What to do on arrival day?

[tarheel]

I'm less than a month away from our trip so I am in planning mode big time. It is hard to figure out what to do on arrival day . We will be arriving slightly before noon (LAX) and I figure with transportation issues ect, lunch, and checking in, we wouldn't be able to hit the parks before 3pm. I would want to hit a few rides, then head over to DCA for the 8:45 parade. What do you all think would be the easiest and best attractions to try, and what time should we head over to see the parade? This will be Monday July 13th by the way. Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm less than a month away from our trip so I am in planning mode big time. It is hard to figure out what to do on arrival day . We will be arriving slightly before noon (LAX) and I figure with transportation issues ect, lunch, and checking in, we wouldn't be able to hit the parks before 3pm. I would want to hit a few rides, then head over to DCA for the 8:45 parade. What do you all think would be the easiest and best attractions to try, and what time should we head over to see the parade? This will be Monday July 13th by the way. Thanks!

Not sure about who is in your group. If it was me, word is that Toy Story Midway Mania lines calm down later in the day and I would head over there later afternoon or early evening. Also any shows you might want to see like DEP would be a good fit. What about Pixar Play Parade at DCA or Celebrate Parade at DL? And Jedi Training Academy?

As far as rides that are usually easy to do in late afternoon. Here are some:

Tiki Room
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Pooh
Mark Twain
Columbia Sailing Ship
PLATSI

There is also time to grab FPs for BTMRR and BLAB.

and at DCA

ITTBAB
Animation Studios (and Turtle Talk w Crush)
Monsters Inc (maybe)

and FPs should be available for ToT and Screamin.

HTH

 

[PinkBudgie]

I did a Ridemax plan for our first half day there, going to DCA assuming we can get to the park at 4pm.

We are picking up a FP for Soarin on our way to Toy Story. Then eat dinner and get another FP for Screamin. Then maybe Animation building or shopping followed by Screamin and Soarin. (Assuming the FP return times work out and they aren't all gone.)

We then plan to see the electrical parade and then go back to the hotel because we will have driven 8 hours that day I don't think we would make it at DL after DCA closes.

 

[dawnrose]

This plan sounds like a good one for our first day too! We are going end of July and driving 8 hours...I might make a ressie for Wine Country Trattoria for a dinner of appetizers, wine and parade! ---sounds like a good first afternoon to me... thanx for the inspiration!

 

[tarheel]

Thanks for the advice so far. We are 2 adults, and 2 kids 14 and 11 by the way.

 

[lynetteSC]

Thanks for the advice so far. We are 2 adults, and 2 kids 14 and 11 by the way.

no advice ...but thanks for posting ...we arrive around the same time a few days ahead of you! we are flying from charlotte ... i haven't seen many east coast people that will be there during that time frame!