First day planning?

[Cindyj88]

Hi! We have either 3 or 4 days for parks. We fly into Orlando at 9am on a Monday and will leave either Saturday or Friday-haven’t decided. If we get there Monday, do you think we should try to hit a park that afternoon? Kids 9, 11 so not going to be super tired and no time change flights. I want to maybe just check in and use hotel pool (Wyndham bonnet creek) and relax but because we are early, is that giving up a prime day to see a park?

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I used to go to the park on arrival day, but it is exhausting. I have since come to recommend against it.

 

[3gr8boys]

How often to you frequent WDW? Is this a first trip or have you been many times?

Personally, if I was going to be able to get to a park by noon (early afternoon even) on my arrival day, I would make it a park day. But we don't get there often (years between trips).

That said, if one of the kids expressed an interest in having a pool day, I would use a travel day for that if possible.

I think its worth pointing out that I like to maximize park time and am not into pool time... if you want a day by the pool, go for it

ETA I wouldn't trade a full park day to be able to go on arrival day.

 

[Cindyj88]

Thanks! First time to WDW with the kids although they been many times to Disney land. This will probably be a one and done for us which is why I’m thinking we should see Epcot, animal kingdom and Hollywood studios in addition to MK so if we leave Friday, which I’m more inclined to do, we should go ahead and try for a park Monday. Which park is easiest to visit around noon? If you’re only planning one day? I’m thinking Hollywood because they aren’t Star Wars fans and really would only be into tower of terror so we wouldn’t need to do genie a bunch.

 

[3gr8boys]

Thanks! First time to WDW with the kids although they been many times to Disney land. This will probably be a one and done for us which is why I’m thinking we should see Epcot, animal kingdom and Hollywood studios in addition to MK so if we leave Friday, which I’m more inclined to do, we should go ahead and try for a park Monday. Which park is easiest to visit around noon? If you’re only planning one day? I’m thinking Hollywood because they aren’t Star Wars fans and really would only be into tower of terror so we wouldn’t need to do genie a bunch.

Hopefully someone with more DL and WDW experience will offer some recommendations on how to approach your days. I usually have more park days at WDW and haven't been to DL since I was a little kid.

 

[Lar6767]

I used to try to do Disney Springs on arrival day. It's relatively low impact and let's you ease into it while still giving you the feeling of being there but it is pretty crowded all of the time now so the pool may be a better option at this point.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

If this is a one and done, I recommend going to Disney springs on arrival day for a few hours and then the pool, go to all 4 parks, and leave on Sat. There is so much to see, it would be a shame to rush.

 

[CynBeth]

Just keep in mind there could be a flight delay. Honestly with never being there I would stay as long as you can and do a park every day of your trip. Do 1 at each and then another day at MK and one of the others.

 

[_19disnA]

How often to you frequent WDW? Is this a first trip or have you been many times?

Those are the things that would matter most to us as well. Even if you have an early flight arrival (and flight is on schedule), it will still take some time to gather your luggage and then drive (regardless of whether rental car or some other paid service) to your hotel. Probably the last thing younger children want to do at Disney is go shopping at Disney Springs. They will likely be all excited about going to the various parks.

If you family is the go-go-go type compared to others who enjoy relaxing by the pool also matters. There is no one right way to do a Disney vacation.

 

[loves to dive]

We always go to the park on arrival day, we usually arrive between 2 and 4. We drive down and have done so since my son was just shy of 3. No way would he have given up going to the park on arrival day but back then we stayed at the monorail resorts and since you could MK it was kind of hard not to go. Now we stay at the Epcot resorts most of the time and it's too tempting not to walk to Epcot and grab some food.

Given your kids ages, I would say HS is probably a good bet but know lately, its been really crowded no matter what time of day you go. Park hopping starts at 2 so early afternoons tend to be a tad busier with people switching parks. AK is usually a lot more doable in the afternoons but also closes earlier than the other parks so you might not be able to get everything done in just an afternoon. Epcot might be a good choice since it doesn't have a lot of rides and other than Test Track, those don't tend to have too bad of waits. Bonus is if there is a festival going on (and when isn't there) there are usually some fun games (for a price) for the kids and snacking at the booths is always fun. First timers with kids tend to not enjoy Epcot as much as the other parks so half a day might work. I'll add, it was always my son's favorite park even over MK but he loves to learn and always had a good time talking to the CMs from different countries.

 

[PittPantherfan]

Our trips always start at MK no matter where we have stayed- there is just something walking down Main Street, seeing the castle, that gives us such good vibes and the feeling that we have "arrived". When my kids were this age - there is no way that I could have quelled their excitement to the next day. If we arrived late in the day - different story, go to bed early and then rope drop MK the next am. I guess it also depends on how long your flight is and when you had to get up to leave for you flight etc.

 

[lockets]

A lot of kids surprisingly prefer pools over theme parks. How about yours?

I would factor that in, and if they love pools do the half day at the pool instead.

also I don’t love the idea of paying Disney for a full theme park day to go for half a day, and who knows what happens with air travel these days so it might be pushed back more.

If it were me I’d do pool then full park days

 

[Cindyj88]

Thanks! We leave from DC at 7 so it’s just about 2 hour flight. Not bad. My 9 year old isn’t into big rides really and would most love Epcot and animal kingdom because he’s into learning and science and animals so I imagine we will want to spend full days there. We decided to leave Saturday so can make Monday the pool/resort rest day and go big on each park the other days! Thanks for responding!

 

[k5xs]

Thanks! We leave from DC at 7 so it’s just about 2 hour flight. Not bad. My 9 year old isn’t into big rides really and would most love Epcot and animal kingdom because he’s into learning and science and animals so I imagine we will want to spend full days there. We decided to leave Saturday so can make Monday the pool/resort rest day and go big on each park the other days! Thanks for responding!

Definitely a fan of day-of-arrival park visiting, and we usually make our first park EPCOT. And love that your son is into learning and science.

But beware that much of the science and technology learning is a heap of construction right now as Futureworld is transformed. There’s still plenty to do (Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Test Track), but understand Innoventions East and West are gone.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

Given you only have a few days, you get in early, and you don't think you'll be returning, I'd definitely go to a park on arrival day. I mean, I'm someone who goes to a park on arrival day no matter what. Our last trip we were up at 3am to make our flight, got to our resort around 10ish, and we spent a good chunk of the day in Epcot. We also had a pretty long stay, and there wasn't necessarily a big push to get into the parks that day, it's just that I'm always so excited to finally be there that I just can't wait to actually get into the parks. I think really it's down to personal preference - it's YOUR vacation, you do what makes you happiest - but if you want to maximize your time I think you've got plenty of time on arrival day to make your park time worthwhile.