Non Park Ideas for Arrival Date

[Iloveyoumost]

It's a long day for us. Early flight and later afternoon arrival. In the past DH and I have hit the park! but with 2 kids we plan to go play a round of putt-putt at winter summer land, hang out at the resort pool and then head to DTD for dinner for fish and chips. I like to look in the stores at DTD before buying stuff at the park so I know what I can get there vs. only in the parks.

 

[cbrown1007]

That's our plan. And we'll spend some time at the resort and pool. We have dinner reservations for the evening we get there at TRex.

 

[Frozen2014]

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!

That's great to know. Maybe it will change our plans then as for $40 we could start at MK (which I agree with it being a good way to start).

Still have to figure out how the FP works...and as our first time at DW, can't say we have any favourite rides.

Great advice from all. Guess we'll needt o book our flight and then see what time we get in. I suppose another option is to hit DTD on our last day in the morning.

 

[tcherjen]

We will go to DTD probably later in the evening. We too arrive on a Sunday. We are staying in the cabins and will want to unpack and get our groceries. Arrival days for us have always been just to relax and enjoy the resort.

 

[redhotariel]

I adore DTD. I think it is fantastic. I love starting off by the house of Blues and walking down the "street" I love the lights, I love the feel, I love looking at the Giant Balloon . And that's just the west side! You still have Pleasure Island (which I've never actually gone to anything in there but I love walking through it) and Planet Hollywood and the Harley Store (if you're into that). Then you get to the marketplace, and you have Fulton's and Cooks of Dublin (sp? I don't care they have great food) Then the lego store, T-Rex, World of Disney, Goofy's Candy company, 25 days of Christmas, Basin, Rainforest Cafe, Ghirardelli. Its a great wasy to blow 4 or 5 hours if you do it right. And since you are staying at Pop you will get the vouchers for Disney Quest (only 2 vouchers) but you could kill some time in there, and there is also a theater and bowling alley. Do it! If you like something a little more relaxed Disney's Boardwalk is a great option too

 

[mco65]

BTW
the pool is definitely an option in October. All the pools are heated and are less crowded later at night. Our last trip (Nov of 2012) we were at the pool nearly every night after the park.. great relaxing spot!

We don't always visit DTD on every trip but I certainly enjoy going there. Not a waste of time by any means!

 

[pwdebbie]

We've been four times and never once have gone to the parks on our arrival day. We always go to DTD to eat, walk, and relax a bit. Then early to bed and we're ready for rope drop the next day.

Other non-park things we have done for a break mid-trip that would work for arrival day is dinner at a resort and then explore the resort. Just riding the monorail or a resort launch is fun too.

 

[jcvalenti]

Our arrival day ritual is always to take a morning flight, get out of the airport around 11:30 and to "The World" around 12:30. We usually stay off property, so we don't check in until around 4pm. We always go straight to the Boardwalk, and usually into Epcot to wander the World Showcase and perhaps have a late lunch someplace like Biergarten. If we didn't want to activate our tickets that first day, we'd still do Boardwalk and just enjoy wandering the grounds, getting a snack at the Bakery, hitting ESPN for a beer, and then strolling to Beach Club so the kids can play at the arcade. Maybe a shake at Beaches and Cream.

 

[redrosesix]

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!

ITA with all of this

Since our travel days are pretty long, nobody in my family would be up to doing a park day on arrival day. So we usually do a quick unpack and set-up (so it's just DONE! ) and then head to DTD. Sometimes we just browse at World of Disney, sometimes we have a list of things we'd like to get at the beginning of a trip. It has become a big tradition for us.

 

[wendybeth75]

That is a perfect time to see if there is a Mickeys Not so Scary Halloween Party that day. I think Sunday is a day they are regularly scheduled on. They party starts at 7 but you can enter the park at 4:00. The tickets are cheaper than buying a 1 day ticket to the park. Plus the party is TONS of fun!