Which Should We Do on 1st Evening???

[Perrier]

OK. We arrive in Orlando at 1:40 on a Saturday. We depart the next Saturday early a.m. We have 6 day park hoppers. I don't want to waste tickets on our arrival evening. Here's what I was thinking of doing:

1. Campfire w/Chip & Dale at FW.
2. Downtown Disney
3. Swim/explore resort
4. Boardwalk
5. Character dinner

I'm leaning toward the campfire or a character dinner. However, I'm concerned about crowds since we're talking about a Sat night? Would the campfire be so busy? I've read DTD is just too much on a weekend. Opinions, or other suggestions, please??!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

We always spend our first night at Chef Mickey's! The whole atmosphere just gets us started in that Disney magic; which means our vacation is really starting!

 

[Evil Queen]

I may look into the Chef Mickey idea. We want to do that once during our next trip.

But any how, we arrive an evening before we plan on hitting the parks. We drive for about 3-4 hours to WDW. Check in. Last year we did DTD and Disney Quest that first night.

So far this year we may just want to do Mini-golf.

For original poster, I really like your choices.

 

[DeterminedOne]

Downtown Disney or Boardwalk - lots to do and FREE admission.

 

[Spectroman]

I would do a character dinner and then go to DTD...me and my girlfriend will be in DTD tonight, its not that bad on a weekend.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Our first days hardly change. No matter when we arrive, we dump our stuff and put most of it away, my wife does, I live our of my suitcase. We don our suits and head to the pool for a dip and lunch. Getting our dose of resort magic, we head over to DTD, and wifey does her shopping and gawking and from the DTD bus stop we walk over to Goodings Grocery Store for our libations and supplies. Nothing beats some nice cold beers and wine by the pool at night then some cheap ones, and we purchase sandwich makings for impromptu picnics also.

We usually stay at the Poly or WL and in the evening we catch the monorail for a resort excursion ending at the CR for some game room activity. We then head out the back door to the boat dock, and over to Fort Wilderness for some pizza and beer pitchers at Trail's End until the EWP which we like to catch from the FW each. Then its back to the resort for our evening wine dip at the pool.

Nothing beats going over the day, plans for tomorrow and soaking in the sights and sounds of Disney by moonlight in the resort pool. A nice stroll around the resort, a walk into the resort lobby and gift shop and we head back to our room for a shower, and watch a DVD, we bring our portable player, till bed time. Greatest way to start a trip. We usually have an AP but we tend to do the first day this way and plan for a full day after a big breakfast the next.

 

[Glendamax]

Getting our dose of resort magic, we head over to DTD, and wifey does her shopping and gawking and from the DTD bus stop we walk over to Goodings Grocery Store for our libations and supplies.

Can you please tell me where this grocery store is? You said that it's in walking distance of the bus stop. Please let me know.

To the Original Poster: For the last few years, I like to fly to WDW after I get off of work at 8am. I usually get there late afternoon/early evening, check in, eat at the resort's restaurant, hang out at the resort, unpack and sleep. Even though I'm REALLY excited when I get there, I find that spending time at the resort, and getting alot of sleep the first day, helps me to enjoy the trip alot better.

 

[LK03]

Ever since I was a wee one my family has always done DTD the first night. I've seen the place change IMMENSELY as have the crowds as well, but I still find DTD be thee place to go the first night.

I've got my first planned, DTD to go to the Toy Store and build a Potato Head, wooot wooot!

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

what we are doing:

arrive 2pm. we will have an ADR for character meal, to get the kids in the groove! and then we will probably do some downtown disney and maybe a swim at the pool. we will give the kids a choice after dinner.

 

[Karnak]

You've got plenty of choices for that free evening, as I've read on this thread. But no one has mentioned the super Circus of the Soul show at Disney Downtown - West Side. I'd get tickets for the show, and make a dinner reservation for after (or before, depending on which showing you select), at the House of Blues.

Makes an excellent evening.

Enjoy.

 

[calgarygary]

You did not say if your tickets are length of stay or no expiry. If they are length of stay, I would suggest adding a day for a very nominal amount and spend the first evening watching Spectromagic and Wishes.

 

[adisneylife4me]

If you want to do the campfire, I would suggest going to the Hoop-Dee-Do review first. It's right at FW, and it's definitely worth it. Lots of fun for the whole family! Then end your evening at the campfire or watch the electrical parade on the beach at FW.

 

[kaabost]

Our first days hardly change. No matter when we arrive, we dump our stuff and put most of it away, my wife does, I live our of my suitcase. We don our suits and head to the pool for a dip and lunch. Getting our dose of resort magic, we head over to DTD, and wifey does her shopping and gawking and from the DTD bus stop we walk over to Goodings Grocery Store for our libations and supplies. Nothing beats some nice cold beers and wine by the pool at night then some cheap ones, and we purchase sandwich makings for impromptu picnics also.

We usually stay at the Poly or WL and in the evening we catch the monorail for a resort excursion ending at the CR for some game room activity. We then head out the back door to the boat dock, and over to Fort Wilderness for some pizza and beer pitchers at Trail's End until the EWP which we like to catch from the FW each. Then its back to the resort for our evening wine dip at the pool.

Nothing beats going over the day, plans for tomorrow and soaking in the sights and sounds of Disney by moonlight in the resort pool. A nice stroll around the resort, a walk into the resort lobby and gift shop and we head back to our room for a shower, and watch a DVD, we bring our portable player, till bed time. Greatest way to start a trip. We usually have an AP but we tend to do the first day this way and plan for a full day after a big breakfast the next.

MAN! You guys have a great first day! I'm taking notes! We usually do something like DD or check out a resort....but you guys have got the ultimate first day mapped out!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Its up Hotel Plaza Blvd, to route 535 at Crossroards. Its about a mile hike. Doable for us, we take a rolling duffle for return trip or you can get a cab at Goodings to DTD or your resort.

Some say Goodings prices are high. Well we use them, they are cheaper than a deliver service, we do not rent a car, most delivery services do not deliver alcohol, most want you present at delivery. We like to browse, pick what we want, we get stuff for impromptu picnics and evenings. They are walkable and cheaper than Disney prices. There are other places for groceries but require a car, for the money, Goodings is good enough for us.

Map quest the location and you can even up Goodings up on the web to check their prices.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

We like dinner at Ohana for our first night. It's not a character meal, but the food is great and you get a view of the castle. After dinner, you can watch the MK fireworks from the Poly beach.