What do you do on your first night

[epcot.girl]

If everything is pretty much on time, we arrive at the resort (on-site) and check-in, chuck the luggage in our room then go over to Epcot to ride SE, Maelstrom and the ride in Mexica (can't remember what it's called now because it's been refurbed since I was last in WDW), and grab something to eat. Then when we get back to the resort we unpack (usually takes less than 15mins) and go to bed. Then we're up early the next morning (due to still being on UK time) and enjoy breakfast before getting to MK for rope-drop.

Epcot on the first night followed by MK on the first morning is a bit of a tradition, regardless of crowds.

 

[PudseyChancer]

Beginning to think I'm a weirdo after reading these replies! I've never been too tired on arriving in Orlando, on the contrary, after being sat on a plane for 9 hours I'm wanting to get out and stretch my legs!

This year we're planning on going to the outlets to get some new gear seeing as I'm not intending taking too many clothes, so be nipping over to see my old mates Ralph Lauren, Henri Lacoste and err, Dave Adidas!

After that, nipping down to DTD for summat to eat, happy days!

 

[wayneg]

Beginning to think I'm a weirdo after reading these replies! I've never been too tired on arriving in Orlando, on the contrary, after being sat on a plane for 9 hours I'm wanting to get out and stretch my legs!

You're not alone, we sleep most of way there and try get to Publix and DTD but it depends which flight we are on.

 

[nibbo]

You're not alone, we sleep most of way there

Don't know how you manage to sleep on the plane...I never can! Must be all those people on the other thread reclining their seats stopping me from sleeping

 

[tarcc]

we'll get something to eat, take a look around the resort and this year we'll be going to the beach at WL to watch the electric water pageant

 

[TotallyAngelic]

As we won't be landing in MCO until 19:30 US time ( a lot later UK time - I think 12:30 about) by the time we get the baggage, the rental car and get to the hotel it will probably be well after 10pm US time (03:00 UK time - ouch!), so I imagine we will just crash ready for an early start the following day! We plan to eat dinner in Chicago airport on our stopover so that we are not hungry when we get to Orlando. If we don't get time to eat in Chicago we will grab some sort of fast food once we have checked in to the hotel. I would love to arrive earlier and visit a park or DTD, but our flights always seem to arrive in the evening!

 

[matty624]

Don't know how you manage to sleep on the plane...I never can! Must be all those people on the other thread reclining their seats stopping me from sleeping

Me too!

We always settle in and chill, and then stock up for the first few days at Walmart. Weird really, but dont feel like I've arrived until I get served by a happy smiling Walmart employee!
Matt

 

[Eyore126]

We arrive 1430 on 4th July (for some reason didn't realise the significance of the date when booking ) Anyone know if Walmart will be an option that day, or will all be shut?
Thanks,
Eyore126

 

[UKDEB]

All big stores, supermarkets and the malls will be open, albeit some may have reduced hours. You won't have any trouble finding somewhere to stock up on supplies when you arrive.

 

[Eyore126]

Thanks for that, Debbie. I suspect that we'll need some supplies, I think DTD will be manic that evening!

 

[jennytablina]

Heh we'll be out there on the 30th so we'll be about on the 4th too

We always end up at Orlando at night on day one. The parents get a tad cranky getting though the airport up to getting the car. We always go with dads BF so theres two groups of us traveling. We normally intend to stick together on the road but its easier said than done. My Dad also has this slight habit for getting a bit lost. Thankfully we know where our villa is this time!

Once we get to the villa normally a party scouts out to Wal*Mart or any other place nearby for supplies the next day and we all try to get some sleep. Though on the first night most of us will only sleep till 4-5am

 

[Shooby doo]

In the past depending on flight times,we would normally check in then head to the pool,before heading out for something to eat.We used to go to TGI's but that changed to Bennigan's,once we realised that it was better,& was to be Outback Steakhouse but we've since decided that we are always too tired to fully appreciate it so this time it will be Pool,trip to Goodings or Winn Dixie to stock up,then a quick bite before bed!
We are always eartly risers on our first couple of days & we have an ADr at Chef Mickey's for 07:05 before getting to MK for rope drop!
SD

 

[kayleighnik]

We normally land at about 3:30pm so by the time we've got to POFQ, checked in and received our luggage it can sometimes be around 5/6pm.

The first thing my brother and I do is head to the food court to buy the refillable mugs and get a drink for everyone (four of us).

We unpack our suitcases - I'm not one for unpacking but when you stay for three weeks, I guess its a good idea to

Depending on whether its raining or not, we either go to the pool or head to the food court for something to eat. If we go to the pool, we usually get pizza delivered to our room, if we don't then we go to the food court.

After that, my mom and Nan usually settle down with a 'good book', I do some logic puzzles and my brother plays his games console thing. The tv is normally on in the background.

Baths for everyone after travelling for near enough 2 days and then get everything ready for the next day so there's no hassle in the morning

 

[glenbois]

This time we land at 11:30 so great thread and thanks for the replies - I thought I would share with you the last time we landed at Sanford - I am a bit of a planner and got route maps from Sanford to the apartment we had rented - it didnt look too bad at travel time was around 70 minutes - We set off with the 5 of us plus niece and 2 grandparents - I had order a minivan but this was rediculous it was huge with 3 sets of benches in the back for people to loaf around in. We landed at 3:30 - was held up for 30 minutes while they got some steps then in to the arrival lounge and it was the first day of the USA immigration doing the eye recognition thing - it was a long wait through and when we finally got out we headed to get the mini van - it took them 55 minutes to get the van. All the delays up until now meant it was 5:30 or perhaps a bit later.

My Mum being in her 60's and a bit short (4 ft 10 1/2) couldnt make the step up into the minivan (Oh My!) - So we had to find a Walmart or she wouldnt be travelling anywhere with us. Anyhow I asked my Dad to sit up front with me and gave him the folder and told him to get the route plan that I had printed out - well that was the biggest mistake we ever made - He said turn left as we got out of the airport - are you sure I said looking dubiously at the single track lane - yes he said - thankfully we didnt meet any traffic as we wouldnt have been able to turn around and after 5 miles of going down this dirt track we ended up with a proper road ahead of us - My Dad said turn left - there was no left turn it was a road that all the cars were coming from the left and there wasnt any cars going to the left - It was a dual carriage way with only right being the only way I could go - so I turned right - we continued and continued looking for a place where we could turn around and head for Orlando but there was nowhere to turn around - we continued for ages until we finally got a place to turn around (I kid you not we went for about an hour in the wrong direction) it was near Naples??

We headed for Orlando but it was dark! - we had to find a Walmart for my mother so she could get in and out of the minivan and also so we could relieve ourselves and get some food for the evening - we found one but it was late - when I say late it was 10:50 p.m. - we did a mini shop got a stool for my mother to get in and out of the mini van and we were completely lost - we finally arrived at the apartments at around 12:30 a.m.

My Father was banished to the back of the minivan and told not to give directions ever again.

I would recommend not doing a magical mystery tour of Florida on the first day!

 

[fairytale]

I'm chuckling away to myself whilst reading your post.

On our first trip to Florida whilst waiting for our hire car DH and I agreed to forgive each other in advance for the next hour ahead. This is how confident we were that a fall out was imminent.

Well it took in total 6 minutes, as we drove out of the Airport Car Park we travelled back to the same point on three occasions, god only knows how we did it.

 

[castanea1985]

We always grab some basics for the villa, then head out to DTD.

It has a great atmosphere and certainly gets you in the Disney mood!!


Tracy xx

 

[RDP]

Room service Pizza and a long shower, or food shopping if were in a villa!

 

[goober069]

usually after check in go to dennys but this year decided on bennigans(to many good places to fit in in 18 nights) then seven eleven for wine and bud light then bed as dhs first day and stars wars weekend so want to be there early.
Claire

 

[Hilary]

The parents get a tad cranky getting though the airport up to getting the car.

Yup, I think I can relate to that! We never seem to have the stamina to do anything more than get to the resort, eat and then crash out.

There was one exception, when we had an earlier flight than usual on a trip about seven years ago. We were staying at The Dolphin, so we walked over to Epcot for a couple of hours, using our APs from the previous visit. Youngest DD managed to get her knee stuck through the railings on the lakeside for half an hour or so (don't ask me how ) which made it an interesting visit ! We were back in our room before Illuminations and, as we had a fantastic view, I used the cattle-prod approach to keep DDs awake to 'enjoy' the fireworks from our balcony. They're still complaining now about how cruel I was!

Next trip we will have DD's BF with us as well, so I think maybe at least some of the party might make a quick park visit on the first night ... but I'm not taking any bets!

 

[juliedean]

We arrive in Orlando at about 2.15pm so by the time we get to our villa its about 4.30pm. We drop our cases, go do a shop at walmart and then back to the villa. Dip in the pool and an early night (but only in anticipation that the night will go really quick and we want to be in the parks really early.