First night activities

[dmzrn]

We leave in 9 days for first trip to WDW As of right now, our plans for our first afternoon/evening are as follows... we arrive at POR around 2:30, settle in to the resort, explore, swim, etc. We then have ADR's at 8PM at 'Ohana, then plan to watch Wishes on the beach, abd back to the POR. Now, I am also thinking that it might be fun to go over to Boardwalk and explore the activities there, grab a simple bite to eat and back to POR a little earlier. Any suggestions from others who have been before? Thanks!

 

[Rella Bella]

I'd stick with your first plan! Fireworks from the beach!!

 

[DisneyDork712]

I think anything you decide to do is going to be great! We are going to arrive in the morning, so our first day will go something like this: First, we'll check in at Pop Century. Then probably rest for a while if our room is ready (since we'll be driving from TN all night). Then go to Downtown Disney in the afternoon. If it isn't ready, we'll go on and head to Downtown Disney (I simply MUST make it to Goofy's Candy Company ASAP so I can get one of those little candy bins and fill it with candy!!!) Then back to the resort to get ready for dinner at Chef Mickey's and then the EWP from the Polynesian. And Wishes, if it's going to be showing at the right time. I think our night time plans are similar to yours! So it must be a good idea!

 

[magicaldisney]

If you end up back at POR early enough you can see if Bob Jackson will be at POR that evening at:

yehaabob.com

Not sure if you are saying to do Boardwalk instead of Ohana or along with it. Please clarify. It makes a difference when making any further suggestions.

 

[dmzrn]

No... either Boardwalk OR "ohana... I think we have decided to play things by ear.... the girls may be too tired by 8 for "ohana... I certainly don't want to start our first real day with everyone fatigued!.We plan to be at AK at rope drop the next morning. I will probably cancel "Ohana later today... thanks

 

[danny1649]

After 14 years we are breaking our first day tradition of going to HDDR our first evening.This year we arrive on Friday around 10:30 AM we going to have lunch at OKW then go to DTD and in evening go to Dis Meet at Jellyroll's and meet some great Dis folks.The meet is at 7pm on Friday Dec 8th 2006 so come and join in if you have the chance.All things change I guess will seem strange not seeing HDDR that first day.Come to think of it this will be the first time we have not arrived at WDW on a Sunday.

 

[jeankeri]

The Boardwalk entertainers are a blast, there are plenty of eats there, and if you are still around at 9pm you can watch the Illuminations fireworls from the bridge near the Swan/Dolphin!! This is what we did on our first night and it was great.

 

[jeankeri]

Oh yeah, you can also rent the surry bikes!!!

 

[magicaldisney]

No... either Boardwalk OR "ohana... I think we have decided to play things by ear.... the girls may be too tired by 8 for "ohana... I certainly don't want to start our first real day with everyone fatigued!.We plan to be at AK at rope drop the next morning. I will probably cancel "Ohana later today... thanks

That's what I would suggest. I would not do any ADR's for that evening. There is so much you can do last minute.

From POR you can take a boat to DTD and do dinner there if you like (they have a range of places to eat). Take the boat back and walk around the resort. It's a beautiful resort and that might be the perfect time to check it out.

Have a great time!!

 

[disneyjulie]

We love to go to poly and watch Wishes Fireworks from the beach. Then watch the water pagent parade. Check times for both we get towels from the pool and sit on the beach. Always a hit for us.

 

[Hugpug]

My plans are to Eat at POP Foodcourt since there are no buses to MK from DTD and then go to MK for Wishes and Spectro. No ADR's Never make any for first night too iffy on time of arrival and how long it will to check-in.

 

[ImagineEar]

Last trip we did Ohana on the first night and stayed for fireworks. Well the kids (DD 6 and DS 3) were passed out before DH and I were done with our dinner... one across 2 chairs, and the other in his stroller. We veiwed the fireworks from our table and then had to carry DD all the way back to BC, which was not fun. I would not plan to do it again on arrival day.

If you do not have a car it is quite a haul from POR to The Poly. Since this is your first trip - I'll just tell you that is is not easy affair to get from one resort to another. The way the WDW transportation works You will have to take a bus from POR to either DTD or a park... then tranfer to a bus going to the Poly. (There is no resort to resort service.) It will take you about 45 minutes to do so - and then do the same in reverse - for a total of 4 busses and close to 2 hours of travel time just for dinner. So I think Ohana might be a bit ambitious for your first night with little ones. Going to BW will be a bit of the same, probably a little less travel time.

If / when you go to Ohana from POR I would: Take a bus to the MK, and walk over to the resort Monorail and take that to the Poly.

To BW from POR I would: Take the bus to MGM, then transfer to the launch that goes to BW.

Just so you don't get stuck like we have in the past - just keep in mind that the transportation system only operates until 1 hr after each parks closing. You could always choose to take a cab and cut down on the hassle!

Have a great trip!

 

[jeankeri]

Our first first night at Disney I had tickets for Cirque. My DS8 (at the time) was all gared up to go. My DS7 wanted to stay at the Poly. My DH was going to stay with him!! I said, "You really have no idea how much these tickets cost- we're all going"!!! Everyone had a great time, but I never make plans for the first night anymore- just play it by ear.