Arrival days can be long and stressful. You may have had a long day driving in the car and dealing with traffic and directions. Or your day may have started really early to get to the airport for your flight to Orlando. You may also arrive later in the afternoon and burning a full day park ticket isn’t the best use of your vacation dollars. We have a few suggestions to get your vacation started without even going into a park.
Disney Springs
This is a great way to start your vacation! Take the bus from your resort to Disney Springs, have a walk around to look at the shops, and get dinner before heading back to your resort. It’s best to have an early evening so you’re settled back in your room to get a decent night’s sleep before hitting the parks the next day.
Great Table Service Option: Raglan Road. The Irish pub has a great menu, live music and dancing, and is fun for the whole family.
Great Quick Service Options: Polite Pig has great BBQ options, Blaze Pizza has made to order personal size pizzas. Deluxe Burger, Wolfgang Puck Express, and Earl of Sandwich are all solid options as well.
World Of Disney: This is a great time to check out any new merchandise in the shop so you start looking for your favorite souvenir from your trip.
Check Out Your Resort
This is a great first night activity – Walk around your resort, swim in the pool, find the bus stop and the fastest way to get coffee in the morning if that’s a priority! Sometimes during our vacations, we don’t leave enough time to spend at the pool so starting your vacation there can be fun for the kids while the adults can relax.
Monorail Hop
If you’re staying at a resort that’s on the monorail line near the Magic Kingdom, take some time to check out the other resorts in the area. (If you’re not staying in one of these resorts, take a bus from your resort to the Magic Kingdom and then hop on the monorail. You will need to go through security before getting on the monorail.)
Skyliner Hop
If you’re staying at one of the resorts that has access to the Skyliner, hop on and check out another resort on the line. (If you’re not staying at one of those resorts, take a bus from your resort to Hollywood Studios.)
Have Dinner At Another Resort
Popular picks are Chef Mickey’s – Bonus you get to start your trip by meeting Mickey and his friends (and may save you some park time standing in line to meet them later in your trip!). Another favorite is Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Ft. Wilderness.
Let us know! Share your favorite ways to start your trip without going to a park on our Facebook page, and be sure to follow us on Instagram (@ears4youpodcast) as well.
Want to hear more? Be sure to check out Episode #23 – “Scary Rides, Ease You Into the Magic and a GAME”
