Timing out Arrival Day

[JessNewt]

Hello!

Can you WDW vets help me plan the timing for our arrival day? If we arrive at MCO at 11am, what time would we expect to get to our hotel (Polynesian)? I realize there are a myriad of factors that could come in to play to alter the timing, but in general, what was your experience?

I'm trying to decide if we should get a park ticket for arrival day. We are also planning a 7pm dinner in Disney Springs. Think we'll have time for a stop in Magic Kingdom between arrival and dinner?

Thank you!

 

[Alesia]

Plan on arriving at the Poly around 12:30.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

On arrival day it's best to plan a low keyed day since travel could come with some disruptions. I know you are on a nonstop flight so connection issues won't be a factor for you. But if you are still planning an Oct. visit like you mentioned in another thread, you will be traveling during hurricane season and anything can happen therefore its best not to plan too much a head of time for arrival day. I would not make dinning reservation just go with the flow that day. As for a park visits. If all goes well and you get to the resort by 12:30 -1:00 then do an add on to your current tickets if you would like to go to the park on arrival day.

By the time you get to the resort your room may or may not be ready so you will mostly want to drop your carry on luggage at bell services. Then it will be time to grab lunch. If you decide to go to MK remember you need to a lot 1hr and 30 minutes to get to get from MK to DS for dinner. You will need to make your way from MK to a resort in order to catch a bus to DS. So you might only have a few hours to spend at MK

 

[barbaraann]

Personally, I never do a park on either arrival day, or departure day. I have done it, before when my grandson visited with me. However, as I have become older, it is too hectic for me. I now much rather have a relaxing check in and dinner at my hotel, and then get an early start on my first full day in the parks.

 

[JessNewt]

Awesome! Thank you everyone! First family trip is a tricky one to plan. I haven't been to WDW since 2002....SO MUCH has changed!! I started to plan just a couple options, then I read these awesome trip reports from other folks, and I feel like I planned WAY TOO LITTLE. So now I'm swinging the other way, trying to plan for as much fun as possible.

I'm hoping the 2nd family trip is a lot easier to plan than this first one.

Shelly - I was just about to ask how long to get from MK to DS! You = mind reader!
I have to confess, though, that our trip isn't actually until Jan/Feb of 2017. I have been using the October dates to guesstimate a travel plan with SWA, when my dates are available. I want to be "in the know" by the time my dates are available. I sound like a loony-toon, I know.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Jess you are NOT a loony-toon. Just someone who is doing her homework and researching her trip. You have come to the right place for that.
Yes you caught be off-guard when we talked before you mentioned Oct but I saw your ticker said 11 months so I was not sure if you were still planning for Oct or moved your trip month.

Plus remember you don't have to do it all in the first trip so don't over plan this first trip. Its impossible to do it all in your first trip especially with little ones it should be a learning trip and not so over planed. So when you read others trip reports and see all they plan and do, don't feel like you have to keep up with that pace. Doing a fast pace trip leaves little room to enjoy your vacation. Makes people, especially little ones tired and cranky.

 

[monkeymom1210]

we plan that when we arrive check in the hotel and got disney springs. relax at the hotel pool. but not actually do any park.

 

[deeanddisney]

That's what we do too, arrival day hang out at the pool and head to Disney Springs for a look around and a meal. The Poly will be great with little ones because you can take a mid-day break back to the hotel if you need to from MK. That's what we did when my DD was little. If we were staying in Disney for 5 nights or more, we would plan a hotel day in the middle so that we could have a rest from the parks. Wishing you a fantastic trip!