How late too late to start

[bethieb]

Trying to plan our late April trip, and it already feels like it's late! Anyway, we anticipate arriving at the Beach Club between 1 & 2. By the time we check in and get settles, is it a waste to go to one of the parks?

Also, is dinner a huge long production at Coral Reef or Ohana?

Thanks in advance to a newbie!!

 

[krystyana]

When we stay at the beach club we usually go to Epcot the first day because it's right there, and that's where most of the best places to eat are. We've never felt like it was a waste. As far as restaurants, we've never done Ohana but hate the coral reef. It's actually the only restaurant we've been to and not liked. We had to wait excessively long (over an hour and a half with ps during off season), the food wasn't that good, and the service was poor. But others have loved it, so I guess every experience is different! Have lots of fun!

 

[carol1231]

I was going to suggest Epcot also. The BC is a quick walk to Epcot, or can take the boat. Plenty of great dinner places there, our favorite is the San Angel in Mexico. Have not eaten at Coral Reef, but have eaten at Ohana, and enjoyed it.

Have a fun trip.

 

[disgal1]

It's never too late!
We have stayed at the beach club and loved it. Cape May buffet is right there if you want to eat there and walk over to Epcot. You should have plenty of time to see quite a bit of Epcot. Try to get a fast pass for fast track if you are interested in that.
Lots of restaraunts in Epcot to choose from if you don't want to eat at Cape May, That is always one of our first stops. We love the food at Cape May

You can also walk to MGM( or take the boat over) you could do the fantasmic dinner package, get fast pass for tower of terror or rock n roller coaster, have a nice dinner and see fantasmic.

 

[drakester]

We always split up our first day in. DH takes Kids to the pool and I go food shopping and unpack. We may go to epcot for dinner and fireworks. But we always like to take it easy on arrival day and get ready for a eventful week.

 

[msudawgs30]

Hi Bethieb!
Welcome!

I'll have to agree with the previous posts, it's NEVER too late to plan a trip to WDW!
If you're going in late April then you're right at your 90 day window for making priority seating arrangements. We too are going in late April and the planning is just now becoming concrete because we are better able to view park hours and then plan out each day and what restaurants, etc...

We are also staying a BC and because we're driving all night to get there, we are taking it easy the first day. If you do go to a park, like the previous posts siad, EPCOT is soooo handy and low key enough to whet your appetite but not overwhelm you. Dinner at Cape Mae's Cafe (the nightly clam bake) is also a good low key idea since it's right there at the resort.

Plan away and have fun...maybe we'll see you at the Beach Club!!!

 

[Leota]

Love the Beach Club!

As far as Parks the first day - It's a MUST for us unless we are arriving late at night. As everyone already said, Epcot is right there & it's a lovely way to start of your vacation, strolling into World Showcase & wandering the Park.

As far as dinner - we had great experiences with Coral Reef (last meal there in 2000) and Ohanas (last meal there in 2001) We did not enjoy Cape May for dinner (2000) & will not return there. There are so many great restaurants at your fingertips while at the Beach Club - see the menus at http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

 

[Karibeth19]

I don't know how long you are staying, but with the new Magic Your Way tickets, it's almost a waste if you don't go to the parks your first night. For our trip in May, we are arriving Saturday afternoon, and were planning on waiting until Sunday to start going to the parks. We were going to buy 2 adult and 1 child 6 day tickets with hopper option for $669.89 (that includes tax). However, when we looked into it a little further, we discovered we could get 7 day tickets with hopper option for only $673.08. That's a difference of only $3.19! I'm more than willing to spend just a couple of hours at the parks our first night if it will only cost me $3.19! Of course, the cost of extra days depends on how many days you are planning to stay; for shorter stays the "per day" cost is more. But I think if you are staying 5 or more days, it really pays to spend the few (and I do mean few) extra dollars to spend your first evening in the parks. Have fun!

 

[bethieb]

Thanks to all of you. We are really fortunate in that my in-laws are taking us, but it makes for a little awkwardness. So, if they have purchased tix for all days, epcot it is on Day 1.

 

[10drum]

When at the BC, we always make a PS for around 8PM, at Rose and Crown(ask for outside table). Have supper and watch Illuminations. Great way to start a vacation