What would you do?

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Planning is going fairly well, and for the most part, plans are making themselves. We have a high need for flexibility in our family, so we aren't overplanning. We only have 2 ADR's because we don't do well in full-service restaurants. Keeping it all simple for a low-stress tolerance family.

The only problem I'm having is what to do on the first day.

Our flight will arrive, if on schedule, at around 7pm on Saturday. Usually by that time of day, the kids are finished bathing and are climbing into bed for stories. With the flight, MME, check-in, excitement after sitting on a plane for hours, etc, I doubt they'll be asleep by 9. This means a late night for them.

Flash forward to the next morning. We are staying at Pop our first night (although considering WL since we're staying at VWL the next day.) The kids will have gone to bed late the night before. This means that they'll probably wear down earlier in the morning than they usually do. Add to that the fact that we will be roomless for at the very least 5 hours (right in the middle of the day) and I've got a problem on my hands.

I know everyone says to get to the parks before opening. That is the plan 100% for the week. That way we can head back to the room for a while and nap/relax if the kids need it. We have 7 full days including the first day.

I guess what I'm not sure about is whether or not we should attempt going to MK that first morning first thing. The feeling I'm getting is that if we stay at Pop, it might just be complete stress if we rush the kids to bed the first night, rush out to get to the park early, then deal with no room for hours. I'm afraid MK will be just too crowded if we arrive at 11. But we have to have something to do from 11-4 while we wait for our villa.


So my questions boil down to:

1. Would it make life easier if we stayed at WL instead of Pop? Should we pony up the extra cash for that?

2. Should we take it easy that first morning and ask for late checkout? Or should we go to MK? If we don't get to MK until 9:30 instead of 9, will we miss out on that getting there before opening benefit? Will Dumbo be horribly crowded?


BTW, the kids in question are a middle-schooler, a preschooler, and a toddler.

Have I asked to many questions? Any thoughts?

Shel (who needs a vacation from her vacation!)

 

[Harmony]

If your kids are used to being in bed that early and you know ahead of time that they are going to be tired the next morning, I say go ahead and stay at the WL the first night. Better to pay more than to have grumpy kiddos at WDW!

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

I wanted to note that the middle-schooler is not in bed that early. Just the little ones. They don't always fall asleep at 7, and sometimes bedtime storeis can go on for a while, but they're always in the process at that time of day. The big kid can stay up late, get up early, and always be a ray of sunshine.

Shel

 

[disneyfanfamily]

My family does not like to change hotels. If I were you, I would try to go to WL the first night like the rest of the week. It is just one less thing that you would have to worry about. If you have the extra money, I would just pay it and then you can play that day by ear without having to worry about check in or out. I am a very frugle person. Do not like to spend extra money if I do not have to, but in this case I would pay the extra for the less hassle.

Have a great trip! I wish I was planning a WDW trip right now. We will not be going until 2007, maybe 2008. (Save, save, save...)

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

My family does not like to change hotels. If I were you, I would try to go to WL the first night like the rest of the week. It is just one less thing that you would have to worry about. If you have the extra money, I would just pay it and then you can play that day by ear without having to worry about check in or out. I am a very frugle person. Do not like to spend extra money if I do not have to, but in this case I would pay the extra for the less hassle.

Have a great trip! I wish I was planning a WDW trip right now. We will not be going until 2007, maybe 2008. (Save, save, save...)

Just to clarify, we'd still have to switch rooms that day, but just to VWL. Luggage just goes downstairs, etc. There's no availability at the Villas the night we arrive, so we have to find an alternate hotel that night.

Shel

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Have you thought of going to a water park that first day? We found our visits to the water parks to be very relaxing. My 2yo actually curled up on a towel in the sand and napped there one day. They don't open until later than the theme parks, so there's not as much need to get up early to get there. I don't know what time of year you're going, but when we were there 3-4 weeks ago, getting there late was no big deal, there were plenty of empty lounge chairs all day long and slide lines were never long.

I'd take it easy that first day, whether that means a late checkout, a water park, or an easy MK day (i.e., show up late, expect not to ride the most popular attractions, except for Fast-Pass ones, and plan a second MK day for arriving early and making the beeline for Dumbo!)

Good luck and have fun!

 

[egoldber]

I feel your pain on the bedtime thing. My 4 year old is also usually in the bedtime process by 7, so travel is always a bit of a strain on her schedule.

If I were you, I'd play it a little bit by ear. Even when she goes to bed late, I know that my DD very seldom sleeps in. So if your kids are up and ready to go, then give the MK a try early. If not, I would start with another park, maybe Epcot, and ease in that way. But IME, an early start is critical at MK, MGM and AK. This tends to be less true at Epcot.

FYI, Dumbo ALWAYS ALWAYS has a long line except at opening (and during the occasional rain storm). That style of ride has very limited capacity and is very popular, so the line is always long.

As far as changing rooms, can you get on a waitlist for an opening at VWL? If not, then I would personally stay at WL vs Pop, both because of the convenience and because I did not personally enjoy Pop very much when I stayed there.

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

Have you thought about going to WL after you take your time that first morning and just exploring the resort? They have a great pool for the kids and when nap time rolls around they can nap on the couches in the WL lobby or even the smaller quieter lobby @VWL. MK is only a boat ride away if you decide to try it so you can still make the call after getting to WL.

There is always a chence that the room will be ready before 4:00 as well. If you check in that morning first thing, you will be first in line for room availability (keeping MME in mind).

just a thought as we have two smalones as well.

 

[logella]

I second the water park idea or at least hang out around the pool. You could even go do Disney Quest late morning/early afternoon and still hit the pool in the afternoon.

If you must do MK your first day I'd highly recommend staying at WL your first night. You'll already be on property when it comes times to make the move and as an added bonus you won't have to deal with parking, busses, the transportation center, etc. because you can take the ferry straight from WL to MK.