What to do on First and Last Day

[missyf]

I currently have booked the Disney Visa Dream Maker Package for the CR. We will be arriving on Thursday August 12th, the plane lands around 10:30am. We will be leaving Monday August 16th, the plane leaves at 8:00pm.

Since we are there such a short time and have UPH's I would like to go to a park or water park on my arrival and departure days.

At first I thought about Animal Kingdom on arrival day afternoon, but with the heat and crowds now I'm thinking maybe a water park.

On departure day I thought about staying by the pool in the AM and then after checking out going to one of the nearby parks in the afternoon. But with the afternoon heat I'm not sure how sticky I'm going to be by plane time.

Any ideas on what to do on these two days would be greatly appreciated.

Missy

 

[flyball]

If I were you and were worried about being "sticky" before gettting on the plane, I'd go to MGM on the last day. Many of the attractions at MGM are indoors and air conditioned. Also, you can get a lot done there in a short amount of time with Fastpass. A water park sounds good for your first day, depending on what time you get there; otherwise, I'd head over to whichever park will be open latest. Have fun!!!

 

[grammagail]

We have a similar schedule - our plane lands at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 6/22 and we leave at 7:40 pm the following Monday, 6/28.

It's been 10 years and I want to take the most advantage of the great flight times.

I've already decided that we are doing a park (most likely MK) both days - begin and end with the best!!! We already have our 5-day park hopper tix and I know some think it's a waste of a tix for a partial day - but MK will be open until 10 (or 11) during our stay - so I don't think it's a waste.

My only question/concern is check-out day. I know I can check out, store my luggage and go "parking" - but wondered if anyone has actually done this and how easy/hard is it in "reality". Of course I'd love to be able to check out and make it to the park before opening (9:00) - but is this really possible? I can be packed the night before. I figured we could reasonably stay until around 3:00ish.......our towncar is scheduled to pick us up at 5:00 for transport to the airport.

 

[RamseyTrio]

I wouldn't do a water park on my last day only because then you'd have to pack up wet swimsuits to bring home. We usually do Downtown Disney on our last day but if you want to do a park I'd vote for MK. No better way to end a vacation.

Also, why not go to MK when you arrive too - it'll get you into the disney spirit and it'll be open late so you'll have a full day of it.

 

[SAntonelli]

Any time at Disney is better than no time!

As for the first day, you probably won't be checked in to your hotel until 12:00 or later (especially if you stop at a grocery store to stock up on water, snacks, etc.). By the time you changed and caught a bus, it would be 1:00. The water parks during the summer get crazy by late morning, early afternoon - sometimes they are at maximum capacity and stop letting people in!

I think a park would be a better option. Or, let the kids swim after you check in and head over to a park late afternoon. You will avoid the worst of the summer sun and the crowds do tend to get better by dinner time. And the kids will be happy because they got to go to the pool first (that was my daughter's favorite part of the trip - I really have to work on her!)

As for the last day, checkout is at 11:00. Maybe swim early, check out and leave you bags at the hotel. Heading over to MGM is a good idea. The other park I would recommend is Epcot (Future World). Lots of attractions are in-doors and air conditioned, although both parks are spread out so you will be doing some walking. But it's your last day at Disney, so if you go home a little sweaty, it will be worth it!!

 

[Chicago526]

I don't think a water park will work on your arrival day. My understanding is that in the summer, the Disney water parks often fill to capacity by 12n. If your plane lands at 10:30, you won't be at the water park until 12n at the earliest, and you may not be able to get in at all!

What I'd do is pack my swim suits in my carry on, leave the rest of the bags with the bell desk (unless they have your room ready early), change into swim suits in the lobby restrooms, and just use the hotel pool until you can get into your room. Once you can, settle into your room, change clothes, and hit one of the parks around dinner time (or eat in the hotel then go to the park, whatever). The parks are open late, so if you get to MK at 5 and it closes at 11, that's still 6 hours of park time. And it will be a little cooler in the evening, as well.

As for the return day, check-out and give them the bags to hold, and do one of the parks 1st thing (maybe do whichever one has early entry that day), then around 12n go to DTD for lunch, shopping, and maybe DisneyQuest. DQ is inside so you won't be all hot and sweaty. Then have dinner there before heading to the airport.

 

[donac]

I have checked out in the morning and done a park with an afternoon flight twice in the last 2 years. It is very easy to do. They will hold your luggage down by the main lobby. When you get back from the parks just show them your tags, have them call you a cab and you are on your way to the airport. The lobby is very quiet at 7 AM so it is easy to check out early.

It may be harder if you are not an early riser.


Dona

 

[B'rer Karen]

Originally posted by grammagail
My only question/concern is check-out day. I know I can check out, store my luggage and go "parking" - but wondered if anyone has actually done this and how easy/hard is it in "reality". Of course I'd love to be able to check out and make it to the park before opening (9:00) - but is this really possible? I can be packed the night before. I figured we could reasonably stay until around 3:00ish.......our towncar is scheduled to pick us up at 5:00 for transport to the airport.

I always do this and it works out great. I call to have my luggage picked up by bell services around 8/8:30 (as soon as my last minute items are packed). I use the express check out so I never have to actually do anything to check out. As soon as my bags are picked up, I head to the bus stop and make the most of the day. Do be sure to give yourself plenty of time to make it back to the resort. I usually head out of the parks about an hour before I need to be back to the resort, so in your case, 4:00, depending on which park you are at and which resort you are trying to get to. You could also head back a little earlier than that and grab a bite to eat at your resort to avoid eating at the airport.

 

[missyf]

Thanks for all the quick suggestions.

I don't want to do MK on arrival day because it is EMH day for MK and I feel it will be way to crowded.

What do you think about Animal Kingdom on arrival day?

Missy

 

[flyball]

The only bad thing about doing AK on arrival day is that the park doesn't stay open very late, so you may only be there for a few hours. You can always do that and hop over to another park to get the most out of your tix.