What do you do on arrival day??

[HDJA]

Cast: Myself, DH, 7 yr old DD, and 4 yr old DS. We are flying into MCO at 3:05 Monday afternoon, taking DME to Pop-Century. We'll probably hang out at the pool (weather permitting) and then get ready for dinner OR go to dinner first and then swim. I'd really like to eat somewhere special to kick off the week, but where do we go? We have the dining plan, by the way. My fear is that we'll break our necks trying to do something nice/fun for the kids and they'll be cranky because of all of the travelling. What to do? I want our first night to set the stage and hope it won't backfire! So, with those of you with young kids, what do you do on arrival day?

 

[mattsdragon]

We usually relax in the room for a bit (we drive, so I need to unwind a bit), but then we hit DTD. We don't have kids yet, so Paradise Island is on the itinerary so I can enjoy a few adult beverages as well. But DisneyQuest is fun for the kids at DTD, and it's all enclosed, so not as much walking. Save that for MK.

Have fun at POP, IMHO, it's the only Value Resort worth going to.

 

[DisneyKT]

Hi were flying in on SW at 3:05. I figure by the time we get a car and check in to the hotel CSR. It will be around 5:00pm. We usually do mini golf and grab something to eat. This time I made Adrs at Maya Grill so I'll keep my fingers crossed. I have never met a kid who didn't like to swim so Im sure they will have fun. Good luck and have a great vacation.

 

[kimisabella]

We're getting into MCO at 10:30 a.m. so I figure by the time we get the rental car and drive to the AKL it will be noon. We'll get something to eat at the food court, hang out by the pool or go to DTD, then go to . I try to make the first day relaxing before the FUN begins!!

 

[vatmark]

We'll be doing an 8 hour drive on arrival day and arrive at 3pm. We are planning to just checkout the resort, maybe swim then have dinner at Artist Point.

Annie

 

[SaraMc]

It always seems like the flights we get out of Toronto are 6:00am flights so we usually stay up most of the night ( We are too excited to sleep!) and then head to the airport the three hours before the flight because its considered international. When we get to MCO its usually get straight to the resort and if the room is ready great, sleep. If not which is usually the case we head out on an adventure. Whatever bus comes first we get on. Then when we get to the destination we go and check out another resort. How? Whatever bus comes first again. Last year it was the board walk then we took a bus to the magic kingdom and then went back to our hotel. Unpacked. And then a nap if needed or swim and Downtown Disney for the evening

 

[wkrider]

By the time we get there, flying from AZ, and get the rental car, go to the store and make it to the resort, it is generally into the evening. We usually have a place already planned for dinner so we freshen up and head out. Get to bed early and start the next day off early. Just talking about it makes me wish I were there.

 

[Horizons16]

It always seems like the flights we get out of Toronto are 6:00am flights so we usually stay up most of the night ( We are too excited to sleep!) and then head to the airport the three hours before the flight because its considered international. When we get to MCO its usually get straight to the resort and if the room is ready great, sleep. If not which is usually the case we head out on an adventure. Whatever bus comes first we get on. Then when we get to the destination we go and check out another resort. How? Whatever bus comes first again. Last year it was the board walk then we took a bus to the magic kingdom and then went back to our hotel. Unpacked. And then a nap if needed or swim and Downtown Disney for the evening

We tried this last time we went. The first bus was to EPCOT. Figured ok lets gooooo. Got there, first bus back was Pop Century where we were staying. So we went back and tried again hahaha

 

[psiprez]

We are flying in at 12:30pm. Figure we will be in our room around 3pm, and will be unpacked and settled around 5pm.

We plan to grab dinner at the resort before heading over to FW for the Campfire Sing-a-Long/Movie at 7pm. Alternative ideas are DTD or Mini-Golf, or just lazing around.

Nothing too taxing the first day!

 

[ainmama2001]

We arrive at 9:45am. We'll be flying into MCO, taking the ME to OKW, meeting my parents who live in Orlando and are staying the week with us, and after we drop off our carryons at the front desk, we're hitting MK. We have 2:30pm PS at the Crystal Palace for a late lunch. I won't be able to keep my four-year-old out of the MK on the first day. Her trip begins when she sees the castle.

 

[Goofy DS]

We usually take an early flight, land by 10ish check in by 11ish and spend the first day at MGM.

Rockin' Rollercoaster is first and Fantasmic that night!

 

[pooh2001]

You room will probably be ready -
Suggestion with little ones - let Dad rest - Dad's mostly do the carrying/driving. If kids are jumpy - let Mom first unpack a bit and the take the kids for a 15 min walk around the resort.
Back to the room to get washed up - maybe some TV time to nap/relax.

Arrival at 3pm - if you do the pool with little ones - they will be exhausted
for dinner- and you will loose $100 for a not so nice dinner experience.
There is always pool the next day - after a good nights sleep.

Make a dinner reservation (with characters) - GF 1900 Park faire is a good suggestion - much quieter than Chef Mickeys and a nice buffet for everyone palet.
From Pop take the bus to TTC or MK and then monorail to GF.

 

[kyirish25]

My suggestion for a dinner would be a character meal. Regardless of how tired, the kids will be wanting to do something Disney.

We also check out DTD and can spend hours in World of Disney alone.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Since we drive there we usually arrive around 4. We're staying at POFQ next time, so after check-in and unpacking, we'll take the boat to DD for a couple hours. Can't stay too long, as we'll need time back at the room to unwind and hit the sack so as to get up early and hit MK first thing the next morning.

 

[gracey712]

we're driving in from buffalo, ny area making an overnight stop in charlotte area. so it'll be about a 9 or so hr drive from charlotte. But our plan is getting in around 3 and relaxing a bit before checking out por before dinner at chef mickeys...i'm sure we'll all be exhausted but you have to have a little disney action on your first day...

 

[Disneyholics5]

We get to MCO at about 11:30 and by the time through with car rental and baggage claim we arrive at the hotel Wyndham Palace across from DTD at about 1:00. My grandnephew 4 3/4 years old loves to go to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch with the animals, that has been our tradition since we have been taking him from age 1, then he plays around at DTD and of course we do some shopping. Later towards evening we tour the resorts to see the Christmas decorations. Usually we have a little something lite to eat in the evening then back to DTD to the playground for awhile. Then to the room to get ready for the Parks. Just talking about it makes me happy. Don't think a day goes by without my thinking about WDW. I'll be there in 58 days, 19 hours and 10 seconds!!!!!!!

Mary

 

[Poohsmommi]

Cast: Myself, DH, 7 yr old DD, and 4 yr old DS. We are flying into MCO at 3:05 Monday afternoon, taking DME to Pop-Century. We'll probably hang out at the pool (weather permitting) and then get ready for dinner OR go to dinner first and then swim. I'd really like to eat somewhere special to kick off the week, but where do we go? We have the dining plan, by the way. My fear is that we'll break our necks trying to do something nice/fun for the kids and they'll be cranky because of all of the travelling. What to do? I want our first night to set the stage and hope it won't backfire! So, with those of you with young kids, what do you do on arrival day?

We (me: 36 - dd: 8) check in, get into our rooms, jump on the beds while yelling "we're in disney world" - quickly unpack and head to the parks! It's tradition.

 

[lulubelle]

Coming from the west coast, by the time we get our car and luggage, make a grocery stop and unpack it is time for dinner. We usually try to get a good nights sleep and prepare for several days of non stop walking and fun!

So, for us the first day is travel, relaxing and preparation, no parks.
Good luck whatever you decide and have a wonderful vacation.

 

[klwdisney]

We too are kidless, but we land at 5:10 pm on Saturday afternoon and are taking DME to POP. After checking out our room and dropping off our carry-ons, we're heading to Epcot to grab a bite at the Festival then off to Pleasure Island to catch Frankie & The West End Boys!!

4 days and 8 minutes till our flight!!

 

[luvmyfam444]

we should be arriving by about 2 or so w/2 kiddos - our plan this trip is to eat @ Ohana's the 1st night---it shoudl be kid friendly----last trip we ate @ the hotel & swam & went to bed---you could always ride the monorail for fun.