Seriously struggling with arrival day plans!

[klitteral2009]

I don’t know why this year is so much different than others but I am having the hardest time with our arrival day plan! We’re set to arrive early in the morning on Sunday 3/28 and have park passes for MK. Hubby takes about half a day to acclimate his mood when we arrive so I was thinking of taking the kids and hitting the park and kind of just going with whatever strikes us to do. But I have so many uncertain feelings! If we grab a bus to the MK, and don’t get there till after open, are we doomed to a day of huge lines and not getting anything done? If we stay at the resort for a bit and swim while we wait on a room to be ready are we wasting Disney time? We have always been rope droppers and park hoppers but this time just feels different. (And we aren’t hopping this trip, hoping to use the time to really explore each park, after 10 years lol)

I don’t know that there’s really anyone out there with an answer but goodness I’m super stressed! All our other days I’ve planned and we’re ready to roll but this one is about to drive me crazy!

Anyone have advice for later park arrival in the COVID era? Any good experiences? Bad ones?

 

[npatellye]

When we went in November, we would get to MK early, leave, and go back around 4 pm. Lines back then were fine, long but not unmanageable and definitely shorter waits than pre-Covid times. This was during Thanksgiving week. For us, we like getting to the parks later in the afternoon.

 

[SeanWM48]

arrival day i tend to just explore the resort and go to Springs that afternoon/evening. it's a nice way to welcome yourself to the "Magic" vs diving head-first into the parks. but I know some people love doing that too.

 

[Eastern]

I just figure that on arrival day we won't be in a position to do anything "trategically". So pick what the kids want to do, pool or MK, and then go with that. If you do go to MK, just plan on enjoying the atmosphere and take advantage of rides with shorter wait times. Or do a little of both, all the while reminding yourself to relax and enjoy your time with your family. I would never get stressed about this. Not in 100,000 years.

My husband drove the kids to Disney a couple years ago, left early morning and arrived at night. They got to MK (they had APs) at 15 minutes before closing time. They ran all the way to Peter Pan and were able to get on. They still talk about it.

 

[Farro]

Just go to MK and enjoy yourselves! I'm sure you can get on some rides, may have to wait in line for a bit, but I'm quite sure a few you can get on.

Just walk around and take it all in. Have a snack.

Our first day is at DHS so you know we aren't going to get rides! But we haven't seen Toy Story Land or Galaxy's Edge, so we jut plan to walk around and look at everything. Maybe take Skyliner to Epcot.

 

[Accidental Disney Fan]

Well, this is a question that I wrestle with every time we go. And when I say wrestle with, I mean agonize over. So what we decided to do on our last trip was fly into Orlando the night before, and stayed at Coronado Springs. That way we could rope drop our first morning at MK. It was nice to be on property and we enjoyed walking around Coronado, enjoyed the pool, and had a take out dinner from Three Bridges. If you didn't need to make use of the Magical Express you could even stay at some nearby cheapie off property the night before. I realize your trip is coming up pretty soon and it might be too late to change the flight but who knows? Disclaimer: We did this in December 2020 and were probably making poor financial decisions based on our 8 months of captivity.

 

[No.1000]

How old are your kids? We are going to be there the week before you (no kids). I am trying to tone down my ride expectations and just enjoy being there in the moment. The cavalcades are wonderful and there is plenty to do, even if you skip the long headliner lines. I say go and have fun!

 

[MomOTwins]

If you were arriving on a weekday I would say go for it. But the best practice is this post-Covid, no FP world is avoid MK on the weekend. AK may be a good option if you really want a park that day since it often has extended hours on weekends. But I just don’t think solo parenting kids through the most crowded park at the most crowded time after an early morning flight sounds like a fun arrival day.

 

[Bama Mom]

On our arrival day we tend to hit up DS or resort hop. Because we tend to take early flights, we want a more relaxed arrival day then we can go back and relax at the resort early to get much needed rest for our first park day.

 

[kwdw]

I think my answer partially depends on the ages of your kids and if they have an opinion (if old enough to plan with). You have the park reservation and ticket - so I'd say go and make the most of it. Prep the kids that it's a low key day - there is more to come so their expectations are on the right level. Browse the shops, eat some of your favorite snacks, hit a few rides. Everyone tends to be a in positive mood the first day. And well, if the kids complain about the lines - offer them the option to leave and hit the pool instead.

 

[2minny]

Just go to Magic Kingdom without many expectations, ride what has short lines, go to things you wouldn't normally have time for, have a snack, browse shops. Stay a few hours, then go back to the hotel pool or explore your hotel. I think a few hours at Magic Kingdom would be a great start, just don't plan to make it a productive day, then if you get in a few good rides, it's a win!!

 

[wilbret]

These threads are always very interesting to me. Words like struggling, wrestle with, stress, aggravating... should not be part of the vocabulary.

I wish there was a way to make it easier, like you might expect in a movie. Greeted at the "resort" in a standard way like arriving in Hawaii. A grand party the evening of your arrival. Rest well, tonight, my friends...

I know everyone wants to get to the parks ASAP, and I am as guilty as anyone of this... but I think allowing yourself to ease into it is an okay idea. Check out the resort, hit the pool, hit DS, plan the next day or days a little bit, let the excitement build like Christmas Eve.

Be aware that it is spring break season, and short lines will likely not be a reality. Don't let it get to you. Eat a churro and people watch. Enjoy. You've got tickets, I'd go to the park as you planned and feel it out. If it is too crazy, don't stress... head to the pool. Key words, don't stress.

 

[scrappinginontario]

My only concern with the Disney Springs suggestion is the talk of how busy DS is on the weekends. Also, not sure how excited my child would be if I was like - We're at Disney!! Now, lets go shopping! Nope!

For us we'd head to MK and have a great time! I'd plan in my head for longer lines and be wonderfully surprised if we found some that were less busy. Also, if you start on a busier day and the crowds drop off at all during the week it's like winning a bit of a Disney lottery!

I find day 1 we don't mind the lines at all because - We're at Disney!!!

Have a great trip whatever you decide to do!

 

[klitteral2009]

How old are your kids? We are going to be there the week before you (no kids). I am trying to tone down my ride expectations and just enjoy being there in the moment. The cavalcades are wonderful and there is plenty to do, even if you skip the long headliner lines. I say go and have fun!

my girls are 10 and 12

 

[mickeymom22]

Our first day has always been spent at the resort because I make everyone wake up super early for rope drop the next day!

That being said, for our first trips, we would always hit up Disney Springs on our last day. I never liked it and didn't understand the appeal of it...until...we went on our arrival day! We don't really shop. It is more like stroll and soak in that we are back in the Disney bubble. It was so much better on our arrival day. Everyone is glad we finally made it to our happy place. We eat some yummy food and head back to the resort with excitement for our trip that is all in front of us!

That being said, if you do go to MK just soak it all in with no expectations. I am sure you will make some great memories with your daughters so don't stress! Have a great trip!

 

[Heather07438]

Consider that first day as extra time at MK. It's just bonus time

Maybe choose some rides with lower posted wait times, grab something to eat, take some pictures, catch a cavalcade, etc... all without being in any particular rush. It's like a head start for your other MK day.

 

[MDIME]

These threads are always very interesting to me. Words like struggling, wrestle with, stress, aggravating... should not be part of the vocabulary.

I wish there was a way to make it easier, like you might expect in a movie. Greeted at the "resort" in a standard way like arriving in Hawaii. A grand party the evening of your arrival. Rest well, tonight, my friends...

I know everyone wants to get to the parks ASAP, and I am as guilty as anyone of this... but I think allowing yourself to ease into it is an okay idea. Check out the resort, hit the pool, hit DS, plan the next day or days a little bit, let the excitement build like Christmas Eve.

Be aware that it is spring break season, and short lines will likely not be a reality. Don't let it get to you. Eat a churro and people watch. Enjoy. You've got tickets, I'd go to the park as you planned and feel it out. If it is too crazy, don't stress... head to the pool. Key words, don't stress.

I love every single thing you said and agree 100%!!

 

[Shellyred8]

You are going to be hitting the "2-week Easter holiday" timeframe, which most likely will translate to larger crowds for longer times during the day. We went down the week of President's day, and it was surprisingly busy all week long. Turns out, the Daytona 500 and cancelled-Mardis Gras were also that week, which apparently led to larger crowds than what we were hoping for. Your timing will be around Easter and lots of spring breaks. I know of a few people from my neck of the woods that have just made last minute plans to go down that week too because their kid's schools are going to be doing distance learning for the week after Easter too. So, it's giving them more flexibility on their spring break travel plans.

For my arrival day, it would depend on where I'm staying. If I'm staying at a MK area resort and arriving in the morning or early afternoon, I would definitely go to MK on my arrival day. If I was staying somewhere else, I might choose to do DS when I arrive (go as early as possible and leave when the crowds start to get too obnoxious) and then hang out at the resort or maybe do a round of mini-golf at one of Disney's mini-golf courses.

Have a great trip!

 

[gorkt]

Arrival days I usually just make a few late fastpasses for the day an end up focusing on soaking in the atmosphere. I would probably do that minus the fastpasses. Maybe just tour lower wait attractions and grab some of your favorite snacks. Soak in the atmosphere.

 

[Chris Ehlers]

I don’t know why this year is so much different than others but I am having the hardest time with our arrival day plan! We’re set to arrive early in the morning on Sunday 3/28 and have park passes for MK. Hubby takes about half a day to acclimate his mood when we arrive so I was thinking of taking the kids and hitting the park and kind of just going with whatever strikes us to do. But I have so many uncertain feelings! If we grab a bus to the MK, and don’t get there till after open, are we doomed to a day of huge lines and not getting anything done? If we stay at the resort for a bit and swim while we wait on a room to be ready are we wasting Disney time? We have always been rope droppers and park hoppers but this time just feels different. (And we aren’t hopping this trip, hoping to use the time to really explore each park, after 10 years lol)

I don’t know that there’s really anyone out there with an answer but goodness I’m super stressed! All our other days I’ve planned and we’re ready to roll but this one is about to drive me crazy!

Anyone have advice for later park arrival in the COVID era? Any good experiences? Bad ones?

We have been 4x since August and we have always done AK on arrival day as we usually get down around lunch time. for the most part the afternoons are way less crowded over there bc most people rope drop it and then Hop over to another park in afternoon JM2C