visit a park the first day, yay or nay?

[Misty89]

we will be arriving in MCO around 10:30 am on a monday... plan to get our rental car and be on our way by noon, stopping for lunch in orlando and then stopping to pick up some room supplies.
figuring we are not going to rush, and hope to be at CR by 3pm.
were had originally thought we would visit epcot since it is open later (?) but wondering if we should just forget about a park the first day?
we will be leaving home at 5am to get to the airport....and thinking everyone is going to be so excited to be there....but tired from a long day!
what would you suggest? - hang out in resort? visit the area? or should we use a day of our hoppers and go to a park?

thank you

 

[chyam]

Hi Misty! I grew up in Sturgeon Bay. Anyways if I were you I would just hang at the resort, perhaps take a swim and maybe make a PS for a character dinner. Then get up early the next morning refreshed and eager to begin the park touring. I think you will get a lot more out of it that way. I always like to get settled in and since you are on vacation it's nice to relax a little too. You will have a great time!

 

[SamanthaL]

I tend to not visit the parks on the first day. It seems like a waste of a pass to me, but I know lots of people who can't wait until the next day. We usually make a PS for someplace we really want to try and enjoy our hotel of wander around some of the other hotels. On one occassion we headed to DTD which was fun too. We ate there and shopped a bit.

I think it depends on how tired you are and how you feel about using a day's pass. I just don't get as excited when I am very tired so I like my first real taste of the magic to come when I am well rested!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I think it's really a personal decision.

Play it by ear. If you get there, and you're all raring to go, then by all means! Go go go!!!

If you're all sort of tired, then just relax!

 

[N&B'smom]

See how much energy you have! Rest up at the resort for the afternoon, have some dinner and then see how you feel!!

Shelby

 

[LoveThoseLabbies]

We always go, if even for a few hours and a few rides. You won't be too tired the next day. If the passes are already paid for and include the first day, why not use them?

In the end, it depends on your personal choice, how everyone feels, and what they all would like to do. Our family is ready to go as soon as we get there.

Here is another thing to consider. When we were there this July, just after the 4th, we found that the parks actually get less crowded for a few hours between 5 and 7 pm. I don't know if it is due to people eating at this time, or people who arrive at opening just getting tired. We were there a week, and every day we noticed the crowds ease at dinner time. Of course by 8 pm, they were large again. Our strategy was to 1) AVOID EARLY ENTRY DAYS (may be different when you go, but was horrible when we went), 2) Go to the park at opening , the day after early entry day (all the poor saps who fought the crowds will not go to the same park the next day) 3) Maximize your rides in the first 2 hours and leave by 12 -1 for rest and a swim, 4) Return at around 5 for a few more hours. In the summer, this worked the best...this was our best strategy...in our 3rd visit.

Good Luck...and have a great time!!!

 

[cvemom]

I always say we won't go the first day but....It's almost impossible not to go...You're sooooooooo close.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We did last time, and we are planning to again this time. Just too hard to wait! We get UPH though, so it's like a wasted day NOT to go for us.

We should arrive at our resort by 2 or so if all goes well, and we have a 5:00 PS at Garden Grill in Epcot. We'll hang around there for a while that evening, until we get too tired.

 

[fun & fancy free]

Going to the park the first day is usually our best day. We also arrive in the AM. We check into our room get changed and head to the MK for the parade and the an early dinner at Crystal Palace. After that the park seems to be preety quiet and we get alot done. We have done this two years in a row and have never been dissappointed.

 

[PamNC]

Since you have park hoppers, I wouldn't waste a day. You could relax and unwind at your resort. Take a swim. That way you'll be good an rested for your first full day. Now, if you had AP's, I would have a different answer. I'd say go if you feel up to it.

PamNC

 

[bethzfl]

We have APs so of course we go. We'll be arriving Sunday hyper: ) around 11 am. I want to stop in the hotel and then head for a park (bf's choice). He'll probably pick Epcot. Good luck

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

If I just had hopper tickets and not AP's or the kind that are hooked to your hotel (I believe UPH's ?), I would not waste a day.

We usually have hoppers, also and never go the first day. And we get there a lot earlier than you.

But, I do plan something Disneyish so that we KNOW we are finally at Disney. We've gone to Chef Mickey's in the past. And I've always wanted to shop at DTD the first night to get some shopping in. That is what we are going to do this time. We check out the resort, shop, have a nice dinner and get to bed at a decent time to start the next day early with Mickey.

 

[bethzfl]

If you end up not doing a park.. a character dinner is a nice way to kick off the trip.

 

[mrsltg]

I admire the restraint of anyone who can stay away on the first day - that is definitely not me!!! Once I'm at Disney, I'm at a park. I just can't help myself!!!

Erin

 

[JMCDAD]

I agree its a personal decision.
I usually don't like to jump into it the first day.
We get settled in and it adds to the anticipation of getting up the next day and starting fresh!!