First night? What should we do?

[skmommy2009]

Hi everyone....the countdown is on until we hit Disney!

We should get to the hotel around 3:30ish on Aug 22 and get settled......but then what????

What would you do on your first night at Disney.......we have two kids, 8 and 6.

Let me know...I have no idea really what to do that first night? Or if we should even go an wait for morning instead!

What would you do?

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

We get the 5 day parkhoppers when we go, so entering the park late in the afternoon would not work for us -we like to get there before the gates open and spend all day. However, on the boards, I have read about 6 day parkhoppers, and the price increase in the past has been so minimal that I have considered getting these for next trip so we could go have that option to go for a partial day.

That being said, we go as a family with my sisters and parents, and my girls want to experience everything with their "Disneyland brothers" (cousins), so we probably wouldn't go in without them anyway.

We like to go to DTD and shop (World of Disney is fun and you can really spend some time checking it all out!), and eat, and take pictures. You could take in a movie, you could walk the grounds of GCH and DL Hotel (did this last year, was fun!), you could people watch. Being there and NOT going into the parks - builds the excitement even more for us!! By that first morning we are super excited to get to the gates!

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[Pomlover2586]

I agree with a PP.....check out DTD.......shop, eat, explore the hotels.....and if your up to it you can stake out a spot in the middle of the plaza [between the two parks] and you can watch the fireworks from there.....not the best view but still fun

 

[annacali]

If your kids are going to be really into the characters, a dinner at Goofy's kitchen at the DLH would be a good way to meet several of them. Kind of a fun intro to Disney feeling without using up one of your park entries.

 

[HydroGuy]

I would give some extra focus to shows and parades, Get at least one if not two done and that will free other evenings. There will be some time for rides and maybe FASTPASSes.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

I am unclear, do you have park tickets for the first night? If so, I would grab a fast past first thing and then check out the parade and what ever rides might have short waits.
If no park tickets--why not, the price difference is so minimal? but,anyhow I would wonder around DTD, shop and have dinner. Then go to bed for an early morning hitting the parks running.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I am unclear, do you have park tickets for the first night? If so, I would grab a fast past first thing and then check out the parade and what ever rides might have short waits.
If no park tickets--why not, the price difference is so minimal? but,anyhow I would wonder around DTD, shop and have dinner. Then go to bed for an early morning hitting the parks running.

The difference is minimal if you can exchange them ahead of time. Adding a day at the gate can be quite a bit since you pay full ticket price at the booth.

 

[firefox2]

We arrive at the hotel at 10 AM (I always have to get the first flight out to get there early and not waste a minute LOL), so we are going to hit Mimi's for some food, then off to Honda Center to the Anaheim Ducks Team Store (I'm a huge fan) and do some shopping, then the strip for some shopping. After we get into the hotel, we are heading to Red Lobster for dinner and more shopping at Target (we don't have Target here, and I love the store), and back to the hotel for a swim. We have 6 day park-hopper passes, but will be using them for 6 FULL days in the park so as to not waste any time

 

[tink2dw]

Go to the Disney Outlet Store and get shirts and pens and a new hat and hopefully find a Sweat shirt of that years celebration or my favorite character. And save lots of money!! And use my 10% off coupon!

http://www.anaheimoc.org/member_details/member_detail.asp?memberID=5065

And there is a Sonic close by there too!!

 

[Vala]

If your kids are going to be really into the characters, a dinner at Goofy's kitchen at the DLH would be a good way to meet several of them. Kind of a fun intro to Disney feeling without using up one of your park entries.

That's what we planned for our first night.

 

[skmommy2009]

Thanks everyone. We have a 5 day hopper pass.....and the way our week is scheduled, our arrival day will count as a day at the park Sucks to not make it a full day..but hey...I'm at Disneyland!!!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We would go to DTD, eat at Rainforest Cafe and go to Build a Bear. If we had time before that, we would go to the Character Warehouse.

 

[Judy from Boise]

DL at night is the best........I think it is great you are going into the parks. I think Fantasyland is very special at night, and more gentle if your energy is flagging a little. Also BTMRR is a must do at night.

 

[wvnative]

Our first day is almost always a bit of a half day at the park. We usually get in around noon and, after we see the people at the front desk of the hotel, we change and head to DL for a corn dog.

You'll probably enter the parks closer to 4:30. I'd probably let the kids choose a ride and then grab counter service somewhere and wait for the street party. It's suppose to be at 6:30. OR you could do a couple of rides, the "parade" and then be off to dinner reservations somewhere.

I dunno. I travel with teenagers so our priorities a little different. She's not into parades, fireworks and Fantasmic so we usually forego those.

 

[1tricky1]

i figure itll be about 3 pm before i get to the fairfield inn. so i plan to check out downtown disney and have supper at the rainforest cafe. have fun, i cant wait!!!
vicky

 

[CDNCA]

Check out the parade and show schedules for the Saturday and Sunday. Some of the special summer shows and parades end Sunday night. The Saturday night will be busy, so, fastpass rides as you can but concentrate on finding spots for parades and firework shows. The Fairy area is supposed to be very special at night also. Do not worry too much about your ride count on Saturday or Sunday as showing up at park opening on the weekdays will ensure you have enough time to hit all the rides you want to. If the parks are heaving on the weekend, a break at the hotel for a swim in the afternoon could work well too. This is also when you can fit in some shopping time at Downtown Disney.

We arrive Sunday at lunch and are going to have to squeeze the special summer shows into one day.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We usually get in around 1500, un pack and go to CA to check out the crowds. Eventually we go over to DL but the girls have to stop and see what is new in the World of Disney.
No point holding back in my opinion and it is cheap to add an extra day.

Jack

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

If you have 5 day hoppers and the day you arrive is one of your 5 days, then I say waste no time getting over to the turnstiles! Fantasyland will probably be busy, everything will probably be busy, but get in there and get done what you can! Grab some fastpasses and plan to enjoy that park! (Fantasyland is best toured in the a.m. in my opinion, or late in the evening when the lights come on). You could have an early dinner so as to beat the dinner rush, and then go on rides while everyone else eats dinner.

Is this your first trip? Grab a map at the turnstiles and get yourself acquainted with the park. Take advantage of any short ride lines that you see. Look at the daily schedule and see if there are any shows/parades you can enjoy (if you are into that).

Your 8 and 6 year olds may be tired from traveling, so they may be tired for too long in the parks, but get done what you can. Park hours are probably until midnight that day, so if it works better for you, take a quick rest at the hotel (you should be able to check in by the time you arrive) and then hit the parks so you can stay later. My DD8 and DD5 would definitely want to hit the parks no matter how tired they are! BUT, Sunday morning is a great time to hit the parks so don't get too tired Saturday night!!

Have fun!

 

[DoleWhip81]

The responsible, adult thing to do would be to take it easy and go to bed a little early. But we all know that is not possible when you are that close to the most magical place on earth!!! Having said this it is my official recommendation that you and the family head straight down Mainstreet to the Tiki Room, be sure to stop off and pick up a Dole Whip first, and enjoy the show! I always say I am going to take it easy the first day, then I end up staying till the park closes!! I am just a sucker for a good time. Hope you guys have a great time.