Which to do 1st night to ease in....

[mommyintn]

We are driving down from TN on a Friday staying in Valdosta and then heading into Orlando on Saturday morning. We won't be able to get into our townhouse until 3pm what is a good thing to do to ease into Disney that 1st day? We aren't going to start the parks until Sunday. Would it be fun to go to Downtown Disney or Disney Boardwalk? Maybe rent a paddle boat? We have two DS ages 6 & 3. What would you do (besides the parks )

 

[ZanneMarie]

I would say go to Downtown Disney and look around/shop until you can get into your townhouse. Then to further 'get in the mood' do a charecter meal for dinner at one of the resorts. You won't have to use a park pass but will start meeting your 'friends'! We did this same thing when we went down last spring---Downtown Disney until we could check in and then Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary for dinner.

 

[staci]

I agree with the above poster. Do a character meal at a resort, like Chef Mickeys. We did CM on our last trip on the last night, and it was great. Your kids are at the perfect age too.

 

[southjerseymom]

Another vote for Chef Mickey's. What a great way to start the magic. We also found that the 2x we were there with our small kiddles that it was the only time we really had a relaxing dinner. Even with all the "energy" going on - your kids will be entertained and have a blast. An added bonus is they will be ready to do the rides the next day because they have already met their "friends". Have a great time. (PS the only thing in DTD that my 2 and 4 yo liked was the Lego's - other than that my family are not big shoppers for stuff sold there. Relax and have an early dinner at Chef Mickey's and you will be good to go)

 

[Eirian Thomas]

Can anybody clarify, we went to Chef Mickey last year (brilliant place,) to go there again without going to Magic Kingdom we will have to pay parking wont we?
We did all the disney parks year, and this time we are only planning to do Universal and everything else, back to disney another time!
Thank you.

 

[dbertola]

We also like to do Chef Mickey's are first night. You will not have to pay for parking. When you get to the gate at the parking lot you just tell them you are there for dinner and they will look up your name. I think they give you a parking pass good for 3 hours.

 

[dcgrumpy]

We also like to do Chef Mickey's are first night. You will not have to pay for parking. When you get to the gate at the parking lot you just tell them you are there for dinner and they will look up your name. I think they give you a parking pass good for 3 hours.

Are you talking about the CR parking lot or the TTC parking attendant?

 

[overplanner]

we do downtown disney and always have first nights dinner at whispering canyon. it's the most fun and waiters paly tricks and games like the ketchup game. dd loves the bottomless milkshakes there. pin trading at the allstar sports thursday nights at 7 are a great way for kids to start trading pins. it's for kids 10 and under.

 

[dbertola]

Are you talking about the CR parking lot or the TTC parking attendant?

At the CR parking lot, but if they ask you at TTC you just tell them you have dinner reservations and they let you through.

 

[Schucraig]

we enjoyed going mini golfing when we got to disney. My kids are 2 & 6 and when we wnt it was quiet and we had a great time! We also did Downtown Disney which is always fun!

 

[Tiffanie]

Another vote for Chef Mickey's! It is our first nite tradition. We start all our trips off with this dinner. Gets everyone in the mood for a great trip!

 

[BostonRob]

I agree with the Chef Mickey's idea. And if you have a couple extra hours, you should rent a boat from the Contemporary marina and cruise around the seven seas lagoon - you can actually get pretty close to the MK. Nice to take a peek before you get in.

One word about Chef Mickey's. Make your PR reservations early - we went in May last year and I couldn't get a reasonable seating when I called about 6 weeks out - all they had available was like and later 7:45 - no good for young children.

 

[LadyJanel]

You can also do the movie and campfire at Fort Wilderness with dinner at Trail's End. Stay a little later and watch the light parade on the water.

 

[mommyintn]

These are all awesome ideas! I had already booked our final night dinner at Chef Mickeys kind of as a send off finale of our week there. The things at Fort Wilderness do you need to be a guest there to participate?

 

[loribell]

Dinner at Chef Mickey's. That is how we always start our trips!

Lori