help with first day

[feet1]

We aren't leaving until December 11th, but I'm trying to get things organized, since we are all so excited!

The day we arrive is a tuesday, the flight gets in around 1pm...so after catching the magical express to the hotel, (we're staying at the Wilderness Lodge), we plan on trying to get a swim in and tour the grounds until ou5 5:50 ADR at Whispering Canyon Cafe...the thing is, what should we do that evening. I don't want to just hang out at the hotel, we've been planning this trip for a year, and need to get to the parks or something. But, that day, MK closes at 7pm, MGM at 8pm, AK at 5pm and Epcot at 9:30. The EMH are at epcot, but in the am. so, should we head over for a little bit to the world showcase, or do downtown disney a bit, or just relax at the hotel? ahhhhh

Oh, btw, it will me me (who will be 31 weeks pregnant!!), my husband, 7yo son, 5 yo daughter, 4 yo daughter, my mom and my dad.

Thanks for any suggestions you awesome DISers can give me!

 

[wilde_oscar]

ok... this will sound crazy but, ya might wanna make sure your batteries are fully charged for in the morning. An easy trip over to DTD would work. But after a day of travel and all the excitment and the parks closing not long after dinner... a night of rest to be ready for the next day would be a great idea.

However... if you have tix that cover that day and every day of the trip, forget the swim... hit the launch right away for MK... decide ahead of time which major attractions ya wanna hit before dinner, then head back. If you are like me, that first day I cannot wait to get to the parks and head that direction fast enough.

An additional after dinner idea, would be monorail rides. The ride from TTC to Epcot in the evening is really cool, ya get to see Epcot all lit up at night, then just stay on and head back to TTC. That would be a great option if you do not have park tix that cover every day of the stay, cause it is free.

 

[Mickeys_n_me]

I always relax the first day and make sure I am bed early for my first morning of touring.
Usually I either hit the boardwalk or DTD and do some shopping (stock up on my autograph books and anything else I need) tour around the shops then go to bed early so I can wake up first thing and be relaxed and ready to go!

 

[feet1]

Oh! The monorail line, that gives me another idea...I think maybe we will hit all the hotels on the monorail to see their Christmas decorations. I was just talking it over with my mom, and I think that is what we will probably do. And before dinner, we will probably hit the MK for a bit. Yeah, I can't just sit there and not get into the park on that first day, not after the months of anicipation for this trip!

 

[unicorn1]

My kids LOVE riding the monorails on arrival date. We always arrive too late to blow a day on our park passes, so going to the parks is out of the question. Take the monorail loop to EPCOT, preferably after dark. It's fun just to look. Take the MK loop as well. Find out what time fireworks are at MK and hop off the monorail and watch from the observation deck at CR. It may sound weird, but riding the monorails on our arrival evening, not hurried to get in the parks, is always one of the highlights or our trips.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Our resort of choice is WL too, ubt our first night adventure or ritual is taking the boat in the evening over to FW and having a pizza bash at Crocketts Tavern, Trails End eatery is there also and has some of the best buffet on property, might want to check out that buffet menu and do Whispering Canyon another day. We catch EWP from the FW beach, have our pizza and pitchers of beer then head back to the resort for a swim first evening.

 

[ajcolorado]

What about going over to the Ft. Wilderness Campground for the campfire sing-along w/ Chip & Dale or the outdoor movie?

See: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/activity-campfire.html

 

[Hopefully]

I would suggest an early evening to lead into an early morning.
You might be surprised by how tired you all are. Traveling (and the excitement) are tiring. You have little ones, and you will be 31 weeks pregnant. I would do nothing more taxing than Riding the Epcot monorail, - not exploring the monorail resorts.
I agree with the others too, I would head to a park as soon as you check in rather than swimming that afternoon. It is great to really feel as if you are there. And another afternoon with a swim break will give you much needed rest during the week.
Have a Great Trip.