1st day- no park tickets- what to do? - The DIS Discussion Forums

Jen76b · 10-03-2012, 10:30 AM

My sister and I are going to be in DW at the end of October to celebrate her 40th birthday. We're leaving the husbands and kids at home, so it's just the 2 of us. I'm so excited!!

We're arriving on Friday, Oct 26th. We should be at our hotel (on property) by 1pm. We have reservations at the House Blues at 7pm. Since we don't have park tickets for our first day, what would be a great way to kick off our vacation?

This will be my 7th visit, but only her 2nd visit (and her 1st time was for business, so she didn't really see much).

I'd love to make this already special visit even more awesome.

Thanks,
Jen

Luuvebugg · 10-03-2012, 11:18 AM

Walk around resort, they are all so beautiful..go to Downtown DIsney (no tix needed!), grab lunch, maybe a boat ride there, shopping..or make it a pool day.

Brocktoon · 10-03-2012, 11:21 AM

I've had a similar situation on arrival day the past few trips. Although we have park tickets, we usually stay out of the parks on arrival day and make dinner reservations at Raglan Road or somewhere else in DTD.

Are there any resorts you'd want to check out during the day and stroll around? Head to DTD Disney early before dinner and check out the Characters in Flight Balloon? Maybe head over to the boardwalk for a few hours?

I think this year I want to check out the new Art of Animation resort for a bit before wandering around DTD, and then on to our Raglan reservations.

WDWGeek1971 · 10-04-2012, 09:32 PM

I just got back from a solo trip. I spent a few hours checking out the new Art of Animation resort. It's easy enough to catch a bus to/from DTD since you want to end up there for dinner. It was nice just to walk around and take pictures. There was a lot to see! Nice snack option would be a scoop of gelato at the Landscape of Flavors food court. Give you an excuse to look around there, too.

DakotaRose · 10-04-2012, 10:04 PM

I really enjoyed the boat rides. Used them to explore WL and
Poly from MK. Also took boat from HS to stroll around Boardwalk and Swan.

travelin' tigger · 10-05-2012, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen76b

Since we don't have park tickets for our first day, what would be a great way to kick off our vacation?

One of the things I'm going to do this trip is a game of mini-golf with my brother. In all the years I have been going to WDW I've never done this!

Enjoy!!!

ludari · 10-05-2012, 10:53 AM

There is plenty to do especially since you are staying on property. You can always go to Downtown Disney or just hang around the resort. On one of my earliest visits to WDW my friend took me on a tour of nearly all the on-property resorts. We traveled by bus, boat and monorail with stops for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I told my friend recently that we need to do that again because it was so much fun.

Jen76b · 10-05-2012, 04:49 PM

Thanks for all suggestions!

Since we have dinners ressies at 7p in DTD, we'll hang out and shop there afterwards.

I have 3 options for her to choose from for during the day:

-hang out at our hotel and explore the property, go to the pool and have QS lunch there.

-Check out Art of Animation and QS lunch there.

-Go to the Boardwalk, pizza on the Boardwalk, pool time (clown slide at the Inn)

While doing research, I didn't realize how much there was to do at Fort Wilderness. I planned several hours to spend exploring there on our last day. She LOVES the outdoors, so she'll love just walking around and looking for wildlife. Plus who wouldn't love ending the day with a s'more?

Thanks again for all your help! Can't believe we'll be in Disney in 3 weeks!

Jen

vlproud · 10-22-2012, 08:38 AM

You could plan a spa afternoon if you would like a scheduled activity. That way you start off your vacation on a relaxing note. You could also go shopping at Downtown Disney. You could get on the monorail and tour the resorts at each stop if you don't want to spend money. The boardwalk also provides a nice relaxing walk.

Cheshire Figment · 10-22-2012, 12:43 PM

Why not go to a Park? It only costs $10.65 (including tax) to add a day to a MYW ticket that is for five or more days.

If you go to the locked sticky Everything About WDW Tickets in the TPA&S Forum, especially Post #6, you can get a lot more information. An easy way to get to the sticky is by clicking on the link in my signature. The ticket sticky is your friend!

Also, if you have a package starting on October 28, 29, or 30 check Post #15-I about picking up your tickets early.

meremac · 10-22-2012, 12:50 PM

Personally, I love spending time on the Boardwalk. It's so simple and relaxing; it just reminds me of summer vacations that my family used to take when my brother and I were young. I'd vote for that option, especially on your arrival day (when you're likely to be frazzled from traveling).

MrsDuck · 10-22-2012, 02:17 PM

We usually resort hop and hit DTD for some shopping!

monica9 · 10-22-2012, 03:32 PM

We are going to visit downtown disney and grab dinner there and then go walk on the boardwalk and visit those surrounding resorts.

DVC Kelly · 10-24-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monica9

We are going to visit downtown disney and grab dinner there and then go walk on the boardwalk and visit those surrounding resorts.

I love walking around the Boardwalk and watching the live performers. They always make me laugh

Chaoticsweetness · 11-15-2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen76b

My sister and I are going to be in DW at the end of October to celebrate her 40th birthday. We're leaving the husbands and kids at home, so it's just the 2 of us. I'm so excited!!

We're arriving on Friday, Oct 26th. We should be at our hotel (on property) by 1pm. We have reservations at the House Blues at 7pm. Since we don't have park tickets for our first day, what would be a great way to kick off our vacation?

This will be my 7th visit, but only her 2nd visit (and her 1st time was for business, so she didn't really see much).

I'd love to make this already special visit even more awesome.

Thanks,
Jen

Head to DTD & do some shopping or window shop. I love the stores there, I can spend hours in World of Disney. Ghirardelli is an awesome place to visit if you like chocolate, they give you a free piece when you visit the gift shop.

Edit: didn't realize the date on here. Let us know how you started your trip!

10-03-2012, 11:18 AM	#2
Luuvebugg Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 39	Walk around resort, they are all so beautiful..go to Downtown DIsney (no tix needed!), grab lunch, maybe a boat ride there, shopping..or make it a pool day. __________________ Bugg.. :..mommy to lil Bugg. July 1999 - Wilderness Lodge - Honeymoon Oct 2004 - Caribbean Beach - 5th wedding anniversary Oct 2006 - Port Orleans French Quarter - Our daughters first trip to DISNEY!! December 2007 - Staying off site for first time - going to see Christmas time at Disney!! February 2009 - Caribbean Beach - SURPRISE trip for my daughter!! February 2010 - All Star Movies - Going to a wedding....and making a vacation out if it... May/June 2011 - Port Orleans Riverside - 10 days of pure fun!! October 2012 - Caribbean Beach - Another surprise trip for my daughter!!

10-03-2012, 11:21 AM	#3
Brocktoon 21st Century Schizoid Man Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philly 'Burbs Posts: 1,373	I've had a similar situation on arrival day the past few trips. Although we have park tickets, we usually stay out of the parks on arrival day and make dinner reservations at Raglan Road or somewhere else in DTD. Are there any resorts you'd want to check out during the day and stroll around? Head to DTD Disney early before dinner and check out the Characters in Flight Balloon? Maybe head over to the boardwalk for a few hours? I think this year I want to check out the new Art of Animation resort for a bit before wandering around DTD, and then on to our Raglan reservations. __________________ If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice - Neil Peart

10-04-2012, 09:32 PM	#4
WDWGeek1971 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 102	Spending a day outside the parks I just got back from a solo trip. I spent a few hours checking out the new Art of Animation resort. It's easy enough to catch a bus to/from DTD since you want to end up there for dinner. It was nice just to walk around and take pictures. There was a lot to see! Nice snack option would be a scoop of gelato at the Landscape of Flavors food court. Give you an excuse to look around there, too. __________________ WDWGeek1971 a.k.a. elsewhere as FigmentRules First Visit: December 1971 Most Recent Visits: Oct/Nov 2010, Jan 2011, Feb 2011, May 2011, July 2011, Oct 2011, Nov 2011, Dec 2011, Feb 2012, May 2012, Aug 2012, Sept/Oct 2012, Nov 2012, Dec 2012, Mar 2013 Next Visits: May 2013 (pulling an all nighter!), Oct 2013, Dec 2013 First Cruise: September 2014 Cool Stuff I did at WDW in 2011-12: Dined at the Chef's Table at Victoria and Albert's, Experienced the "Wild Africa Trek" at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Star Wars Weekends and Star Tours 2.0, Heart of Florida United Way Chef's Gala at Epcot (2011, 2012), F&W Signature Events: Italian White Truffle Lunch at Tutto Italia (2011 & 2012, and the Bocuse Dinner at Bistro de Paris in 2011 (wow), AND gotta love the Disney 3D Dessert Party, 2010, 2011, 2012! All time best, "Another Disney Day" Leap Day 2012.

10-04-2012, 10:04 PM	#5
DakotaRose Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South Dakota Posts: 250	I really enjoyed the boat rides. Used them to explore WL and Poly from MK. Also took boat from HS to stroll around Boardwalk and Swan. __________________

10-05-2012, 10:53 AM	#7
ludari DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,468	There is plenty to do especially since you are staying on property. You can always go to Downtown Disney or just hang around the resort. On one of my earliest visits to WDW my friend took me on a tour of nearly all the on-property resorts. We traveled by bus, boat and monorail with stops for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I told my friend recently that we need to do that again because it was so much fun. __________________ Premier Annual Pass Holder. DVC Member - March 2011 DLR - Too many times to count; Tokyo Disneyland-Aug 1986; DCL Magic Westbound Transatlantic Cruise-Sept 2010; DCL Wonder Cruise to Nowhere-Jan 2011; DCL Wonder Mexican Rivera Cruise-Jan 2011; Princess Half Marathon-Feb 2011; DLR Half Marathon & 5K-Sept 2011; DCL Wonder Repositioning Cruise-Sept 2011; Wine&Dine Half Marathon-Oct 2011; WDW Half Marathon & 5K-Jan 2012; Tinker Bell Half Marathon & 5K-Jan 2012; Princess Half Marathon & 5K-Feb 2012; DCL Fantasy Maiden Cruise-Mar 2012; Expedition Everest Challenge-May 2012; DLR Half Marathon-Sept 2012; Disney/Pixar Wonder Cruise-Sept 2012; Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler and 5K-Sept 2012; Wine&Dine Half Marathon & 5K-Nov 2012; Goofy Challenge & 5K-Jan 2013; DLR Tinker Bell Half Marathon & 5K-Jan 2013; Disney Aulani Resort-May 2013; Dumbo Double Dare-Sept 2013; Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler-Oct 2013; Wine&Dine Half Marathon-Nov 2013; Dopey Challenge-Jan 2014; DCL Wonder Cruise to Nowhere-May 2014; DCL Wonder Reposition Cruise-May 2014; DCL Magic Westbound Transatlantic Cruise-Sept 2014

10-03-2012, 10:30 AM	#1
Jen76b Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 273	1st day- no park tickets- what to do? My sister and I are going to be in DW at the end of October to celebrate her 40th birthday. We're leaving the husbands and kids at home, so it's just the 2 of us. I'm so excited!! We're arriving on Friday, Oct 26th. We should be at our hotel (on property) by 1pm. We have reservations at the House Blues at 7pm. Since we don't have park tickets for our first day, what would be a great way to kick off our vacation? This will be my 7th visit, but only her 2nd visit (and her 1st time was for business, so she didn't really see much). I'd love to make this already special visit even more awesome. Thanks, Jen __________________ Sept 2003 First trip to WDW- offsite June 2004 CBR June 2006 3 days @ AK & 4 days on the Wonder Aug 2007 3 days @ Poly & 4 days on the Wonder Dec 2008 -offsite Nov 2011- offsite Oct 2012- PO-Riverside

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10-05-2012, 04:49 PM	#8
Jen76b Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 273	Thanks for all suggestions! Since we have dinners ressies at 7p in DTD, we'll hang out and shop there afterwards. I have 3 options for her to choose from for during the day: -hang out at our hotel and explore the property, go to the pool and have QS lunch there. -Check out Art of Animation and QS lunch there. -Go to the Boardwalk, pizza on the Boardwalk, pool time (clown slide at the Inn) While doing research, I didn't realize how much there was to do at Fort Wilderness. I planned several hours to spend exploring there on our last day. She LOVES the outdoors, so she'll love just walking around and looking for wildlife. Plus who wouldn't love ending the day with a s'more? Thanks again for all your help! Can't believe we'll be in Disney in 3 weeks! Jen __________________ Sept 2003 First trip to WDW- offsite June 2004 CBR June 2006 3 days @ AK & 4 days on the Wonder Aug 2007 3 days @ Poly & 4 days on the Wonder Dec 2008 -offsite Nov 2011- offsite Oct 2012- PO-Riverside

10-22-2012, 08:38 AM	#9
vlproud Earning My Ears Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 7	You could plan a spa afternoon if you would like a scheduled activity. That way you start off your vacation on a relaxing note. You could also go shopping at Downtown Disney. You could get on the monorail and tour the resorts at each stop if you don't want to spend money. The boardwalk also provides a nice relaxing walk.

10-22-2012, 12:43 PM	#10
Cheshire Figment Friend of Figment Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Poinciana, FL (20 miles to WDW) Posts: 36,647	Why not go to a Park? It only costs $10.65 (including tax) to add a day to a MYW ticket that is for five or more days. If you go to the locked sticky Everything About WDW Tickets in the TPA&S Forum, especially Post #6, you can get a lot more information. An easy way to get to the sticky is by clicking on the link in my signature. The ticket sticky is your friend! Also, if you have a package starting on October 28, 29, or 30 check Post #15-I about picking up your tickets early. __________________ 41 WDW Stays Totalling 321 nights between 1987 and mid-2003. Animal Kingdom Lodge; All Stars(2); Beach Club; Boardwalk Inn; Caribbean Beach (9); Contemporary Tower (13); Courtyard (2); Disney Institute; Dixie Landings; Grand Floridian; Grosvenor; Hilton; Old Key West; Polynesian; Port Orleans; Royal Plaza; Shades of Green; Wilderness Lodge; Marriott World Center (3); Other Off-Property (Other Than just 1st or last Night) (8). Now Working Part Time at Walt Disney World! (Guest Services/Ticket Sales/Turnstile Greeter) A few very helpful links which are on DisBoards: Everything About WDW Tickets and this one disABILITIES FAQs

10-22-2012, 12:50 PM	#11
meremac Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 16	Personally, I love spending time on the Boardwalk. It's so simple and relaxing; it just reminds me of summer vacations that my family used to take when my brother and I were young. I'd vote for that option, especially on your arrival day (when you're likely to be frazzled from traveling). __________________ Meredith

10-22-2012, 02:17 PM	#12
MrsDuck Daisy Duck lover! <3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 3,725	We usually resort hop and hit DTD for some shopping! __________________ Faith DVC Owners Since 2010 Our Swan and Dolphin Wedding!

10-22-2012, 03:32 PM	#13
monica9 Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 369	We are going to visit downtown disney and grab dinner there and then go walk on the boardwalk and visit those surrounding resorts. __________________ Disney as a child: '82 CR,'84, CR,'85 CR,'87 CR,'88 CR,'89 CR....Disney as an adult: '03 off property, '04 off property, '10 1 day off cruise, '11 CBR (DD first trip!), [COLOR="SeaGreen"] 2012 WL, 2013 September 22 Disney Dream and 3 nights WDW DH(38) Me(32) DD(4)

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