If you were traveling for 6 days and only had a 5 day pass..

[310girls2]

What would you do? Would you buy a one day pass or spend the first day hanging out. We get in on Sun the 5th at noon and the parks close early because of MVMCP. Should we hang for the day and do DTD and start bright the next day any opinions appreciated. BTW - traveling with a 13 mo. old and 11 yo..thanks

 

[cdrn1]

There is so much non-park stuff to do. You can go to DTD, hang out at the pool, play mini-golf, resort hop. It's fun to kick back and do the lazy stuff.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I would make a PS for dinner at Chef Mickey's or another resort. And DTD has alot to see and do. I do not think I would spend the $ on a one day pass for only 1/2 day. That is the most $$$ way to purchase a pass and for 1/2 day, I'm just too cheap. I would also turn in early so you can all hit the ground running the next morning.

If you are staying in the Epcot area, you could also check out the boardwalk the first evening.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would not spend that first day at the parks, esp since it would be a 1/2 day.

It can be great fun just getting settled, touring the resort and having a nice meal. You could do a character meal at one of the resorts, Chef Mickeys or 1900 Park Fare. If you time it you could watch the fireworks from MVMCP at either resort as well as the Polynesian. This can get you in the Disney mood and save time waiting on line for characters later without using admission.

If characters are not important you can hit the Boardwalk area for dinner, entertainment and see Illuminations for a taste of the fun to come, again without admission.

During the day you can relax and swim, rent water mice, play mini golf and visit DTD, visit the campground for the petting zoo and singalong or even the campfire movie.

Have fun
TJ

 

[russtwinsmom]

We always plan an off day right in the middle of our trips. We use this to re-energize (nap), swim, call home, spend a nice evening at Dowtown Disney and replan our park strategies. This seems to work wonders for everyone's dispositions!

Enjoy,
RTM

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

We always plan an off day right in the middle of our trips. We use this to re-energize (nap), swim, call home, spend a nice evening at Dowtown Disney and replan our park strategies. This seems to work wonders for everyone's dispositions!

Enjoy,
RTM

We always take a day (or two) off in the middle of the vacation. This depends on how long we are there. Swimming during the day and going to DTD or Chef Mickey's or the Wilderness Lodge (Whispering Canyon Cafe' is GREAT). There are many choices that don't involve a pass into the parks!! Have fun!!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I would upgrade the ticket to a 6 day hopper. You're getting there early enough to really enjoy one of the parks. I'd go to Epcot since they don't close until 9:00.

 

[Lori S.]

We just did this exact trip. We had an extra day and planned to take a day off to rest in the middle. Because we arrived later than we planned in the day and didn't accomplish what we wanted on our first day, we upgraded to a 6 day. (also, if you decide to do this PM me, let me give you advice, I had a very hard time getting this done, 2 CM's tried to charge me almost 100 extra dollars - a SUPER CM took over, shortly before my nervous breakdown, and we got it taken care of - so please PM me for advice) Anyhoo, we added the day and I will regret it until my dying day!! The day before our "added" day, we were in MK from opening to closing, and we made it just fine, and had a great day, but that next day, even though we slept late, and went to the park around lunch, we were miserable. We wasted 240 bucks on that day, and I mean wasted. We were so tired, snappy, and just plain give out. We went back to the room early, swam and went to bed. We had better days the rest of the week, but we were still tired. I will always wonder what kind of week we would have had if we'd just rested all day. PLEASE REST. I thought we'd be fine, I was wrong. I like the EPCOT on the first day idea. My travel agent suggested epcot first because after all the magic of everywhere else, epcot may be boring, but first it would be cool. (although mission space could NEVER be boring - my favorite of the trip!!! Thumbs up!!) Have a great time. Wish I could be there!!

 

[mjmcca]

If you really want to go to a park ont he first day get tickets to the party at the MK. I think the policy for the christmas party is the same as at halloween, They let us inthe park around 4 pm. I think the tickets are cheaper than trying to upgrade to a higher park hopper. If you dont want to go that all of the other posters had great suggestions.

 

[kiddoc]

We were in this situation and did a PS at 1900 Park Fare and then rode the monorail to Poly and watched fireworks from the beach. Before that, we hung out at the resort pool. It was a good first day for us.

 

[lmhall2000]

I agree...use your first day for swimming/and a nice character dinner at Chef Mickey's....it'll get you in that Disney mode and everyone will be smiling on their way to sleep that night. After Chef Mickey's if your 11 month is up to it you could visit the other monorail resorts and check out their Christmas decorations...take lots of pictures and dwell in that Christmas magic!

Tara

 

[ash&abby'smom]

We will be there at the same time. We plan to do DTD and tour some resorts. We are also doing CM for dinner. I would stay out of the parks and relax. The next day, you will be ready to go. Have a great trip.

 

[Jridou]

I second (third) the idea of a day off in the MIDDLE of your vacation. Will you have a car? I always like a few hours at the Outlet mall

 

[HappyLawyer]

What would you do? Would you buy a one day pass or spend the first day hanging out. We get in on Sun the 5th at noon and the parks close early because of MVMCP. Should we hang for the day and do DTD and start bright the next day any opinions appreciated. BTW - traveling with a 13 mo. old and 11 yo..thanks

We are hanging out the first day

 

[Tinkim]

Originally, I had the same plan to buy a 5-Day PH and go to DTD or Chef Mickey's the first day. If you haven't already purchased your passing they now have the MYW passes and I have found that I can buy a 6-Day pass (no hopping and expiring) for $100 less and we can go to the parks every day. MK is open late the day we arrive so we will probably head over there and try to go on a few rides and then see Wishes. The new passes are great if you can forgo the park hopping option. I figure we won't feel the need to park hop as much because we will get much more time to spend in the parks plus won't feel guilty about "wasting" a day on a regular PH. From what I understand, you can also purchase the no expiration option after you buy the pass if something comes up and you can't use all the days; however, you will have to pay for the no expiration option for a 6-day pass not the numbers of days left on the pass. Something else to consider.

 

[MrsPete]

I also vote for a non-park day in the middle of your trip -- we always do it. In fact, we never use park hoppers on our first day or our last day (travel days) as well! When we use a park hopper day, we make sure we've planned to be in the parks ALL DAY to make good use of that high-priced ticket.

I suggest sleeping in, enjoying a late character breakfast at a deluxe resort, then spending some time at Downtown Disney or driving the water mice. Then finish up your day with a dinner show. There's a ton of stuff to choose from, and you'll save the park admission.