What park on arrival day?

[MommytoCaitlyn]

I just booked our flights and it looks like we'll be landing in Orlando at 10:20am. I'm guessing we'll be at the resort and checked in by 1pm. Originally I didn't think we were going to get to a park on arrival day but now I'm changing my mind. Where should we start? Our first full day is at the MK, then we're doing one day at each park and a second day at MK. It's my DH, myself, and our 3 year old DD. I kinda want to go to MK on arrival day but I'm not sure if we should since we'll be there the next day too, but then again MK is where I feel the most "Disneyfied" and I want my DD to experience the best thing first My DH and I haven't been to WDW since 2006 and my DD has never been. Any suggestions?

 

[jenrose66]

I just booked our flights and it looks like we'll be landing in Orlando at 10:20am. I'm guessing we'll be at the resort and checked in by 1pm. Originally I didn't think we were going to get to a park on arrival day but now I'm changing my mind. Where should we start? Our first full day is at the MK, then we're doing one day at each park and a second day at MK. It's my DH, myself, and our 3 year old DD. I kinda want to go to MK on arrival day but I'm not sure if we should since we'll be there the next day too, but then again MK is where I feel the most "Disneyfied" and I want my DD to experience the best thing first My DH and I haven't been to WDW since 2006 and my DD has never been. Any suggestions?

I have to do Magic Kingdom first. Especially with a 3 year old. Even if you just do fantasy land. So fun!

 

[Cindy-rella]

A few years ago we did HS first and it took me half the day to feel like we were at Disney. After that I decided to always do MK first, however we always get there early on the first day. I'm sure whatever you do will be great!

 

[Iteachmusic]

My son is 2.5 and he enjoys animals immensely. It is so fun taking little ones to the world. You will probably be pretty tired from the flight and anticipation of getting there so I would suggest Animal Kingdom. It closes earlier than the other parks so you would have plenty of time to chill at the hotel before your first big MK day. Get some rest, with a three year old you'll need it.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I'm another one where my first day- even if it's a short day- needs to be at MK. I guess if you're not that way- you might try the park most convenient to where you're staying or anyplace where you feel you might not get to see everything otherwise.

 

[ChristineOH]

For what it's worth, that's exactly what we did. MK mid afternoon and evening on our first day, and two more MK days and one each for the other three parks.

 

[ThumpersWorld]

We always arrive in the morning and as soon as we check-in and have lunch, we are off to the Magic Kingdom. In the past we have jumped on the train to Toontown right to Mickey's house but this trip we'll have to think of something else with Toontown closed. But I think starting the trip with the Magic Kingdom is a must!

 

[Sheaboys]

We will be arriving about the same time (but in August). We have a dinner reservation for 5:30 at Chef Mickeys. So, our plan (well my plan) is to check in head to MK, ride the train, maybe get off in Fantasyland or FrontierLand, if it does that, get a fastpass for later maybe for BTMRR or Splash, something like that.
Do what we can until about 4:30, head down Main Street, out the gates and walk to the Contemporary for Chef Mickey's. Maybe go back to the park, maybe head to resort, for some walking around, hang out at the pool, beach area, hamock, etc. Early night to get up early for MK the next day.

To me this will be the perfect start to our first day, which also happens to be our 4th son's sixth birthday.

 

[jp02]

I always like to go to MK first. There is nothing like walking down Main Street and seeing the castle to start your vacation!

 

[ARAITHEL]

I agree with the PP that MK should be first, especially since a young, first-time traveler is involved.

I am however, playing tour guide this fall, and I will be taking some first-time adults to Epcot first. I definitely think it depends upn your traveling party.

We generally start at HS on our arrival day...it's tradition since we love the RnR. But, like I said, since I have other travelers, we will be starting at Epcot.

 

[goofy_joe]

If you're looking to take it slow and easy on the first day, Disney's Animal Kingdom may be the way to go, too. It seemed to quiet down a decent amount mid-afternoon, probably because everyone's already gone on Kilimanjaro Safaris by then. Plus, you don't really have to go on any attractions to see animals. If your DD is into animals, then it might be a lower-key way to start out.

 

[tinkerbesh]

We almost always follow the recommendations on easywdw's crowd calendar.

If MK is not recommended on your arrival day, I'd start somewhere else-- HS or AK (wherever crowds are lower). Yes, it would be super special to hit MK first, but not if it means fighting crowds & not getting to go on the rides you want due to long lines or FP running out.

No matter what day you first hit MK, your daughter will definitely remember that magical moment when she first sees the castle.

Side note- for my husband's first trip, I planned for us to hit MK first so he would have that magical moment first on the trip, but a bus for HS pulled up first, so we quickly changed plans & went there instead. He was blown away by all the awesome things at HS. (And then blown away again on his first day at MK. And then again at EP... You get the point. )

 

[Pine View]

We hit H&V first once and MK the second time. I am changing back to H&V this time as the 3 year old loves the Disney Jr shows best. He didn't get into Disney last time until the last day when we saw Agent Oso Special.

I would have to say you need to know your 3 year old. Is it going to be MK for you or the child? I found the new age kids go for certain characters rather than the castle that the ADULTS feel is Disney.

AK is also a great place to start with little ones.

 

[canopynut66]

I just booked our flights and it looks like we'll be landing in Orlando at 10:20am. I'm guessing we'll be at the resort and checked in by 1pm. Originally I didn't think we were going to get to a park on arrival day but now I'm changing my mind. Where should we start? Our first full day is at the MK, then we're doing one day at each park and a second day at MK. It's my DH, myself, and our 3 year old DD. I kinda want to go to MK on arrival day but I'm not sure if we should since we'll be there the next day too, but then again MK is where I feel the most "Disneyfied" and I want my DD to experience the best thing first My DH and I haven't been to WDW since 2006 and my DD has never been. Any suggestions?

We will be taking our 63rd trip first of November and each trip we like as much as the first one. Our first day we arrive about 10 AM to resort and then get settled and then we decorate our room for what ever season it is. Then we go to DTD and have dinner and shop some and then head back to resort to rest since we usually up all night before we leave. Then we have to go to MK the first full day..we stay 14 days now so we do each park three days except for AK as one day there is enough for us is to hot but beautiful. we do World Show case on one afternoon and take our time. Epcot we do on other days. we always find new things do to as well and leave wondering where the time flew off to