Help me decide what to do our first full day!

[wrldpossibility]

Hi all you Disney experts!

We're under 99 days now for our first trip to WDW ever! I have been planning this trip since last summer. Sad, I know, but I have a feeling a few of you can relate.

We are going for 10 days, and we are traveling from the West Coast (OR). That means it will take an entire day to get there, and by the time we arrive, we'll just want to check in and eat and crash. My problem is deciding how to maximize our next day. Here are a few ideas I have, and a few things that are set in stone:

1. We have to sleep in. I HATE to waste a park morning, but with the time difference, we won't get up for rope drop this morning. No way. We traveled to the East coast this summer, so we know from experiece that even our early rising little ones will sleep in to about 8 am. And yes, for us, that's sleeping in.

2. We have a 10:30 ADR at Chef Mickey's. Everyone's excited to start off the trip with this, so we need to keep it.

Now for the optional things:

1. After CM, I, the planner, am hesitant to hit the MK. I'll try to explain my reason: no one in our group (even the grandparents coming) have EVER been, and I really want to save MK for the next day, when we can get there at rope drop and "do it right". I don't want any disappointment, and I'm afraid we'd have some if we got there at noon and it was already crowded and I wasn't able to follow my touring plan. Anal, I know, but again, I think some of you MAYBE can relate. (We are DisneyLAND vets, but I don't know if it's all the same...I don't think the feel will be.)

2. So, my current plan is to go to Epcot after CM. We can either visit all the WS Santas for a fun mid-day activity with the kids, or, if it isn't too crowded, we can hit some of the FW rides. We currently have a 6:10 ADR for Coral Reef, which we're looking forward to, but could cancel if we find a better plan.

3. OR, we could go back to our resort and play after CM, then return to MK that evening for MVMCP. We are not currently planning to go to MVMCP at all (we already have park tickets, so this day would be a waste of those, and we didn't think the kids could stay up too late to enjoy it, then there's all this excitement about non ticketed guests, etc.). But, that first night, the kids would be able to stay up late due to the time change, so this could be an option. BUT, we also wanted to get them (and us) to bed early this night, so we could adjust to Florida time and be up for rope drop the next day.

Should I just keep my Epcot idea? One more problem...that day in Epcot happens to be the day after the official opening of the new Nemo ride. Will it be swamped? Of course, if so, it will probably be all week, and we want to go on it sometime anyway. Hopefully there'll be a soft opening so the crowds aren't as bad.

As you can see, we need help!! This will be our FIRST impression of WDW, and I want it to be good!

 

[KittyKitty]

What day of the week are you arriving? I guessing you are going to WDW around Dec 7 or so, right?

I understand you being tired the 1st day since I fly from Seattle, and it's a bear getting up early!

From your information, MK has MVMCP your 1st day, so good idea to pass on that one. If your 1st day is a Friday, Epcot has EMH, extra magic hour, that night. But from what dissers are saying, it doesn't seem to effect the crowds at Epcot, unlike MK.
You might want to look at this web site. http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14 to get an idea of crowds.

The storytellers give the history of their country's holiday. This last about 15-20 minutes. For your children, there is kidcot they can do. Where they make a mask, and go to every country to have it signed. You can go on the ride in Mexico, and Norway. There are street preformers that are fun to watch. Mostly World showcase is walking, looking, walking, looking, and some more walking! Epcot is huge.
Make sure to go to Living Seas to see Crusher. This is worth standing in line for 15-20 minutes. And I think the "clam mobiles" will be open then.
So after all that, I think your idea of going to Epcot is a great one. But don't worry about WDW making a good impression. It will blow you away. The one thing I noticed was how big it is. 47 square miles. 18 resorts. 2 water parks, 3 golf courses, 2 mini golf, sports arena, and good size shopping area.
If you get a chance, go see Wilderness Lodge. It looks just like home!! And eating there can be loads of fun.

I will be there during that time for Mousefest. Maybe will see you there!

Have a great time!

 

[Magic2000]

You may also want to consider going to Downtown Disney after breakfast for some shopping! My kids (and DH & I) like to spend some time there - just browsing, and of course buying!!! DD likes to ride the small carosel they have there too! And the little train too. After a relaxing afternoon walking around shopping, you could go to MVMCP (and you wouldn't have used a day off your tickets!!)

Have a great trip!!! The idea of a relaxing trip through Epcot is good too!

 

[sunny_]

I think your EPCOT idea sounds great. We are spending our first half day there - our first full day is always Magic Kingdom!

 

[shellbelle]

First of all, starting your vacation at Chef Mickey's is a great choice. My kids DD11 and DD9 love to eat there. It is fun and full of energy.

Afterwards is a tough choice, but I would choose Epcot. There is so much to see and do there, you will definately need more than 1 full day. You can start out by riding the monorail from CR to Epcot. We love the monorail. It just screams Disney. Grab a FastPass for Soarin' and enjoy the Santas around the world. My kids love Innoventions, but beware they may not want to leave.

Get a good nights rest and head to MK about an hour before opening. Head to your favorite and most popular rides first. You should have plenty of time to accomplish a lot of the park before lunch. You'll be glad you waited a day for MK.

Have a magical vacation!

 

[wrldpossibility]

Thanks! Keep the ideas coming!

A little more info:

We arrive Dec. 10, so the day I'm debating is Dec. 11th, which is a Monday. (I have read to avoid MK on Monday in the UG). I also subscribe to TGM, so I try to follow his recommendations.

We plan to spend an whole other day in FW, and another afternoon in WS. Epcot is the park I'm most excited about (nothing like that at DLR). And yes, we are eating a dinner at WCC. We debated staying at WL, because it looks heavenly, but decided we can do the "real thing" at lodges around home, so we're staying at POR for a change of scenery.

 

[Gabe's Mom]

I think you have a great plan. By the time you eat @ CM's and soak up some atmosphere @ the CR, It won't be a terribly long day before it's your ADR time @ Epcot. WS is a great place to fill up the afternoon. You won't regret waiting to do the MK "right". It really is worth it

 

[SqueakyMouse]

It's going to be tough seeing the MK from the Contemporary and not heading over there. More often than not, we head to the MK first -- even if it's just for an hour or two. We just have to walk down Main Street and absorb the atmosphere. We never plan on visiting any of the attractions that first afternoon or evening. However, if there are no lines, we will.

 

[rlovew]

POR is a beautiful resort- Boatwrights has a really good dinner, we were there last March- schedule yourselves some pool time as you have 2 different pools with slides avialable to you (both POR and POFQ pools are for guests of both).

If you want the time change to happen for the family I would go with EPCOT on that first day. When you arrive try to get FP for Soarin (although you may have been at Disneyland) or Test Track. You may be surprised at being able to get them. I find the Santas and Storytellers fascinating. Also plan to spend some time in Innoventions- they always have something new, recently they have had opportunities for adults to use the segways free of charge. Another fun area is the games and playground at the end of Mission Space.