Need Suggestions for first night

[kids2disney]

We will be arriving Orlando airport at 5:15pm on Thursday, 3-28, and staying at AKL. (We have 2 DS that are 3 and 6) We could stay at AKL and relax or go to Downtown Disney. Also thought about taking the DS to ASMovies Toy Story Andy's Room. Any suggestions on some fun things to do until about 9:00pm? Thanks...

 

[hellokitty]

if you are arriving at aiport at 5:15 and checked your luggage
and rented a car, it will be about 6:00 before you get to leave the
airport, so it is about 30 minutes to the resort then you have to
check in which depends on the line at the time so i go light 15 minutes, it will now be about maybe 7 pm by the time you get to
your room..... have we eaten yet? if not you should eat, and then
you could go to the arcade or pool (if it is heated well)
because it is hard to see much at the movies in the dark...

just my observation though.
have a super trip we just got back yesterday

 

[sneetch]

I would spend time just hanging out at the hotel, or you could go hotel hopping. I did that the last time I went to Disney, and I had a lot of fun just checking out the other resorts. If you have ultimate park hoppers, you could spend a couple of hours at disney quest, the little ones would probably like that. Another idea is to head over to the boardwalk.

 

[schwaa]

Here's my suggestion(s) (the s was added after I finished and realized I made 3 suggestions):

After you get to the room and get settled, hop on a bus to the magic kingdom. Then Hop on the Resort monorail all the way around to the Polynesian. You can a quick bite to eat at Captain Cook's, then watch the MK fireworks from the beach at 9:00 pm, then watch the water pagent parade, then ride the monorail back to MK then catch a bus back to AKL. You might not be back until 10 - 10:30 though. Is that too late?

You could aslo do the same thing except go to the Food and Fun center at the Contemporary and watch the fireworks from the 15th floor.

Also you could just stay at the AKL. I think they have storytelling outside at 7:30.

 

[zurgswife]

We stayed our first night at AKL had dinner there listened to storytelling and watched the animals...kids had a great time...

 

[joyful1nh]

We (myself, DH & DD, 4) highly recommend the storytelling at AKL (6:30 at the Arusha firepit nightly). There are also kids activities with native CM's after that. Plus you will be tired from travel and there is so much to see at AKL.

 

[Ricola]

Normally, we like to go to DD on our arrival night, but there's just so much to do at the AKL, that I'd recommend staying there!

I'd make a dinner PS at Boma, (or just grab something quick at the Mara), and spend your time at the resort. Walk out to Arusha Rock and watch the animals. Sit around the fire pit, whether or not it's story time. Browse through the gift shop.

You'd be amazed at how much time you could spend just sitting on your balcony and watching the animals; Bring some binoculars and order some room service and just enjoy the view!

 

[susy]

That's a long day for the kids! I would get settled in, check out your resort and get some dinner at Mara's. You could feed the kids early, bathe them and get them to bed and then you and your spouse can get room service and eat on your balcony. I'm sure AKL will be so breathtaking that you won't want to leave!

 

[kids2disney]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I had thought about just staying at AKL. I have never been to the Boardwalk. I have read a little about it. Would a 3 and 6 DS enjoy it?

 

[MARC514]

Any suggestions if you're arriving around 5 and staying at the Swan? I'll have a 5 year old going for the first time. Marc

 

[Disney Campers]

Head over to Fort Wilderness and check out the campfire movie program with Chip & Dale, just be careful visiting Fort Wilderness you might get bit by the camping bug

 

[ibleedblue]

I always enjoy going to the observation deck of the Contemporary and watching the MK fireworks the day we arrive. I don't have any kids, but I would think that a 3 and 6 year old would enjoy this. You're far enough away that you don't have the big booms that tend to scare the kids, so you wind up just enjoying the fireworks. They also pipe the music to the deck so you can listen to the same music the folks in the parks are. I love it!

Greg

 

[donnamerry]

By the time you get to AKL you may all be a little 'beat' but more so maybe for the 3 and 6 yr old. I would get dinner at Mara or Bomas and then just relax and enjoy the AKL! You can view animals all over the place. The children will enjoy that and go back to room, relax, get to sleep early enough to start a full whole day the next day!!!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We drive but arrive around 5:00-6:00 PM and we are tried! We have a tradition of where ever we are, getting room service (even just pizza) and turning in early. We do like to take a monorail ride our first night at Disney, but with two little ones I would just enjoy the resort and hit the sack early. We have to do MK our first day and like to get a early start.


Jordan's mom

 

[MinnieGi]

I wouldn't plan on anything else but relaxing at AKL and taking some of that atmosphere in. Travelling can be taxing on the whole family and I'd advise resting up after it so you can start out fresh the next morning and head over early to one of the parks. I myself like to set up our little "home" for the week before I go out anywhere.

 

[cboudre1]

At the Swan you are across the street from Fantasia Golf. We are arriving around 6:30 and plan on eating at ESPN (My 14 year old loves sports) and then playing golf. If we were at AKL I would just stay there.