Arrival day ides

[ParkHoppa2000]

I come to the experts for suggestions: I have a friend I am meeting at WDW in May, likely the second Monday and we are planning a Mon-Sat trip . Our flights to MCO in are both about 90 minutes and we hope to be on property by 11 am or noon. We have not decided on where we will stay (either Yacht or Wilderness Lodge) but what are the suggestions for our arrival day ? It will be a laid back trip (probably no rope dropping) . I am looking for best ways to kick off the Magic week, we are both in our late 50s and my friend hasn't been to WDW since about 1984. All suggestions welcome. Thanks.

 

[Stupido]

It depends on your check-in date. If the dates are flexible, Disney has been running a great check-in day promotion for Cool Kid Summer. They grant free access to either waterpark on your check-in day, if you're staying at any Disney resort. This year, Cool Kid Summer began on May 26, so it's usually the towards the last week of the month.

If the dates are a little more firmed up, I would suggest a poolside hang during the day before either a resort dinner or dinner in Disney Springs. There are tons of great restaurants with their menus all posted on Disney's site so you and your friend can look into what might sound good to you. There's also the movie theatre if there are any big movie releases. If you do end up at Wilderness, there's always the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue close by!

Pools/Disney Springs are usually my go to for my check in days and a nice way to ease into the Magic.

However, if you're not looking to rope drop, you can look into any After Hours events. Dates for 2027 haven't been posted yet, but these are special ticketed events that leave the parks open later for a more intimate experience with attendance capped way lower than the standard day guest. If you want to get right into the Magic, this might be a great option for you!

 

[JIMINYCR]

When we arrive later so that a park day ticket gets used and we don’t get the value for it we go to DS and look through the shops. The aerophile balloon lift is something out of the ordinary to do. The amphibian cars are also something most people have never done. Another option is to play some rounds of mini golf at both mini golf courses.
You could also bus or monorail around to the different resorts to see how unique each are.
Sitting by the pool to relax after traveling is another option but I would rather be doing something than sitting around.

 

[nickys]

What about an afternoon resort hopping, and then Hoop De Doo in the evening?

You could use the monorail to see the GF, Poly and Contemporary. Have lunch somewhere, browse the shops etc. Then catch the boat from Contemporary or MK to FW.

There's also Disney Springs if that’s somewhere you enjoy and would prefer. But the boat to FW is much easier to get to HDDR than buses.