Welcome to those of you joining me from Growing Up Disney and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 2nd stop on our Magical Blogorail.
You know, I’ve had a little bit of trouble trying to think about what my Disney arrival strategy really is, because to be honest, it really varies each and every time we visit. For many of my friends, they have a set thing (or things!) they do when they arrive at Walt Disney World, but for us, it truly varies. I guess the only thing that we really do each and every time is go to our resort…although, even still, there are still times we are not able to go to our room yet!
When we arrived in Los Angeles to go to Disneyland in June, we were so excited! We took the bus to our rental car location because we were driving some, we got the car, we had practically no traffic on the 5 to get to our resort, and we parked and entered the lobby of our wonderful home resort! 30 minutes later, we picked our jaw up off the floor — well, maybe I exaggerate just a bit — and we proceeded to check-in. We had a wonderful Cast Member who catered to our every whim — she got us special buttons, she gave us extra maps so I could send some off to my friend, she gave us special photos for us to keep as mementos, the only thing she couldn’t do was assign us our room number, because it was still being cleaned. Since it was something on the order of 11:00 AM or so when we were there, we totally understood. We checked our bags, went to get some lunch, seeing as how it was after 2PM our time, and then, we decided to find a store to purchase a few things we would need.
However, when we were blessed to be able to go to Walt Disney World the next month, and we arrived at the Grand Floridian (I know, I can’t believe I stayed at the two flagship resorts in consecutive months!) we got to our room, dropped our luggage in our room, snapped some photos, and then went to Epcot to purchase our DVC Annual Passes. So, in that instance, we just got a jump on our fun right then!
Other times, we have unloaded our stuff, organized our groceries, and then went to the Magic Kingdom to ride my niece’s favorite ride (at the time) — the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups!
One time, we checked our bags because our room wasn’t ready, we were going to go straight over to the Magic Kingdom, and while others were in the rest-room, I saw the DVC table, started talking with the Cast Member there, and we decided to do a DVC tour — and that was the day that we purchased our DVC membership!
So, as I was saying, we really have no rhyme or reason for how we approach our arrival day at Walt Disney World or Disneyland. It just always seems to vary. Regardless of what we do, though, rest assured of one very important point that I’m going to leave you with…no matter what we do, we are immersed in the Disney vacation that we are having, and that, my friends, more than makes up for any one thing that we do. We could be playing tiddlywinks, but as long as we were at Disney, it would be a fine time had by all!
Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Disney Donna Kay.
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ Growing Up Disney
2nd Stop ~ My Dreams of Disney
3rd Stop ~ Disney Donna Kay
4th Stop ~ Heidi’s Head
Final Stop ~ A World View
I agree, Mike – it doesn’t really matter WHAT YOU DO at Disney – what matters most is that you’re there! Great thoughts today!
Thanks, Heidi! I loved your post too, thanks for commenting and joining in with the Red Loopers! :)
Last year we just relaxed a bit at the hotel after check in, this year though we’ll attempt to do dinner reservations at the resort and head over to MK for a little bit in the evening. I’m excited!
I’m excited for you, Laurie! You’ll get to see all of Walt Disney World done up in it’s Christmas splendor! Enjoy that, and take lots of photos!
Great post Mike! I agree as long as we’re at Disney it doesn’t matter what we do. It’s a magical day!
Thanks, Deb! I’m glad that great minds think alike! ;)
We usually visit Magic Kingdom on our first day. This year, we will be heading to Epcot for the Candlelight Processional instead. I can’t wait…2 weeks and 6 days! Thank you for a great post, Mike!
Lately, we have been driving and getting there around 4 pm. For some reson a dip in the pool always sounds nice.
Our arrival plans always change, too – so many times we’re there for races so our day begins with the Race Expo
I totally understand! Each trip is so different as to what we do first! It really depends on the time of day we arrive as to what we do first! great post!
Wait- you had no traffic on the I-5?? Are you sure you were in the right Southern California?
Never really got the hang of tiddlywinks, but I understand and fully agree… as long as we are at Disney, it will be a fine time had by all no matter what we’re doing on any day!
I also have a different strategy each time. Unfortunately, our arrivals are all different times and even travel dates are worked around when the airfare is best. Early am arrival, I am more likely to take a little time to chill out before hitting a park because I am tired. I also never plan any breakfast Adr for the day after arrival because I most likely will be slow moving lol
It’s so hard to decide!
Great post! We never do the same thing twice, either. We are so caught up in the moment of being at WDW that we could care less…as long as we are there. LOL! We have taken the DVC tour, too, and have considered buying in to it, but just haven’t made the jump yet. :)
Great post, but I think I am stil stuck at two flagship resorts in two months! I think I must have missed the second one. How wonderful! Our arrival day varies alot too…sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. That’s just the way it goes with little ones. :)