What to do?

[TNKim]

I'm debating on what to do on arrival day. I have been several times, but is a first trip for my cousin and her 12 year old twin boys. I'm hoping to get an early flight and arrive at MCO no later than 10:30 on Saturday, Oct. 7. We are staying at BC. My thoughts are: Spend the afternoon at BC, swim at Stormalong Bay, then go to DS to shop and eat at T-Rex; or spend a few hours at Stormalong Bay, then go to Hoop Dee Doo and campfire at Fort Wilderness; or spend a few hours at Stormalong Bay, then go to Poly for dinner at 'Ohana and watch the MK fireworks from the beach. What would your choice be?

We will be attending MNSSHP on either Tuesday or Thursday. Also, we have considered doing the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise one night. As first time visitors, would you choose Hoop Dee Doo or the Pirates Cruise?

 

[samsteele]

How many days will you be at WDW? Can you book these special dinners/shows later in your stay? I ask this because arrival day can be a real monster. With the possibility of delayed flights, long travel days & tired children (and adults), it's great to keep your arrival day as stress free as possible. Maybe just plan for a counter service meal for lunch and make a dinner ADR for a less busy table service restaurant once you actually arrive in Orlando. The bus transpo from BC to DS is not wonderful & less than efficient. If possible, can you find meals in the Boardwalk area for that day? Having raced around on arrival day trying to make ADRs, its just something to consider.

 

[TNKim]

How many days will you be at WDW? Can you book these special dinners/shows later in your stay? I ask this because arrival day can be a real monster. With the possibility of delayed flights, long travel days & tired children (and adults), it's great to keep your arrival day as stress free as possible. Maybe just plan for a counter service meal for lunch and make a dinner ADR for a less busy table service restaurant once you actually arrive in Orlando. The bus transpo from BC to DS is not wonderful & less than efficient. If possible, can you find meals in the Boardwalk area for that day? Having raced around on arrival day trying to make ADRs, its just something to consider.

We will be there for 7 days. I understand about the possibility of delayed flights, but we should arrive at MCO before 10:30 or earlier, and be at BC by 12:30. Trying to fit in the ADRs we want and coordinating with what park which days, and not knowing park hours or party days, is difficult! Since it is their first visit, I wanted to do something to wow them, so we may end up just going to DS and probably use Uber to avoid the bus problems. Thanks for your response.

 

[eastendlights]

We have gone to Hoop Dee Doo on arrival day many times, in fact most of them we were also staying at BC after arriving at about the same time as you. We never had an issue. I would not pick the earliest seating just in case but I personally hate to waste half a day just hanging around and making due with CS or last minute ADRS. To me, it is worth the chance of paying the no show fee. For a vacation where you spend thousands of dollars, I consider it an acceptable risk.