Ideas for first ever day at WDW!

[pickers1982]

Out first day we always get a quick service or snack at resort then head to AK before Walmart in the afternoon to stock up on supplies. Not sure why we always do AK first

 

[Tony Toon]

Another for WPE here as well. Definitely one of our favourite counter service eateries. Bacon wrapped meatloaf is yummy and US portion sizes probably mean that you could share one - especially if you're like us and are not quite so hungry after the flight (and the fact that your body is telling you it's nearer midnight than dinner time ). We're also very fond of Earl of Sandwich. Both are close to where the boat docking point is for POFQ.

Mrs TT

 

[ukool]

First trip we did Epcot first as MK was closing early for the halloween party, Second trip was MK first. I think i preferd doing Epcot first as we had been to Euro Disney so kinda knew what MK was about.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

The show will be about 7.45am then with buses running from about 6.30am

Yea!

Another for WPE here as well. Definitely one of our favourite counter service eateries. Bacon wrapped meatloaf is yummy and US portion sizes probably mean that you could share one - especially if you're like us and are not quite so hungry after the flight (and the fact that your body is telling you it's nearer midnight than dinner time ). We're also very fond of Earl of Sandwich. Both are close to where the boat docking point is for POFQ.

Mrs TT

OK...thinking DTD about 7ish on first night, with something quick & light from WPE.

Had seen Earl of Sandwich, it is on my visit list for DTD (along with T-Rex , and maybe Rainforest Cafe? )

Phew. Day zero and 1st part of day 1 planned. Only 13.5 days left to plan!

 

[torsie24]

I wouldn't suggest an 8:45 CP ADR on your first day.

Apologies if I'm reading it wrong and that's not what you meant.

If you're going for the start of EMH and watching the 8am opening show then you'll want to be at the gates by 7.40. You're going to be awake by 5am so that's not a problem.

But you'll watch the show. Get in. Enjoy Main Street and then maybe have just got into a "land" and then have to turn around to go and eat. Eat at your resort (we get a garden grocer order delivered and have cereal & pop tarts in the room) and then maybe get a nice lunch that day once you've work yourselves out and are ready for a break.

We don't like to push ourselves too much first day so leave the park and grab lunch in one of the MK resorts. Did Kona Cafe last trip and loved it so will be making it a first day tradition I think. That way you're leaving the hustle and bustle and can have a chill out.

If you want to do CP then book it for a day you can get a pre-opening ADR so you can get in early. But not for your first morning - watch the opening show!

 

[Rach78]

As someone else mentioned, I dont think there is an opening show at MK when there are EMH.

 

[queendisney]

Another for WPE here as well. Definitely one of our favourite counter service eateries. Bacon wrapped meatloaf is yummy and US portion sizes probably mean that you could share one - especially if you're like us and are not quite so hungry after the flight (and the fact that your body is telling you it's nearer midnight than dinner time ). We're also very fond of Earl of Sandwich. Both are close to where the boat docking point is for POFQ.

Mrs TT

Just a note....at the moment the boats from POR/FQ are not docking at the market place because of the construction work. They are at the Pleasure Island dock until the Autumn, but still not a long walk to WGP or EOS. Totally agree with WGP, its a great place to eat.

 

[Tony Toon]

I can understand those who, once they have arrived at MK, don't want to have to stop to eat on their first visit as there is so much to do and see. We view it rather differently. We see an early CP breakfast as our first Disney immersion, a major attraction with character contact - and pretty good food. It has become something of a tradition and really gets us "going". With some FPs organised for afterwards then the delay in riding the "big" attractions/rides is justified. We are also comfortable in the knowledge that if we don't do any ride on this occasion then we will certainly be back.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

I can understand those who, once they have arrived at MK, don't want to have to stop to eat on their first visit as there is so much to do and see. We view it rather differently. We see an early CP breakfast as our first Disney immersion, a major attraction with character contact - and pretty good food. It has become something of a tradition and really gets us "going". With some FPs organised for afterwards then the delay in riding the "big" attractions/rides is justified. We are also comfortable in the knowledge that if we don't do any ride on this occasion then we will certainly be back.

Agreed. I am going to be far too excited on the first morning to worry about getting up and heading to resort restaurant for breakfast, plus I am looking forward to spending my first breakfast in CP looking out at MK.

I am planning on doing a Garden Grocer for delivery on check-in, so will have something light and quick in the room before heading for the bus.

It's a shame they had nothing early than 8.45am, but once gates open at 8am, plan is to have 30mins walking up Main Street and looking around, before heading to CP.

 

[2Tiggies]

Perhaps we are just different, but although I would happily do a character breakfast on my first full day, I would not do it on my first trip. Maybe that's just me.

 

[Elise79]

Perhaps we are just different, but although I would happily do a character breakfast on my first full day, I would not do it on my first trip. Maybe that's just me.

Nor me! On the basis most people are awake around 5am there is plenty of time for breakfast before hitting the parks!

I would rather go enjoy the park with the low crowds than spend an hour eating!

 

[married2mm]

We once had a breakfast adr at 8am at crystal palace.
The whole idea was to be there early for park opening at 9am.

However,this did not work out at all.

We weren't sat at a table for ages,it was a very,very long wait-then it took a while for a server to come.
We were sat looking outside at park opening,and seeing all the gen pop arrive.
I was totally frustrated,particularly as I had persuaded Dh and kids to go ( when they didn't really want to!)

 

[Tony Toon]

Oh dear, that was unlucky. Certainly never had that kind of problem in numerous visits.

 

[torsie24]

Perhaps we are just different, but although I would happily do a character breakfast on my first full day, I would not do it on my first trip. Maybe that's just me.

Me too

But if we were all the same then it'd be a pretty boring place!

We didn't care about eating on our first ever day. We ran around like maniacs and then got CS lunch.

 

[joolz1910]

Our 8.15 ADR at CP on our first full day was lovely. As others have said, it was totally 'Disney' and we all enjoyed the character interaction. The food was varied and plentiful; the coffee and juice was brought to us and the whole experience was fun and relaxing. I didn't want it to be a long day and just wanted to feel like we had 'arrived'. We stayed for a couple of hours, letting the kids explore and go on a couple of attractions and then headed back to the resort.

Eating in restaurants was all part of the holiday experience for us as we don't often do it at home.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Mmmm....starting to rethink CP breakfast....decisions, decisions

OK, what would be recommendations for lunch at MK? Maybe head to CP at lunch instead. No availability at BOG.

 

[2Tiggies]

Mmmm....starting to rethink CP breakfast....decisions, decisions

OK, what would be recommendations for lunch at MK? Maybe head to CP at lunch instead. No availability at BOG.

Yes, lunch to me is a better idea. By that time you will be hungry and probably ready for an air conditioned rest and refreshment.

 

[starrysky]

I agree- mk is the place to be. As early as physically possible! There's really nothing like it-just wonderful. We call travel day-day zero-as we've never managed to go anywhere or do anything. It's literally eat,unpack,sleep. Then as others have said-it's silly o'clock-day1-and you're giddy and raring to go.

We only once made it to a park on arrival day and that was only because it was MKs birthday. While it was nice to see the fireworks we were exhausted. I would say first night get checked in and the grab some food try and stay up as long as you can. First day we used to book an early lunch at Sci Fi in DHS. We love MK but we tend to leave it until our second day and find that DHS is easier to navigate on a first day. If we want we will pop over to Epcot to have a stroll around. Whatever you do it will be magical. Just don't tie yourself down too much on a first trip it's good to have an idea but be too rigid and you miss the simple things.

 

[Elise79]

Mmmm....starting to rethink CP breakfast....decisions, decisions

OK, what would be recommendations for lunch at MK? Maybe head to CP at lunch instead. No availability at BOG.

BoG is a CS at lunch.

We like Liberty Tree or Plaza for lunch as I don't like a huge meal in the middle of the day and those are slightly lighter plus the plaza does great milk shakes and sundaes

 

[2Tiggies]

BoG is a CS at lunch.

We like Liberty Tree or Plaza for lunch as I don't like a huge meal in the middle of the day and those are slightly lighter plus the plaza does great milk shakes and sundaes

Ooh yes, the Sundaes DD ordered one last trip and it seemed like it was the size of a 2 year old's head