what to do first day...

[henry72]

We (me, DH and DS4, and DD 21 months) are going in December and will arrive at the airport about 3 p.m. (Taking DME to CBR.) I know the December hours for the parks are not up yet but am trying to decide what we might do the first night. I am afraid that many of the parks will be closing early and I don't think (just a guess) that there will be any parks having a EMH that evening (Thursday). We usually try to do MK first and will do that the next morning. So what do you suggest for the first evening?

 

[Jill in Chicago]

With your little ones I would not go to a park your first evening. Instead book a late dinner, just in case your flight is late. If your flight is on time you'll have lots of time to play at the resort pool. That way you won't be rushing your little ones to get out of the pool.

Then it's off to dinner. After wards unwind with some t.v. or bring along some books. Lights out, and you'll be set for rope drop the next day!!

 

[TMB1203]

Hi, here is a thread with a link to December hours in case you decide you want to do the park.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2248412

If parks are not an option, I would suggest going to DTD or hanging out at the resort pool.

Have fun!

 

[kalc12345]

We will be arriving around 4pm and we plan to visit DTD. We will eat and do a little shopping

 

[happymommy]

I agree about not going to the parks. It is enough to travel for a small child, and you want them to get a good rest that first night.

I'd explore your resort, relax, have some dinner, and let them sleep early. I wouldn't even plan a sit down dinner, as they may need to stretch their legs and then relax. I'd let them do that, and maybe food court or bring it back to your room so they can watch cartoons or something and clear their minds.

Have a great trip!

 

[disneynutsx4]

I agree with taking things easy on the very first day...but I have to say that on one trip, we checked into the Boardwalk, took a bus to the MK, hopped on the monorail to Epcot. We arrived exactly as the sun was going down, and the lights were just turning on, and everything was pink & purple...THAT was a sight.

We didn't actually go to Epcot, either...I think we took the loop back to the TTC, and hopped the other monorail to the Polynesian, and then scored dinner at Ohana...

 

[megthewonderful]

We either go to Downtown Disney and enjoy dinner at our favorite place (Raglan Road) or we go play mini-golf!

 

[cogero]

I would play it low key. either go to downtown disney or just hang at the hotel. We did this our last trip and it was really a lot of fun.

 

[cmaee]

I would go over to Fort Wilderness. There are pony rides for kids, if you are so inclined, or they can go through the stables and see the horses that work at WDW. Also, there is a free campfire sing-a-long every night there as well as a outdoor family movie. Chip and Dale show up for the sing-a-long and you can roast marshmellos for smores there too. You can purchase the stuff to make smores at the store at Fort Wilderness. We are staying there the first time this spring and I think we will arrive around noon. We could go to the parks, but I am planning on letting the kids swim and then doing the campfire with Chip and Dale. After that, if we have time, we will go over to the beach and watch the electric water pagent. I'm trying to add more relaxation into our Disney trips instead of going non-stop for 7 days.

As long as a park is still open, you could use that park as your transporation hub or you could use Downtown Disney to get from your hotel to Fort Wilderness without having to drive your own car.