What would you suggest for arrival day??

[kandmwedding]

My group arrives early Tuesday morning at WDW and I thought I'd planned everything perfectly (and to be honest, I still think I have), but my mom is making me second guess myself.

We have an all-girls group this trip - me (23), my sister (21 - the college grad who the trip is for), my mom (turns 50 the day after we get back), my g-ma (in her late 60s) and my aunt (in her 40s). My mom wants to make sure that we have plenty of down time (which I think we do) and is worried about doing too much walking on our arrival day when we have the 5-hour KTTK tour the next day. Here's what I've planned - let me know what you think of the arrival day plan:

Tuesday (Arrival Day) -
* Arrive at MCO at 9:45 and head for POP.
* Check in, eat and shop at Downtown Disney.
* Return to POP to check into room.
* Magic Kingdom for a few hours.
* Dinner at 'Ohana at 6:30.
* Back to POP for the night.

Wednesday -
* KTTK tour in the AM.
* Back to POP for lunch and rest.
* Back to Magic Kingdom for EMH.
* Counter Service Dinner

Thursday -
* Epcot all day, including EMH (breaks as needed).
* Lunch at Biergarten.
* Counter service dinner.

Friday -
* MGM all day (breaks as needed).
* Counter service lunch.
* Dinner at Hollywood & Vine.

Saturday -
* Epcot all day (breaks as needed).
* Dine (lunch & dinner) around the world.

Sunday -
* Magic Kingdom all day (breaks as needed).
* Lunch at Tony's Town Square.
* Counter service dinner.

Monday -
* Check out of POP.
* Breakfast at Boma.
* Animal Kingdom.
* Counter service lunch.
* Shop at Downtown Disney.
* Return to POP for 5:30 transfer to MCO.

Do you think the arrival day is too much considering we've got the KTTK tour and EMH at MK the next day?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I'd probably skip the MK on arrival day and instead spend some time at the resort pool before dinner.

 

[kandmwedding]

Oh, I should add that we won't be doing any swimming. We're not big into the bathing suit wearing and don't want to spend time swimming when we could easily do that at home. I'm thinking MK won't be too bad - we don't plan to rush from ride to ride. Instead we'll probably spend most of the time shopping and just hop on a few rides if there's a really short wait.

Any other suggestions?

 

[jordanyosh]

I would also skip MK that first day. Maybe head over to the Poly a little early and stroll around the resort before dinner.

 

[bubba73]

I agree with the others about skipping MK on arrival day. I wouldn't use a day's ticket for just a couple of hours. Spend more time at DTD. If all you were going to do is shop at MK anyway, you can do that there. You have a jammed pack week ahead of you, so it sounds. Let's do what we can to enjoy the whole vacation.


12 day dance

 

[lajones81]

I'd probably skip the MK on arrival day and instead spend some time at the resort pool before dinner.

I agree. My family (and now when I travel with friends) always goes shopping on the first day. You never know what travel will be like (for example, this last trip, we were 6 hours late arriving!) and it gives you time to check out Downtown Disney! We always catch an early flight, check-in, get lunch, chill for a bit and check out the resort, head to dinner, and, then, shopping for the rest of the evening. Enjoy!

 

[the kabuki]

Our family can't wait to get to the parks on the day of arrival. It would kill the kids' if we were in Orlando finally, and then I told them we had to wait till tomorrow to go to WDW. That's just us though, think I've turned the kids into park commando's

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

We also arrive in Orlando early when we vacation at WDW. We check-in then head to DTD for lunch/shopping. We always do an early character dinner then go to MK in time for Wishes. Seeing the characters at dinner and the fireworks is the most exciting part for my children. This marks the beginning of a great week at WDW.

 

[RyMickey]

Since your dinner is at the Poly, you could always hop on a monorail and walk around the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary. You could seriously kill about an hour or two just looking in the resort shops.

Then again, if you wanna go in the park, go! Like you said, if you're just in it for shopping and perhaps a casual ride, go for it. However, like others have said, you also need to consider whether it would be worth it to use a day on your ticket.

Decisions, decisions, decisions......I always think that the planning is just as fun as the trip!

 

[Pixie Mommie]

You might find more of your time used up by DTD. It might have been because it was our last day or poor navigation but I remember it being a long walk from one end to the other and back.

I think AK has EMH that night? You might want to skip MK Tues. and then let Mom and Grams or whomever needs it rest after dinner and then go with your sister and who ever is game to AK or another park. I know sometimes when we're travelling with my folks just getting "there" wherever that is can be enough for them and they seem content to rest up for the next day after a good dinner. Then we get to go unwind or hit the attractions and they get to keep their bedtime.

 

[sanibelover]

Sounds like you plan to spend every waking moment together. DON'T DO IT!!! Split up and let those who need breaks take them. Like the Previous poster suggested, if you are excited to head to the MK on the first day, go for it. Let the tired travellers take a nap, sit on a bench, people watch or whatever. I think the trip will be more pleasant for everyone if you agree BEFOREHAND to be willing to do the splitting up thing. Whenever we travel with family, we make sure we have some "ALONE" time built in so that everyone is a lot happier.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We always hit MK on arrival day even if only for a few hours-it is a tradition for us. So, I can understand if you want to keep MK on your itinerary for your arrival day. That being said, I would take out the downtown disney visit on that day. Just checkin, have lunch, check out your resort and relax. Then head to Poly early and check out the resort (we always stroll over to GF as well), have dinner and then go to MK emh. DTD is fun but the walking will tire your group out quicker.
Just a suggestion.

 

[pixiepower1971]

I say keep the plan as is and make adjustments as needed. Not all of your group needs to do the same thing. The younger ones could go to the park while the others relax and meet up for dinner.

I agree that DTD shopping takes up a lot of time. We spend at least 4 hours there for Marketplace only and we are there once a month. The World of Disney store...we could get lost in there for hours and have done that. You need an hour for that store alone!

Play it by ear and have fun. I ALWAYS remind my kids (and myself) we don't need to rush...it will always be here to come back to.

Enjoy yourselves...sounds like a fun group.

 

[chyam]

I'd probably skip the MK on arrival day and instead spend some time at the resort pool before dinner.

I agree with this..........it is always good to have plans but its wise to be flexible. It is quite warm (humid and hot) down here and you may find it nicer just to relax and enjoy your first day. Also you maybe able to check into your hotel upon arrival, it doesn't always happen but I have found many times it is available.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Sounds like you plan to spend every waking moment together. DON'T DO IT!!! Split up and let those who need breaks take them. Like the Previous poster suggested, if you are excited to head to the MK on the first day, go for it. Let the tired travellers take a nap, sit on a bench, people watch or whatever. I think the trip will be more pleasant for everyone if you agree BEFOREHAND to be willing to do the splitting up thing. Whenever we travel with family, we make sure we have some "ALONE" time built in so that everyone is a lot happier.

I agree completely. Since you have a varied age group, it makes sense to split up here or there. You and your sister might be ready to go-go-go at all times, while your grandmother might need more time to rest (unless she's like my mother who can't sit still for 5 seconds while in WDW). While I understand that it's only your first night on a family/togetherness kind of trip, don't be afraid to suggest going your own way. Just because it's the first night, doesn't mean that it's a sign of the whole trip