What should we do the first day?

[Disneynutbsv]

We are going in September (23-28) and we are arrivng at MCO at 11:01am. We are taking ME, so hoping we get to ASMo by 12:30-1:00. That leaves the rest of the afternoon/evening. What do you think we should do the first day.
We'll be getting up at 3:30am to drive to the airport to catch our flight, so we don't want to be up too late. I'm thinking of just staying at the resort and swimming, but, lol, knowing me, I'll want to go straight to one of the parks.

So...what would you do???

 

[nickandalexmom]

We went on 5/21. We landed at 11:15am and got into our hotel room through ME at 12:20pm. ME worked well for us. Because we had gotten up early that day, we didn't want to do too much either so we stayed around the hotel and swam and just enjoyed lunch. However, we did have a PS for Chef Mickey's that night. If we had not had the dinner planned that night, I think we may have tried that parks, but I would recommend taking it easy the first day; however, it really depends if you have little ones with you or not.

 

[westjones]

We like to either go to Downtown Disney for shopping and dinner OR go to a character dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the GF (this is the Cinderella Dinner) or Chef Mickeys (we are doing this for the first time on our next trip).

DJ

(If you won't have children with you, I would skip the character meal and try a differnet restaurant like Boma or Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge or Spoodles at the Boardwalk).

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We like to either go to Downtown Disney for shopping and dinner OR go to a character dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the GF (this is the Cinderella Dinner) or Chef Mickeys (we are doing this for the first time on our next trip).

DJ

That's two posts about Chef Mickey's. My daughter will be 9. Is this something she might like?? As for transportation from ASMo, we take the bus to the T&TC, then the monorail to the Contemporary? Is there a place where I can find more info on getting to each park from ASMo?
Thanks!

 

[westjones]

That's two posts about Chef Mickey's. My daughter will be 9. Is this something she might like?? As for transportation from ASMo, we take the bus to the T&TC, then the monorail to the Contemporary? Is there a place where I can find more info on getting to each park from ASMo?
Thanks!

I have girls, and they loved the Cinderella dinner at the 1900 Park Fare, but I am sure all kids like Chef Mickeys (they are excited about our first visit in three weeks--and my twin girls are 11). So if you DD likes the princesses, you may want to try that one, but I think Chef Mickey's looks more interesting with the monorail going by (OK, I am excited to be trying it too).

Just ask the CM when you check in for info on how to get around on the buses, and they will direct you. Going to the T&TC and then on the monorail sounds right to me. We usually drive ourselves around.

I think there is a nice dinner at O'hanas at the Poly also, but we have never been there. I seem to remember some mention of coconut races or something like that.

Your DD will have a wonderful time. My girls have loved all of the character meals we have gone to so far.

DJ

 

[westjones]

If you get a chance, try watching the Food Network's TV show call Disney Unwrapped. After seeing this episode my girls really wanted to go to Chef Mickeys. I checked their website ( http://www.foodnetwork.com ) and here is what they have listed for airing times:


AIR TIMES:
June 11, 2005 9:00 PM ET/PT
June 12, 2005 1:00 AM ET/PT
June 17, 2005 10:00 PM ET/PT
June 18, 2005 2:00 AM ET/PT
June 18, 2005 4:00 PM ET/PT
June 19, 2005 5:00 PM ET/PT



DJ

 

[bscs]

I'm thinking of just staying at the resort and swimming, but, lol, knowing me, I'll want to go straight to one of the parks.

I know what you mean. You will be excited about starting to visit. But don't bother, if you are too tired you won't enjoy yourself. You don't want to burn yourself out as your trip is begining. Relax and enoy the pool.

 

[Catrin]

We are arriving on Thurs 6/9. Our plane arrives at 10:25am - and by the time we get ME and check in it will be after lunch time.
We are going to check out the resort, swim in the pool. In the late afternoon, we are taking the boat to DTD, then to AllStar Sports for the Pin Trading Night. Then either back to DTD or to the Poly to watch the fireworks from the beach.
Either way, we want a relaxing first day - to get us ready for the marathon ahead of us on Friday 6/10!
Catrin

 

[Disneynutbsv]

If you get a chance, try watching the Food Network's TV show call Disney Unwrapped. After seeing this episode my girls really wanted to go to Chef Mickeys. I checked their website ( http://www.foodnetwork.com ) and here is what they have listed for airing times:


AIR TIMES:
June 11, 2005 9:00 PM ET/PT
June 12, 2005 1:00 AM ET/PT
June 17, 2005 10:00 PM ET/PT
June 18, 2005 2:00 AM ET/PT
June 18, 2005 4:00 PM ET/PT
June 19, 2005 5:00 PM ET/PT



DJ

Awesome thanks! My daughter loves watching Unwrapped!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I have girls, and they loved the Cinderella dinner at the 1900 Park Fare, but I am sure all kids like Chef Mickeys (they are excited about our first visit in three weeks--and my twin girls are 11). So if you DD likes the princesses, you may want to try that one, but I think Chef Mickey's looks more interesting with the monorail going by (OK, I am excited to be trying it too).
DJ

I'll have to check this out!!! I bet she'd love this! Do they still do the Ice Cream Social? Its in Epcot, right?

 

[westjones]

I'll have to check this out!!! I bet she'd love this! Do they still do the Ice Cream Social? Its in Epcot, right?

I heard that they are no longer offering the ice cream social. They have a new menu at the Garden Grill, but it it still a character meal (from what I understand).

Someone posted a link to pictures they took of their meal there, and I think it looks like fun:

http://www.wdwfood.com/gallery/ggrill2

Here is the thread that I got the link from, so you and read their review:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=799513&highlight=garden+grill


If we had time, we would go for lunch.

DJ

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Thanks for posting those links!!

 

[lovethattink]

That's two posts about Chef Mickey's. My daughter will be 9. Is this something she might like?? As for transportation from ASMo, we take the bus to the T&TC, then the monorail to the Contemporary? Is there a place where I can find more info on getting to each park from ASMo?
Thanks!

She would love it, if she loves characters! As for transportation, I would take a bus to MK and either walk to the Contemporary (10 minute walk) or take the monorail (20 minutes because Contemp is last stop.) Disney has a transportation guide.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

She would love it, if she loves characters! As for transportation, I would take a bus to MK and either walk to the Contemporary (10 minute walk) or take the monorail (20 minutes because Contemp is last stop.) Disney has a transportation guide.

Really??? Thanks for the transportation info!