What to do on first full day??

[cslogg]

We are off to Orlando in September and are working out our strategy.Can any of you veterans of Orlando suggest what to do/visit on our first day which is a Sunday.We will be getting to our villa the previous evening.We already have tickets for Busch,Wet+Wild,both Universals and SeaWorld.As we will almost certainly be a bit jet lagged is it wise to visit one of these?My own preferance would be to go to Universal Studios as we have two Florida virgins in our party and this should give them a taste of what its all about.Any suggestions welcome.

cslogg

 

[allie5]

My choice would be Sea World for a few reasons....firstly because its generally a slower day, and ideal for "breaking in"! Secondly, Universal tends to be a lot busier at weekends, as locals visit, so I would leave that for a weekday. Thirdly, Sea World is also close to I-Drive and the Premium Outlets, so you could combine the afternoon or evening doing some shopping or sight seeing.

Sea World has a couple of big rides to keep the coaster fans happy, but is also just nice to wander round getting used to the climate without being too overpowering for a first day.

Well, thats my choice and it has worked well for us in the past!

Have fun!
Allie

 

[Red-Snapper]

I agree with Allie5 - Seaworld is a nice relaxing introduction to the Orlando theme park thing. Its what we always used to do.

( Unless of course you are a Disney nut in which case you will have done a park as soon as you got off the plane )

These days we tend to just have a quiet day looking around DTD with a couple of hours around the pool also.

 

[Netty]

We tend to either go to seaworld on the first full day or Typhoon Lagoon. Can't beat the lazy river.... drifting around .. wondering if it's all a dream... ooh lovely!
What a great way to get over the flight!
Jeanette

 

[panpant]

Howdy!

We normally are up really early on the first day as most people are so find it best to do Animal Kingdom as that park opens up earlier than the rest and you have the best chance of seeing more animals on safari early in the day.

But, that's just me..

Greg

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Sadly Animal Kingdom no longer opens before the other Disney parks. It opens at 9am, with early Entry for on-site guests on Monday and Thursday (?).

Regards

Rob

 

[cslogg]

Looks like Sea World is winning as we will not be doing any Disney parks.

cslogg

 

[floridalol]

First full day is always spent poolside catching those rays and glugging a beer/cocktail or two. After a tiring flight and readjusting to Florida time we find a relaxing day sets us up for the rest of the holiday - mind you we are not ones to spend every waking minute in theme parks - we enjoy them and have done them countless times but there is so much more to Florida than Mickey Mouse.

 

[Minniespal]

My fav first day in Orlando is to visit the MK. Start off with breakfast at Chef Mickey's, lunch at the Plaza Restaurant and then dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table. MK IMHO is the Theme Parks and I just have to get there as soon as I can!!!

 

[neilybealy]

when we went last year we stayed in a 6 bed villa and it was like chrismas day on the morning after we arrived

one by one people emerged in the living room at about 4.30 / 5am

it was quite amusing

we then went to MK

 

[peewakio]

Another vote for Seaworld,
we have done Seaworld on the 1st full day on our 3 previous visits.
This year the kids will automatically think that we will be off to Seaworld, so what a shock they will have when we walk past the gate and head off towards Discovery Cove to swim with the Dolphins.
Proper Birthday surprise or what.

 

[julieannbabe]

i find that the flight just shatters me too much.

the first full day that i am there - i just try to take it easy- even though very excited!

when we went in march. we went to pointe orlando just to have a look around. then went back to the pool and spent the afternoon splashing about. My younger brother had a great time and made some new friends.

In the evening we went to chef mickeys.

I couldn't spend my first full day at a theme park - be way too much for me.

Though everyone is different.

 

[Disney owl]

It has to be a Disney park.

Never mind th e kids , I can't wait any longer than to be there on the first day.

On our last visit our 1st park was Animal Kingdom due to them opening earlier but as Rob says it no longer opens early.

so this year it is 1st into Magic Kingdom I can't wait.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

I think Sea World would be a nice, easy way to start. Having said that, our first full day this year will be driving down to Busch Gardens . Since we're only in Orlando for 5 days of our 17 night trip, we're cramming in as much of our fave parks as possible. My reckoning is that we'll all be up really early that first morning, so a trip down to Busch will be fun. There's no way I'm driving down to Busch at a weekend, either

 

[mkingdon]

For us, the first day has to be MK....it's the law!!!!!

Doesn't matter how busy it is or what day we arrive, we haven't *really* arrived until I..sorry we have seen the castle.



Craig

 

[Julia Ann]

My suggestion is completely different to everybody elses. We always go to Gatorland Zoo on our first day - it's only a half day attraction and it's a good way to climatize to the heat and fab if you luv alligators! then by late afternoon you can go off to walmart to stock up on supplies or have a little swim at the hotel -Day 2 is always Seaworld!!

 

[SEVANS2208]

I think your best bets are either have a day doing "nothing" - day by the pool or a spot of shopping or, if you're keen to get started, Sea World is a good choice.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

I like to take things easy - on our last trip we just had a quiet start to the day - went to Walmart for supplies, then we had Chef Mickey's booked for 5pm and after that popped into MK for a couple of hours - it was magical!!

Cath

 

[boleynbarmy]

On my 2 previous visits we have done Seaworld on the first day,all the family love it, never seems to busy with long wait times for rides etc. Although have not made my holiday plans, my other half refuses to get excited, will probably go for Seaworld in morning to the middle of afternoon followed by shopping and leisurely evening meal followed by more shopping to let the food go down.

Wife and two daughters 14 and 17 who like shopping. I will have to let them do a bit, but restrict this as much as possible by constantly telling them to hurry up, lets get a move on, hasn't this holiday cost enough type of responses.

Dave F

 

[Grumpy John]

Seaworld gets my vote. Nice and relaxing day just wandering round. Jet lag should not be a problem as you only get that when you return to the UK (because of going forward in time). We are OK when we get to Orlando, do not suffer at all. Put watches back to Orlando time on take off. Seems to do the trick.



What ever you do have a really great time!!