Ideas for First Day

[grgich]

We are going to be at Pop on 8/25 on a room-only reservation, then starting our free dining reservation on 8/26. I've heard that it's a hit-or-miss on if I could get my tickets from my 8/26 package early. So, if I can't get my tickets early, I'm looking for "no park entry" ideas for our first day. There will be 2 adults and 6 kids (ages 15,14,12,12,11,11). My kids have all been to WDW a few times, but we are bringing their friends; 1 who has never been before, 1 who has been 1 time before and the third one who has been there 2 times.

Here's what I've thought of so far:

1. Go to Beaches and Cream and get a "Kitchen Sink".
2. Hang out at Pop, walk around the resort, get lots of pictures, swim in the pool
3. Go to Poly, watch Torch Lighting, eat dinner at Capt Cooks, watch Electrical Light Parade and Wishes from Poly beach
4. Go to Boardwalk, get dinner at Spoodles pizza window, check out the nightlife on the Boardwalk
5. Go to Downtown Disney, shop, have dinner at Earl's, dessert at Ghiardelli's
6. Rent water mice at Downtown Disney, Poly or Contemporary (which would be the best place to rent? Can the teenagers ride themselves, or do they need to be 16?)


Any other ideas???????

 

[karliebug]

How about mini golf?

 

[disney6family]

I agree that mini golf is a great option - you could probably work that into the DDD or most of your other ideas as golf is open late and tons of fun

 

[dyna]

Ride the monorail stop at all the monorail resorts.

DDD disney a good idea

Ahead of time make a list of stuff to be spotted that day and see who can find the most the list can be at a certain place or time or over the whole day winner gets to pick an attraction to do 1st one day or something.

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

You seem to have some great ideas. I dont think you would go wrong with anyone of them.

Here is what we did our first day. We arrived at CSR about 11am. Went swimming then had a wonderful massage in spa. Took a nap for about 1 1/2hr and headed to Cali Grill for dinner and fireworks. The whole day was relaxing. We were ready to hit the parks the next day. Of course it was just the 2 of us for 25th anny. If you have kids you may want to plan a little more exciting things.

Have a great time

 

[Kim1964]

Our first day is a non-park day, too. Last year we got to POR at about 11 a.m., checked in (room was ready!), and then we drove over to DTD for lunch at Planet Hollywood. After lunch we went back to POR for pool time, showered, changed for dinner, and had a relaxing meal at Boatwright's. We'd been up since 4 a.m. for our early morning flight, so we were ready to call it a night pretty early. We were also refreshed and ready to go for our first park day the next morning. It was DH, DD10yo, DD4yo, and me.

We have similar plans for our first day this trip, though we are spending our first night at Pop. We've never been there, so the plan is to lunch at Planet Hollywood again, and then spend the day and evening swimming and exploring the resort. It really is a nice way to ease into vacation mode.

 

[grgich]

Mini-golf sounds like a good idea, especially since I just got my vouchers in the mail for a free round... Too bad, it's only for *1* person/room!!!!!! Oh well.....

 

[grgich]

Did you choose Planet Hollywood because you had the $15 coupons? I have 2 rooms reserved, so have 2 $15 coupons for Planet Hollywood..... I could make it a "coupon" day.... rent Racers for 1.5 hours, do a round of mini-golf AND eat at Planet Hollywood......

 

[nettii]

grgrich you have great ideas. We are planning a non park day on our first day too. Please tell me about the tourch lighting and what time is the electric parade. Thanks for the info in advance. Nettii

 

[DisneyBarlans]

The water parks are awesome too. You could eat dinner at Ohana, Chef Mickey's, Whispering Canyon, etc. located in a resort, then go to Downtown Disney for some shopping.

 

[grgich]

nettii, I've never actually been to the Torch Lighting Ceremony at Poly, but I think I read about it here at the disboards last year. I wanted to try it last August when we were there, but the ceremony doesn't happen on Sundays (which is the night we had an ADR at O'hanas). I think the ceremony is around 6:30pm, Tues - Sat nights. I'm not sure exactly what happens, but I think the gist of it is that a guy dressed in very little -)) dances to drums as he lights the torches along the pathway at the Poly.

I have seen the Electrical Light Parade from the Poly a couple of times. It's basically a series of floating barges that have lights that make up something (like King Neptune, dolphins, American Flag etc) that move across Seven Seas Lagoon, set to music. It comes by the Poly around 9pm. It also goes by the CR, WL and GF. It might go by Fort Wilderness also, I'm not sure...