First Day-WWYD

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

What would you do? We should be able to hit a park by 11am on our first day (Sat Oct 22). We're going to avoid Epcot over the weekend due to F&W, and HS likely has am EMH, so we'll avoid that park too. We could do MK, AK, or maybe hit one of the water parks, then DTD for dinner. I plan on doing the QS dining just for the first day. I can't wait for the Oct hours to come out so I can officially make our plans! FYI this will be our 4th trip and
1st DVC stay, so more relaxing this time around. We'll be staying for 7 nights.
Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[arthur06]

It seems that MK has a lot of EMH on Saturday Night's. When we go, MK is open until 2am. Are hours out for when you are traveling?

 

[Kidanifan08]

I say, let the kids decide. We always let our 4 year-old choose where we go the first day, which usually means MK. We have been to Disney in October of '08 and '09, and it is never very busy, no matter what park you are in. Avoiding Epcot on the weekend is probably a good idea, since it is quite busy on weekends that time of the year.

Wolfgang Puck's Express is a nice place for dinner at DTD and is a counter service. It participates in DDP if you have that for this trip.

Depending on the age of your kids, think about MNSSHP. We have done it twice. It is fun, but the parade is a little scary for toddlers. My son likes the regular wishes better than Halloween wishes!

Your going to love staying at DVC -- may I ask which resort?

 

[La2kw]

We usually stay out of the water parks on weekends since they seem more crowded. I vote for MK.

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

I say, let the kids decide. We always let our 4 year-old choose where we go the first day, which usually means MK. We have been to Disney in October of '08 and '09, and it is never very busy, no matter what park you are in. Avoiding Epcot on the weekend is probably a good idea, since it is quite busy on weekends that time of the year.

Wolfgang Puck's Express is a nice place for dinner at DTD and is a counter service. It participates in DDP if you have that for this trip.

Depending on the age of your kids, think about MNSSHP. We have done it twice. It is fun, but the parade is a little scary for toddlers. My son likes the regular wishes better than Halloween wishes!

Your going to love staying at DVC -- may I ask which resort?

I think we'll go with MK. Good to hear that the crowds are not too bad. We love WPE too! Our home resort is AKL-Kidani, we're really excited! I'm guessing you like it too?

 

[Kidanifan08]

Our home resort is AKL-Kidani, we're really excited! I'm guessing you like it too?

Good guess! We are heading there in October, as well, but we are leaving when you are arriving. What happens on the first day is always up to my son. We love escaping to the quiet darkness of Kidani, although we are considering trying to switch into another resort for part of our week. Our only DVC resort experiences have been AKV-K, SSR and my DW has stayed at OKW. We have both stayed in a room at the boardwalk for a conference, but not the villas.

You will love the pool at Kidani. We have not tried Sanaa for dinner yet, but Boma is very good.

Have a great trip!

 

[ssawka]

I think we'll go with MK. Good to hear that the crowds are not too bad. We love WPE too! Our home resort is AKL-Kidani, we're really excited! I'm guessing you like it too?

We always start our WDW vacations at MK! The first time I ever went to WDW was when MK was the only park. To me it is WDW! The other parks are nice, but MK is what really puts me in the Disney spirit.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Our family has a different take on it. WE do like to start with MK but not on the day of arrival. The day of arrival is a decompress day! Since our flight usually arrives early, we like to be by the pool by 11am. Lots of relaxing and laughing because we feel so lucky to be there.

We do like to see fireworks on the first (and last) nights. What that means on the first day is that we head to the Poly and watch from the beach (with Dole whips to enjoy!)

Our kids are teenagers so they aren't chomping at the bit to hit the parks right away so that makes this type of first day easier. Although, even when they were younger it was this way. They were always excited to hit the Community Halls and see if the staff they remember were still there!

Anything you choose will be great I'm sure!

 

[LaurenT]

I think MK may be a mistake...combining the fact that MK is busy in general on Sat's with that day being one of 3 that does not have a MNSSHP (which means people will go the MK that day instead of going on a day when the park closes early for the party) will probbly mean that MK will have the biggest crowds that day.
I'd pick AK - Oct is a great time for AK...

 

[LisaTC]

What would you do? We should be able to hit a park by 11am on our first day (Sat Oct 22). We're going to avoid Epcot over the weekend due to F&W, and HS likely has am EMH, so we'll avoid that park too. We could do MK, AK, or maybe hit one of the water parks, then DTD for dinner. I plan on doing the QS dining just for the first day. I can't wait for the Oct hours to come out so I can officially make our plans! FYI this will be our 4th trip and 1st DVC stay, so more relaxing this time around. We'll be staying for 7 nights. Thanks for your thoughts!

That's our first day, too...only this is our VERY first visit and I'm a bit perplexed as to what to do as well. I know MK seems like an obvious choice because it is quintessential Disney. I know Epcot will be crazy in the evening because of F&W, but I hear after lunch isn't too bad. Our DD7 would obviously like to see MK, but she is really very enthralled with the prospect of AK when we were looking at the DVD. (BTW, she doesn't know, it's a surprise!) We were thinking of doing MNSSHP on one day and maybe hitting MK at rope drop on our first full day, Sunday, instead...I think. We'd probably get in around the same time as you depending on which airline.

I've been planning this for over a year, I think I could bust!

 

[mom2randj]

We are arriving the very same day (and this is our first trip as well) however from what I have researched on touringplans.com and easywdw.com...they both say to AVOID MK that Saturday.

I really don't want to start out our vaca at AK so I am thinking Epcot or HS will be our choice. Would love to hear some more thoughts from experienced October travelers as well.