Thoughts on Arrival Day?

[Disney Dining Dad]

My family of four will be arriving on Sunday, July 5, and we're not sure what to expect with that still being holiday weekend. Will the crowds be crazy? Will it be rather tame because a lot of people are departing that day? Guess we won't know till we get there, but below is an outline of what I'm thinking for that day.

You'll see that I made two dinner reservations that night because I'm not sure how the day will play out, and there's also a chance that once we head back to Wilderness Lodge to check in, the kids will see the pool and won't be motivated to head back to the park after a long day (we'll be waking up around 4 a.m. to catch our flight). In that case, we could always just grab some grub at Geyser Point.

But, assuming we do head back to MK for evening activities, thoughts on the below? I realize there's a chance these LLMP won't be available either. Thanks.

Sunday, July 5

Arrive at Wilderness Lodge from airport around 11 a.m.

Depart for Magic Kingdom

Lightning Lane:

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (multi-pass)

Haunted Mansion (multi-pass)

Pirates of the Caribbean (multi-pass)

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (single-pass)

Lunch at Columbia Harbour House (quick service)

Show: Country Bear Musical Jamboree

Check in to Wilderness Lodge (after 3 p.m.)

6:20 p.m. – Dinner at The Crystal Palace (table-service)

8:10 p.m. – Dinner at Steakhouse 71 (table-service)

Fireworks – America’s 250th Celebration

Return to Wilderness Lodge

 

[DisneyMomof4_86]

My family of four will be arriving on Sunday, July 5, and we're not sure what to expect with that still being holiday weekend. Will the crowds be crazy? Will it be rather tame because a lot of people are departing that day? Guess we won't know till we get there, but below is an outline of what I'm thinking for that day.

You'll see that I made two dinner reservations that night because I'm not sure how the day will play out, and there's also a chance that once we head back to Wilderness Lodge to check in, the kids will see the pool and won't be motivated to head back to the park after a long day (we'll be waking up around 4 a.m. to catch our flight). In that case, we could always just grab some grub at Geyser Point.

But, assuming we do head back to MK for evening activities, thoughts on the below? I realize there's a chance these LLMP won't be available either. Thanks.

Sunday, July 5

Arrive at Wilderness Lodge from airport around 11 a.m.

Depart for Magic Kingdom

Lightning Lane:

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (multi-pass)

Haunted Mansion (multi-pass)

Pirates of the Caribbean (multi-pass)

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (single-pass)

Lunch at Columbia Harbour House (quick service)

Show: Country Bear Musical Jamboree

Check in to Wilderness Lodge (after 3 p.m.)

6:20 p.m. – Dinner at The Crystal Palace (table-service)

8:10 p.m. – Dinner at Steakhouse 71 (table-service)

Fireworks – America’s 250th Celebration

Return to Wilderness Lodge

That is brave of you, we always rest the day we check in , maybe visit Disney springs - a no pressure day .

 

[brockash]

We dont do parks on arrival day; we just soak up the atmosphere. I'd also not want to pay for Lls on a day that we probably won't be at the park most of the day and worse case scenario not at all due to flight issues.

 

[Genie+]

We always hit the ground running too. Unless our flight is very late we go to a park.

Last trip we booked LLs at HS for check-in day. We arrived 4 hours later than planned. I decided to hit guest services to see if they could help and they sure did!

To me the value of LLs is being more productive in whatever time you have. It is nice to maximize the potential (which we did on other days) but it can be worth it even when not doing that. Within 48 hours of arrival we got alot done in all 4 parks.

 

[craedaisy12]

My husband and I went to a park on arrival day once, we drove through the night and decided to head to HS. He was up for it and i didnt mind but it was rough. One factor was defiantly driving all night but he was so cranky by dinner time, i knew we shouldn't do a park on arrival day no matter how we go there. I like to take the time to unpack, get the room set up so it can function for us, especially now that we have a 4 year old and one on the way. This Sept we will be bringing my MIL and i dont want her to feel rushed or anything. I know it will be a lot of her also.

 

[ucf_knight]

My family of four will be arriving on Sunday, July 5, and we're not sure what to expect with that still being holiday weekend. Will the crowds be crazy? Will it be rather tame because a lot of people are departing that day? Guess we won't know till we get there, but below is an outline of what I'm thinking for that day.

You'll see that I made two dinner reservations that night because I'm not sure how the day will play out, and there's also a chance that once we head back to Wilderness Lodge to check in, the kids will see the pool and won't be motivated to head back to the park after a long day (we'll be waking up around 4 a.m. to catch our flight). In that case, we could always just grab some grub at Geyser Point.

But, assuming we do head back to MK for evening activities, thoughts on the below? I realize there's a chance these LLMP won't be available either. Thanks.

Sunday, July 5

Arrive at Wilderness Lodge from airport around 11 a.m.

Depart for Magic Kingdom

Lightning Lane:

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (multi-pass)

Haunted Mansion (multi-pass)

Pirates of the Caribbean (multi-pass)

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (single-pass)

Lunch at Columbia Harbour House (quick service)

Show: Country Bear Musical Jamboree

Check in to Wilderness Lodge (after 3 p.m.)

6:20 p.m. – Dinner at The Crystal Palace (table-service)

8:10 p.m. – Dinner at Steakhouse 71 (table-service)

Fireworks – America’s 250th Celebration

Return to Wilderness Lodge

To me this would really depend on the kids ages. I've done something like this in the past but solo or with my wife. Never with our kids.

 

[DanceDisney23]

That sounds like a lot for a hot, humid arrival day. Especially if you woke up at the crack of dawn. Be prepared for everyone to be grumpy by the afternoon. If you feel you need to go to a park, I would plan for a few hours and call it a night after dinner.

Tiana’s on a summer Sunday on your first day might be difficult to get, especially for earlier return times. I would probably save MPLL for another day, just get SDMT and wing the rest.

 

[Marthasor]

With July heat, arrival day fatigue (especially with a 4 am wake up) and possible flight delays, I wouldn't plan on going to MK at all nor would I invest in LLMP for that day. Personally, I would pack a tote or day bag with everyone's swim suits and go to the pool and have lunch upon arrival. I would probably also go to the front desk upon arrival to see if they could get you into a room early in case anyone needs a nap. The last time my DS and I had an arrival day like this, we were also very ambitious and went to EP upon arrival. We were back in our room napping by 4 pm. We felt a bit more energized after that and ended up going back out for dinner.

 

[Tonberry]

Our arrival day is also laid back.
When our kids were younger, we use to do the whole "hit the park as soon as we get there" thing. Everyone was hot, exhausted, and miserable by the evening.
On our arrival day, we'll drop our bags, bus on over to Disney Springs, grab some lunch there, do some shopping, head on back to the resort for check-in, unpack, go swimming, and relax for a bit while we cool off.
Then we'll head to MK for the evening, grab a nice sit down dinner, ride a few rides, and see how everyone feels. Then we can either watch the fireworks or simply call it a day, head back to the resort, take showers, and go to bed early and start the next day fresh and ready to go.

 

[katyjeka]

You are over scheduled. First, even with lightning lane you still have to wait a little for each ride. Second, your traveling with kids. Bathroom breaks, meltdowns, and thirsty ones take time. Third, your counting on your flight being on time, in today's world it's 50/50. I would pick a couple rides, plan on pool time, and start refreshed and excited the next day. Have a great trip.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I think you've got your schedule backwards. Your current schedule has you arriving at the busiest/hottest part of the day and leaving as soon as the crowds & temps start to die down.

Arrive, recuperate from the travels with a few hours at the pool, check into the hotel, nap/rest, have a meal. Then, head to the park refreshed and rested for the evening when the crowds are lower and the temp is cooler.

You'll get more accomplished at the end of the day with lower lines for stuff than arriving in the middle of the afternoon right after being cooped up in an airport/plane for hours. This way you're not stressed about when to make your first LL, you aren't in a rush because pool time and nap/rest time can be longer or shorter in the event the flight is delayed, and everyone will be geared up to go to the park in the evening.

All else aside, I would ALWAYS pick the last few hours a park is open vs the middle of the day.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Travel days, especially when getting up at 4AM, are tough. Best to pull back on your expectations and choose one or two things to do. You don't want to exhaust everyone before your trip even begins. That's a sure way to cause grumpiness and even sickness can more easily set in if you attempt to do too much on day 1.

 

[Rory607]

We’ve gone straight to the parks before after a very early flight, but it was so exhausting. Out last trip we just swam and went to dinner. My DD and I are trying to plan our park days for this summer and she wants to go to Epcot on arrival day. So I think we’ll make a dinner reservation and see how it goes. It we do go, I’m not bothering with LL. If we get on some rides, great, but it might just be eating and walking WS. And an 8:10 reservation after getting up at 4 am doesn’t seem realistic, at least for our family.

 

[Add-On-Itis]

It's doable. But very tiring and you start the next day very tired. We did it this past trip, but for next trip I'll tone it down. We have annual pass so didn't waste a day of ticket.

 

[China Expat]

July 5 will be busy