first night of trip

[sistertrip]

I'd appreciate some suggestions for our first night at WDW. We'll be arriving at Coronado Springs around 1pm (we may not be able to check in right off). We plan on doing the Magic Kingdom as soon as we can get off because there is Spectromagic and fireworks that night. We'd like a sit-down dinner (we'll be starving after leaving home at 4am - airline food will not satisfy) but we don't know where to eat. Any ideas on how to pass the time until check-in? Does MK sound good, and where should we eat? Thank you so much!

 

[uncle al]

Well if you are using check-in as defined by "fully & completely checking in, including physically going to your room" - you may have a wait. If you mean what I call "Disney Check-in", you simply go to the hotel, get your room keys, get the welcome to WDW, here are your maps, transportation schedules, etc.... and your room may or may not be ready, in which case if your room is not ready they simply store your bags until you return from the park, or you may choose to have them go ahead and deliver them to your room (assuming that the room is ready) - which may or may not take a while depending on how busy they are. In any event, you can "check-in" as soon as you arrive at the resort- no wait (except for the line) - your room may or may not be ready, but that is not a big deal (at least not for me) I suggest...

Do the "Disney Check-In" - let them store the bags, don't waste time waiting. Head on over to the park - when you get back call Bell Services for your bags. Now obviously there are potential pitfalls, you may need something from your bag - so think ahead & don't put it in there or get it out as soon as you get to the hotel

As far as MK restaurants... there is Crystal Palace (need a PS), it is a charcater buffet and the food is good. There is Liberty Tree Tavern -been a while since I ate there, but I personally don't really consider it a "sit down" restaurant. Then there is the Royal Table in the Castle (definitely need a PS). Food is Ok, atmosphere - well you are eating in Cinderella's Castle, need I say more? If you want to take a dinner break from the park - take the boat over to Grand Floridian - there is a character buffet at 1900 Park Fare. Or you could take the monorail (or walk) over to the Contemporary and eat at the Concourse Steakhouse (PS is a good idea) or really do it right & eat at California Grill - heck just watch the fireworks from there.

Have fun!!!!

 

[sistertrip]

Thank you so much for the tips! I feel much more at ease about check-in...your "Disney Check-In" sounds perfect. Your tips will help us out a bunch!

 

[Harambe]

Another wonderful spot to eat at MK is the Plaza Restaurant. Huge sandwiches and sundaes.

Have a lovely time!

 

[heffalump9]

Try a mid-day lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern, we did in March and really loved it. The sandwiches (try the Benedict Arnold and apple cole slaw) are wonderful, and the burgers are some of the best at WDW. Also there are full dinners available. This way you can enjoy MK right away and maybe have counter food or ice cream before Spectro and fireworks.

One other idea if no PS avail at LTT, try family chicken dinner available at Cosmic Rays, serves four.

 

[sistertrip]

How tough is it to get PS at Liberty Tree?? Would now be too late, or can you usually get it the day of?

 

[donna in Oz]

I don't think you'd have too much problem getting PS now for the Liberty Tree.

You may need to be flexible on your time, though. You might be able to get it that morning, but if your heart is set on eating there, I'd go ahead and get my PS now.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Our first night tradition is dinner at Chef Mickey's. It's a great way to get into the Disney Magic, and close enough to the MK for a quick hop over.

 

[msteddom]

I second the Plaza Resturant. It is a sit down resturant but they serve burgers, sandwiches and the best ice cream. Just the thing the fill you up after a long day of travelling.

 

[Bill From PA]

Personally, I wouldn't waste a day pass on a park as late as you're getting there. If what you want to see is offered later, I'd do something that didn't burn a pass. last Nov. we got to the Dolphin about noon, strolled Boardwalk for a while then took in a Cirque du Soleil show. We thought it a great start to our week at WDW.

Bill From PA

 

[YesDear]

My family will go to DTD the day we get there after check in. I agree you may not want to waste a day's pass. Plenty to do regardless of age and you can stroll around.

Plenty of places to eat from sit down to snack. Then you can get an early night and be ready for a frontal assault the next day.

If Spectromagic and Fireworks are that night you will have a really big crowd


I agree about the Disney checkin. Checkin weither the room is ready or not. They do a great job.

 

[sistertrip]

With our dream-maker package we got Ultimate Park Hopper Passes for every day we're there, so we might as well use them, starting with the day we arrive. Unless we can save them for use on another trip...Is this the case? Thank you for all the tips! Everyone is so helpful and it's helping us to narrow down our choices. It's me (20) and my sister (17) so we don't have to worry about gearing our trip towards children, so our choices are practically endless.

 

[billybaruch1]

You may like to read this good collection of what others think: http://www.wdwig.com/fnight.htm

And yeah, Ultimate Park Hoppers are to be used anytime you want. They cannot be saved for later.

Bill

 

[Bill From PA]

I think I read here that you don't have to accept, and pay for, the UHP day on the day you get there. Some peole don't arrive until closing time. Call WDW.

Bill From PA

 

[MaryannF]

I think you'll find that if the UPH was bought as part of a package they will not drop off the first day. We have had the first day taken off our UPHs but they were not purchased as part of a package.

 

[sistertrip]

We plan on enjoying our first day, so we wouldn't want them to drop the UPH - I guess it's good that we don't because we bought it as part of a package.