What does your family do on your first night at Disney?

[LeahZ]

Do you arrive early enough to hit the ground running and head right to the parks? Or do you save a park day on your ticket and hang out at the resort for the night?

Read more here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/what-does-your-family-do-on-your-first-night-at-disney/

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Here's what we did this summer:

Flight landed at MCO at 6:10 pm.

We arrived at DHS at 7 pm and had FP+ for Star Tours (6-7), RnR (7-8) and ToT (8-9).

Then we rode Toy Story 3 times in about 30 minutes before the Star Wars fireworks show started. The ride closes 45 minutes before the fireworks start, but can stay open past the posted closing time if no one is in line. They just have to clear the area 15 minutes before the show starts. This is a good time for rerides with no waiting.

Then we found a good spot for the fireworks show with about a 10 minute wait.

Next, it was off to Tower of Terror for 2 more rides. They kept the gate open about 10 minutes after the park closed, which happens occasionally.

Finally, we strolled in to the Fantasmic amphitheater for the late show with about 2 minutes to spare. The place was less than half full with the two far right sections and the three far left sections completely empty. Seating was exceptional with a less than 5 minute wait.

Not a bad night and all in less than 4 hours.

 

[tobikaye]

I never use the exact same strategy. Some trips, I go to the parks even if I only have 4 hours or so. Other times, I may hit DTD and check out resorts even if I got to WDW by 11 am. I usually buy tickets for the entire trip minus 1 day due to usually either not going to the park on check out day unless I have a later departure. If I need to add a day it is usually a minimal cost.

 

[bibba410]

We typically get to the hotel around 1:00p, check into the room (if available), and head to a park. We're normally so excited by the time we get there that we head to a park, walking around a bit, catching a couple of rides, grabbing a snack, and just enjoy becoming immersed in the magic.

 

[5kidsmommy]

We drive and always split our drive into two days. We live about 1100 miles away and have about a 16-17 hour drive plus stops. We usually stay a few hours away on our first night driving down and get to Disney sometime in the early afternoon. We always go to MK and have a laid back evening just soaking up the atmosphere.

 

[love4wdw]

My family saves a park ticket, and we do a pool afternoon and the Spirit of Aloha on arrival night each year. I know it's the same show, but we love the food and the unlimited adult beverages. The fire twirler never gets old. It brings us back to center after a hectic day of traveling. Seeing the castle from afar gets the excitement flowing too!

 

[Accident]

Do you arrive early enough to hit the ground running and head right to the parks? Or do you save a park day on your ticket and hang out at the resort for the night?

Depends on our mood when we do arrive, usually it does mean some park if they are open. There is only 2 of us and we stay long enough that we see it as $24 to go into one (normal cost of tickets once you have 5 days of tickets). We buy our tickets with 3 days short of our trips and add on if needed while there. We're switching to AP on saturday so it'll be no additional cost and we'll most likely always just go somewhere.

 

[avic77]

We drive on day one, takes about 10 hours with the time change. We stay in an off site hotel the first night since we dont usually arrive till 6 or 7pm. The next morning we check out of the offsite pick up some groceries and head to our Disney home. Since its early we will do something but it really depends on what. This year we will wait around the resort and head to MK for the Halloween Party at 4

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Our tradition was when we got there on Friday, Chef Mickey's and back to the hotel. When we arrive any other night of the week, someplace not Chef Mickey's and back to the hotel. We usually got there around 4 or so. And after a long drive it was best just to do a restaurant, chill, and get to bed. It isn't a matter of saving a day on the ticket because extra days cost very little at that point.

 

[RustManFan]

We take the monorail route so we get even more excited about the next days. In the evening we take the boat from POR (we always stay there now) to DS and either eat there or just visit World of Disney and other stores. If we haven't eaten there we head back to POR and eat in the food court. Or we head over to FW and dine at Trails End.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

We usually check-in to the resort and then eat dinner at Ohana. Then we hop on the monorail at the poly for a lap around and to get a glimpse of the Magic Kingdom. After that, it is back to the resort to sleep so we can be up and to RD the next morning!

 

[PsychoCelloChica]

We drop off our stuff at the hotel, grab dinner either at a DTD or a resort TS that can talk walk-ins (or check for a reservation when we arrive), then head over to the MK area, take a monorail or boat ride, and then watch wishes from the Poly beach. Gets us in the mood and relaxed without rushing to a park an using an extra ticket day.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We usually arrive in the world late morning. Since we almost always go during Food and Wine we usually check in and head right to Epcot.

 

[Jamie77]

My first night at Disney, I always go to the Studios. I like opening my trip with a couple of rides on Rockin Roller Coaster and tower of Terror and then cap the night off with Fantasmic. I do this after I've checked in and taken a nap to get rejuvenated for a night of fun. I'll do this in December when I take my niece with me.

 

[ErinInCT]

We're planning to go for a swim, unpack, maybe explore AKL and then head to DTD for window shopping and dinner at WPE. Early to bed to get a good start at the park the next day.

 

[Hootch]

We are usually driving from Atlanta with an afternoon arrival. It's off to the MK.It is always our first and last park. I don't mind adding another $40 for that day.

 

[vettegirl]

We normally do something different each time. However the first day we almost always swim.

 

[BrdwayBoy]

Usually catch an early flight so we usually land at MCO between 9/9:30 am. We're usually checked in, fed and ready to go by noon and it's usually off to Animal Kingdom on the first day. It's usually just enough to give us a Disney-fix and the park closes early so theres no need to feel like we have to CRAM everything in on the first day even though we usually do get everything done that we want too. There's always another full-day dedicated to DAK - at least for me.

 

[angierae]

Our last trip and our next trip we will arrive, have a late lunch/early dinner somewhere, and then go to MNSSHP.

 

[AquaDame]

Having done a couple red eyes and realizing its just not for us, we take the early morning plane out and get there in the afternoon. We'll have dinner in DTD and putter around shopping then be ready to hit the parks the next day.