First Day Traditions

[Miaka1]

Well, its a slow day at work, and willing time to go faster doesn't seem to be working (15 days!!!)
So, I was wondering, do you have a first day tradition? First ride tradition?

For me, first day is always Downtown Disney, now Disney Springs. I just have to get me a white chocolate covered rice crispy treat!

First ride, always the carousel in MK. Always makes me feel like a kid again!

 

[GreatLakes]

We don't do parks on arrival day. The majority of the time we go to AKL and spend some time looking at the savannas before having dinner at Boma.

 

[Flamingeaux]

Well, its a slow day at work, and willing time to go faster doesn't seem to be working (15 days!!!)
So, I was wondering, do you have a first day tradition? First ride tradition?

For me, first day is always Downtown Disney, now Disney Springs. I just have to get me a white chocolate covered rice crispy treat!

First ride, always the carousel in MK. Always makes me feel like a kid again!

Same here, I am at work and I have 18 days left. Our tradition was to go to DtD and eat at the Earl followed by some light shopping. Now it is to head to MK for some time night time fun - 7DMT and Wishes.

 

[jvncnt]

On the day of arrival, we always spend the day at the resort and if weather permits, at the pool and arcade. No shopping, no rides, just hanging out and getting into being on vacation. For some reason, decompression doesn't start for us until after we are checked in at the hotel since traveling is usually a hassle. Since we usually stay at AKL, take in savannah views, etc. and then roll to RD the next morning.

 

[nherbert]

We always arrive in the middle of the night after 18hour flight, we go straight to be bed, exhausted
Next day we get the early bus to DHS, queue to get our APs activated hoping it will be quick and then get in the RD crowd for rush to TSMM always our first ride, come out smiling and so excited for the rest of the trip.

 

[JESSketeer]

Our first day tradition is spending time at the resort, usually in the pool, followed by heading to DTD for dinner! This year was a little different since we were on our honeymoon, on our first day we headed over to the Poly for dinner at Ohana, which was delicious!!

 

[PantherPete]

DHS and the 50's Primetime Cafe is our tradition since it is close to the Beach and Yacht Clubs where we stay. We spend a few hours there, have dinner then get to bed early so that we can hit the MK bright and early. We usually head back to DHS for a 1/2 day later in the week. That is the only thing I really like about FP+. I can hit everything I want to hit there without having to get there at the rope drop.

 

[BudgieMama]

With a transatlantic flight, a park on our arrival day is a no go, really. Check in, settle in and try and stay awake as late as we can are high on our tradition list! If we're awake enough this time, we'll pop to Disney Springs to pick up the free gift card or maybe go for a swim... other than that, it's chill and have a Mickey crispy treat!

 

[ajwolfe]

We always go into Magic Kingdom on our arrival day - even if it is just in time to watch Wishes. Something about seeing the castle on the first day gets us ready for the whole trip!

 

[busymommy2pink]

We are 14 days out!!!!!! Our arrival days vary from trip to trip! This trip we are heading to Disney Springs for dinner at Fulton Crab House (a new experience for us) and we will stop at the shops, probably Goofy's Candy shop and the Christmas store. We will likely leave World of Disney and Legostore for later in the trip.

One trip we went straight to MK, with no plan. We took my teenage sister for her first time, and we wanted her to just be able to take in all of MK without being overwhelmed, it's a lot! Probably one of my fav MK visits ever. We didn't ride a whole lot, or do much persay, but just seeing it through her eyes, even as a teen, and just taking in the magic, was such a special experience.

Another trip, we stayed AKL and just enjoyed the lodge the entire arrival day.

Can't wait to get back!

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

After we pull out of the airport garage with the rental car, the very first thing is to play "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" in the car. It has to be the Patti Austin version from the "Disney's Music from the Park" CD. Every trip starts this way. It's our family's little tradition!

 

[EricInPA]

The first attraction must be the Enchanted Tiki Room!

 

[jiminyfan]

Checkin, drop off our stuff, go to Spice Road for lunch, then our son goes to MK and we go to La Cava del Tequila. Never gets old.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Our arrival day dinner is always Chef Mickey's and our first park day is always MK. This time we are going to MK on arrival day, but in the past we haven't done any parks on arrival day. The difference is that now my parents winter in FL about 30 min. from WDW so we are flying down, spending the night at their place, and then going to WDW the next morning. We have our ADR for Chef Mickey's all set, and we'll see what we're feeling when we enter MK. In the past the kids have wanted to head straight for Dumbo, but they are older now, so we'll see what they want first!

 

[tinkerbella16]

We have had arrival day tradition for years! We always go to Epcot first after checking into the resort. Spaceship Earth is always the first ride to kick off the trip. It has been that way for us for many years, it just wouldn't seem right to go to another park on arrival day. I arrive next Thursday, and I plan to spend the early afternoon in Epcot, then head back to POR and then take the boat to Disney Springs to meet friends for dinner at Raglan Road- so excited!!! Our first FULL day tradition is always an early wake up, followed by an early breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe and then take monorail MK. No better way to start the trip! Only 9 days to go now!!!

 

[Mainemama]

Ours has really varied, due to arrival times between 10:00 a.m. And 9 pm! For midday arrivals, we enjoy going to Epcot first. We hit a few rides and enjoy dinner. Sort of depends on where we stay, though! Our first MK visit of the trip, I enjoy heading to Splash as a first ride. The whole family (okay, the tall enough members!) loves Splash. We tend to hit Fantasyland (new and old) on rope drop mornings, so exploring the "left side" of the park is a fun trip start in the afternoons.

 

[phillymummer]

First day is MK and first ride is HM!

 

[kalz0ne]

Same here, I am at work and I have 18 days left. Our tradition was to go to DtD and eat at the Earl followed by some light shopping. Now it is to head to MK for some time night time fun - 7DMT and Wishes.

18 days over here too!

 

[yankeepenny]

AK, strolling around, and the Tree of Life visiting, all while eating a Mickey bar. Then, I like an early 5 pm dinner at Yak and Yeti. I go back to home resort and get Hot Tea in my mug and catch the movie at the main pool of my resort.

 

[kiford]

The first time we went in early December, we didn't have any ADRs for the first night. We got to the hotel late afternoon, we rested for a bit and changed clothes then went out to Epcot, wandered around a bit and watched the drummer at the Japan Pavillion. Then we decided to see if they had any available seating which they did. We had a really relaxing dinner and then wandered through Epcot again and watched Illumination. We had such a lovely time, it's become a tradition. So now for our first night we always book Teppan Edo for dinner and meander through Epcot until it's time for Illuminations.