Non Park Ideas for Arrival Date

[Frozen2014]

Hi,

We will be arriving at Disney on a Sunday. Our flight is not booked yet, but based on the timings that I saw, we won't be settled at our hotel until say, mid afternoon (say between 2 and 4pm). Thus, I don't think it's worth us buying park tickets for that day.

So I was thinking that we'd spend the rest of our day at Downtown Disney and then grabbing dinner there. However, I am reading that downtown is 'a waste of time'.

1) Do others agree?
2) What else could we do?

As a note we will be coming in October so I imagine that something like swimming at our resort later in the day is not really an option (and we're not big swimmers anyways).

 

[firecracker725]

Hi,

We will be arriving at Disney on a Sunday. Our flight is not booked yet, but based on the timings that I saw, we won't be settled at our hotel until say, mid afternoon (say between 2 and 4pm). Thus, I don't think it's worth us buying park tickets for that day.

So I was thinking that we'd spend the rest of our day at Downtown Disney and then grabbing dinner there. However, I am reading that downtown is 'a waste of time'.

1) Do others agree?
2) What else could we do?

As a note we will be coming in October so I imagine that something like swimming at our resort later in the day is not really an option (and we're not big swimmers anyways).

It's not a waste of time if you aren't going to a park that day. In fact, I think it's the perfect spot for arrival days.

But, we also enjoy resort-hopping on arrival days.

 

[phewms]

Hi,

We will be arriving at Disney on a Sunday. Our flight is not booked yet, but based on the timings that I saw, we won't be settled at our hotel until say, mid afternoon (say between 2 and 4pm). Thus, I don't think it's worth us buying park tickets for that day.

So I was thinking that we'd spend the rest of our day at Downtown Disney and then grabbing dinner there. However, I am reading that downtown is 'a waste of time'.

1) Do others agree?
2) What else could we do?

As a note we will be coming in October so I imagine that something like swimming at our resort later in the day is not really an option (and we're not big swimmers anyways).

We never book tickets for arrival or departure days. This year we will arrive on Sunday and our only plans are to nap - traveling with an infant, walk around the resort and grab dinner. It helps that we are staying at Beach Club so we have a lot of dining options close by, without having to enter a park.

I am not sure if we will visit DTD our first night because we did last year (arrival on Saturday and I think it was 1/2 marathon weekend) and it was CROWDED. It took us over 1.5 hours to get there (catching a bus from Poly)!Overall not enjoyable for a 30 week pregnant mama who just wanted to sit down, eat dinner and start to "enjoy" the magic.

If you don't have any other interests (touring other resorts, etc.) then I'd say go for it! Just beware of the weekend crowds.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I don't know how many days you'll have tickets for, but keep in mind that after 5 days (I think it's 5!), it's only $10 per adult to add another day on. So even if you get to walk around a park a bit, go on a few rides and have dinner in a park, it might be worth adding that extra day. And this is where FP+ is really helpful! You could book FP+ for that arrival day and still get on some favorite rides at that late time!

If you still want to avoid the parks, I think DTD can be a lot of fun. Don't know who your family includes, but there's plenty of shopping! The Lego store can be lots of fun--they have a building area out back where kids can build and race cars on the ramps. My boys could have spent hours there when they were younger! There's also DisneyQuest, bowling, and movies. There's fun places to eat like T-Rex or Rainforest. And always stop in Ghiardelli's for a free sample chocolate!

Another option is mini golf. The Summer/Winterland course is a lot of fun and if you've got a package you'll get two free coupons to play--just have to pay for anyone else. If you're relying on Disney transport, you can just use the bus to Blizzard Beach and it's in the same parking lot (just need to check operating hours for when you're there).

Also, it depends on where you're staying. Lots of the resorts have fun family activities (trivia, scavenger hunts, sing alongs, etc.), campfires, movies, etc. So there may be plenty to do right at your resort, turn in early, and get a jump on a full day the next morning!

 

[postage stamp]

We love to do DTD on either arrival or departure day depending on what time we are getting there or leaving. We also love to resort hop, swim at the pool, or pass out in a nice bed depending on how the trip down went!

 

[jade1]

Yea for $10 each:

TSM 4 to 5
RNR 5 to 6
TOT 6 to 7

Fantasmic.

Or

Splash 4 to 5
BTMRR 5 to 6
Space 6 to 7

Parade

Wishes

 

[BrianL]

Well, how long are you staying? If you already have a 6 day ticket, adding another day is pretty cheap.

DTD is a great place for dinner. If you are on-property, you'll get two vouchers for DisneyQuest, which is pretty cool for a few hours, or maybe one of the mini-golf courses (you get vouchers for that too).

October is a fine time to swim in Florida, plus the pools are heated (on property), if you are thinking about that.

 

[kristinradico]

Arrival Day we are going to DTD for shopping and TRex for an early dinner. Then we will swim and tour our hotel and unpack! I LOVE DTD for arrival day because it gets you in the Disney spirit since we never do parks on arrival day.

I personally think DTD is a waste on a day you have a park ticket.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Another vote for DTD. This is what we always do on arrival day. We have an early dinner Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express and then we shop until we feel like leaving and then we go back to the resort to relax so we can wake up early and hit the parks first thing! It's great. We like to ease into the magic.

I once went to MK on arrival day with my first-timer DH. BAD IDEA. It was so busy and crowded and the restaurants were insane and it was just too much after a day of travel. And this was at a low peak time! Unfortunately, it really put him off the experience. DTD is definitely the best choice for us.

 

[Frozen2014]

Sorry...I should have mentioned that we'll be staying at Art of Animation (so not too far) and will also have use of a car. Not sure if bussing or driving would be better. Also, our kids will be 9 (boy) and 5 (girl) by Oct.

We plan on 4 park days only.

Good...so it doesn't sound like's as bad as the articles write.
I will say too that I'd love to check out the official Disney store. We have some here but I've heard this one is one of the biggest.

We do have a Lego Land here so not sure we'd visit that, but my kids to love video games (esp my son) and the mini golf.

We have Rainforest here so it's no novelty. Is T-Rex scary?
Was also thinking about Wolfgang or Portobello's (simple menu for everyone)
Or maybe we shouldn't use up a table service ticket on arrival day?

PS - Jade1...sorry, there are so many acronyms here I have no idea what you wrote

kristinradico - DTD would be a day we don't have park tickets

 

[TotallyTink]

We had a lot of fun playing mini golf at Winter Summerland.

You could book an ADR for Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness.

We enjoyed dinner at Raglan Road in DTD this past summer. My kids loved the Irish dancers. I think they started around 6pm. Caveat: the music was very loud.

 

[BrianL]

Sorry...I should have mentioned that we'll be staying at Art of Animation (so not too far) and will also have use of a car. Not sure if bussing or driving would be better. Also, our kids will be 9 (boy) and 5 (girl) by Oct.

We plan on 4 park days only.

Good...so it doesn't sound like's as bad as the articles write.
I will say too that I'd love to check out the official Disney store. We have some here but I've heard this one is one of the biggest.

We do have a Lego Land here so not sure we'd visit that, but my kids to love video games (esp my son) and the mini golf.

We have Rainforest here so it's no novelty. Is T-Rex scary?
Was also thinking about Wolfgang or Portobello's (simple menu for everyone)
Or maybe we shouldn't use up a table service ticket on arrival day?

PS - Jade1...sorry, there are so many acronyms here I have no idea what you wrote

kristinradico - DTD would be a day we don't have park tickets

If they like vidoe games, Disney Quest is the way to go. They'll love it for sure.

T-Rex is pretty cool inside. Not scary, but ocassionally there is a loud sound/light show that goes off. It's a lot like Rainforrest Cafe. My favorite food in DTD is Earl of Sandwhich!

Jade was saying that for $10 each you could go to one of the parks and see several popular attractions using your FP+, plus nighttime entertainment. If you only have 4 days though, I don't know what the jump in price is from 4 to 5 day tix.

 

[jade1]

If they like vidoe games, Disney Quest is the way to go. They'll love it for sure.

T-Rex is pretty cool inside. Not scary, but ocassionally there is a loud sound/light show that goes off. It's a lot like Rainforrest Cafe. My favorite food in DTD is Earl of Sandwhich!

Jade was saying that for $10 each you could go to one of the parks and see several popular attractions using your FP+, plus nighttime entertainment. If you only have 4 days though, I don't know what the jump in price is from 4 to 5 day tix.

Thanks, yes a 5 day ticket is $10 more than a 4 day.

So for less than a movie, you could spend "up to" 6 hours at a park (depends when they close of course) after you arrive and check in/get settled.

FP+ is an amazing addition to arrival day IMO.

What better way to kick off the Disney vacation with 3 reserved headliners at a Disney park, followed by a night show.

My suggestions were Toy Story Mania any time between 4PM to 5PM, Rockin Roller Coaster from 5PM to 6PM, Tower of Terror from 6PM to 7PM. Then Fantasmic. It would be easy to add in a dinner stop and a few more less busy attractions as well.

OR Splash, Big Thunder and Space at MK-followed by the parade and Wishes.

These attractions will have about and hour wait for standby when you arrive, but all you have to do is select them from home 60 days before you go.

 

[newlywed mice]

We did what jade suggested with booking late FP in the afternoon on arrival but also we love mini golf at the boardwalk area and if you had a car it would be easy to get to.

Also in October you will still have great swim days!!! My family use to go first week in November and we would swim with 80+ Degree weather!!

 

[ellie05]

We either go to DTD or the boardwalk. DTD you can go to Disney quest, bowling, movies or just walk around and shop. Boardwalk you can walk around rent a boat. Mini golf is also another option.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks, yes a 5 day ticket is $10 more than a 4 day.

So are you saying that if we buy 4 regular price park tickets, that for $10 each, we could add in another day, that we could say, on our arrival day??? IF so, the $40 is worth spending half a day at one of the parks as opposed to DTD.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Yes, it's just $10 more per person to go from 4-day tickets to 5-day tickets. AND you could book FP+ for evening hours and get to go on some of your favorite rides on arrival day! We do hit DTD at some point during our stay, but love to start things off at MK. Just kind of makes it feel like you're really there!

 

[GoofyMB]

So are you saying that if we buy 4 regular price park tickets, that for $10 each, we could add in another day, that we could say, on our arrival day??? IF so, the $40 is worth spending half a day at one of the parks as opposed to DTD.

That is correct. If you do decide to do DTD at any point do not drive. You mentioned you had use of a car but with all of the construction they are doing over there parking is a nightmare.

I would opt for the $40 and spend the time in the parks.

 

[itradehilton]

Last year we went to DTD and saw a movie. If you plan ahead you could do the dine in movie.

 

[girliewhirlie]

Where's all the love?? We go for 10 nights and we fit in DTD as often as 4 times during our trip. What's not to like? All kinds of restaurants, Goofy's candy shop, Christmas store, unique shops, biggest Disney store, entertainment at the amphitheatre, Characters in Flight hot air balloon, bowlings, DisneyQuest (I am 54 and love that place!!) You get to design your roller coaster and then ride it, sign me up!) ... I don't get it. I love it all.