First things first...

[DVCDawn]

What do you do first when you arrive at WDW? (After check-in, etc.)

We usually head straight for MK. On the way there we let my DD5 choose which ride/attraction we'll go on first.

(Can you tell I wish I was "home" right now? )

DVCDawn

 

[LeftCoaster]

I would like to head over to MK first but, it almost never works out that way.

On my first trip, by the time I got settled in my room, it was about 6 and MK closed at 7. So, went over to Epcot.
Trip #2, actually made it over to MK first.
Trip #3, missed my flight (long dramatic story) and made it to my hotel around 9 p.m. So, it was off to Pleasure Island. turned out to be a good thing.
Trip #4, MK closed at 6 for MNSSHP so, did the evening at Epcot.


Ahhhh, just a few months till I go back.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We usually arrive around noon and do pre-checkin. Then we head over to Epcot and try to get dinner at Mitsukoshi Tepannyaki dinning rooms. By the time we are done eating, it is usually time to go move into our unit and go grocery shopping.

 

[Ksp]

Where we go totally depends on what time we get there - seems like we are usually pulling in for a late check in. We check in, unpack any perishables and either go to Epcot or the boardwalk. If we're rollin' in really late, we go to Downtown Disney.
One of these days we'll get there early in the day.....

 

[rocketriter]

We've stopped going to a park on that first day. We usually wind up with a flight that requires us to wake up at @#$ o'clock in the morning. By the time we've flown, limoed, shopped and unpacked, we're pooped. If we go to a park we just get crabby.

Our last trip we arrived with a Cape May dinner PS in our pocket. So we just strolled comfortably around the Boardwalk, played some arcade games (my son won a stuffed pug, of all things, and had to go back another day to win it a "mate"), peeked at this year's merchandise in the stores, and bought baked goods for the next day's breakfast. After that we sprawled for an hour or so at SAB, lounged through the buffet, and turned in for the night.

We really enjoyed the low-pressure entry to our vacation, and the next morning we were right there at EE for the MK.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

For us it depends on what night show/parade/fireworks we want to see that evening. We love to start out our first night like this. The shows and fireworks always make us feel in the spirit of Disney. Then based on that we choose the park and decide where we'll eat. We've always gotten there sometime between lunch and dinner and we like to stick to one park for that first day.

 

[tjkraz]

I'm too practical to do the "gotta hit the MK on the first day" thing.

Last trip we hit MGM first. DW was pregnant the previous two times we visited, and we had to get in the RnR / ToT duo right outta the gate.

Next trip it will probably be MGM again. We're spending one night at BCV and our son has recently discovered Star Wars. I don't think he'll be able to wait past the first day to see the "walker" outside of Star Tours.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We tend to arrive in Orlando late, stay off site, check in, and go to AK. There are a few restaurants there that we enjoy having lunch at. We always go on the safari, and walk the jungle trail, everything else is negotiable, depending on crowds. We call to see if the room is ready around 3. We've never stayed long enough to see the parade, the room has always been ready by that time. We're empty nesters, but someday I'd like to see the parade!

Bobbi

 

[QuiltTeddy]

We try for early check in and then head over to AK. We leave luggage if we can't luck out on the early check in and still go to AK.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Always hot and icky from flying.....

So take a dip in the pool, and for us the vacation has finally started.

Goldi

 

[new_yawka]

We unpack, relax in the room for a while, maybe enjoy a dip in the pool and pick a relaxing restaurant close to the room (Olivias-OKW, Spoodles - BWV) to enjoy an early dinner. I often go out shopping after we put the boys to bed and then unpack the groceries and hit the hay early, so we can wake up to a full Disney day the next day. If we get there significantly earlier in the day, we are likely to spend some time with my parents prior to heading over (although I do check in as quickly as possible, even if the rooms aren't ready).

 

[Time4disney]

We usually arrive in the early afternoon. We like to hit the outlet mall and Downtown Disney. We like to watch the MK fireworks from the Contemporary on the first night and then head to bed at a reasonable time to prepare for 3 consecutive park days from open to close.

 

[Ksp]

We just went down for a few days. Arrived at OKW around 7:30 p.m., checked in, and ......my daughter took one look at the bed and said "THIS is where I want to stay for the evening." <sigh>
I was all ready for a trip to MK for fireworks, and then Epcot for their fireworks.
Maybe next time

 

[Laurabearz]

We settle in, unpack, and if it is warm enough hit the pool.

 

[rigsby25]

You folks who are hitting a park for a meal or one ride or fireworks - you DO have annual passes don't you? If you had park hopper tickets you wouldn't want to waste a day, would you? We have a 7:30 am flight on Thursday (cbr not OKW) and I am wondering by the time we get the rental car, drive, check in, thats not a whole day - especially since the parks close earlier in the fall.

 

[wtpclc]

This may change w/DVC, but I HAVE to go to MK first. Last winter I only hit a couple ride, but it was just nice to walk without a coat. So, we wander and absorb the atmosphere at MK and say "Yea! We made it back!"

 

[WDWLVR]

Really depends on where we are staying. Our home is Boardwalk so most of the time when we check in (and the room isn't ready) we just head over to Epcot for a while. Call in and check on the room and when it is ready head back to the resort.

We do have AP's so we just play each day by ear and enjoy it!

With DVC we know we'll be back and we usualy are always there long enough to enjoy every park.

 

[pat-rick]

We normally arrive at 10:30 - 11:00AM, 50% of the time the room is ready. Check into room or check bags then decide where to have lunch. Beaches and Cream or pick something up in EPCOT.
This trip later this month we are taking a 5 yr. old without his parents so MK will be the park we visit the first day. A list has already been made with the plan of attack for the first day and hopefully we can do 1/2 of what he expects to see that first day.
The rest of our family is driving down so when they arrive and how the plans will change is anyone guess. They drive straight through from New Jersey and seem to get that extra energy as soon as they step out of the Van.

 

[loribell]

We try to time it so that we arrive close to a time we can check in a get a room then unpack, swim, rest, relax and head to Chef Mickey's for dinner.

If we get there early in the day we will pick a park to go to for a while but really prefer to just take it easy that first day.

Lori

 

[Ksp]

Originally posted by rigsby25
You folks who are hitting a park for a meal or one ride or fireworks - you DO have annual passes don't you? If you had park hopper tickets you wouldn't want to waste a day, would you? We have a 7:30 am flight on Thursday (cbr not OKW) and I am wondering by the time we get the rental car, drive, check in, thats not a whole day - especially since the parks close earlier in the fall.

Yes, we do have annual passes this year. It's made a big difference in how we approach going to the parks.