What to do arrival day?

[FallsChurchDad]

If you're planning to arrive around 1-2 pm, I would definitely vote for an extra park day.

Maybe an MK evening completely focused on your 2.5 year old? Or an early evening in Animal Kingdom might be really nice, since otherwise you just have that one morning. Assuming Avatarland won't be open yet, it should be very pleasant and quiet, and the Boneyard/DigSite is usually open and not too crowded in the evenings.

There are certainly drawbacks to the FP+ world, but a huge benefit is that you can have a lot of fun on a short park day with a late arrival.

The problem with HS with a 2.5-year-old is that, other than Toy Story and meet n greets, there's not much at that age, and Fantasmic is probably not a great fit after a lot of driving. Now that they took the playground out of HS, there's nowhere for little kids to burn off energy. You could always go back on your Tuesday night if you want to see Fantasmic.

 

[bluezy]

We drive 15+ hours to Disney (split over two days) and usually arrive around noon. We never used to do a park on arrival day because we didn't want to spend the money to add a day to our tickets (but clearly, I never actually bothered to check how much 1 extra day would have cost us because had I known how inexpensive it is, we would have done it). We'd just hang out at the resort, take a bus to Epcot or MK and ride the monorail loops, and then head to DTD/DS for dinner and some shopping and then head back to the resort to unpack and get to bed early. In 2009, we booked a trip using a promotion that gave us tickets for every day of our stay including arrival day (It was a Buy 4/Get 3 Free promotion that applied to resort and tickets...sweet deal). We spent a few hours at Epcot on that arrival day and learned how nice it is to go to a park for just a few hours and take in a few attractions. Now we always do that. We don't go commando that day -- just a very relaxing pace. And it's even better with FP+ as we can schedule what we want to do. We usually plan to get to Epcot (that's what works best for our family but any park would work for the most part) around 3:30-4:00. I schedule our FP's for about 4:00, 5:00, & 6:00. We eat a QS dinner and then head back to the resort for a quick swim and an early bed time so we can hit the ground running the next morning.

So, if it was me in your situation, I would add the extra day to your tickets and knock out a few rides at one of the parks that afternoon or evening. And I would still plan to spend a few hours at a park on your "down" day. It can still be a sleep-in/relax day, but since you're only there for a short time, you might want/need a few extra hours in a park. You could schedule FP's for late in the afternoon or early evening or you could just keep the day open and make a decision that day as to what you want to do. You might even want to go to AK that day and then on your departure day you could go back to the park that you didn't get to do everything you wanted to earlier in the week.

 

[loves to dive]

We drive down and always have, we get there between 2 and 3 and just play it by ear. We've been going since my son was just shy of 3 (he's 36 now) and I would just gauge how he was doing. If he was hyper, we would take off to a park and that park would depend on where we were staying. If we were staying at a monorail resort, MK - if an Epcot resort, usually Epcot. If he was just a little hyper but a little tired too, we would make it a pool afternoon, go somewhere to eat then make it an early night. We never really ever plan anything for that day/night, but then we don't plan anything for the entire trip, we are go with the flow type people but that was especially the case when he was small. Best laid plans and all, with small ones, those can fly out the door in a hurry.

 

[Parker Clan]

Arrival day is so different for everyone, depends on where you're coming from, who is on the trip etc. It's just me and hubby, we are coming from three days at Universal, after two days of driving from CT. We have a rest day.. Breakfast Whispering Canyon Cafe, hang by the pool, explore resort (we stay at GF), dinner at 1900 PF which is amazing and then the night at Disney Springs. If you've ruled out DS, it wouldn't hurt to hit a park for a few hours, or go to the GF, which is beautiful and hang out and maybe watch Wishes from the marina

 

[CharissaOKC]

Thank you everyone! Lots of great suggestions! We still have a month before our FP+ window opens so my husband and I are going to think on it more but right now we considering MK or Epcot that evening!

 

[Hootch]

Last trip we arrived around 4:00 PM. We had our three FPs scheduled starting at 6:00. Rode those three and a couple of more attractions. Left before Wishes. An additional day is dirt cheap. (Unless you are adding another night.) We are planning the same thing this July.

 

[MNash87]

We arrive this coming Monday between 2-3 pm (driving from Alabama), and we have a dinner reservation at O'Hana at 8:05 pm. We're going to spend the time before dinner exploring our resort (our first time at this particular resort).

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

For longer trips, we usually just hang out. Get to the resort, unpack a bit, hit the pool until dinnertime. In past years we'd go to Disney Springs, but hopping all over the place was a bit much for us after flying in early.

We're going Easter weekend for 4 days. Flying in very early, but we're gonna grab breakfast, coffee and head right to the parks, then sleep in on Easter day.

 

[TheBigErn]

As one above poster astutely noted, with a 2.5 year old you don't want to over do it. Boat rides and monorail rides to the other MK resorts is fun. Do a little shopping and get some ice cream. Or as per your own thought, dinner at WL and swimming is also a good idea.

 

[bnhonest]

I agree with those that said to hit a park on your arrival day. With you being first timers, your first park experience is going to be overwhelming. Go ahead and dive in so that you can get acclimated to hopefully enhance your first full day of touring.

I wouldn't do MK that day. Epcot or HS maybe. With a 2.5 year old, you might be able to completely finish everything you can do at HS that afternoon/evening.

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

I would highly suggest going to HS that night and watching Fantasmic! It is absolutely one of my favorite shows I have ever seen and you could get a bus to HS from Poly after dinner!

 

[eastendlights]

There is a lot more than just TSMM and meet and greets at DHS for little ones. Muppet Vision, Disney Junior Live, Frozen sing-along, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast will certainly fill up an afternoon and evening, finishing off with Fantasmic.

 

[ArielSRL]

Last year we drove from Atlanta but had an overnight in Lake City. After we arrived at SSR, ate, got settled, we went to MK. But we got there later than I planned and stayed too late and got the vacation started off wrong, imo. So this year, I added a day onto our trip (we are at 8 nights for this year) so we could just relax on our arrival day.

With all that said...if I only had 5 days or so, I would probably try to do a park on arrival day. I'd probably choose MK just bc its my fave but DHS might be a good one as well because of the nighttime entertainment.

 

[AZMermaid]

We are flying. We land at 4:00, so I figure we will be at the resort around 5:30, give or take. My kids (5 and 6) go to bed at 7... but in the summer this is 10:00 in FL. Our plan is:

Plan A- take the boat to Fort Wilderness for the free Chip and Dale singalong/ smores thing. Pros- free, no pre-commitment needed, DS loves Chip and Dale and Smores so this is right up his alley and gives a little push back if he later complains about princess stuff. Cons- some effort involved in getting there. We probably won't stay for the movie and try to be headed to bed around 9 or so to get on FL time.

Plan B- Swim and play at the resort. If we are too tired or the kids are nuts, we will stay at the resort to play. Pros- easy, the kids will have a blast Cons- they won't be tired till at least 9... this could feel super long and annoying! If we stay... we might watch Wishes from Top of The World Lounge.

Plan C- Not really a plan because my husband won't get on board... but I really want to do Pirates and Pals cruise this night. My kids are early to bed so this is our best night to really have a shot at the fireworks. It gets great reviews. It is right at our hotel. DS loves Peter Pan. But... it is $$$ and if the plane is delayed or the kids are wiped out- it is risky. Honestly... if we get there in plenty of time... I *might* see if we can reserve it same day. We were planning on doing EMM one morning and they aren't offering it our week, so the money is in the budget.

 

[DizDad513]

We have dinner reservations at Ohana at 6:30 on arrival day. I thought we would take bus to MK from Pop (b/c buses do not go resort to resort, right?) and then use the Monorail. Any tips on trying to see the fireworks from Poly? Also, what time should we plan to leave for dinner? I was think 400 to give us plenty of time. Or should I uber to Contemporary?

Not sure if anyone replied to the above post yet (kind of rushed through this thread). Taking the bus to MK from POP and monorail (or launch boat) to Polynesian is the way to go (yes there is no resort to resort direct bus). Also you mentioned taking uber to the Contemporary, but Ohana is at Polynesian, just wanted to make sure you had that right. Leaving at 4:00 should be fine for a 6:30 reservation. Ohana pipes in the music for wishes and many (but not all) tables have a pretty nice view of the fireworks! Also heading down to the beach is a good option as well to view wishes (and the electoral water pageant if you want). Have fun!

 

[DizDad513]

If your plane is landing at MCO at 4:00 getting to your resort at 5:30 might be a bit optimistic. I'd count on up to 2 hours from landing to resort (it sounds like you are staying at Contemporary?). If you are taking ME you will wait for the bus to leave and might not be the first stop. If you are renting a car that process takes time as well. Honestly I would look into maybe a reservation at a restaurant on the monorail loop for around 7 or 8pm, or better yet just plan on enjoying the resort and pool that night. That way you will be lest stressed on travel day and fresh first thing the next morning!

 

[PixieCarye]

Thanks so much for the great info! Hoping for an early flight

 

[Gehrig1B]

Here is some advice for those who have never made the trip or it has been a while since your last trip.. My wife and I go down to WDW every year and we are still experiancing and seeing new things every visit. We always stay for eight days, have a park hopper and yet there never seems to be enough time to do it all. Enjoy your experience. Slow down and just have fun. Don't worry about doing it all. You can't. Our first day is always spent at the Magic Kingdom. For us, that is the true Disney Experience. Seeing the Castle brings tears to the both of us. We don't do rides on the first day, just walk around and savor the fact that once again we are back. I should state that we are in our 60's and go without our children or grandchildren any longer.

This is spot on. You will be a 10 minute or less boat ride to MK. Settle in to the resort, freshen up, get the layout of WL figured out if need be then head out for MK. With the proximity to WL you can easily return as soon as the little one demes it necessary. We did something similar in January, arriving at noon after boarding a 6:00 am flight. We were not in a rush... Definitely take you time and enjoy the little one's first Disney experience.

 

[abnihon]

This is the first time I'm doing a park on arrival day. (I bought APs but would have done it anyway) We're breaking up the drive so will only have 2 hours of driving left and am aiming to be in the MK by noon. Planning to enjoy Main St, meet Talking Mickey, ride Peter Pan (DS's favorite) a few more rides and watch the parade.
Will probably only stay about 4 hours then head back to Poly to get settled in room and swim. Am actually sending DS to Lilo's Playhouse that night and my friend and I are going to have an adult dinner at Ohana. So excited!!

 

[1983DisneyFanatic]

I would spend some time at the resort and then time dinner at either 1900 Park Fare or Ohana to watch Mk's fireworks from that resort and then head back to WL for a good night's sleep to rope drop in the morning. My other thought would be to go to AK for the evening if you haven't seen the tree of life awakening and possibly ROL if it's running at that point.