Suggestions for first day...early arrival

[psu1978]

Our trip isn't until August 2005 (I figure it's never too early to start planning. )

We should be arriving on-site mid-morning on a Sunday. We definitely want to do to a park. We plan on dropping our stuff off (too early to check-in), park the car and head out.

I was thinking that Epcot might be a good idea since WS doesn't open until later anyway. Any other ideas, comments or suggestions????

With all that experience out there (this is only our 2nd trip), I know someone will have the perfect idea!!! Thanks

 

[kilee]

You could easily head out and make it a World Showcase Day. Don't try to overplan the first day. Especially if you will be up early in the morning to travel. It could set the whole trip off w/ a lot of burning out. Some really like to start their trips off w/ MK. However, it will be Sunday and summer-- so you may want to avoid that.
We almost always arrive in the morning. We tend to take it easy the first day since we're usually up at 4am to get to the airport and of course we didn't sleep well the night before. I usually make an early dinner PS (preferably a character meal) and then head to DTD for awhile before calling it a night. Then we're rested and ready for a full park day the next day.

 

[psu1978]

Thanks kilee! Anyone else care to share?

 

[psu1978]

Still looking for alternative ideas ...or is Epcot WS really my only option if we can't get to the park until 11-12 on a Sunday?

Thanks!

 

[vettechick99]

Don't get sucked into the whole gottagetupandhittheparksearlytogetmymoneysworth mentality. Getting there are 11 or 12 is not that late and you could really do any of the parks! I personally love going to MK my first day...and would make that my first stop. However with Sunday being early entry day for that park, you might want to skip it for that reason.

Doing Epcot that day sounds great. Or MGM if you like that better! Or AK if you like that more better! Have a great time and remember you have lots of days to see it all (ok, not all..but a lot of it!).

 

[Happy2BGrumpy]

Depending on what park you hit on day one, can be a factor of where you're staying. Meaning at the Epcot resorts you can walk to EC or MGM or walk through EC to the monorail for TTC /MK. I know that on our first day, we try to avoid the busses. Don't know why, just don't want to ride them. Also, you may be surprised to find your room is ready on a mid-morning check-in. It has happened on more than one occurrence when we arrived between 10:30 and 11:00 AM at the BC.

 

[Poohbeck]

Our tradition is to always do WS on our first day and Illuminations, it just sets the whole mood for the trip.

We usually check in at the hotel, get settled, have lunch and leisurely get our barrings. Sometimes we even take a swim first. I went everyone to be relaxed and ready after a long day of traveling. Then....it starts. Have a great time. Whatever you decide will be famulous.

 

[psu1978]

We are staying at BCV, so....we can walk to Epcot or take short (so I'm told) boat ride to MGM. We have a bus ride to MK & AK.

I don't want to hit MGM unless I can ride RNRC...will that still be an option getting there later in the day?

I'm not sure a trip to AK would be worth the bus trip since that park closes earlier. On the other hand, we left early last time and didn't see the parade. I've heard it's great.

Definitely don't want to do MK on a Sunday EE day.

Starting with WS, a nice sit down dinner, and Illuminations does sound like a great beginning!

Thanks for your advice.

 

[sters]

I'd advise NOT going to MK on Sunday. It's early entry day, or at least it used to be, and even off-season, MK was a MADHOUSE on Sundays. Epcot sounds like a good choice, or even Animal Kingdom, which does not require a whole day to hit the major attractions.

 

[jjohnson]

We'll be there Aug. 05' too. The plan is to head over to Epcot for the afternoon. Our thoughts are its going to be hot & there's more to do indoors. After we're going to head directly to Chef Mickey's for dinner & get back to Poly early evening to watch Wishes in the lounge.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

My tradition has always been to go to Epcot upon arrival about 11 am.
If my room is ready, I'm tempted to try for a nap first, though.

In your case, I will also say the same thing. On arrival day, you might also get tired earlier, so being at Epcot means that you will get back to your room a whole lot faster than if you were in any other park. No waiting a long time for over crowded busses, since you will be going back to BCV.

Have a great time!