What's the FIRST thing you do at WDW?

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Mar Sun 04, 2012 10:24 pm

rphillips14 wrote:Like Cy, historically we've followed that same model (main street etc. etc). However, I often am so tired and get some weird jetlag (I do not fly well) from the flight and such our first day is never as good as I imagine. However the second day forward is great as imagined as I get acclimated. So, our next trip we are toying with taking a rest day on landing day to skip the jetlag stuff. Still undecided at this point.

Sounds like you might enjoy a day relaxing at your hotel's pool or some light shopping at Downtown Disney on your arrival day.

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » Mar Mon 05, 2012 9:43 am

rphillips14 wrote:Like Cy, historically we've followed that same model (main street etc. etc). However, I often am so tired and get some weird jetlag (I do not fly well) from the flight and such our first day is never as good as I imagine. However the second day forward is great as imagined as I get acclimated. So, our next trip we are toying with taking a rest day on landing day to skip the jetlag stuff. Still undecided at this point.

Where do you normally stay?

It might be worth trying to stay at an Epcot resort if your budget allows. That way you can arrive at WDW...and just walk over to World Showcase...get something to eat and drink...and just relax. If you're staying somewhere else...you could always get a cab to the Yacht club and do the same thing...and ride Disney transportation back. DW found out on our last trip that WS is the perfect place to go when you are tired and want to relax. Besides...if you've already paid for the park ticket...why not use it?

DisneyYorkie · Post by **DisneyYorkie** » Mar Mon 05, 2012 12:14 pm

We rely heavily on The Unofficial Guide to WDW guidebook. Whatever it recommends as the best park on a given day is where we begin, depending on what day is our first "Disney" day. If we are going to Epcot, we always check our plaque out on the Epcot Memorial Plaques, then ride Spaceship Earth. If it is a MK day, we usually take that famed walk down Mainstreet then head over to Fantasyland to Space Mountain. If we start at Animal Kingdom, the Safari ride is one of the first things on our list. And, if it is a Disney Studios day, we see what the wait times are for RNR or Tower of Terror. If they are too long we will FastPass them and then go see a show.

Post by **Len90** » Mar Mon 05, 2012 11:53 pm

cy1229 wrote:Main Street USA. Nothing like walking through the gate, through the tunnel at the RR, then emerging on Main Street, smelling all the great WDW smells, seeing the castle, and knowing you're really there. After that, we just wander through the MK. It's almost mandatory, though, to start at MK.

For the most part we usually take a mid-late morning flight out and are first heading off to a park around mid-afternoon. Our dinner is usually centered around MK either in the park or at a MK monorail resort. Therefore we quickly head off to MK and walk around Main Street quickly. Nothing beats setting the tone that you're in WDW than walking into the Magic Kingdom.

Our vacations always start and end with the MK.

Belle1082 · Post by **Belle1082** » Mar Tue 06, 2012 2:14 pm

Len90 wrote:
Our vacations always start and end with the MK.

We definitely try to do the same to begin and end our trip at the Magic Kingdom. For sure our first park we go to is MK. There is nothing like a walk down Main Street to start your week of amazing fun!

sfcaguy · Post by **sfcaguy** » Mar Wed 07, 2012 12:46 am

For the last few trips, we have done the red eye from the west coast, usually arriving into Orlando around 6:30 - 8:30 in the morning. We grab the rental car, throw the suitcases in the trunk and then we're off to Magic Kingdom. Couldn't really imagine it any other way.

dwellsbct · Post by **dwellsbct** » Mar Tue 13, 2012 7:59 am

I'll be arriving tomorrow and after we are checked in we are heading over to the Fort Wilderness Campground for dinner at the Trails End restaurant. They have a great buffet that my wife and I both enjoy!

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Mar Tue 13, 2012 9:37 am

dwellsbct wrote: I'll be arriving tomorrow and after we are checked in we are heading over to the Fort Wilderness Campground for dinner at the Trails End restaurant. They have a great buffet that my wife and I both enjoy!

Yay ~ have fun!! I'd love to see some photos and opinions on your food from the Trails End restaurant as I've never been there

Sharonofwindham · Post by **Sharonofwindham** » Mar Wed 14, 2012 10:33 pm

Do a little grocery shopping at the resort store, then casually wander around the resort taking in all the sights and smells while pinching myself

Generally get to the resort in the late afternoon after a day of travel so like to relax the first eve with some dinner and a walk

rphillips14 · Post by **rphillips14** » Mar Fri 16, 2012 4:37 pm

It's funny that my wife and I have completely different reactions to our first day. As I said, I have a weird "jet-lag" reaction on day 1 while my wife is just estatic!! I try to be like her but I'm one of those people who cannot act and my wife knows it. As I said, day #2 forward is GREAT!!

SorcererDonald16 · Post by **SorcererDonald16** » Mar Sat 17, 2012 4:12 am

We drive to WDW, and we split the trip into two days (first day we drive about 10 hours; second day roughly 5-6, depending on traffic, plus we usually stop for a bit in Daytona).

We don't actually get to the WDW area until (usually) around 6pm, so we don't mess with the parks the first day. So I have a lot of different "firsts" on my first day of vacation.

The last few years we've stopped by the Character Premiere outlet store in the mall near DTD. Then we pop in a store or two at DTD and usually we eat at Earl of Sandwich for dinner before heading to WL. Last year we made the mistake of going to WL first to check in and get luggage straightened out; the line was so slow and then the computers acted up when it was our turn. It took so long that by the time we got back to DTD, all that was still open was Planet Hollywood.

At WL, we get checked in, go to our room, then head back downstairs to check out the gift shop and get our refillable mugs from Roaring Forks. We see Electrical Water Pageant if we have time.

In terms of the parks, we've started all but one trip in recent years off at Hollywood Studios. Grab a Toy Story Mania FastPass and then go find a couple things to do before lunch at HBD. Varies year to year based on the time we get there (usually no earlier than 11am because we're worn out from traveling).

Last year the first thing I actually did in DHS (aside from try to "see" the grand reopening ceremony for Star Tours; I needed to be a lot taller to see anything

) was looking through One Man's Dream and watching the movie. If I go back again this year, I may start making that a tradition. It's interesting, and since I have never made it out to DLR or CA in general, I feel like it is a way to pay my respects to Walt.

eccpBanana · Post by **eccpBanana** » Mar Sat 17, 2012 11:24 am

We always start our trips by going to EPCOT for the night and taking in the World Showcase. We think it is the best park to be in at night and with Illuminations you can't beat it.

It's also a great place to eat cause we never know how hungry we will be so we can just pick up little things from the countries as we go around.

momeja · Post by **momeja** » Mar Sun 18, 2012 10:47 am

Wizzard419 wrote:It mostly depends on when you arrive, I would imagine. Since I lose a day in travel, I end up going to dinner and after that I crash and then go to epcot the next day.

It's a rare moment when the Wizzard and I agree.

We come from the west, too, so it's usually a good dinner for us and bed. Next day is whatever park we think is green.

DemonOfMusic wrote:I usually arrive around 10 in the morning, so I go to the hotel room, change, and get to Epcot as soon as humanly possible!! My first ride is always Spaceship Earth

DemonOfMusic, I love this answer! If we came from nearer and didn't lose a day traveling, SSE would be our first destination. I think beginning the trip with SSE is a practically perfect idea in every way.

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Mar Sun 18, 2012 10:50 am

momeja wrote:....Next day is whatever park we think is green.

Green???

momeja · Post by **momeja** » Mar Sun 18, 2012 10:55 am

Amy wrote:
momeja wrote:....Next day is whatever park we think is green.
Green???

Our own word for the park we think will be the least crowded that day. Green means go!

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