New to DISboards - Arrival Day Question

[TravelinSouth]

My DH and I will be taking our two sons (Age 4 &2) to Disney for the first time in September. We will be arriving on Sunday afternoon and have ADR's at Chef Mickey's that night. The following day we are at Animal Kingdom all day because of ADR's. I'm starting to second guess that decision because we won't be going to Magic Kingdom until Tuesday of our trip. Should I try to make it to the Magic Kingdom on arrival day? I've read some posts on this board that it's better to lay low the first day with young kids so they're not exhausted the rest of the trip. What do you think?

Wilderness Lodge
September 21-26
1st Timers!!!!

 

[buffy0214]

I know this isn't really much help but I think you'd be fine either way.

My personal preference is to go straight to the Magic Kingdom. My kids, aged 4, 7, 10 did fine. We arrived around 3pm in the park and made an early night of it, leaving before the fireworks. If you decide to go to MK, just plan on doing a small section like Tomorrowland. Speedway, Buzz, Monsters, Inc---lots of fun for boys.

I also think going straight to Chef Mickey's provides an ample amount of fun for the first evening. Just seeing the mouse is exciting enough for the little ones. They will love the character meal. The Magic Kingdom will still feel magical when you arrive after you day at AK.

The toughest part is always deciding because you may feel like you will be missing something else. Once you get there, however, it will all be fun no matter which way you choose.

 

[Jajone]

Your children won't know what they are missing at MK and will enjoy AK a lot more by not comparing it to MK. I know that it's hard not to go to MK, but we've done it both ways and it works not going. Late nights on travel days do not work with little kids. They will be exhausted and not on a "high" from being there. It starts out the week on a bad note being tired because you never really make up that sleep time.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Now that we are veterans at doing Disney with our DD...my vote is definately not. Traveling takes a ton out of them (mine never sleeps on the plane because she's too excited). We like to hang at the resort, hit the pool, and go to bed early. Then we are refreshed to head out bright and early to the parks the next day.

 

[TravelinSouth]

JaJone-

Thank you so much. I had read in PassPorter about MK being the most exciting for young kids which is why I had booked AK first. But, or course, as the trip gets closer I'm second guessing everything.

I appreciate you affirming what I read in a travel book. It's so nice to get personal advice from someone who has been to the park (rather than just reading things in books).

 

[rt2dz]

I just want to say that I agree that it is better to do MK with little kids, especially those who have never been before, after the other parks. They'll enjoy those parks so much more, and it will carry to future trips.

We also start every trip with a dinner ADR to Chef Mickey's. It's low key and sets the perfect mood to see the main characters right away.

 

[Tinka_Belle]

Last year DD and I went to the MK after we unloaded the car. She was 5 last year. We didn't stay too late and just did some easy rides. We plan on doing the same thing this year also.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

DD's LOVES animals...hence why we fork up the cash for AKL. BUT, AK is always a disappointment after going to the MK. I think it's the lack of rides for little ones. She'll ride the dinos, the safari, Kali, watch the Lion King show and then wants to go back to the castle!!! We are members of our local zoo so she goes to the zoo about 2-3 month in the warmer months. The animals trails at AK bore her because of this. For a first trip, I would do AK first and save MK for day two. Now that we've been there a bunch of times, we can't fool her by going to AK first...she knows that the castle is there!!!

 

[bellazachmom]

I think that you have planned it perfectly! We went last fall with our 4 & 2 year old and did EXACTLY what you are planning to do and it worked out wonderfully! The only thing we did a bit different was taking a monorail trip around the lagoon after our dinner so that the kids could have a "ride" their first night and my 4 year old daughter could see the castle. They loved it. Day #2 was AK, day #3 was MK and then day #4 was the studios were we started off with the Playhouse Disney show. Day #5 and #6 were back to MK for the morning and then Epcot for the afternoon and on our last day we did the Studios and MK. This worked out well for us because we would spend a few hours in the parks and then head back to the resort for lunch/nap/pool time. Not one meltdown our entire trip!

Don't second guess yourself, go with your plan and have a wonderful visit!

Hope this helps! Jennie

 

[crisi]

IMO, You do not want to do anything on arrival day. Unless you are maybe arriving from somewhere very close.

With toddlers, arrival day for us was like this.

Get up before 5:00am
Quick shower
Round kids out of bed at 5:25
Cab picks up at 5:30
Catch 7:30 am flight
No napping from my kids on the plane
Arrive Orlando around 12:00
Arrive at resort around 1:30
Find something to eat (we've had snacks I packed for the plane)
Try and get the kids to nap. Not happening
Pool time
Go back to room and kids fall sound asleep at 6:00 at night.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

We have one DD5 and she has been to disney 10 trips (yep, not a typo, she is five been ten times...and we fly from NY ) we always went to AK first as its a let down after MK, i vote for Mk after the other parks - have a super time!