First Day Tradition

[wdwpirates]

I never really gave this much thought but I just realized that typically on the first day we end up at MGM for the morning/afternoon, come back to the resort, eat dinner at 'Ohana and then try to hit MK. Interesting!!

 

[sc9500]

We have this silly tradition w/ my daughter that as we pass thru the welcome gate entering WDW property we usually yell with our hands up in the air "DISNEY! " and proceed to hand out hugs... rather silly but it works...

 

[cloverkat]

We usually skip the parks on the first day.We generally spend some time at the Florida mall on our way in from the airport.After the mall we head to a grocery store and then head to the hotel.After check in we relax in the room for a while and then head to Downtown Disney.Sometimes we will end the evening by catching a movie but most times we just make it an early night since we take an early morning flight and are pretty much wiped out by 8:00 pm.

 

[duckfan78]

The only thing that we do first EVERY time, is ride the shuttle from the gates to the main building at Orlando Int'l Airport.

After that (as you pointed out) it can change with the schedule of the events and hours of the parks.

We love to schedule the Hoop De Doo Revue on our first night, but if we go to WDW 3 times a year, we may only do the Hoop "every-other" trip, or so.

im a little confused..doesnt everyone coming into the airport have to ride the shuttle to the main building? or were you just being funny?

 

[mello]

We usually get to WL around 9 a.m. or so. If our room is ready, we take our bags there, but if it isn't, we just leave it with the bellman. Then, we ride the boat over to the MK! We always have to ride the train from the Main Street station all the way back around to the front. Then we can walk down Main Street and get up close to the castle and believe we're finally back! Then, we just wing it for the rest of morning/early afternoon and eat lunch at Cosmic Ray's. Then, we head back to WL and if our room is finally ready, take the bags up. Then, we get ready for our dinner ADR at Chef Mickey's and ride the boat over to the Contemporary a little early to explore the resort. We always have to get our tradition pic taken in the big metal Mickey ears out by their pool! After Chef Mickey's, we ride the monorail to the MK and watch Spectro and Wishes.

We did the ADR at Chef Mickey's our first trip, and I would do that every time if we could, but since we come from the west coast, we don't land until evening, so it was a bit stressful trying to get there on time. We decided that our 1st night's ADR had better be at whatever resort we're staying at from now on. Perhaps we ought to try staying at Contemporary or WL - that would sure make it easier! I love that boat ride from WL to MK.

 

[Disneyaunt4]

We always do MK first and our first ride is Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

We never do our first day at a park since it's just a half day, so we decided our tradition (beginning last year) will be to do Beaches & Cream for lunch/kitchen sink, take both monorail rides around dusk (really gets everyone excited for the next day and the rides/buildings are just lit, but the sunlight is still bright enough to see everything clearly - it's beautiful!), and whatever else floats our boat to fill in the remaining time, usually something free like Downtown Disney, swimming, etc.

First park day is ALWAYS Magic Kingdom. Just not Disney World until I see that castle!!!!!!!

 

[aussieinvasion]

How do you know what is scheduled? And what does MVMCP stand for?

 

[lajones81]

On the first day, our family always catches and early flight, arrives in Orlando, checks into the hotel, and heads over to Downtown Disney.

 

[chiefcop]

Our first day tradition is to set up the camper @ FW, then find a grocery store.

 

[iluveeyore]

We used to drive down, and when we passed under the Walt Disney World sign (with butterflies of excitement in my stomach!) we would all yell "Woohoo!" Now that we fly and take ME, only DH and I do it quietly while our now older children sink lower in their seats (with big smiles on their faces!!).
We have never done the first day in a park, always pick up our rental car and head out to the Walmart Supercentre to get our groceries. Since we have AP's, if we're not too tired, we may hit MK for Wishes (my favourite!). Otherwise, just sitting on our patio at OKW as the sun goes down in amazement that we're finally there is a perfect tradition for me.

 

[isobar]

Magic Kingdom and Liberty Tree Tavern! WhooHoo