Going to park on arrival day? Good idea?

[Roscoe18]

You know your group best, but personally I would vote yes. When we went in November, we originally weren't going to do a park on our arrival day (flight landed around 12:45 IIRC). But for the small monetary difference, we figured what the heck? We did Epcot that day, arriving around 3:30 I'd say. We managed to get in Spaceship Earth, Soarin', a couple of other smaller FW rides, a nice dinner at Teppan Edo, the American Adventure and Illuminations. I think it was totally worth it. We were able to FP Frozen on our full Epcot day so I didn't have to choose, and by that second day, we didn't stay for Illuminations, so we caught up on sleep that night

 

[agavegirl1]

I usually plan an Epcot evening on arrival day. We take early morning flights and arrive by noon. Even if I were checked in by 3PM, I would do a relaxing evening in a park. This time, we are doing an evening at AK. A couple rides, appetizers at Nomad Lounge, walk through Pandora in the dark then watch the Tree of Life Awakenings and Rivers of light. Low key but all new experiences to us.

 

[mkla2015]

$15 for a few hours of park time? I'd totally do it IF it works for your family. If you don't think exhaustion will be a concern- go for it. Unless our flight gets in really late, we head to the parks. I'd go to Epcot since it's open the latest that night- get a few FP and have dinner.

 

[tex1989]

Usually MK or Epcot on arrival day. We have AP's so no additional cost, and it probably saves us some money because my wife does not get a chance to shop by not going to DS.

 

[kiford]

We used to get to our hotel about 2-2:30 so we'd definitely go to a park. Even if I wasn't landing until 2 pm, I'd still probably go to a park. We now have APs and one of the benefits we identified prior to purchasing was that we'd feel fine about spending no more than 1-2 hours at a park or even just going for dinner or the fireworks/night show. For $15/day/person, I'd still go even if I had only a couple of hours. We'd normally go to Epcot - sometimes we were staying in the Boardwalk resort area so that was a no-brainer but it became a bit of a tradition so we'd go there even if we were staying at GF. Ironically, after identifying the ability to not worry about just spending 1-2 hours in Epcot as a bonus of APs, we have been flying in (or planning to fly in) very late at night (midnight or later) so it has become a bit of a moot point but the original intent still makes sense to me as does a $15 price point.

 

[mshanson3121]

I’d say do it for that price as you’ll also get another day of fast passes. Our last trip included 9 consecutive park days and we opted for all half days or 3/4 days rather than any full rest days. It did make the tickets a bit more expensive but we found the experience very enjoyable and relaxing and it worked well for the needs of our family. While I would recommend going to the park on your arrival day I would also suggest keeping it a pretty laid back day and avoid scheduling any ADRs, fast passes or other plans that are super important to you just in case you experience any travel delays.

Yes, if we do it, it will be Epcot I think, and basically just strolling around the World Showcase. Honestly, other than FEA, there's really no ride there that we would be upset over if we didn't get to do. And we'll have DAS, so we can pick up a return time quite easily.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

we commonly do it. We are Annual Passholders, so there is no financial consideration at stake. However, we don't plan to get much done. We have 2 methods depending on how we feel:
1. Drop into Epcot for a nice dinner around the world and ride Spaceship Earth (puts us in the Disney mood)
OR
2. Head over to MK for the fireworks.

 

[Sara_H]

For us, we don't like to do a park on our arrival day. You never know if you will have travel delays or how tired you may or may not be. Typically we will go to Disney Springs on our first night and "ease" into our trip.

 

[Disneypro1]

We never do. We swim or do Disney Springs. Check in...un pack. Explore that day or evening. But, never do a park.

 

[cheshiregoofy22]

We always go to the Magic Kingdom on arrival day so long as it's still open when we get there! Can't imagine prolonging the fix that is Main Street USA to the following day! We also commit to Pooh and Friends for lunch or dinner every time - my "kiddos" wouldn't have it any other way. HA.

 

[Farro]

I can't imagine not going to a park on arrival day! The only day we don't have a ticket for is our last day, because we leave early.

If we get to a park by 5 that's more than enough time for us to get in a ride or two and have dinner.

 

[mab2012]

Depends.

If we were on APs and staying near a park, we would almost definitely plan to go. Book a couple of fastpasses and maybe see an evening show, depending on our plans for the next morning.

If I had to buy an extra day, even at $15 PP, then it would probably depend on the length of the trip, and whether I felt we needed the extra time in order for everyone to see their favourites. I'm assuming that $15 is in USD, and probably doesn't include tax. For a Canadian family of four, that's $15 x 4 x 1.065 (tax) x 1.35 (exchange) = CAD 86. It's not huge, and might be worth it depending on the circumstances, but it's not nothing either. If we were on a longer trip and would have plenty of time to fit in everything we wanted to do on other days, or if we planned to be up early the next morning, I don't think I'd bother rushing off to the park. My kids would be happy to spend the time in the pool.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We always go to a park on arrival day since it's so cheap to add a day. Also with FP+ it makes even more sense to me since I'm guaranteed 3 rides.

We always do MK on arrival. Last trip we were up at 3 am, flight left at 6 am, landed at 8:20 am, grabbed a bite to eat at POFQ, was in MK by 11 am, rode lots of rides, BOG for dinner, did HEA dessert party and back to the room by 11 pm. We run on pure adrenaline on arrival day.

Now the next day almost went downhill. I planned for us to be at AK for AM EMH the next morning. I told DD12 we could change it since we got back to the room later than I expected but she insisted. We got up fine, hit AM EMH, rode EE about 5 times but by 9 am DD proclaimed that she HATED AK and she doesn't know why we even went to this park. I told her we were leaving and then the tears almost started because she thought she was ruining my day. I told her I would rather fix the issue now instead of ruining a whole day. We went back to the room, napped until 12 and then went back to AK and had a great day.

So if you plan on a very long first day please allow sleep in time the next morning.

 

[Twitterpaited]

I am in a similar boat. Our plane gets in at about 3:40. We also didn’t have to pay much more for the extra day. Since we are staying at Poly, we will go to Epcot that evening for dinner and to take advantage of the 3 FP+s.

 

[mshanson3121]

We always go to a park on arrival day since it's so cheap to add a day. Also with FP+ it makes even more sense to me since I'm guaranteed 3 rides.

We always do MK on arrival. Last trip we were up at 3 am, flight left at 6 am, landed at 8:20 am, grabbed a bite to eat at POFQ, was in MK by 11 am, rode lots of rides, BOG for dinner, did HEA dessert party and back to the room by 11 pm. We run on pure adrenaline on arrival day.

Now you are one hardcore Momma! You are so much braver than I! Had I been up at 3 am, I would have been in my room sleeping by 12 noon, lol.

 

[Randomsoulshine]

It's only $15 pp for us to add an extra day to go spend the evening in the park.

For that price it might be worth it. We end up spending more than that per person in Disney Springs with light shopping. I’m guessing you’ll have time for at least three FP’s and a nights time show. $15 dollars seems reasonable for that. I’d probably just eat quick service or snack however to save time.

 

[saraheliz]

With young kids, I love going to MK on arrival day. We've landed as late as 3/4 and had no problems squeezing a couple of hours in. My kids are so hyped when we get there and I'd rather get them in, let them see the castle, ride a few rides with FP, grab dinner, and back to the resort....it wears them out much more, they sleep better with some of the anticipation over, and I don't *have* to go to MK the first day if it doesn't work out well that day. Last trip we were getting on the (mostly empty) bus right as the fireworks were starting and it was perfect.

 

[Bullseye]

I have 8 days tickets and I want to get the most out them so we don't go to park on arrival or departure day. On arrival day we normally waterpark and then grocery shop at Super Target. Sweet Tomatoes for dinner and then swim at Resort.

 

[GillianP1301]

I always go to a park on arrival day. Plane usually lands around 1:00, by the time I grab my bags and rental car, I'm in my room about 2:30 and grab my park bag and go. I used to always do MK first, but now I change it... last year I did HS because I was staying at YC, will likely do the same again this year. It only requires adding a 10th day to my passes which costs under $10 a person, so totally worth it to get 4 or 5 hours in a park on arrival day. Plus, there is no way I would ever be able to not go to a park, I'm always way too excited.

 

[ElTrollio]

I always go to a park the first day. To me that’s when excitement levels are the highest and you can push through any tiredness you feel.

I usually take it slower on my 3rd or 4th day. About halfway into the trip. We’ll just chill out at the pool in the morning then go to a park in the afternoon (usually HS or Epcot).

But I’d go stir crazy if I stayed in the hotel all day on arrival. It also probably depends on how long you’re staying. We usually only stay 5 or 6 nights, and this year only 4 nights. So I like to feel like I’m seeing as much as I can.