What do you do on your arrival day?

[loralie]

What do you do on your arrival day? Last trip we planned to go to Epcot on our arrival day and we got to WDW pretty early but since we had such an early flight and we did not sleep too well because we were too excited we were exhausted and just hung around the resort and rested and went swimming. It worked out great but it was not what I planned.

For my next trip I am thinking of going to take the kids to Disney Quest on arrival day and maybe later at night go to Chef Mickeys for dinner. If I take a little bit of a later flight maybe we wont be so tired and we can do what I planned on doing.

What do you do on your arrival day and how offten do you get to do what you planned on doing on your arrival day?

 

[Kim1964]

We haven't gone on enough WDW vacations (yet!) to have a routine, but we found what works for us last trip, and we're planning to do the same next year. We had an early flight, and we were flying out the day after the new "no liquids" policy took effect, so we had to get to the airport even earlier. That meant getting up at 4 a.m.

We'll probably take the early flight next year, too. Our plan is for travel day to be a non-park day. We'll check in, grab lunch at Planet Hollywood, and then go back to the hotel to swim for the afternoon. We're staying at YC and we love Stormalong Bay, so that will be heaven for us. We are arriving on my birthday, so I am still thinking about whether to make ADRs for Chef Mickey or just have dinner at the hotel.

The first day being a non-park day worked well for us because it gave us a chance to just relax and decompress. It's also a money saver because we're buying 5 day hoppers instead of 6 day hoppers. I also think that for me, there's a lot less "gotta get there" stress if I don't feel like I'm burning a day off our admission tickets with travel time. We also do better in the parks after a good night's sleep, and the night before a Disney trip and getting up in the dark is not a good night's sleep.

 

[kellyg403]

Our first day we usually get to WDW around 1-2 pm. We head over to MGM and TOT. Afterwards we hit Sci-Fi. My teens love TOT and MGM is a smaller park so it works out great for us. We are usually back in our rooms by 9pm

Kelly

 

[Quinn222]

For my next trip I am thinking of going to take the kids to Disney Quest on arrival day

I don't know when you are going next but DIsney Quest is closing so you might want to check on that before you plan on it.

We drive and arrive early so we do a park on arrival day.

 

[CNMooner]

We generally get to the resort around 2 or 3 pm and then just get the lay of whatever resort we're staying until dinner that night. I always try to make ADRs someplace special. This year it is California Grill and then we'll hop over to MK for the last Spectro parade after dinner!

 

[loucrew]

We always go and explore DTD and grab a meal there on our arrival day. That way the poor guy who drives 16 straight hours(me) can just take it easy. The first full day, off to the parks.

 

[cathy0124]

My DH and I are planning on spending the afternoon checking out our resort and then DTD.. we thought that we'd also use the first day as a chance to check out the Poly and the WL.. We've always wanted to atay at either one.. and this would help us make up our minds..

Then we'll be ready to go for our 1st full day at the park

BTW- Is it time to go yet??

 

[Boncho]

We usually take a flight that gets us to Orlando right after lunch. After checking in etc. we usually hit the pool and relax until late afternoon, get something to eat at the resort and then go to MK. We have to get up so early to catch our flight, that staying at the resort until late afternoon gives us a chance to re-energize before hitting the parks. We are usually back at the resort between 9 & 10 to get a good nights sleep (after getting up at about 3a.m. that morning).

 

[JFrey4240]

Always take the first bus after we check in to MK. We usually go on one of mountains first--splash, thunder or space. Then lunch.

 

[helenabear]

I always try my best to stop at MK first. We arrive at about 9 am (1st flight out) and just go straight to the parks. We kind of keep going until we are pooped, but don't really push ourselves too hard.

Tomorrow we'll arrive, check in, go to MK and hten probably hang out at our resort until our ressie at 6PM (Boma).

 

[disneyfan61]

This coming trip we are doing it a little different. Not sure how I'm going to feel about it but we are getting in around 1:15 pm. We will check in at POFQ, wait for our grocery delivery (3:00) then take the boat to DTD & have dinner at Rainforest Cafe, walk around then head back to the resort, get to bed early &
head out to MK the next day. We will be there for 10 days so we will have time
to relax. (Ha Ha)!! In the past we have always headed straight to the MK so it will be tempting but traveling is so tiring we will try this.

 

[cnids00]

We did this trip differently then the other two trips prior, we used to go to MK first day, no matter what time we arrived "to get the Disney magic feeling" going..This last time we arrived and got into our room around 2PM, we had to wait for Gardengrocer to deliver our goods at 4PM, we took the bus to DTD and strolled around in the shops etc and ate at Wolfgang Puck Express, yummy BBQ Chicken Quesadillas.

We didn't want to use a full days worth of park hoppers to such short time we could actually stay in the parks this time. Might have something to do with us this time buying the 10 day Park hoppers & waterparks with no experation Holding on tight to the remaining days now
We managed to keep 6 days out of the 10 for our next trip but we also had two compdays each per person from our stay with Frances in -04 that we used on this trip.

Does it REALLY say 10 months until next trip? I can't wait that long

 

[kakiegirl]

Our tradition is we get settled in, hang out at the resort and check out the gift shop then head over to Wilderness Lodge and eat supper at the Whipering Canyon Cafe. We don't usually do a park on the first day.

 

[01Sweetpea]

This year we should be getting to the Poly around noon. Our arrival day was the ONLY day I could get ADRs for Le Cellier...so we're off to Epcot on arrival day.

 

[bgdiznee]

For our last trip we tried something new and went to DTD the first day. We arrived early afternoon and ate a late lunch at Earl's, then just walked around. We explored PI (something new for us) and then shopped, had a treat from Ghiradellis(sp?) and really got in the vacation mood. This I think will become our new tradition .

 

[edwardsmt]

I don't know when you are going next but DIsney Quest is closing so you might want to check on that before you plan on it.

We drive and arrive early so we do a park on arrival day.

When and how long is Disney Quest closing for?

Thanks!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

DTD to see if there are any new lego designs. and do some christmas shopping early. and maybe catch a quick showing of wishes and MK.

 

[Quinn222]

When and how long is Disney Quest closing for?

Thanks!

I'm not sure when but it's closing forever. There was a lot of talk about it a few months ago.

 

[micksterlee]

We always use our arrival day for DTD. After driving for 10 to 12 hours I am usually not up to hitting a park so we get checked in and do a little shopping and then a nice dinner.

 

[tink70]

Our first day, I try not to make hectic but wouldn't you know it is the only night they have MVMCP. (one of the reasons I went at this time of year, I was so bummed when they came out with the dates!!!!)
So we will be getting up around 3am to get to the airport and then arrive in fla around lunch. I am praying that my dd sleeps in the car or somewhere because she is miserable when she is tired. I plan on bringing a stroller and letting her sleep, so we can stay late. Her normal bedtime is 8pm, so I am hoping with a nap she at least makes it to that time. Thank goodness the next morning we can all relax, which is what I plan on doing.