suggestions for first day at WDW after morning flight in

[barb3779]

Could use some advice on how to plan our first day at WDW. Our flight will arrive in Orlando at 8:35AM. We'll drive to WL by towncar. DH wants to do some of MK that first day and have lunch or supper at Cindys. ( This will be a Thursday, which I realize is a EMH day for MK) Any ideas on how long it'll take to get our bags and travel to the resort? Should we just hang around the resort for lunch and pool time until we can officially enter our room in the afternoon - and then go to MK for late afternnon and evening? Or should we leave our luggage at WL desk, go over to MK for lunch at Cindys and alittle touring - and then go back to the resort for afternoon to enter our room and relax before evening parade and fireworks? thanks for any input, these boards are lifesavers!

 

[kilee]

When are you going? Things are going to be different depending on the crowds. Personally I would leave the luggage and go to the parks. Then call it an early park day and return to the room and a small tour of the resort.

 

[barb3779]

We're going July 8 - 16.

 

[Micca]

Welcome to the Dis Barb It could take 20-30 minutes to get from your gate and collect your baggage before you hit the road. I don't have town car experience, but the drive doesn't seem to take more than a half hour. Are you making a food stop?
Checking in at your resort is also a variable. You could hit a busy time and that could take a half hour. I would think you could hit MK between 11am-12Noon. The park is open fairly late during that time, so I think you could still do a lot(if you don't get tired from having caught an early flight).

 

[OLT2004]

You do know that Cindys is NOT a Character Meal for Lunch & Dinner......

 

[sandyneck]

What time are you getting up for your am flight? We have found after many early morning flights, the best plan for us is relax around the resort till about 5 and then head to a park. This way we can get a nap in if needed. When we used to head to the parks right away, we would make it about 2 hours then all be tired and cranky. It wasn't worth it for us. It depends on the stamina and ages of your group, but it may be well worth it to have some down time before you start the parks. Actually, we now do not even do the park the day we get there. We usually do a character dinner or Boma's the first night so we have something to look forward to, then get an early start the next day.

 

[GoofysPrincess]

Anyone who can hang around the pool on the first day is doing better than me! I just can't wait to get to the parks -- even if it's just Typhoon Lagoon! I would check in, leave the bags with the bell boy, and go somewhere. Then maybe come back to the room late-afternoon, freshen up, and head over to MK in the evening when it hopefully won't be so hot.

Have fun!

 

[GarrettJD]

I wouldn't be able to resist jumping in right away, either! If your room isn't ready, check your bags at the hotel and head right over to the MK, especially if you have an Ultimate Park Hopper.

 

[CuteKatCar]

Our experience with Tiffany Towncar has been that the trip takes about an hour from exiting plane to getting to hotel (Contemporary). We do make the store stop, so add 1/2 hour.

We check in and head right to the park (for the last 3 trips it has been Epcot). I have the backpack ready just in case the room isn't ready. They hold the luggage and off we go. Epcot isn't usually crowded so we go on a few attractions and always have a sit-down dinner in one of the countries.

MK will be crowded, but since it's your first day, you'll not be in commando mode, so just relax and enjoy the sights there - take in a few rides - eat - shop. Head back to WL and unpack and relax by the pool in the evening.

Cutekatcar

 

[sandyneck]

I know I may be in the minority when I said we hang around the hotel, but I will say we always stay at AKL, so we feel like it is a resort/park experience with all the animals and activities that are going on. If we were staying somewhere else, I may want to get going sooner. We have also been many times, so the urge to rush in and do everything isn't so overwhelming.