Newbie seeking some advice for arrival day plans!

[pigletgirl]

Yep, we love an arrival day nap. They're the best.

 

[g-dad66]

Never thought of going at the end of the day! That solves the Fantasmic problem, and lets me have a good sleep-in!

One problem with doing DHS late is that you cannot get a FP+ for both Rock n Roller Coaster and Toy Story Mania (they are both Tier 1 FP+s and you are only allowed one Tier 1 FP+). Without FP+, you will have a super-long wait for either of these attractions.

I note that you said you weren't sure about doing Toy Story Mania, but I think this is an attraction that nearly everyone enjoys. It certainly is the most popular WDW attraction. Am curious as to why you're not sure about doing it.

 

[AndieKay]

One problem with doing DHS late is that you cannot get a FP+ for both Rock n Roller Coaster and Toy Story Mania (they are both Tier 1 FP+s and you are only allowed one Tier 1 FP+). Without FP+, you will have a super-long wait for either of these attractions.

I note that you said you weren't sure about doing Toy Story Mania, but I think this is an attraction that nearly everyone enjoys. It certainly is the most popular WDW attraction. Am curious as to why you're not sure about doing it.

Ohhh, right, I forgot that DHS has a tiered system for FP+. Ugh. Hmm.

As to being unsure about TSM, it's a point and shoot kind of ride, right? I am likely reducing it to that, and ignoring a great deal... haha. I would rather ride a coaster than point and shoot at things, that's all But I could try for a FP+ for that, and then ride RnR via the single rider line, I guess.

 

[jsrj21]

My vote is for "A" - simply because you can take it easy when you get back home. Nothing wrong with chilling out and being refreshed for the next morning but you'll be on adrenaline.

My family and I always take a 7:am...ish flight out of NYC and we're in a park by lunchtime [EPCOT] to be exact. We then head to our resort mid afternoon to unpack, maybe hit the pool, freshen up, and then off to MK for some dinner and Wishes. After watching Wishes, we seem to realize that we're on vacation. We ALWAYS go to Blizzard Beach on day 2 in the morning and I find that it relaxes me from the flight and the rush from being at Disney. For the first time, on our last trip in August, I was beat from running around for FP's etc. I didn't do anything when we got back home for about 3 days - felt good too!

At the end of the day, it will all depend on what you want to do, your personal likes/dislikes, and basically who you are....if that makes sense. Have a wonderful time!

 

[aretha30]

We don't schedule anything on our arrival or departure days either. We want the flexibility to take a nap, take a dip in the pool, or head to DS. These are rest days for us. You don't want to wear yourself out to quickly, ease yourself into your vacation. You will be thankful later after the early mornings and late nights!

 

[MommaBerd]

Is this a solo trip? If yes, I understand that you can get a lot more accomplished in less time. SO I would say rest/explore on your arrival day and not have a rest day in the middle of your trip. If you need to take a break during the day, you can go to your room rest and go back to a park with relative ease.

Even if it isn't a solo trip, I would not go to a park on arrival day. There are so many other things you can do without "burning" a ticketed park day.

But no matter what you decide, you're going to have a blast!

 

[jmkjr72]

We normally fly out around 6am from wisconsin with the trip to the airport we leave the house around 2am and get in around 10 am
In the past we have just done dtd last year was the first year we did a park on arrival day
We had a blast doing mk on arrival day but we also stayed at blt
This yea we are planning a quick stop at epcot because there is something my fiance saw af flower and garden last year and is hoping to see it again
Then a stop at mk before heading over to dtd

 

[frannn]

We are (Ok, I am) too excited on arrival day to sleep even though we usually wake up at 3AM and land at around 8:30AM. We usually drop our things in the room or at the resort upon arrival and hit up MK or Epcot. We just eat lunch and take it all in with low expectations on what we will accomplish that day. We have dinner and then head back to the room for an early night. On our last day we used to go to a park for 2 or 3 things and lunch, but have not had enough park days on our last few trips, so we've done mini golf and picked up lunch to take to the airport.

 

[Travis B]

Whatever you choose - give yourself the flexibility to modify or even cancel your plans depending on how you feel. You don't want to start your WDW adventure in a run-down state. God forbid you overdo it and catch a cold or something right at the beginning of your trip. We normally fly in in the morning and then do a little park time and dinner the first evening, but doing a red-eye is a whole different story. Just don't overdo it.

 

[TPrice]

When we were there earlier this month, we got to our resort at noon and luckily our room was ready. We were all so excited that we dropped off our stuff and went straight to MK.

It was the right call, but if I do it again, I will plan for us to come back to the hotel for dinner. The momentum started to wear out around 6-7, and by the time we ate and got back to the POR, it was late (for us) and we were all exhausted.

 

[HelloMimi]

Ohhh, right, I forgot that DHS has a tiered system for FP+. Ugh. Hmm.

As to being unsure about TSM, it's a point and shoot kind of ride, right? I am likely reducing it to that, and ignoring a great deal... haha. I would rather ride a coaster than point and shoot at things, that's all But I could try for a FP+ for that, and then ride RnR via the single rider line, I guess.

Yes, TSM is a 3D point-and-shoot ride. I love video games (and carnival games!), but I was completely underwhelmed by TSM, especially after reading about all of the hype. It seems like you're doing a solo trip, right? I think TSM is better experienced with friends or family since there's a competitive aspect to it that you may not enjoy as much with strangers. My sisters liked TSM, but I would much rather ride RnR an extra time. If you like coasters, my guess is that you'll feel the same way. RnR is probably WDW's most intense coaster (and lots of fun!), but it's a short ride, so there's a pretty good chance you'll want to do it more than once.

 

[AndieKay]

Is this a solo trip? If yes, I understand that you can get a lot more accomplished in less time. SO I would say rest/explore on your arrival day and not have a rest day in the middle of your trip. If you need to take a break during the day, you can go to your room rest and go back to a park with relative ease.

Even if it isn't a solo trip, I would not go to a park on arrival day. There are so many other things you can do without "burning" a ticketed park day.

But no matter what you decide, you're going to have a blast!

It IS a solo trip! I am so looking forward to it. I tend to be a person who needs breaks built into a day, so maybe I won't take a full rest day at all, and I'll just ease into it when I get there. No pressure!

 

[AndieKay]

We don't schedule anything on our arrival or departure days either. We want the flexibility to take a nap, take a dip in the pool, or head to DS. These are rest days for us. You don't want to wear yourself out to quickly, ease yourself into your vacation. You will be thankful later after the early mornings and late nights!

I have a very stressful job, and my energy levels these days aren't very high, so the sounds like a great way to ease into the trip

 

[AndieKay]

Yes, TSM is a 3D point-and-shoot ride. I love video games (and carnival games!), but I was completely underwhelmed by TSM, especially after reading about all of the hype. It seems like you're doing a solo trip, right? I think TSM is better experienced with friends or family since there's a competitive aspect to it that you may not enjoy as much with strangers. My sisters liked TSM, but I would much rather ride RnR an extra time. If you like coasters, my guess is that you'll feel the same way. RnR is probably WDW's most intense coaster (and lots of fun!), but it's a short ride, so there's a pretty good chance you'll want to do it more than once.

Thank you! You put into words what I couldn't really say last night. Sleepy brain! I would feel weird doing TSM with strangers. I'd be all over it with friends. I don't feel right trash talking strangers, you know? But yes, I love coasters, and would absolutely love to ride RnR more than once!

 

[HelloMimi]

Thank you! You put into words what I couldn't really say last night. Sleepy brain! I would feel weird doing TSM with strangers. I'd be all over it with friends. I don't feel right trash talking strangers, you know? But yes, I love coasters, and would absolutely love to ride RnR more than once!

Haha, we encountered a lot of friendly people at WDW and I wouldn't be surprised if whoever was next to you dished out the trash talk too, but no, it just wouldn't be the same! You'll have a blast on RnR - just make sure to keep your head all the way back!

Hope your first trip is extra magical and your wait times are short!

 

[AndieKay]

Haha, we encountered a lot of friendly people at WDW and I wouldn't be surprised if whoever was next to you dished out the trash talk too, but no, it just wouldn't be the same! You'll have a blast on RnR - just make sure to keep your head all the way back!

Hope your first trip is extra magical and your wait times are short!

Thank you so much!!

 

[SnackCredit]

We always do Disney Springs on our arrival day, followed by DHS for the late afternoon/ evening.

 

[TGM]

Hi! I'm going to WDW for the first time in April, and I'd love some advice from those who've been before! I'm trying to figure out my arrival day plans, and potentially what I may do on part of my rest day.

I fly a red-eye to Orlando, and arrive in Orlando at 8 am. I'm staying off-site at Grande Villas, and I don't imagine my room will be ready, but I will go there and drop off my luggage and then set out to explore.

So... I am trying to decide between a couple of scenarios. Of all the parks, DHS interests me the least, but as a newbie, I realize I may find a lot there that I like, so don't want to skip it completely.

Do I:

A) Hit DHS sometime in the early afternoon and check out the few things I want to see there, maybe do Fantasmic and then head home to bed?

or do I

B) take it easy on arrival, and maybe spend time touring the monorail resorts, have an early dinner and head to bed early so I can hit MK the next morning for my 8am BoG reservation, and then do the few things I want to do at DHS first thing in the morning before crowds build on my rest day (which, I know, makes the term "rest day" kind of silly), and then spend the rest of the day by the pool?

I am not sure how I am going to handle the red-eye. My hope is that I will sleep, but... Just was looking for some input. Thanks!

It all depends on what day it is. If it is a Friday- Monday, go to EPCOT, and wander Future World, and have lunch at The Land, and then wander World Showcase.

If it's Tuesday-Thursday, so to The Magic Kingdom, to see what WDW really is about! Wander down Main Street, and (for me) go on the Haunted Mansion. Ha ha ha, you don't have to, do what you want. I recommend seeing Fantasyland first, and head toward Tomorrowland, and then go counterclockwise.

Or, if you don't want to do either of those, do option A.

 

[AndieKay]

It all depends on what day it is. If it is a Friday- Monday, go to EPCOT, and wander Future World, and have lunch at The Land, and then wander World Showcase.

If it's Tuesday-Thursday, so to The Magic Kingdom, to see what WDW really is about! Wander down Main Street, and (for me) go on the Haunted Mansion. Ha ha ha, you don't have to, do what you want. I recommend seeing Fantasyland first, and head toward Tomorrowland, and then go counterclockwise.

Or, if you don't want to do either of those, do option A.

I arrive on a Saturday I think I had DHS in mind because it was a recommended one on the crowd calendars for that day!

 

[TGM]

I arrive on a Saturday I think I had DHS in mind because it was a recommended one on the crowd calendars for that day!

No matter if they offer you $1 million to go to Magic Kingdom on a Saturday, and spend the day DO NOT DO IT.

So, yeah, go to EPCOT or DHS.