Too Ambitious for first Day?

[nmanning19]

I will be traveling with an active 3.5 year old boy and husband, flight will get into Orlando at 2 p.m., go to hotel and check in and they head to MK for 4-5 hours. Wondering if this is crazy???

 

[kinntj]

You can always go planning on 4-5 hours and if you feel like leaving earlier than planned, do it. We try not to do anything but check in, swim and go out to dinner somewhere on our first day there. I don't travel well so that's why we just hang out that day.

We always start the 2nd day fresh and early. My DD was 4 when we went last year and she did pretty well. When she was getting whiny we went back and swam and rested up. Our trip was much better when we listened to the kids and followed their lead.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'm assuming you are flying and taking the ME. If your plane lands at 2, I'd estimate getting to the resort around 3:30. Check in can take a 1/2 hour. That will put you in your room around 4:00. 4-5 hours will take you to 8 or 9pm. It's not entirely crazy with a 3.5 year old, but as the PP mentioned, you might want to be sure to get him to bed early that first night so you both are fresh and well-rested for the next day. Maybe just play that day by ear. You could plan for a few hours in the MK that day, but cut it short if you feel you need to.

 

[nmanning19]

We have family members that live in FL visiting us the 2nd day we are there so that is why I am trying to cram in a park on our first day. I will probably just play it by ear when I get there but was wondering if others have done this. I don't plan to spend my entire vacation at the parks and since I will not be there on the 2nd day I thought I would see what happens.

 

[kristinw3girls]

Om, Yes!!! Traveling is exhausting. Go to the park, but maybe you should just play it by ear. I'd have a nice meal (character if possible). Your son could get exposure to the characters and see what you feel like. I always overplan arrival day and regret it half way thru!! Next time it's hang out at the hotel and dinner at DD.

 

[srwarden1928]

We are getting to Orlando about noon driving. We are planning to get to MK by 2 and stay for Spectro & Wishes. Hope this helps.

 

[jen2207]

Last year we got into the hotel at about 2pm, let the kids swim for a bit. They we changed and then went to MK and had 7pm ADRs for CRT. It turned out great. The kids were excited to get some park time in, but we didn't really try to get too many rides (did the carousel, dumbo, and pooh after dinner because they were right there). I have a hard time having dinner ADRs because I didn't want to feel obligated to stop what we were doing - to go to a reservation, but in this case it was "the" event of the day. Dinner with Cinderella - my dd was in heaven.

Note: I count the travel day as "Day Zero" rather than Day 1 of the trip. Anything that we get in is just a bonus and I don't try to do a full park day.

 

[taymacsmom]

I am wondering what time you are getting on your flight. We will be up and headed to the airport at 5 am. If you are starting out that early will your DS sleep at any point on the plane or ME? That might help him get through a few hours at MK. We are landing at MCO at 11:00 am and are planning to head to EPCOT as soon as we check in, then dinner at Le Chefs and hop to AK for EMH. I am hoping that my barely 4 year old DS (or maybe all of us) will nap at some point. We only get to go to WDW every 3 or 4 years so we like to squeeze everything we can get out of it. Hope that helps you decide!!

 

[sohappy]

This trip we will arrive aroudn 11:40, but don't have a park planned for that day. We were just too tired last time to really enjoy DTD, so we are swimming and doing DTD the first day.

Last trip, we got to MK around 3ish. We met a friend for a few hours at donald's boat, then took the train back to the front of the park. Then the ferry to WL for Whispering Canyon. I was glad that we sat down for dinner (as I am most days). We went back to the park for 2 or 3 rides then left. It wasnt bad (kids were almost 3 and 5), but I am looking forward to a relaxing day this time.

I think that if you are not going to a park the second day (or it will be a leisurly park day), it is do-able.