What To Do On Our First Day

[msjpatt]

OK - We arrive Saturday morning early and are wondering what we should do on our first day at Disney. Go directly to one of the parks, hang around the hotel or Downtown Disney?

We are staying at the Poly for 7 nights and will have a 7 day park hopper pass. We will have 4 adults and 3 children, none of which are older than 4 years old.

Note that we will not be leaving Disney the following Saturday until much later in the day and thought we would use that day as our last day in the Magic Kingdom for the kids. Please give some advice.

 

[beattyfamily]

So it sounds like you have 8 days in Disney but have a 7 day pass? I would deicde which day not go to the parks. Will it be your first day, in the middle or your last day?

I would also AVOID MK Saturdays as it VERY crowded.

When we arrive on a Saturday we usually either go to MGM (and sometimes Epcot) or we use that day for the pool, DTD or renting a boat. Then we're ready to go on Sunday to MK.

Good luck deciding!

 

[msjpatt]

You are correct in saying we will be there 8 days with a 7 day park hopper. I am not sure that after waiting so long for this trip that once we arrive the pull to the parks might be way too big. Maybe we will have to take a day in the middle for some R&R around the pool.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[beattyfamily]

You are correct in saying we will be there 8 days with a 7 day park hopper. I am not sure that after waiting so long for this trip that once we arrive the pull to the parks might be way too big. Maybe we will have to take a day in the middle for some R&R around the pool.

Thanks for the advice.

Oh I know what you mean! But MK will be VERY crowded on Saturdays but of course you can attempt it.

If you do want to go to a park, I'd suggest MGM or Epcot.

Good luck!

 

[msjpatt]

Thanks for the advice - I like the idea of MGM or Epcot.

 

[beattyfamily]

Thanks for the advice - I like the idea of MGM or Epcot.

You are very welcome. I've gone to both our first day and I think we prefer MGM. If it's later in the day, we usually do the shows. If it's early enough, we do ToT and RnR depending on the crowds (and fastpass return times). Maybe take in the parade too.

MGM is my 2 DDs second favorite park.

Enjoy!

 

[msjpatt]

We will have 2 four year olds and a 2 year old. I guess they would prefer MGM over Epcot on the first day?

 

[beattyfamily]

We will have 2 four year olds and a 2 year old. I guess they would prefer MGM over Epcot on the first day?

IMHO, yes. Epcot has Spaceship earth and that's about it for rides for little ones. Epcot can be a bit boring and tiring (lots of walking) for little ones. It has Test Track and Mission Space but they are too young i think...although the 4 year old may be able to do Test Track. Then there's the Shrunk the audience 3-D movie but it can be intense.

MGM has the Ariel show, Beauty and the Beast, Playhouse Disney and it has the Muppet 3-D movie (very tame) and the Honey I Shrunk the kids play ground. It has the Great Movie ride. That's just off the top of my head. It also has ToT and RnR for the grown ups. It has a fun parade with lots of characters too.

My vote for little ones is MGM.

 

[msjpatt]

Great, thanks again for all the advice

 

[madalex]

I would do a park on the first day and then pick a day in the middle to do a "no park" day. We've done that the last couple times we have gone (also for 8 days/7 nights) and it's nice to have one day in the middle of the trip to just hang out and relax a bit more. On the no park day, we do various things, such as a resort character breakfast, hang out at the pool, play miniature golf, a surrey bike ride at the Boardwalk, etc. That day off from the parks helps us get reenergized for the remainder of the trip.