Something great to do for arrival night (no park)

[collcass]

hi everyone

We are arriving in Orlando a day early. My DH & 9 yr old will be in St pete's for the Red SOx game and I was trying to come up with something really fun for me and the other 3 to do that evening.

I'd thought about spirit of Aloha and hoop Dee Do but both get such mixed reviews. I got ADR at 1900 Park Fare but then realized it wasn't Alice and the Mad Hatter but the princesses which the boys will soooo not appreciate.

I'm up for suggestions. It will be me, my DD(10) and DSs(6&4). DH is taking the rental car so the four of us will be taking ME to the Poly

Thanks so much for your help

 

[sk!mom]

How about Chef Mickeys and then either Downtown Disney for shopping or hit the pool?

 

[juliana_sd]

What about the campfire at Fort Wilderness? There are characters there (Chip & Dale), you can roast marshmallows, there's a sing-along, and then an outdoor movie. It's free other than any food/smores fixings you buy. And no ADR needed.

 

[staci]

HOw about Chef Mickey's character meal at the Contemporary? Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc. You could just take the monorail over. Or Rainforest Cafe at DTD could be cool.......

 

[sohappy]

I was going to recommend chef mickeys too. It seem like such a good way to get the trip started.

 

[Katy Belle]

Chef Mickey and Pool time!

Katy

 

[collcass]

Thanks everyone

We have 11:20 ADRs at CM on the 4th. I thought about changing it around but my son (who will b in St Pete's for the 1st 2 days) absolutely can not wait to goto CM and see Goofy

perhaps I'll play it by ear and head over to DTD the kids aren't too tired from all the traveling. I know the only thing DD will truly want is the pool at the resort.

That's why I thought I'd the Spirit or Aloha since it is right there but it gets such mixed reviews - there's just far too many choices.

 

[disneyjunkie]

It will only cost a few more dollars to add an extra day to your park passes. (Maybe $4.00 per ticket)

I would add the extra day and spend that time hitting a few rides or just to view the fireworks.

 

[collcass]

It will only cost a few more dollars to add an extra day to your park passes. (Maybe $4.00 per ticket)

I would add the extra day and spend that time hitting a few rides or just to view the fireworks.

If only it was $4...that would be awesome. Unfortunately we have 10 day passes already. We are at WDW until 7/14

It wioll no doubt be a long day. We are four hours from the airport three hours on the plane and then the ME so maybe hoping for a great night is a bit much. My DD will be fine but adding the heat to the equation w/ the 4 & 6 yr old will just be pushing it to attempt anything overstimulating.

Hmmmm....what about mini golf? Has anyone ever played at Winter/Summerland

 

[Disneychix]

What about Rainforest Cafe? The kids would probably like the atmosphoere.

 

[Goingtodisneyworld]

Maybe pool, naps/quit time & dinner @ California Grill, then fireworks from the observation deck?
BTW ~ If this is old/bad info, I’m sooo sorry, we’ve never done the dinner/fireworks, however I’ve heard about it & plan to try it this Sept. w/our DDs...I hope?!

 

[DreaGirl]

Our first night last year we hit DTD, ate at Wolfgang Pucks, and then came back to the hotel for a swim. It was nice and relaxing.

 

[luvdisney00]

Last year we arrived at the Poly around 2:30, went for a swim and had a 6:45 ADR at Ohana. There's no characters but it lots of fun and good food. Then we rode the monorail around in a circle just to look at the castle and get that "Disney" feel, and went back to the Poly for ELP & fireworks from the beach. It was a great start to our vacation.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I would suggest just hanging out at the resort and relaxing. We used to hop right into the parks when we arrived and I realized that it's much nicer to relax on day one and start bright and early on day 2. We are staying at AKL and last year we got there, got settled, and then walked around the resort, listened to the storyteller, and did the parade around the lobby. It was perfect.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

If you've got the budget and are willing to commit tired travelers to staying up for dinner, I would dine at the California Grill in conjuction with the fireworks over MK. They pipe the music of the show into the restaurant and dim the lights. You can't just go up anymore, you must have ADRs to eat or be going to the very tiny, first come first seated/served lounge.
If you'd rather not spend the $$ or be up that late, then the campfire sing-a-long with chip and dale is fun and you can stay for the movie or not depending on how everyone feels. It's just a boat ride from Poly for Ft Wilderness, however, they will sell (not give) you the smores kit so you may want to pack your own supplies.
Can you watch the lighting of the torches at Poly and just enjoy a hammock on the beach and other Poly atmosphere? Check what other activities the resort has going - they all seem to have activities now. Also check what time the Electrical Water Pageant stops for a performance at Poly, it's one of our faves.

 

[collcass]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. Our first full day (7/3) is also a resort day since my DH and DS will still not be there. We have ADRs at ohana's that morning for the character meal

My DD is basically a fish so I think I'm going to do a combination of everything. We'll get to the reort and take it easy and let her swim and the boys play/swim. Then head to DTD. Isn't there a new place opening up called TRex? Hopefully that will be open before we go. We can shop a bit and head back to the poly for the EWP & fireoworks.

California Grille is an awesome suggestion. My only worry is how tired and overstimulated the boys will be and I think such a "nice" place might be pushing it for them; Im going to keep that open as an option

My kids would Love to hit RFC but we have one here so it wouldn't be something new.

Planning your first trip is quite overwhelming. I feel like I'm attempting to fit in something for everyone and balance out what each child & DH are getting. UGH :>)

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

i love mini golf at WDW - but i like fantasia mini golf better than winter/summer one. my dh and i played quite a few times before we had the girls -now i can';t wait til they are old enough to play
it would be a great 1st night activity.

 

[Camno's Mama]

If it were me, I would just hit the McDonald's in DTD and sit outside. Then, I would let them play with the legos and walk around a bit. Then, I would definitely hit the pool with the kids. Mmmm...sounds like a perfect night...I just can't stop vacation fantasizing lately!