What to do on the 1st day at orlando

[boboever]

Our flight will arrive Orlando Saturday around 12 noon. We are not going to any park for that day. Any suggestion for places we can go, or things we can do?

Should we use our plus feature to go water park that day? or any dinner show, or see illumination firework that day...etc....

Gee... I am really lost here. Please help me out. This is our first trip to WDW. BTW, we have one 3 y/o boy and two seniors.

Thanks!

 

[boltjames]

Noon landing on a Saturday gets you on the airport monorail by 12:15, your luggage by 12:35, on the rental car shuttle by 12:55, on the rental car line by 1:05, in the rental car by 2:05, back to the airport to pick up the seniors by 2:20, on the road to the hotel by 2:25, to check in by 2:45.....at which time you'll be told that your room isn't ready and to check back by 4pm.

So assuming that you get into your room to unpack by 4pm, my advice to you would be to get a good dinner offsite and relax as your Sunday is going to be a 6am to 9pm affair.

Try the Macaroni Grill. Relaxed atmosphere and superior food / wine menu with lots of well-spaced tables for access.

If you do perchance get into your room at 2pm or so, then you may want to hit one of the three Disney dinners that are at the Disney hotels (no park ticket required).....Chef Mickey's Buffet, Polynesian Luau (new name that's forgettable), or the Hoop De Doo Musical Review.

I'd opt for the Hoop De Doo myself. Nice intro to the Disney experience, lots of fun, on the relaxing wilderness side of the property, and very near the free outdoor movie; fun for everyone in your group.

BJ

 

[zaxmom]

We like to go to Chef Mickey's for dinner our first night. That way the kids don't make us stand in long lines to see the characters the next day. I have young boys and they are thrilled to just ride around on the resort monorail, or maybe take a boat ride. We have caught the Electrical water pageant going by the resorts at night. We have also gone to Rainforest and wandered around Downtown Disney for our first night. So often when we are in the parks I hear kids of all ages asking to go back to the hotel to swim, my kids included. Maybe it would be good to take advantage of your free time and swim!

 

[boboever]

Thanks, BJ and zaxmom!

That's what I am afraid that we won't have much time to go water park. Chef Mickey and dinner show are good ideas.

I think my DS would be thrilled by monorail and boat.

 

[UKDEB]

Originally posted by boltjames
Noon landing on a Saturday gets you on the airport monorail by 12:15, your luggage by 12:35, on the rental car shuttle by 12:55, on the rental car line by 1:05, in the rental car by 2:05, back to the airport to pick up the seniors by 2:20, on the road to the hotel by 2:25, to check in by 2:45.....at which time you'll be told that your room isn't ready and to check back by 4pm

Wow, BJ! We come in on a Transatlantic flight (which involves clearance of Customs and Immigration and a double-baggage retrieval system) and we're disappointed if we're not out of the airport within 45 minutes of landing! There are plenty of onsite car hire companies, so don't waste precious hours of your vacaction time getting a shuttle to one offsite.

All that said, I do agree that by the time you've checked in to your hotel, time will be moving on. Apart from the very good suggestions which have already been made, an evening strolling around the BoardWalk and a meal there would be a good option, especially with seniors in tow.

 

[boltjames]

Originally posted by UKDEB
Wow, BJ! We come in on a Transatlantic flight (which involves clearance of Customs and Immigration and a double-baggage retrieval system) and we're disappointed if we're not out of the airport within 45 minutes of landing! There are plenty of onsite car hire companies, so don't waste precious hours of your vacaction time getting a shuttle to one offsite.

All that said, I do agree that by the time you've checked in to your hotel, time will be moving on. Apart from the very good suggestions which have already been made, an evening strolling around the BoardWalk and a meal there would be a good option, especially with seniors in tow.

We do Avis at the airport to avoid the lines at Alamo, but I made an assumption that most are looking for a better rate and thus wind up on the shuttles....that said, I've even waited more than an hour for a minivan with Avis, so it depends on timing I guess.

 

[boboever]

Thanks, UKDEB!

My DH has a rental from National. He said that it's on-terminal.(He doesn't like the off terminal one.) I am not sure if it's a true on terminal. Hope it will save us some precious time.

The broadwalk would be another wonderful choise. especially, we get chance to see the illumination.

I like the idea to do chef mickey first day. But there is no wishes on that day.

 

[mishoe01]

National is located right there at the garage at the airport. You just go out the door, cross the street, and there you are at the garage - very handy! I love renting from National here.

Another option for your first day could be to do Downtown Disney (though I like the Boardwalk option too). That way you still get a '"dose" of Disney without using up any tickets, or wasting any time.

It also depends on where you're staying.

Hope this helps!