Help Me Plan Our First Day!

[MumziMom]

We will arrive mid-August at PBH at around noon, check in/most likely need to leave our bags with Bell Services. We would like to eat lunch and explore a bit, but it will be very hot - we thought we would take a boat to the HRH or City Walk and have lunch (I have some allergies/am gluten-free, and the quick service at PBH is problematic). The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is intriguing. Then should we hop on over to Volcano Bay? It will be on a Thursday. I've read on these boards that we should try to avoid it on the weekends. Or we could swim at the resort. It will be just the two of us, older adults. We will have gotten on a flight at 6 A.M., and may be tired. We would love to be able to head into one of the parks later to explore the Harry Potter area. We will otherwise have Friday through Monday to explore the 3 parks/go to the clubs, enjoy our vacation.

We won't feel a big need to go on rides right away, but we would like to be "wowed" a little. I'm used to having to plan a lot for WDW, and the one time I went with my daughter and didn't plan at all (per her request) she later said that she wish that we had planned more. I guess I'm looking for something special to introduce my husband and myself to Universal (never been!) without getting burnt to a crisp at high noon, or getting overtired, because we would like to explore more when the sun is lower. Thanks for all your great ideas!

 

[skylock]

Mid August, there is a good chance a room will be available.

I would suggest a nap, then when you get up, go explore. I would also suggest wearing a hat.

 

[MumziMom]

A nap WOULD be our first preference, but we were assuming that our room would not be ready (from what I've read on these boards).

 

[Lynne G]

I'd pack a bathing suit that I can access easily, and go to the pool. The food at the pool is very good, and if you need to nap, I wouldn't have minded closing my eyes on a shaded pool chair, to enjoy the heat of the day, which is usually during the afternoon. Then, hopefully your room is ready, and you can get changed and go the parks. I love the parks at night, when it's hot, then grab a drink and some late dinner, in CityWalk, Margaritaville's bar is nice, or any that catch your fancy. Then, I'd make it an early night, and since you have the express pass via your room key, I'd sleep late the next day, enjoy a late breakfast the next morning, then hit the parks for as long as you want.

That's the nice thing about the parks being so close, and having more than a few days to relax, and enjoy the parks, and the express lines are a bonus, that makes touring even easier.

Be aware, that time of year, rain seems to come around late afternoon or early evening. Keep a watch out for that.

Otherwise, for me, even if an early flight, I still like to go to the parks and enjoy City Walk , as I make my way back to the hotel on the first day I arrive. And yeah, my plane lands at 8:30 am this Fall. And since our flight in August is late night, we will sleep in the next day, as we rarely use the early entry. And we always enjoy pool time, and one morning we do the wet rides in IOA, then jump in the pool, have some lunch, clean up, and go back in the parks for later afternoon and evening.

Anyway, my thoughts. Have fun, 5 days are a nice vacation, and you'll have plenty of time to see and do much.

 

[MumziMom]

Anyway, my thoughts. Have fun, 5 days are a nice vacation, and you'll have plenty of time to see and do much.

Lynne G, thanks so much for your reply. You totally painted a picture in my head that I'm looking forward to!