I know this is kind of a no-no but...

[Carolinagirl1063]

We usually arrive around 4pm, check in, go to MK for a little while and do Chef Mickey's for dinner. If we have time, we may swim before bed.

 

[Mcmouse]

I think the OP may be referring to advice they have heard in the past. This advice doesn't fit everyone's situation obviously.
The person giving the advice may have been arriving late in the day (maybe in off peak periods when the park closes early) and only have a limited number of days on their hopper pass. They probably thought they wouldn't want to "waste" a day on their HP for only a few hours.
The OP needs to consider
1) What time will they arrive and how much energy will they have (maybe a long drive)
2) How late are the parks open that day (how many hours of park time could they get)
3) What type of ticket (and how many days) do they have
4) Are the staying on or off site

After considering these factors (and probably others), they need to make the call as to whether or not they go to a park.

In the past we have done both things (gone to a park and not gone to a park). It really depends on the person and the specific situation.

Mike

 

[mhingher]

We normally don't go in the parks on our arrival day. However, we are planning to go into EPCOT our first evening this time. Our plan doesn't arrive until 5:30pm, but we're staying a week and have 7 day passes-- and we plan on spending a day at Universal and another day at a waterpark-- so I won't feel bad using a day on my pass for a few hours to get in the mood (it was only a few more $$ for the 7 day pass opposed to the 4 or 5 day pass!)

 

[jonestavern]

this past trip by the time we got to POP it was almost 2 am! we'd already told ourselves (DH, moi & DS16) we'd sleep late & hit the parks for the fireworks
No way!
We just couldn't sleep later than 8 am & then up & out to Epcot. We have APs so that was the deciding factor--why not? We are weak willed!
for those not wishing to go into the parks, there is also WinterSummerland & Fantasia mini golf, Medieval Times, Dixie Stampede, animal watching at AKL, etc
The parade route is set out in UG, the times in the events calender just ride everything to one side of it before hand & save the other side for the parade.

You're going to have a great time!

Jean

 

[tinkerbell60]

We always head off to MK when we get there, we have always had early morning flights. The first time we walked into MK right when the afternoon parade was about to start, we got great curbside seats in the circle on Main Street - it was the kids' first trip and a great introduction. Last time, we hopped the train and went to FrontierTown, rode BTMRR, POC, Tiki Room, We just meandered around and looked for reasonable lines with no expectations. Sometimes things really work out well unplanned.

 

[padams]

To avoid the parade, stay away from the parade route on Main Street and Frontierland. It's a good time to be in Adventureland or Toontown, or Tomorrowland.

 

[patsal]

I always go on my first day. Even if it is later and there isn't much I can do because of crowds or no more fast passes I can always ride/see the things that rarely have lines. The TTA, Country Bears, Tiki Birds, walk on Main Street, enjoy the special things that make each "land" unique, take in the night time parade/fireworks. I can't just stay in my room!

 

[carone0318]

We always go to MK our first day there. I don't feel like I am at WDW until I go to MK. Our family myself, dh, dd (9) and ds (5) are big character people. We will go in get a fast pass and then go find characters in between our fast passes. One thing I will say though is that we are a family that will criss-cross the park all day long. I like the exercise, it is not uncommon for us to do 10+ miles a day (yes, I am the dork that wears the pedometer everyday!) We'll walk through shops also. The carousel never has a line either (or a short one.) Little ones like that ride. Go to Toon Town, lots of characters. You could ride the train around the perimeter of the park. I find that the magic carpets, POC and jungle cruise usually have short waits too. Oh, just for reference we usually go in the summer time, so it is normally a busy time of the year.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Last year our plane left at 6:45am we were in MCO by 8:30. Checked in, rested a few minutes and we were walking to the bus stop by 10:30 ready to go!!!!! It was great! We hit Downtown Disney for a couple of hours, ate lunch then went to MK. I also don't feel like I'm there until I see the castle. We go to MK the first day and it's always the last thing we do on the last day. I can't wait until August when we go back!

 

[RCBlackburn]

OMG - your boys are SO CUTE!!!!!

I know a lot of people say not to do anything the day you arrive, BUT...our flight gets into Orlando at 9:30 am and there is no way we are going to sit around the house all day (might be a different story if we were staying at a cool on-site resort).

So...we are planning on heading over to MK around 1 pm or so. I have given my boys "the talk" about how we are not going to try to do everything that day (Dumbo, Peter Pan, Barnstormer etc...) and it is more to get in the mood. But I was wondering if any of you had some good recommendations of things we could do that probably wouldn't be too crowded (stuff like Tom Sawyers Island?). We are going to go back to MK on Tuesday and will get there at rope drop, so this day is going to be much more low key. Is there any chance, at this time of year, that we might be able to do some of the more popular rides with getting there so late? We aren't even planning on staying for Spectro since we want it to be an early night. Thanks for any advice!

 

[ntengwall]

Thanks for the compliment RCBlankburn! I'm a little partial myself

 

[Wenlitz]

We always scedule our flights early so that we can arrive at WDW midmorning and head to the parks!! We dont want to waste a minute!!
Have a geat time!

 

[2tinkersmom]

OT but your boys are just adorable!! We are facing the same dilemma as you are......we arrive next week on the 1st and will probably be at POFQ by about 3. My DH didn't want me to plan anything out (which for me is a little like saying just stop breathing for a while ) but I guess we are just going to see how we all feel and take it from there.

Hope your trip is wonderful!

 

[joshsmom]

We ALWAYS plan to hit the parks the minute we get there. We go wherever the wind takes us, knowing that we may not get to do/see much that day--but we're THERE!! I'd be happy just to sit, people-watch and eat !!! Life is GOOD at WDW!!!

 

[runmom]

Hi Nicole, we are also going Feb 4 from MD too - BWI, but only staying for 4 days so we are planning on going to the parks too -but we were going to go to MGM the first day and hoping to stay and see Fantasmic - I'm hoping the family can handle the long day after getting up early for the flight. I hope its not too much. We are hoping to be in the park by 1:30. I kind of wish we were going to MK, but I'm saving that for a full day on Monday.

Nicole

 

[Disney Doll]

If I were going to be near Disney by 930AM, I'd be going to a park that day. That is plenty of time to see a lot in the park, and not feel like you were "wasting" a day on your pass.

If you really don't think you want to do a park that day, then I'd probaly do SeaWorld as my 2nd choice.

 

[goofy's friends]

Alittle different than everyone else's opinion, but have you thought of doing Animal Kingdom that day? It isn't usually a full-day park, so you could probably do and see it all in the time you have to spend. Then, you could go for a late dinner at one of the resorts and maybe watch the fireworks from there. We went to Boma's after AK and it was a great way to end an AK day, but you could try one by MK and see fireworks or even a character dinner (Chef Mickeys?) or I hear the bon-fire with Chip adn Dale at Wilderness Lodge is very fun, too.

 

[1of6]

We are in the same boat. Our plane lands before noon on the 1st. We are planning to go to MK and do what we can. Eat cs when hungry and call it a day when the little one has had enough. We plan on being there for opening the next day so it takes the pressure off.

 

[runmom]

Hi Goofy's Friend, I actually thought of going to AK when we arrived (this Sat) I figure around 1:30 - but from what I've heard the Safari line will be too long and the animals won't be as active, what do you think? I would have loved doing that on the first day b/c it is a smaller park and would be less tiring for the family but I was worried about not being there first thing to see the animals, what do you think?

Nicole

 

[goofy's friends]

We have been there first thing in the morning and the animals were not active. I think it is always a gamble no matter when you are there. I would go there first thing and get a fastpass. That way you can go do something else adn show back up for the ride and not have to wait. Just an idea.