What to do on day zero?

[odd man out]

Planning a trip for first week of March. Two adults, age 60 +/-. Staying 5 nights AKL with 4 day park hopper passes. Have not been to WDW since spring 2009. Never stayed on-site before. Flight arrives about 3 PM. The question is what to do for our arrival day (day zero). It will need to include dinner, but don't really want an expensive/fancy option our first night.

One option is to eat at Sanaa (new since our last trip - well reviewed - convenient) and then just hang out and enjoy the AKL?

Or maybe go to Disney Springs for dining/shopping/whatever?

Or maybe get an Ohana ADR and catch the MK fireworks from the beach after dinner?

Or maybe see the fireworks at HS? I see they have a new (new for us) fireworks show and won't have another evening to go there (planning an evening at MK, EPCOT, AK, and Wanyama Safari). Not sure if it's worth it to add a day to our passes for just this. Is there a way to combine dinner and HS fireworks viewing without park passes?

Or maybe I could wear a Captain Jack Sparrow costume and pretend to hijack the monorail (OK, probably not this).

Or maybe you have another idea?

What do you do on day zero with just a few hours to eat and enjoy WDW?

 

[Robo]

Or maybe see the fireworks at HS? I see they have a new (new for us) fireworks show and won't have another evening to go there (planning an evening at MK, EPCOT, AK, and Wanyama Safari).
1. Not sure if it's worth it to add a day to our passes for just this.
2. Is there a way to combine dinner and HS fireworks viewing without park passes?

1. That can depend on how much you like Star Wars.
2. Nope.

 

[broncobill]

When we are in a situation like that, we will go to Disney Springs. Plenty of places to eat, see and do.
This our plan on August 4. Our flight is due in at 6 pm and still plan on going.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would add a day onto my tickets. After you hit 4 days the cost for each additional day is minimal IMO.

 

[LISAMWDW]

I would just simply stay at the resort and enjoy it. There is alot to explore at AKL, never enough pool time and some great restaurants there to boot!

 

[wdw&sonny]

Well, let's see...what do we do on day zero...we go to a park. It's not a lot of extra $$ to add a day and we are there for the parks.

I would say that if you have the energy and don't mind fighting the crowds, add HS. Dine at 50s PT or Sci Fi for the true WDW experience. Then see Fantasmic and the Fireworks.

OR, if you need some recovery from travel day, go with your plan A...Sanaa and AKL. That's a great option, too.

 

[vanjust14]

Ditto LISAMWDW...I like the idea of enjoying AKL. Pool is great, and so are the dining choices.

My other suggestion is dinner at Narcoossee's at Grand Floridian and watching the MK fireworks and electrical water pageant from there. ( I know you said you didn't want an expensive dinner so this may be a no-go)

 

[wareagle57]

It's not a very good view, but on our arrival day we watched the Star Wars fireworks from the bridge between AoA and Pop. You could actually hear the music from DHS.

 

[disneyvoice]

We are staying at AKL for the first time in just a few days too! Although we arrive much earlier in the day than you do we have actually adjusted our normal touring strategy this trip and will be leaving the parks right after dinner or will be heading back to AKL and eating there. That way we can spend some time enjoying the resort - especially watching the animals since we decided to splurge and get a savannah view. We are going to buy some wine and champagne to keep in the room and enjoy a few glasses while we sit out on the balcony. One night we are actually thinking about just getting food at The Mara and eating dinner out on balcony. There are many things you can do with a late afternoon arrival but I think it might be the most enjoyable to explore AKL and watch the animals. That way you can be well rested for day 1.

 

[MDIME]

I would just simply stay at the resort and enjoy it. There is alot to explore at AKL, never enough pool time and some great restaurants there to boot!

This. @LISAMWDW nailed it! Enjoy the beauty of the resort and one of the awesome restaurants there.

 

[Parker Clan]

On day zero we usually either do the parks or Disney Springs. Hanging at the resort is also a great option!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would either eat at Sanaa and eat at the resort. Or, if you are big Star Wars fans, consider adding another park day to your tickets and seeing the show in DHS. If you don't want to add the ticket, you could head to the Boardwalk, have dinner and see some of the fireworks from the pathway to DHS.

 

[amberpi]

I'd add the day for the reasons stated here and that it also gives you 3 additional fast passes, never an insignificant thing in my head?

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

It's not a very good view, but on our arrival day we watched the Star Wars fireworks from the bridge between AoA and Pop. You could actually hear the music from DHS.

How far is the bridge from pop dh loves Star Wars can he get to using his rented ecv

 

[wareagle57]

How far is the bridge from pop dh loves Star Wars can he get to using his rented ecv

It's pretty much the dead center of the 2 resorts. If you are staying in the 60s it might be steps away from your room as was the case for us. If you are saying in the 90s, it's quite a hike.

 

[shellyj]

Personally, I wouldn't add a park day for a flight getting in at 3 pm unless there were late EMH that I was sure I could do. But I don't get excited about the fireworks (I hope I don't get kicked off for admitting that, lol). Instead of adding a day I'd go to Boma, which is our favorite restaurant in the world. I never would have thought I'd say that about a buffet.

There is so much to see at AKL, I would use the night to explore. Go look at the animals, check out the night vision viewing. Visit the flamingos at the bridge near the Jambo House pool. Walk through the gift shop and look for the sign that says when the artist will be carving figurines - very cool to watch! Walk around and look for hidden mickeys. The one at Boma took us forever to find even after we Googled 2 extra clues!

 

[Texans_loyal]

Day 0 is always our Disney Springs day! we love eating at Wolfgang express and shopping.
I personally wouldn't add an extra park day, especially for HS.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Resort hopping day

 

[CarolynFH]

I vote for dinner at Sanaa or Boma and enjoying AKL. But don't make your ADR too early, no matter where you eat. If your plane lands at 3:00 you probably won't arrive at AKL until 5:30 or so, and if your flight is delayed it might be later. That's another reason to plan to eat at AKL - travel time to the restaurant won't be an issue.

 

[DisneyCAL]

We like to stay close by to the resort we're staying at. I dont know about you but for me travel takes a little bit out of me no matter the distance. So we like to keep it simple to recoup some energy and it allows us to take in the resort we're staying at more before diving into the parks.