What to do, what to do??
Okay, so my family (Me, DH and 2 DDs ages 3 and 1) arrives at WDW at 8:15am on the first day of our trip (April 4th). We're going with a large group, but they won't be in until noon or so. Anyone have any ideas of what we should do with our time? We want to wait for our group to head to the parks.
We're going to be super-tired from our red-eye from the West Coast, so I want to make sure we have an activity to keep us moving and awake.
I was thinking maybe character breakfast -- but that's won't take the full 4 hours. We might start with that, though.
Thanks!
Just out of curiosity, is your desire to NOT go to the parks until the rest of your party arrives written in stone? Are you just getting base tickets, no park hopping? Do you feel it's "not fair" to go to the parks without everyone else?
The only reason I'm asking is because, imho, going to one of the parks with just your family, without the rest of your party, even if only for a few hours, could be a very nice and sweet memory. The flip side is that, if you're jet-lagged, you're not gonna have fun no matter what you do (fingers crossed that won't be the case).
My various versions of 2 cents: First, see if you can check-in early. There's a possibility (however slim) that a room may be available, even at that early hour (has happened for us a few times). If it is, get an opportunity to at least catch a cat nap, freshen up, etc.
As others have said, the AK Lodge is pretty nifty, and you may want to just explore the grounds, take a swim, and especially animal-watch. If that's what you decide to do, consider making reservations for breakfast at Boma. Eat hearty (it's a buffet, but a very good one), then go poolside or to an animal-watching perch.
Now, let's assume, for the moment, you already have plans to spend some serious quality time at the hotel with the rest of your party later on, you're too excited to sleep even if your room IS available, AND you happen to have a rental car (don't know if you will). Consider exploring one of the other resorts. Make breakfast reservations at a monorail resort, then after breakfast, hop from resort to resort on the monorail, teasing yourself by being SO CLOSE to the Magic Kingdom.
Or make reservations for the Cape May Breakfast Buffet at the Beach Club resort, which will also afford you the chance to explore there, the Yacht Club, the Boardwalk, even the Swan and Dolphin, all within walking distance to each other.
NOW, we go back to my original point. Namely, if you have park hopper passes, then why not give your family the opportunity to have a special morning independent of the rest of your group? I'd suggest the actual Animal Kingdom, but don't worry too much about rides; take the time to just explore the opening Discovery Island portion, and the walk through animal exhibits, maybe the Kilamanjaro Safari. As others have stated, the hotter the day gets, the less likely the animals will be fully out and about, so getting there early gives you a great opportunity to see animals you might not see if you were to return later in the day. There are some counter service breakfast options, and yet another buffet, Donald's Breakfastosaurs. And if you were to leave the park 30 mins before your party's expected to arrive, none will be the wiser
