help with first day

[Jessbaby]

Hey everyone my family is going to disney for the holidays. We are arriving on Dec 24 at 11:00 A.M. We have someone picking us up at the airport. I was thinking about going to downtown disney to do some christmas shopping then we have dinner reservations at 5:20 for the candlelight package at epcot with the show at 8:15. Does anyone think the shopping is a good idea or do you have any other ideas? We only have a 5 day park hopper so I want to get the most out of it.

 

[swilphil]

I would go to the hotel, leisurely get ready for your dinner, and then head to Epcot. The park could be super busy that day, especially if it was EE. You might have to wait to get in. If you want to do any shopping, I would do it at World Showcase in Epcot.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by Jessbaby
[B We only have a 5 day park hopper so I want to get the most out of it. [/B]

I would say know it will be crowded but go into a park. CP requires admission so you will be using a day of the hopper already.

Enjoy
Sandy

 

[nativetxn]

Jessbaby, if you go to the CP in the evening, you will use a whole day on that hopper pass for 4 hours. I would either go to EPCOT as soon as I could (skip the shopping) or do CP another evening and not enter a park on that first day.

If you go to EPCOT as soon as you get checked in, you will make better use of that hopper day. That's what I would do.

 

[Harambe]

Yep - I'd get to Epcot and then shop there. Don't forget, if you are staying at a Disney resort, you can have the packages sent to your resort the next day so you are not lugging them around the park with you (or you can have then sent to a pick-up spot at Epcot and you can pick them up on your way out of the park).


Each country has great shops to find unique things - or go to MouseWorks in Future World! It's huge, we always shop here - has everything Disney!

 

[Jessbaby]

Thank you everyone. But checkin is not until 4:00 pm at our hotel. Will they let us check in early? Also what time is downtown disney open until? Maybe we can hit that after the candlelight processional show.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by Jessbaby
Thank you everyone. But checkin is not until 4:00 pm at our hotel. Will they let us check in early? Also what time is downtown disney open until? Maybe we can hit that after the candlelight processional show.

You can definetly register early at the resort. They have a room ready policy so if something is vacant and clean, you can have it. I checked in around noon over the summer. If not, they will hold your luggage and give you a room key plusa number to call back to find out if your room is ready and what number you were assigned, World of Disney is usually open until 11 or later but not sure if they change hours to give some of the CM's time with family. Best bet is to call there and check.

Enjoy
Sandy

P.S. I agree on Mousegear, it is huge