First night at Disney??

[Shellipoo]

We will be arriving on a Saturday, June 10th. Our plane is scheduled to land in Orlando around 11:30.

Our plan is to arrive at our hotel in DTD around 1:00pm. Hoping we can check into our rooms early so DH and DD can take a nap and I can check out the pool area. We will relax until around 5:00pm, have dinner, and then head over to Epcot to walk thru the world showcase and see Illuminations.

Does this plan sound okay? How crowded will Epcot be on a Sat. evening? Any other ideas if this plan isn't doable?

Much thanks!

 

[my2boys1821]

At least you've planned this far in advance. I am still contemplating on what to do our first night. We will be getting to the hotel around noon. Then I have no idea where to go. I wanted to go to MK first since DH and DS's have never ever been. But then I heard it's not a good idea with the little ones to go to MK first. So I'm not sure what to do the first evening. Oh, and we will be there the week after you. So have fun!!!!!

 

[ameraumi]

I have been doing the debate as well!

We land at 10:something am, so I figure we'll be at the resort around noon. We have an ADR for 1900 Park Fare at 4:30, so I am thinking we'll hang out at the resort and swim until it is time to go. After the meal I think we'll head over to DTD and get some shopping out of the way.

Of course that may change when we get there!

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

Just curious, why is it not a good idea to go to MK first? No matter what time we arrive, MK is Always the first park we visit. It's been this way since I was little and I'm not traumatized. Obsessed with Disney yes. Traumatized no! I no everyone is different but the castle and the magic MK offers is what I crave and it's where my heart always takes me. But if I had kids and wanted to take them to Fantasyland, I would definately wait until the morning because it gets so crowded.

 

[my2boys1821]

Just curious, why is it not a good idea to go to MK first? No matter what time we arrive, MK is Always the first park we visit. It's been this way since I was little and I'm not traumatized. Obsessed with Disney yes. Traumatized no! I no everyone is different but the castle and the magic MK offers is what I crave and it's where my heart always takes me. But if I had kids and wanted to take them to Fantasyland, I would definately wait until the morning because it gets so crowded.

I've heard from a post on these boards that going to MK first thing with smaller kids is not so good because it makes EP, MGM and AK seem not so great because of less little kid rides and characters. Just from what I've read, not from what I've experienced since I haven't been to WDW with my kids yet.

My thoughts were, do MK that evening to get us in the mood the rest of the week. I can't imagine doing MK the 3rd day into our trip. It seems so long. But after dh read some posts about MK magic ruining the rest of the parks for the other kids he thinks we should wait now. If it were up to me I'd do MK everyday.

 

[Dustmouse]

Our plan is to arrive at our hotel in DTD around 1:00pm. Hoping we can check into our rooms early so DH and DD can take a nap and I can check out the pool area. We will relax until around 5:00pm, have dinner, and then head over to Epcot to walk thru the world showcase and see Illuminations.

Does this plan sound okay?

Sounds reasonable Shellipoo. LOTS of people (including our family) will be at MGM that day for the final Star Wars weekend , so Epcot is probably a good choice. It is also the last weekend for the Flower & Garden Festival, but hopefully that won't impact the evening crowd at Epcot much.

 

[kldmom2000]

Your plan sounds similar to ours.... we're due to land in Orlando just after 10am so I'm guesstimating a 12-12:30 arrival at the Beach Club.... I was hoping to hang out by Stormalong Bay with our girls and eat lunch at Beaches and Cream or just get something from Hurricane Hanna's and then walk into Epcot around 4:30 or so for dinner, walking around, and Illuminations

 

[byoung]

Good plan, have a great vacation.

 

[mousiemom]

Your plan sounds good. We always arrive @ the hotel around 3 and we get settled in our rooms. We exchange our disney bags, and we hop on the bus and head to DTD. We always go the 1st night because we are always too tired to go the other nights after going to the parks all day. We get our annual xmas story ornament books,etc, and the xmas shop and go to the mickey mart and wonders of disney. We start our 1st full day at MK the next morning.

 

[BraveMom3]

I think that sounds like a good plan. I would not, however, worry about going to MK first and it ruining the rest of the parks for your child. I've always taken my three there first and never had a problem with them enjoying the rest of the parks. I think mine would be so preoccupied with going to MK, and that might hinder their enjoyment of the other parks! We've been so many times that we're probably not going to a park our first day this year. We'll arrive at AKL on Friday around middle of the day and just enjoy the resort and pool for the afternoon, then head over to Rainforest Cafe @ AK for dinner. We're only staying there one night before moving over to WL and BWV for 2 weeks, so I want to enjoy the resort - got newbie friends coming with us, too, so I want them to enjoy the resort, also.

 

[Demon Llama]

How long are you visiting WDW? How many days do you have on your park tickets? The two Moms' idea of going to DTD first sounds like a good plan since you're staying in that area and resting up until 5pm anyway. It's totally true - if you wait to go to DTD later, you might be too tired and not bother.

If you want to hit a park on your first day after dinner, I'd suggest Magic Kingdom because it's open the latest of all the parks on that day (11pm) and Wishes would be a great way to end your first day!

Have fun!

 

[Priorityonecb]

We are arriving around 2:30. I plan to check into the resort, wander around and get a feel for the area, check out the pools and food court and then head to Downtown Disney for the evening. We plan to eat at Earl of Sandwich and just wander around, maybe hit Disney Quest. I am hoping to get back to the room at a decent hour to unpack and get settled in before getting a good night sleep.

 

[allegracristina]

We land at 11:00 am and guesstimate arriving at the Poly by 1:00. We'll check in, leave our luggage with bell services ( if the room isn't ready), and head right on over to MK! It's always our first stop, and really starts the magical week for us. Then we'll head back to the hotel, unpack, settle in, and head over to Epcot for LeCellier and Illuminations!