rethinking first day plans...

[Disneynutbsv]

We arrive in Mco at 11:01am and are using Magical Express. After check in, we had planned on going to Epcot and having a ps at Garden Grill at 5. I'm thinking maybe do something different? What would you do your first day there? We are also getting up at 3:30am in order to make it to the airport on time too, so we don't want to be up too late.... Any ideas?

 

[MKCP5]

i just posted something alomost identical to this on another board! We will be getting there at the same time--flying out of Manchester NH? And we will have been up for a long time too. I think we have decided to go to DTD, do lunch and wander for a bit, then get settled into our resort, swim and play then get to bed by 8:30-9:00 so that we can get up early the next day to start at the parks. We'll be whipped by dinner time after getting up so early to make our flight. Hope you have fun!

 

[music54]

i think it would depend on what resort i was staying at
if we were at WL i would do hoop dee doo
or the poly i would do the luau
or just hang out at the pool and explore
or maybe do dtd
see i cant decide either
i was thinking of cirque then house of blues for dinner

 

[mjmcca]

One trip when we arrived at dinner time ( we were driving) i made PS on the way for Boma. We went straight there instead of checking in first. It was a really nice dinner and we explored the AKL after dinner. The kids got to hear the storyteller by the firepit and see some animals. Just another alternative to DTD and the other suggestions

 

[nluvwithmickey]

We are also arriving fairly early(10:45). We plan on checking in eating something at the foodcourt going for a swim at the pool maybe a short nap. Then we will head to DTD and have an ice cream at Ghirardelli's.

 

[roberrl187]

We will be driving from CT and arriving at AKL aroung 1pm. I have Counter Service planned at EPCOT and then the Boma at 8pm.

It has become tradition to go to EPCOT on our first day.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

think we have decided to go to DTD, do lunch and wander for a bit, then get settled into our resort, swim and play then get to bed by 8:30-9:00 so that we can get up early the next day to start at the parks.

This is basically what we usually do... I say "usually" because I mean anytime we arrive earlier in the day... normally we have a late night flight. But I don't like to 'waste' (in my opinion) a park ticket for only a portion of the day especially when we've had the flight, check in/etc. and we're already tired. So we do other things- like mentioned above or maybe in addition to that have a PS for a meal at one of the resorts... or sometimes head over to Ft Wildnerness for activities there and/or the campfire singalong w/ Chip and Dale and a movie. Lots of things to do besides going to the park on the first day and try to take it easy and get to bed early so we're rested up for the first FULL day at the parks.

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

I know the standard advice is to not go to the parks on your day of arrival, but with the new ticket pricing, it was next to nothing for our family to add the day onto the tickets. My kids would be unbearable if they didn't get to go to one of the parks (ok, me too ). So we plan on going to MK for dinner and shopping, maybe see wishes. Not planning on doing any rides, just taking it easy. I know the smart thing to do would be rest at the resort, but we just can't seem to stand the thought of it!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

i just posted something alomost identical to this on another board! We will be getting there at the same time--flying out of Manchester NH? And we will have been up for a long time too. I think we have decided to go to DTD, do lunch and wander for a bit, then get settled into our resort, swim and play then get to bed by 8:30-9:00 so that we can get up early the next day to start at the parks. We'll be whipped by dinner time after getting up so early to make our flight. Hope you have fun!

Yes, we are flying out of Manchester! How cool! My daughter has her heart set on a character dinner, but I'm just not sure if I want to go to Epcot the first day?

 

[dbanzai]

Isn't one of the benefits of Magical Express supposed to be that you don't have to check in before hitting the parks?

As for the original question, I work a shift like a third shift. I get real tired on the first day of vacation (like being a kid? :-\), so we're probably going to go to AK or TL on that first day, do a small, early-closing park in other words, as to not get overly tired.

 

[newchic99]

On our first day we are arriving at 9:30 am. I made our first PS/ADR at Le Cellier for 2 pm. I figure after that we can just play it by ear and see what everyone feels like doing. Since we have to be at the airport at 5am, that means getting up at probably 2am. Don't want to make it much of a day.

 

[traumamama]

Yes, we are flying out of Manchester! How cool! My daughter has her heart set on a character dinner, but I'm just not sure if I want to go to Epcot the first day?

I am a newbie but i am pretty sure I read here or allearsnet that there are character dinners outside the resorts. I had planned to do MGM our first day but like you will be up so early felt it best not to burn the candle at both ends right off the bat. I have decided to go to DTD and do disney quest and shopping and eat somewhere at DTD I was leaning towards capn jacks but now think I might do earl of sandwich. gotta go get my pal mickey right off so that is another reason to go shopping. Best wishes on your trip and have a ball. I am sooooo verry excited my trip is 2 days away

 

[spereira]

DTD is great for a first day journey. It's relaxing and there are great places to eat and shop. Also for your first day you can get to know your resort..that is one of my favorite things to do is just walk around and check out all the cool things the resort has to offer. Either way you will have a great first day....

 

[mom2febgirls]

Our flight lands at 12:20. We think we'll be checked in at the BWI by 2:00. We are tentatively thinking about heading over to EPCOT and seeing some of the WS and then having dinner with the Princesses at Akershus.

 

[goodferry]

With the new ticket pricing structure making it relatively cheap to go to a park on arrival day, I wouldn't rule it out. We usually visit a new resort on our first day for dinner and then go to the MK for a few rides. You could try 1900 Park Faire with Cinderella and then go to the MK, however World Showcase would definitely be doable in the afternoon. Where are you staying, I guess that would influence my decision the most.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

With the new ticket pricing structure making it relatively cheap to go to a park on arrival day, I wouldn't rule it out. We usually visit a new resort on our first day for dinner and then go to the MK for a few rides. You could try 1900 Park Faire with Cinderella and then go to the MK, however World Showcase would definitely be doable in the afternoon. Where are you staying, I guess that would influence my decision the most.

We are doing 1900 Park Fare on 9/25, so that would be out. We are staying at ASMo. Knowing my daughter she'll want to just go to Epcot (her favorite park). Maybe I can talk her out of the Garden Grill???

 

[MomofKatie]

We, too, are getting up reeeeally early (3:00 AM), but we are driving from NC. We plan on checking into Pop around 1:00 or so. We will relax, nap, etc at Pop for a while, then we will head out to Epcot late in the afternoon. We have an AR for Marrakesh at 8 PM, and then we will get back to our room and get some rest.

 

[Kteacher]

I'm also rethinking my arrival day plans We're flying in from Bradley Int'l in Ct. on a 7:00 a.m. flight. Our first day tradition has always been to stow our suitcases with bell service and walk to the MK from the CR . Our first meal has always been at the Columbia Harbor House. This year we will be arriving on a morning EMH for MK, so I'm planning on heading to AK instead ( as long as my family doesn't mutiny !) . We are having an early dinner at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, and I'm thinking we make take the ferry over to MK after dinner.

 

[jenjen212]

Yes, we are flying out of Manchester! How cool! My daughter has her heart set on a character dinner, but I'm just not sure if I want to go to Epcot the first day?

as another poster said... there are other character dinners that are outside of the parks.

*Chef Mickey's in Contemporary [Mickey and friends]

*Cinderella's Gala Feast @ 1900 Park Fare in Grand Floridian [Cinderella, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother, Suzy, & Perla]

*Gulliver's Grill @ Swan [Goofy & Pluto (Sun, Tue, Wed, Thur)
Timon & Rafiki (Mon, Fri) ]

*Mickey's Backyard BBQ @ Ft Wilderness (then go over for the campfire sing-a-long & smores w/ chip&dale) or depending on the time you get there, stay for the movie: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=827940

character meals:
*http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/meals.html
*http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningFinder?location=&diningExperience=Character+Dining&cuisine=&submit=submit&x=8&y=8

we always do a character meal on the night of our arrival. it kind of "kick's off" our stay.

good luck!

jen

 

[monorailsilver]

I definetly take advantage of doing nothing-meaning hanging out at the resort, go to DtD, watch the fireworks from the Poly (if you are able to get there), watch the water parade from one of the monorail resorts, ride the monorail, etc...

I'd avoid a park, especially after getting up so early. Plus you are going in 2 months which means the parks won't be open very late.

You are going to want your rest for the rest of your vacation.

My sister, her dh & 2 kids (ages 7 & 12) went last summer. They did a park on their first day despite me telling them not to. Their plane arrived sometime late morning in MCO. They were so tired the next day but they still had to go to the park & didn't have one rest day on their 6 day trip except on day 6 when they had to go to the airport.

She said the next time they go, they will not do a park.

But if you have no kids & are able to be non-crabby with little sleep & you don't mind splurging on a ticket for that day, then go to Le Cellier & enjoy a bowl of soup for me!

Another option is to keep your ADR & when you get there play it by ear & see how you feel.