Good ideas for the first evening at Disney??

[megan4777]

Next October we will be taking a trip down for a week and it will be the first trip for DD. It will be myself, DH, DD (who will be 2 1/2), my parents and an aunt and uncle. We plan on arriving early but DD will need a nap after traveling so we probably won't get to a park that day.. My question is what are some good Disney things to do on the first day you get there???I've thought about the Hoop Dee Doo Revue but am curious as to what everyone thinks. Thanks so much!!!

 

[kpk89]

Maybe just go to the Boardwalk and stroll around? They have street performers, surrey bikes, face painting, and also some great restaurants. It's a great place for people watching! You could even hop on one of the boats that goes to MGM or Epcot, even if only to go and ride back to BW.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cluefinders17]

Depending on how early your morning starts, everyone may need a nap by the time you reach the hotel and check in. If your budget is on the tight side, there are a ton of things to do that cost little to nothing - sightseeing around the hotel, Downtown Disney window-shopping, miniature golf - but if you have a dinner in your budget, the first night is the best. Make arrangements for an early reservation b/c the crowds are smaller at that time.

The Revue is $$$ but there are other dinner show options or dinner at another hotel (Boma at AK, the Poly, Chef Mickey at CR, etc.)

You can also spend the time settling in and determining your strategy for visiting the parks. Buying tickets, getting park maps, transportation maps, etc.

 

[disneyag]

Dinner at Chef Mickey's is nice. Afterwards, you can take a ride on the Monorail.

 

[720L]

We like to go to Magic Kingdom first to get us in the "Disney spirit". I think the Magic Kingdom is the best example of Disney magic, especially at night. Your daughter will be all rested from her nap, you can go and enjoy the parade and fireworks. But I don't know what kind of tickets you were planning to buy so maybe you can't do that. Downtown Disney is pretty at night also and there are good restaurants there. Have fun!!

 

[TLS4Mickey]

If we arrive late in the afternoon, we, usually, check in and get settled in our room. Then we like going to the boardwalk and having dinner at ESPN. We get back to the room, early, around 10:00 - that way we get rested up for the next day.

 

[mrsschlep]

We are going for the first time in January and for our first day we don't want to use a half day on our PHP's. First we are going to ride the monorail and then we have a 5:00 PS for dinner at Chef Mickey's and then we plan on watching Wishes from the Contemporary (I think they have an observation deck on the same level?). Whatever you choose you will have a great time.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We're going to DTD and having dinner at HOB's. The HDD is a great idea. If you decide against that, you could always go to dinner at Trails End, then catch the campfire sing-along, and movie. Also, watch Wishes and the Electric Water Pageant from the beach. There's lots of things for all ages at FW. Hope you guys have a great trip.

 

[toystoryduo]

We like to head to DTD and soak up the atmosphere there. It really gets us in the "Disney" mood. Hoop Dee Doo Revue sounds like a great idea!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Our traditional family thing to do is have dinner at Chef Mickeys to get us in the mood, so I would suggest either Chef Mickeys or maybe ohanas, your daughter would love the coconut races and hula hoop contest, or maybe park faire character dinner at the grand floridian, take a monorail ride around, stop in a gift shop to get an autograph book, and watch the fireworks show from the Poly Beach. Have a great time, no matter what you choose, Their is so much disney magic to enjoy.

 

[kupperman]

I would say to go to DTD to get in the mood and the Disney spirit or you can ride the monorail around Epcot and get a preview of whats to come.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Hmmm....a character meal for dinner? If you aren't going into the parks, it would have to be Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary or 1900 Park Fare (Cinderella, Prince Charming, 2 of the mice) at the Grand Floridian. This would also provide you a ride on the monorail if you want one.....

You could just ride the loop of the monorail, or go to Downtown Disney......what about miniature golf? We played at Winter Summerland on our trip and it was fun!

You could tour your resort, and others?

Just a few thoughts......I wish I was going again soon!

Steph

 

[Amirah95]

Another vote for DTD!

 

[mbb]

We've thought about the character dinner too...but we're never sure about flight arrival, etc..I just find that by going to DTD we can leave when we want, walk as much as we want...and our boys love watching Tinkerbell "fly" in the sky in the evening...


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