Arrival Day..... What Would You Do?

[AngieInOH]

We’ll be arriving at the airport at 1:30 on Sat, Jan 16 (MLK weekend). My first thought is to go to MK in the evening, get FP for 7Dwarf, Spectro, and Wishes. I’m thinking with the huge crowd those FP will be beneficial and I’m not really wanting to do a lot of rides. I only want to do this because we won’t be spending a full day in MK until Tuesday. It’s just doesn’t feel like Disney until you see the Castle! We’ll also be in MK a full day on Thursday.

So would you fight the crowds in MK or do something different? Downtown Disney or just stay at the resort AOA?

Also what time would you do the 7Dwarf FP if we go to MK?

 

[ErinsMommy]

MK is always our first park - as you said, nothing like seeing the castle as the first stop.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We always go to Epcot on our arrival day and walk around World Showcase as sort of a wind down from a day of traveling.

 

[MataHari22]

These days, I relax on arrival day because I am too exhausted to do anything else, but when I was healthier, I would totally go to MK on my arrival day. Especially with FP+ , because you know you will have those 3 things locked in. Lots of people feel they have to start off their trip at MK. I say go for it if it's what you want to do.

 

[darkwing818]

We usually get in 3:00 around on first day (we drive), so first we get settled in our room. Then we almost always head to Downtown Disney for shopping & dinner. However if we staying at the BC, YC or Boardwalk resorts then we hang out by the pool for a bit & then have supper at the resort.
But that's us, we're usually whipped after driving, so going to a park doesn't work for us. If we're in the Boardwalk area we will watch the fireworks from the lagoon, with a Beaches & Cream Sundae.

 

[Kalliope]

We always go to MK on arrival day.

 

[Flamingeaux]

We used to go to DtD our first night after our 10.5 hour drive from LA. Lately we have been going to MK and pretty much doing what you suggested. I have been debated if I want to get FPs for the parade and Wishes. Are they worth getting?

 

[Hootch]

We drove and arrived around 3:00 PM this past trip. In the park around 4:30. We made our FPs for Space, Seven Dwarves and BTMRR. These were made later in the evening in case we had traffic issues. (And we like BTMRR at night.)

We only had four and a half days in the parks with one day split between Typhoon Lagoon and DTD. We wanted to spend as much time as possible in the parks. This trip included two nights at Universal and two nights at the beach.

It was great to have the first day to be so simple.

 

[AngieInOH]

We used to go to DtD our first night after our 10.5 hour drive from LA. Lately we have been going to MK and pretty much doing what you suggested. I have been debated if I want to get FPs for the parade and Wishes. Are they worth getting?

I don't think I'd typically use FP for Wishes and Spectro but...... since that's the only thing that I really want to do that night and we'll have 2 more days in MK to do FP I think it will work best for us. I won't feel so rushed in order for us to get good spots.

 

[AngieInOH]

What time would be best for a 7dwarf FP? Right now Spectro is at 9:00 and Wishes at 10:00.

 

[mattchu758]

It's been tradition for my family to always go to Magic Kingdom the firs day we are there. But we always get an early AM flight and are in the park at 1-2pm. So its up to you if you want to spend the money on a ticket that day

 

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

We went this year for MLK week and arrived on the Saturday. Since we were able to get a BOG reservation for the first night, we planned FP+ at MK before our meal, otherwise, we would not usually go to the MK on a Saturday, especially on a holiday weekend. Now, since we had been to the parks at the same time of year before, we were expecting some crowds, but nothing like we encountered. After check-in, we headed to the MK and were only able to hit the rides for which we had FP+. The lines were too long for our liking to wait for anything else (nothing less than 45 minutes with headliners being more than 60 minutes). Even getting around the park was difficult with the amount of people. But, if you are okay with hitting only the rides you make FP+ for and are going in aware that the crowds will be heavier, you should be okay.

If I had it to do again, I would wait to hit the MK on a Saturday over MLK weekend, but that's me.

 

[AngieInOH]

We went this year for MLK week and arrived on the Saturday. Since we were able to get a BOG reservation for the first night, we planned FP+ at MK before our meal, otherwise, we would not usually go to the MK on a Saturday, especially on a holiday weekend. Now, since we had been to the parks at the same time of year before, we were expecting some crowds, but nothing like we encountered. After check-in, we headed to the MK and were only able to hit the rides for which we had FP+. The lines were too long for our liking to wait for anything else (nothing less than 45 minutes with headliners being more than 60 minutes). Even getting around the park was difficult with the amount of people. But, if you are okay with hitting only the rides you make FP+ for and are going in aware that the crowds will be heavier, you should be okay.

If I had it to do again, I would wait to hit the MK on a Saturday over MLK weekend, but that's me.

Thank you for the warning!! I figured it would be packed, that's why I'm thinking FP for Spectro and Wishes. That's really all I want to do that night. FP for 7Dwarfs is just a bonus.

 

[minnie mum]

Your priority will be for the parade and Wishes FPs first. Just take whatever SDMT FP is available before the parade.

 

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

Just to add, I was able to get a FP+ for 7DMT on that day as well as Space Mountain and Big Thunder. I did make them as soon as my 60-day window opened, but I was happy to be able to ride at least those three rides on our first day!

 

[Cee]

On arrival, we check-in, get the lay of the land at our resort, buy our sundries, get a cocktail and a few appetizers and a good night's sleep so our first full day is enjoyed immensely. Plus, I love that arrival day the best because the whole trip is in front of me and I just want to savor that feeling for as long as I can.

 

[keepswimming76]

We arrived at around the same time once when staying during Christmas time. We headed right to the MK and while it was crowded, it was nice to just casually take it all in on arrival day. We did a few rides, watched the castle lighting and had dinner. We were back in the room before 10 and had plenty of time for a good rest before starting our next day.

 

[Harlon]

I like your plan. We would maybe do the same thing. Get over to the park, ride the new ride (7DMT). Then - there's so much magic in the castle show and Wishes! Can't think of a better way to start your trip. In fact it's the way we start and end our trips! Here's what I would do (because I've done it). I'd get a FP+ for Electrical Parade, but NOT Wishes. Once the parade ends, you are in perfect position (will be able to slide up a bit if you want) and see a perfect view of both Celebrate The Magic, followed by Wishes. The Wishes FP+ will move you to the side of the castle, and to me Wishes, without the perfect framing of the castle, is not quite the same. Just my suggestions. FYI - it has been a year and a half since we did the parade/ Wishes FP - so if anything has changed hopefully someone will chime in. Regardless of crowds or where you wind up, I hope you have a magical trip!! Robo has some maps that will help you. Robo????

 

[Meriweather]

We arrive that weekend too! But on Sunday.............and we don't land until around 4-5, so usually just go check in and get settled in the room and go downtown for dinner and get our AP vouchers turned in.
Arriving as early as you are, I still would not go to MK on a holiday weekend evening......too crowded for my liking.
Have fun whatever you do!

 

[ChelleFeegan]

We swim. We are due to arrive about 6pm to CSR, and would have been on the go since 8am UK time, so 3am US time. We are never up for much other than a trip to walmart for supplies, unpacking and putting our swimming costumes on. We swim. We have something to eat and we fall into bed about 10, exhausted and delirious... to wake up about 5am, usually to me shouting "here we go...."