What would you do on arrival day...

[nikjd68]

...we will wake up at 2am (central time) to get to airport for 6am flight to MCO--we are going next June. We will be at the Poly by 10:30-11am. It will be an early night. Normally, we would go to AK since it used to close early and people would be leaving when we would be arriving. We would eat at TH, do our FPP's and head back to resort to hit the pool and get to bed. Now, I am thinking go to MK, do some FPP's, and either eat at MK (LTT) or head back to Poly and eat at O'hana if I can snag an ADR.

What would you do?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Are you interested in Epcot?

I would actually do a short day at Epcot so you can nab an additional Tier 1 FP+ for either Soarin/TT/FEA, on top of a full day of Epcot. The tier system at Epcot is such that you'd likely benefit most from a short day there, and it's convenient enough to go Poly-TTC-Epcot.

 

[PSUGuy]

With our usual 9:30 am landing and a stop at Publix we're at Board Walk by 10:30. We go for Food & Wine as it is so we go straight to WS. You can monorail over if that appeals to you but if not I'd probably hit MK with a few FP+s then maybe have a drink in some of the MK monorail spots, a little pool time then early to bed to be fresh the next day.
Bill From PA

 

[Klayfish]

I think that's a very personal decision based on what you want to do. We always hit MK first, regardless of arrival time. It's just what we like. If we had an early flight like you do, and we've done it, it would just be an early day.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We always hit MK first. We can't be in WDW and not go to the MK.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would probably go to MK for a little bit and then head back to the resort for dinner and sleep. We had an early flight last May and stayed at the Swan, went to EP for a while and then were just too exhausted to do anything else. If you think you will be tired, I think sticking with MK (close to your resort) is the way to go.

 

[ellbell]

I plan on doing 2 full days at Epcot and MK on our next trip so will probably spend arrival day in HS because at the moment it is really only a half day park anyway.

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

It really is up to you, but I would suggest HS as well, it does not take a full day anymore

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Completely up to you and what gets your vacation off to the right start.

We usually arrive at MCO around 9:30. Take ME to the hotel. Do a quick change in the hotel lobby and add jeans and coats to the bags and leave those with bell services. Don't need to check-in (online) and already signed up for room number texts. Have our magic bands already so away we go! We always hit up EPCOT, catch TT and then an early afternoon lunch at Via Nappoli (it's a tradition, you see. We do it EVERY Disney visit, and it just wouldn't be a trip to Disney if we didn't). We know we will usually get another EPCOT day, so we don't overstay. Spend a little time around world showcase doing leisurely browsing. If we are still there close to illuminations, we go. If we get tired we will go back to the hotel anytime after they text us our room number.

That all said - PRIOR to the Via Nappoli tradition, we would go to MK on the first day. Why? That was what spoke "WE ARE AT DISNEY" to us.

 

[piglet1979]

We drive down and it is about a 20 hour drive. We usually get to the resort at about 10ish. We check in and then head to the grocery store. When we get back we are usually able to get into our room. We get settled and then let the kids go swimming. I swear my daughter would rather do this then go to the parks. The we get ready and go to our ADR at one of the resorts. Dinner is typically around 5ish. After we get back we start settling down for the night so we are ready to do the next day. We also explore the resort that day. We have never stayed at the same resort. We just keep it nice and simple.

 

[acwsmom]

Personally, I'd go to MK. Then again, I'm a firm believer that picking any park other than MK for your first day should be against the law. I just like getting into the Disney spirit by walking down Main Street on our 1st day there. It makes me feel like we're walking back into our home.

 

[bjscheel]

We did the same thing last June- up at 2 am, flight at 6 am. We did HS as we only wanted to spend a half day there and it was the perfect time to get that out of the way.

But on other trips, we've also gotten a kick out of hitting MK on an arrival day. Epcot is a good choice if you need to have an extra day to get a FP to one of the big rides.

It depends on what else you've got planned- how many days in which parks.

 

[kevind2112]

When we fly we always take the early flight, so our timeline is similar to yours. We always end up at Epcot on the first day. Get in, head to Mexico for lunch and margarita's (well, the kids have cokes) on the water, then stroll around World Showcase. Maybe a ride or two before heading back to the hotel for a fairly early night, though not too early because we are still amped up from just being there!

This year we're driving in, and although we're pulling in around the same time we usually do, because it's Christmas week our whole schedule is messed up! We'll do afternoon/early evening at Hollywood Studios.

 

[momimouse27]

I agree that its kind of dependent on what you like. We usually don't go into a park the first day, its always Disney Springs and resort sightseeing the first day. We have also done mini golf on our first day as well. Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[d-train]

I have always done a full day at MK after landing early - and will be in April, landing at 7:45AM!
Then MK until close! Love it!

But I kind of like your idea of going AK, do TH brunch, enjoy the park until around 5/6PM,
then back to Poly for pool, Ohana, bed.

An early evening would also lend itself to the Luau show or HDD too!

 

[VAtink]

If you're trip is long enough to spare a day, an arrival day at the pool can be a perfect relaxing start to a trip. We did that for the first time our last trip and loved having such a relaxing first day, especially after getting up so early that morning to catch our flights.

 

[Farps]

MK is a must for us also.

 

[Harambe]

Similar to your flight down, landing at 10:30. First to our resort to see if we can get into our room, but regardless, we will grab sandwiches there then head to MK. Haunted Mansion FP is first up! Yea! But never have an ADR that first afternoon/evening because we never know how long we will last at the park.