Help! Arrival Day Dilemma

[LiveForVacation]

I need your expert advice. Our flight isn't arriving until 11 am, and we are staying at the Polynesian. I have a 3 year old, and a 5 year old. The 3 year old can do without a nap, but usually ends up taking one, or is grumpy by 7 pm. I initially thought we'd go to the hotel, check in, swim etc... possibly have her nap, and then do the Boardwalk that evening. However, I am so wishy washy about this! I keep thinking that I should splurge and do Epcot instead. After all, isn't that why we're there? And is she really going to take a nap after being at DW for just a few hours? Probably not. We're only at Disney for 5 days (including arrival day) and I hate to waste the first day. I know I should be able to decide this on my own, but I'm having a tough time. Advice please?

 

[Yensid_MD]

I think part of the answers depends on how many days tickets you have.

For me the answer would be no. I would get there, relax, enjoy the pool and then head over to Chef Mickeys for dinner. (you will need an ADR) and then later watch fireworks from the beach at Poly.

Have fun!

 

[kirbsam]

with kids that age, i would opt to go to mk. you will have plenty of time to explore the resort also, that first day, but nothing says wdw, like mk.

 

[danny1649]

I think little one will be excited and I agree with you,will not want a nap.So head to a park and have a great time.

 

[milmore104]

Are tradition for the last 8 years is on our day of arrival we check in and then head straight ot MK. Ride PotC then Splash Mnt then we grab a hotdog from the cart in Frontierland and make our way to Main St for the parade &/or fireworks. This year however we can't do this because there is a MNSSHP going on that night and we would only have about 2 hours in the park. We have decided to either rest at the resort or head to DTD. that beening said we will be there for 10 days. If I were you I would check in and head to MK for a few hours and maybe call it an early night and hed back to the resort at 6pm. This way you don't wait anytime and you still have time to relax. Have a great trip.

 

[marathonmommy]

Came back less than a week ago with my two kids (age 5 and 17 months). The little one was awful on the plane, and of couse, fell asleep during the landing. Anyway, we wound up going to a close park (stayed at BW and went to MGM) for dinner and a few rides. It worked out just fine! The little one didn't even want a nap!

 

[jann1033]

depends on when you are going..if you are arriving on a weekend i'd go anywhere but mK..fantasy land is just too busy. epcot will be open longest so i would see what time you are actually ready to get to the park and either do epcot or mgm since they are open later than ak. i might lean toward mgm since you could do more kid oriented stuff there with a 3 yr old.

 

[Steffy]

As soon as we checked into the Poly, my daughter wanted to nap with mu grandson, but my granddaughter wanted to hit a park! So we compromised and rested, ate lunch at the Kona Cafe and then got on the monorail to EPCOT!!!

 

[Hopefully]

LiveForVacation, Welcome to the DIS!
With only 5 days for your trip, I would plan to head to a park. Epcot might be a good choice and save the MK for your first full day.
Of course, you will need to "play it by ear", and see how the little ones are that day. I'm betting - too excited to nap
Have a great trip!!!!

 

[ntburns22]

I need your expert advice. Our flight isn't arriving until 11 am, and we are staying at the Polynesian. I have a 3 year old, and a 5 year old. The 3 year old can do without a nap, but usually ends up taking one, or is grumpy by 7 pm. I initially thought we'd go to the hotel, check in, swim etc... possibly have her nap, and then do the Boardwalk that evening. However, I am so wishy washy about this! I keep thinking that I should splurge and do Epcot instead. After all, isn't that why we're there? And is she really going to take a nap after being at DW for just a few hours? Probably not. We're only at Disney for 5 days (including arrival day) and I hate to waste the first day. I know I should be able to decide this on my own, but I'm having a tough time. Advice please?

Your plans are just like ours. We were going to pass up Epcot this time. Now since we are flying and arriving much earlier. We were thinking of adding a park. I also want to go to the DTD area. I have never been. I also figured there is no way the kids would take a nap if they haven't had one on the plane. I think we are going to play it by ear. Our first day. DH may even do a ride along at Richard Petty now too.

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

why not head to the MK catch the train to Toontown and let the littles ones play there. Nothing is more refreshing for the kids than a romp around Donalds boat

 

[LiveForVacation]

You all really helped me a lot. Thanks for all your responses! I love the Disboards I have been reading everyone's posts for a while now, but just started posting myself. Until I joined this, I thought I was the only extreme planner-now I know there are so many others!

I think I will either head to MK or Epcot. We are arriving on a Saturday, but it is at a slow time (5th of November) I just don't want to waste any time. Of course, if she wants a nap, I'll let her have one, but I'm hoping she doesn't. Some things you just cannot plan. Now I'm just waiting on those November hours.

I am so excited!

 

[Kanga1]

Here's what I would do:

Since the Poly is so close to both MK and the Contemporary, book an early ADR at Chef Mickey's and then WALK to the MK. Don't try to do any rides...just leisurely enjoy the park and then stay for "Wishes". Visit the MK again one other day.