Looking for ideas on first night

[wahoowa]

We land around 4pm. Renting a car and will be over to Poly around 5:30. Any ideas for a fun, different thing to do with a 2, 4, and 7 year old? Don't want to waste going into the parks and buying a ticket for a couple hours. We usually do DTD on the last day. Maybe even something (I hate to say it) non-Disney? Any ideas?

thanks

 

[Hopefully]

I think that thinking that you will be at the Poly 90 minutes from scheduled landing is a bit optimistic, but I hope you are right
Since you don't want to use a Park entrance, and you plan on doing DTD on your last night what about a character dinner at Chef Mickey's. Just don't make your ADR too early. Many folks always start their vacation at CM. You could ride the Monorail around the resorts, or even to Epcot to get in the mood.
I do not have any non-Disney suggestions, since I don't know the area otherwise.
The most important thing to us on our first night is to get to bed early, so that we can start our vacation bright and early the next morning, rested.
Have a great trip.

 

[septbaby]

Why not just enjoy the Poly? If they are all excited to do Disney and you are staying at that hotel go to the pool then plan a nice dinner somewhere in the world. Kona or Ohana are on site and would be easy to do if you get an ADR made. You can see the Electric Water Parade and Wishes from the beach at the Poly.

Using Magical Express transportation we were at the hotel with in 90 minutes. I don't think that is likely picking up a rental car with three kids in Orlando. By the way are you packing the booster seats? Those things are super expensive to rent from the car companies. With ME you wouldn't have to worry about packing one.

 

[Harambe]

Settle into your room, watch the torch lightings, eat at 'Ohana, then take the kids to the pool. Watch the Electric Water Parade, and then enjoy the fireworks from the beach.

My son still talks about watching the MK fireworks from the volcano pool slide platform - drippin' wet and grinning ear to ear!

You'll be bright-eyeed and bushy-tailed for your first full day at the parks.

 

[kimis]

Our plane arrives at 5:00 pm. It is the same flight every year. We check in, put our carry ons in our room and head to DTD. Our first meal is always at Capn Jacks. Then we walk around DTD and head back to our room. ME has delivered our bags by then and we unpack. We love it. It allows us time to unwind and get settled for the rest of the magical time. Enjoy

 

[chip007]

I think another good option is the Boardwalk. There's always something going on -- music, entertainment. There are places to get something to eat and relax.

 

[duffy]

We won't arrive at the Wilderness Lodge until evening as well. I'm thinking of possibly heading over to Fort Wilderness to the campfire. If we get there too late, I think we'll just explore the Lodge, possibly just take a ride on the monorail through the Contemporary, past the Magic Kingdom and Grand Floridian, maybe even switch to go down and around Spaceship Earth at Epcot.

We've been to the World before, but will be taking my 9-year old niece, it will be her first time, so I'm looking forward to seeing her excitement that first evening!!

 

[mjkaferle5]

On the first night of our last trip, we went over to Chef Mickey's for dinner, then watched Wishes from the observation deck right at the Contemporary.

 

[uva185]

I think that thinking that you will be at the Poly 90 minutes from scheduled landing is a bit optimistic, but I hope you are right

Not sure why you find that so funny?? Granted they have to take the time to rent a car but it usually takes me 45-60 minutes from deboarding to arrival at a resort.

I think staying at the Poly to eat and watch the fireworks sounds like a very nice (and cheap) idea

 

[CANDICE]

I would go to WL and eat at The Whispering Canyon Cafe and then head over to FW for the campfire! WCC is a hoot!

 

[toverly]

We quite happily head to DTD for Rainforest Cafe. It is a treat all to itself. Unless of course, your younger ones do not like the thunderstorm in the restaurant. The way DTD is set up, it probably won't interfere with your last night there. Besides, the Lego store itself is worth the visit for the kids.