What do you do?

[goin' again!]

We usually stay at an MK resort and although it's sometimes a waste of a day on our PH tickets to go for half a day, I CANNOT be that close to MK and not go! I just have to see the castle and fireworks show. Of course that means the next day is a late start but I just can't wait to enjoy the magic!

 

[nightshaderose]

Coming from Seattle, so I usually don't arrive until the 6-8pm range. Once I've checked in, and checked out the room and all of the must-be-a-responsible-adult stuff is done:

1. I flop down on the bed/sofa/chair for a few minutes and just breathe and relax. This is where I turn off the seriousness and suspend my disbelief for the week.
2. Then I make for the hotel bar for drinks and appetizers. It is when I'm sitting there, watching the folks in mouse ears walk by, and wearing mine, with an improbably-colored alcoholic beverage in hand, that I know that vacation has begun.

 

[nooneshome]

We drive from Baton Rouge and usually arrive around 5:00 PM. After checking in and unpacking we head out to DTD and do some light shopping and eat at the Earl. If we have FD some might eat at WPE and some might go to the Earl.

 

[mamamary]

In June we were checked in, unpacked and ready to go by late morning. We stayed at POFQ so we took the boat to Downtown Disney and had lunch at Wolfgang Pucks Express. Then we hit up some stores before taking the boat back. We then went for a swim. After getting ready we hit Epcot for dinner, future world and illuminations. It was quite a full but fun day.

 

[jmm476]

We've always headed to Epcot on our arrival day for a leisurely stroll through world showcase and a drink or two to relax. But this year will be DD's first trip, so we may break tradition and go somewhere else. I'm thinking maybe DHS so we can catch Osborne lights? I also made an ADR for whispering canyon dinner.

 

[ditsypixie]

We usually arrive shortly after lunch because I force my family out the door at "o-dark-thirty" for the 6.5 drive. After check-in, its over to DTD for some shopping and dinner at Raglan Road. Then back to resort to rest up for the next day which is Epcot and the first ride is always Nemo

 

[dprincessmom]

For us it depends on the type of trip...

For girls trips we leave home at 3 and arrive at resort by 7:30-8; check in. We have had good luck with room being ready. We have done BB (long trip) AK and HS (short trip). Love the water park on first day because you can relax on the lazy rivers, benches and have a full day with an early bedtime.

On trips when we have had to leave in the afternoon, we hit the evening EMH park (typically Epcot) and still get a lot done in the 6 hours or so.

I personally love the option 1. I am not a fan of doing MK first because we learned the hard way if you are there for the rides, the other parks can be "boring" on that front when compared to MK. This works for our family and the excitement builds as we get closer to MK day.

 

[MomofKatie]

Depends on when we arrive.

Some trips, we get going at 3am and arrive around noon (driving from NC). We usually check in to our resort, relax, eat some lunch, take a swim, and explore the resort. We head to either Boardwalk or DTD for dinner and just hanging out. Usually we include a grocery stop in there for things like milk and breakfast stuff, then an early bedtime so we are ready to go first thing in the morning.

Other trips, like the one coming up in November, we leave after school and arrive late, usually around midnight. We just check in, drag the luggage to the rooms, and collapse in bed. The next morning is really our "first day", and we hit the ground running, arriving at our first park for rope drop.

 

[juliebug1997]

I try to make our first meal at MK. We must ride Peter Pan first!!!!!!

 

[minnie mum]

We drive down, usually arriving in Orlando late the evening before our check in day (staying somewhere offsite). We try to arrive at our resort around 8 am. Check in, drop the bags either in our room or with Bell Services and hop onto the bus for the most recommended park that day (thank you easywdw.com). Then we unpack and settle in when we return to the resort that evening.

 

[forever11709]

I must see the castle first.

 

[waynesgirl]

Either castle first or EP to Cava for a margarita....

 

[KYfriedPanda]

depends on how long we're there for and what time we get there... generally I try to schedule a nice dinner for the first night so we can have a celebratory "welcome back to disney" toast... if that dinner is at a park, we'll head to that park as soon as we get there and just take it all in... ahhhhhhhh, that returning breath of disney air!

 

[Kristina]

After being awake for the past 24 hours I arrive around 7pm pretty tired. The drill is always the same. Freshen up, go down and buy the mug and get something to eat. Afterwards excitedly check out the resort and gift shop before going upstairs for some sleep before then next big, exciting day begins !

 

[Dizzytime]

We fly from the west coast, so we don't do much. We've been lucky enough to be able stay at the Beach Club, so at least we can go to WS, or even the Boardwalk...eat a bite, and maybe take a walk before bed. That's great to be able to walk over through the International Gateway, or even just across the Boardwalk to start to experience the Disney Magic!

My heart's beating faster just thinking about it!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

when we get to WDW we check into the hotel and just explore the grounds. We will swim, maybe get something to eat, look at the gift shop, and just get settled in. We don't usually do a park when we get there since we usually have later flights.

 

[alexxussss]

Since it's not a full day, we usually go to DTD. You get to start to feel the magic, see what cool, new souvenirs have arrived since your last visit, get some food, and take it slower so you can wake up early and hit MK the next day!

 

[pg0314]

We open the hotel room door, fling our suitcases inside and stampede to one of the parks! What else would we do?

 

[AllieBoo]

For a few years, we would arrive in the afternoon, swim for a bit, then head to DTD for dinner and shopping. That was always enjoyable, but this last trip, we went to the Magic Kingdom instead of going to DTD. We had dinner in the park and then hit a few of our favorite rides. I think I enjoyed that more.

 

[JolllyHoliday]

We usually get in late afternoon. After we settle in we go to DTD for a quick dinner and then go to POR to see the YeeHaa Bob show. The kids love him and we do too. It is such a fun show and it is free!!!