What do you do on arrival day?

[Picabo]

Our flt lands (hopefully) at MCO at 1245p. I'm guessing we won't get to the Poly till about 230p or so. I'd LOVE to take the girls to 1900PF for dinner but I'm thinking maybe it's not smart to make an ADR for arrival night. Is it better to just plan to maybe go to EPCOT and have a CS in WS somewhere rather than worry about missing a reservation at a TS?

THANKS!

 

[The3rdDisneyBoy]

We always go to Chef Mickey for dinner and then ride the monorail over to Poly and watch Wishes from the beach at the Poly (There is a nice swing on the beach- and you can see the Electric Water Parade get set to go off) Its so FUN! What better way to start your trip- seeing Mickey Mouse and Wishes!

 

[Shenanigoat]

You should be able to make it to a TS ADR on your arrival night. The Grand Floridian is just one monorail stop away too, so it will be easy to get to. I think it's fun to monorail hop on your first day and watch Wishes and the Electrical parade from a distance. Either that, or going to DTD, but since your staying at the Poly I think 1900PF is totally do-able.

 

[Lynn5700]

You will be able to make it to dinner on your arrival night. We ususally have lunch at Cosmic Rays, and dinner at Ohana.

 

[Gina35]

We like going to 'Ohana on our 1st night. We go late (8:30-ish) and ask for a window seat, so that we can see Wishes from the restaurant. We usually have plenty of time to make it over to the Poly, even when we stay at BC. Since you'll be at the Poly, I think anything on the monorail would be absolutely fine.
Then again, it's also fun to just wander around the WS and catch the Epcot sights! Whatever you decide should work out ok; your flight is at a decent time for getting out for dinner.

 

[Lynne G]

Unless you want to use a park ticket, I'd let the girls swim or enjoy looking around. You can always ride the monorail around. It's great to sight see. I'd do a TS for dinner. It's a great way to enjoy a long meal and get in the mood. The GF is a beautiful resort, and the 1900 dinner is fun with the characters. O'Hana's is also a good dinner option, as well as Chef Mickey's (though I'd say CM if kids are on the younger side). The Poly is perfectly situated to see the boat light show and the fireworks from the MK.

If you do feel like traveling, then Epcot would be nice to stroll around the world and maybe then catch a CS or do a TS at Tutto or Teppan Edo. Both are great restaurants. Or go to MK and eat at Crystal Palace, or Liberty Inn. Both don't have characters for dinner, but are nice buffets. A lighter fare would be the Plaza Restaurant. Then stay at MK for the Wishes fireworks.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[djp0630]

We get in around 12:45 too. By the time we get to checkin, it'll probably be around 4. I am planning on going to MK that night. It's the only night Spectromagic is playing during my trip, plus it wouldn't be the start of a WDW vacation with a visit to the MK.

 

[B-Ride]

We have an ADR for Crystal Palace on our arrival night. We are really looking forward to being able to go to MK on the first night and see both Spectro and Wishes. Our last two trips we didn't have tickets for our first night as we had to adjust our booking to qualify for Free Dining.

 

[mouseika]

Last trip we saved our park tickets and went to Chef Mickey's for dinner, then back to the resort for a swim. This time we've got a dinner ADR at Le Cellier so we're going to head straight to Epcot after we get checked in. We're looking forward to a great meal and watching Illuminations! The next day we'll spend our first full day at MK!!

 

[Picabo]

I'm not worried so much about using a park day. We'll be there 6 days and I figure after (what is it...4 or 5 days) it's only a few extra bucks to add another day. so that part doesn't bug me so much. I'm mostly worried about the girls energy level and temperment.

I'm scared to do Chef Mickey the first night for fear of them not having had the chance to 'warm up' to the big characters yet. That's why I kind of thought maybe 1900PF was a better way to start out. But hmm, maybe just a monorail ride in the big circle and dinner at Ohana is a good idea too. Then EWP !

 

[N&B'smom]

We have dinner at LTT on our first night. It's a tradition!

 

[emmaleigh47]

Our flt lands (hopefully) at MCO at 1245p. I'm guessing we won't get to the Poly till about 230p or so. I'd LOVE to take the girls to 1900PF for dinner but I'm thinking maybe it's not smart to make an ADR for arrival night. Is it better to just plan to maybe go to EPCOT and have a CS in WS somewhere rather than worry about missing a reservation at a TS?

THANKS!

I evidently started a tradition last year, because DH wants to repeat it this year.

Last year we checked in and went straight to DHS, rode a couple of rides, and then ate lunch at 50's PT and were stuffed. Left there, took a short nap and freshened up and went for a late dinner at Jiko. Very relaxing!

 

[Kae]

I think you are right on track with 1900PF & then as others have said ride the monorail, we do the Epcot loop also. You can then watch the Electrcal Water Parade before bed right at the Poly Beach or hit the hay eariler for a big start the next morning. If you are worried about the Charaters make sure you go to the opening at MK the can see alot of them at a distance during the opening.

Kae

 

[shoppgirl]

Last year we had ADRs for our arrival night at 1900 Park fare. Our flight was supposed to take off at around noonish, but got DELAYED for just over 3 hours! My DH wass calling the GF to talk to someone at 1900 PF, the dining line, but they wouldn't/couldn't do anything for us and said they were totally booked. Our ADR was for 5:50 and we didn't land at MCO until 5:40! I was most upset that I thought our girls were going to miss their chance of dining with Cindy and Prince Charming. However, when we arrived at the GF, we told concierge about missing our ADR and they helped us get in. We were able to be seated at 8:00 and proceeded to have a fabulous time.

The girls had been up since 6:45 that morning without a single snooze. You would never know it because just being in Disney gave them such a bolt of energy! It was such a great way to start our trip.

I would not schedule an ADR that required a credit card gaurantee or prepayment because of potential flight delays. But 1900 PF does not require either one, so it would most definitely be safe to book it and plan on going.

 

[Picabo]

Last year we had ADRs for our arrival night at 1900 Park fare. Our flight was supposed to take off at around noonish, but got DELAYED for just over 3 hours! My DH wass calling the GF to talk to someone at 1900 PF, the dining line, but they wouldn't/couldn't do anything for us and said they were totally booked. Our ADR was for 5:50 and we didn't land at MCO until 5:40! I was most upset that I thought our girls were going to miss their chance of dining with Cindy and Prince Charming. However, when we arrived at the GF, we told concierge about missing our ADR and they helped us get in. We were able to be seated at 8:00 and proceeded to have a fabulous time.

The girls had been up since 6:45 that morning without a single snooze. You would never know it because just being in Disney gave them such a bolt of energy! It was such a great way to start our trip.

I would not schedule an ADR that required a credit card gaurantee or prepayment because of potential flight delays. But 1900 PF does not require either one, so it would most definitely be safe to book it and plan on going.

I fondly remember your TR and the incident of being late to 1900PF! And I can't wait for your next trip report!!

 

[N&B'smom]

We always take the earliest flight possible so we get the most out of our first day. We will be arriving at MCO 8:15am. We always rent a car so we might just go straight to BB or TL and spend the earlier part of the day there. We'll head to the resort around 3ish and freshen up/relax before heading to MK for dinner at LTT and some rides!!!

If we don't go to the water park we'll go to the resort and just lounge by the pool.

 

[bubba]

We usually take a 6:10 am flight from Buffalo and generally get to POP Century by noon. We are all pretty wired so we check in, if we can, and have a nice lunch at Everything POP. We spend a little while wandering the resort and taking lots of photos. A good long dip in the pool finishes off our afternoon. If we're feeling energetic (surprisingly often considering we've been up since 1am) we head to DTD for some window shopping and dinner at Earl of Sandwich.

 

[scard192]

We arrive at 12:35PM and have a 7:10PM ADR for 1900PF. We are not using a park ticket for our arrival day. Thought a monorail ride and dinner with Cindy would be a great way to start off my 3 year old grand daughters first trip to Disney!

 

[Picabo]

We arrive at 12:35PM and have a 6:50PM ADR for 1900PF. We are not using a park ticket for our arrival day. Thought a monorail ride and dinner with Cindy would be a great way to start off my 3 year old grand daughters first trip to Disney!

Great minds think alike! I'm thinking this sounds like a perfect plan!!!