilderness Lodge. You've arrived ☺ I would drop the T-Rex ressie or change it to dinner, enjoy lunch at Wilderness Lodge Geyser Point. Depending on timing, reassess the droid ressie when you get to WL or do lunch at HS to make things easier. Once you hit WL the kiddos are ready to jump in the pool and you may be too . Ahhh, now that's the way to start a vacay.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

Good points! What he doesn't know, he won't miss. And, this will set the tone.

100% this.

You're putting way too much pressure on yourself (which we tend to do as moms).

If you’re landing at 920 what time will you have to get up? Keep in mind some of you may be tired and a wee bit cranky, especially if pushed and/or rushed.

I think getting all your ducks in a row upon arrival and relaxing at the resort until you leave for DHS is the best way to go. Way too much pressure and stress with the alternative plan and travel days are already high stress and exhausting.

Have a wonderful trip

 

[DirectGirl]

I appreciate everyone's input. You have me convinced - skip DS. It's funnny how much our plans have shifted. I booked, thinking that Sat (arrival day) would be easy peasy (TRex and WL pool), and that Sunday would be 1 day at MK, b/f cruise on Monday. Well months later, Sat is now Star Wars day (droids, sabers, Oga's and ALL), and Sun is MK ALL DAY (character meals, FP and xmas parade).... so I appreciate the words of advice. As I type this out, I actually now feel relieved to cut TRex.