When do you like to arrive?

[SallyShine]

On our last trip we went for seven nights. In order to use our free airline tickets we left Ohio around 6pm. We lost an entire day. I will say ME was not crowded at 8:30, so that was nice. But once I get there I don't want to go to bed. I want to hit MK. Next time we'll leave in the morning.

 

[Miss Bell]

We usually leave Austin on the earliest flight, and get in anywhere between 1 and 3, depending on layovers. We get checked in and head to the parks. Twice, we have done it when we arrive late in the evening. Personally, I feel like that is a wasted day. If I can get into the park, even as late as 5 or 6, I can still get a lot accomplished. To me there is something frustrating about arriving in WDW too late to do anything but go to bed.

 

[Gucci65]

We used to fly out at 6am, which would put us in MCO around 7:15-7:30am. Meet out towncar and be at the resort between 8 and 9 and then take off running for the parks. Then fall exhausted into bed at night (since I was too excited to sleep the night before).

NOW - we fly out around 3pm. By the time we arrive at the resort its between 5 and 6. We then takeoff for DD to have a nice dinner somewhere, walk around, so some shopping and head back to the room around 9pm and crash.

When we leave, we always go to AK for the day. Leave around 4, catch the towncar around 5 and take the 7 or 8 pm flight back home.

Can't wait til October (I've never been during that month)!!!

 

[amykissangel]

I think that if you're arriving at Disney @ Midnight, after you get your luggage, get on the ME or catch a cab or rent a car, it will be after 1:30 that you're checking in. If you want to hit the parks bright and early, I don't think this is your best best. And if you want to sleep late, you'll hit the parks at peak time - noonish or so. I like your other option better - you arrive in the evening and can enjoy a quieter, emptier park (hopefully:~)

We always leave Green Bay, WI @ 6 or 7 a.m., arrive at MCO about noonish, grab a cab or ME to one of the All Star's, and nap and hang out by the pool until dinner, when we grab a bus to DTD. We only stay til about 9, come home and go to bed so we're ready and rested for the next day :snore:

 

[amykissangel]

Can't wait til October (I've never been during that month)!!!

Have FUN!! I've been there in October almost every year since I was five - there are hardly ANY crowds, lines are short, weather is BEAUTIFUL...I'm so jealous!!

 

[Rora]

This topic has been an interesting read for me. I didn't realize so many people like to hit the parks the day they arrive. We usually like to settle in, explore the resort, get some dinner, and then a good night's rest to get ready for MK the next day.

 

[BuPhilo]

We like to leave from Buffalo early in the morning and arrive in early afternoon. By the time we check in and get settled it's nearly dinner time. Our last few trips we have headed straight to the Boardwalk and had a nice dinner, relaxed, and anticipated our first day in the parks the next morning. Traveling always takes a little out of you, so this is a nice way (we think) to start our vacation. Unfortunately, most times we are stuck with an early flight back home, as I really like to travel non-stop.

 

[Connor002]

The night before... 'Course it's impossible to sleep, but, well, the sacrifices we make...

 

[shoppingnut]

I don't like getting up early in the morning, so those crack of dawn flights aren't for me. In July we are getting a 11:20a flight so we'll be at the resort, the Boardwalk which I'm so excited about staying at, by 3:30ish and we will check in, drop our carryon bags and head right over to Epcot for the night.

However, I have gone a number of times the night before when I am just going for a long weekend because the travel day does cut off part of the trip, so I figure if I can fly out the evening before, I can wake up in Disney the next morning, I love it. This way the trip feels a little longer.

 

[I3olTz]

Well i live in florida so we just drive up there usually at 7am get there around 11am,check in then run to a park.

 

[slowbee]

We try and get in as early from chicago... which is usually around noon by the time we're getting to the parks... but the first thing we do is always go to MK and see Mickey Mouse.... no better way to start a disney trip than seeing the big cheese...

 

[Fantasmic!329]

We usually fly in on the first flight from ACY (6:30-7ish) and then get to the resort by 11-12ish. For coming home, we usually leave mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

 

[Gucci65]

Have FUN!! I've been there in October almost every year since I was five - there are hardly ANY crowds, lines are short, weather is BEAUTIFUL...I'm so jealous!!

This is exactly what I wanted to hear!!!!

We normally go in November or December, but due to my daughters school and comp cheerleading schedule -October seems to be the best bet.

We are even considering going to MNSSHP.

Same kind of weather? Shorts during the day and light jacket for night OR no jacket needed at all?

 

[shoppingnut]

This is exactly what I wanted to hear!!!!

We normally go in November or December, but due to my daughters school and comp cheerleading schedule -October seems to be the best bet.

We are even considering going to MNSSHP.

Same kind of weather? Shorts during the day and light jacket for night OR no jacket needed at all?

Definitely do MNSSHP, it's great. When I was there last year over columbus day weekend, all I needed were shorts. No jacket, it was warm enough at night to go without, and this comes from someone who is always cold.

 

[PurpleDragon]

We usually drive down from Atlanta. We will usually leave early, around 7-8AM, and get there about 2-3PM. Giving us the rest of the afternoon to hit a park, have dinner, and catch fireworks.

 

[joel_maxwell]

well, we book for sept this year and i think our flight lands at 10:30.... so after DME, i guess noon should be about the time we arrive.

i cant decide. that is a travel day and a saturday (weekend traffic). i cant decide either to make that a pool day and DTD, or just buy an extra day in the parks on the ticket and get to it.

 

[Gucci65]

Definitely do MNSSHP, it's great. When I was there last year over columbus day weekend, all I needed were shorts. No jacket, it was warm enough at night to go without, and this comes from someone who is always cold.

Excellent news!! Thank you:wave:

 

[PhiPackAttacka]

We always drive down, since it's only about 8 hours from here in Charlotte. The last time, we decided to drive the day before and stay the first night off-site at a Super 8. Then, the next morning, we got up first thing and checked in to POFQ, then went on to the parks. I highly recommend this way because (1) You get a better choice of rooms checking in early and (2) You save money and don't "waste" a day of your park tickets.

We were lucky this time, too, because we were able to go right into our rooms at POFQ even though it was 9:00am, but we planned to just drop off our bags and hit the parks anyway.

 

[bgraham34]

I like to fly in late at night, so i have a full day when i wake up.

 

[David]

We fly in early, arriving this year at 10:30, check in then hit the parks. Normally it's MK, but this year may be EPCOT, since that park will be open late.