In the spirit of “we CAN’T WAIT to get to Disney,” my family and I usually take the earliest flight possible from our hometown airport for our vacations. We know full well that check-in time at the resorts is not until 3 pm, and yet we still can’t help ourselves – if it means almost an entire extra day in our happy place, then we will gladly wake up before the sun rises and get going. But these very early wake-up calls sometimes mean that my kids are not particularly energized to hit the ground running in a theme park once our plane has landed. So, we have occasionally eased into our vacations with different experiences outside of the parks. With that in mind, here are some of our favorite things to do for a more relaxing and laid-back arrival day at the Walt Disney World Resort.
HEAD TO DISNEY SPRINGS
Disney Springs is an open-air complex offering visitors an impressive collection of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Though many guests may forgo a visit to Disney Springs and spend most of their time in the theme parks, I think heading there on arrival day is a great choice for those looking for a more leisurely start to their vacation.
If you’ve arrived in Orlando hungry and need to refuel, look no further than Disney Springs’ extensive restaurant offerings. With more than 60 dining locations to choose from, there is sure to be something to suit everybody’s taste buds.
And if you’re hoping to get a head start on shopping for vacation souvenirs, you’ve certainly come to the right place – from toys, trading pins, and Mickey ear headbands to jewelry, clothing, and home décor, Disney Springs has it all!
Entertainment options are plentiful here as well, if you’d like to keep the good times rolling. You could catch one of the latest movies at the AMC Dine-In Theatre, enjoy a few games of bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, or treat yourself to a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life. It really is effortless to spend a fun-filled first day at Disney Springs with all that it has to offer!
CHECK OUT DISNEY’S BOARDWALK AREA
Disney’s BoardWalk is another one of our favorite places to head to at the start of our vacations. This beautiful area is located amongst the BoardWalk Inn and Villas Resorts and overlooks serene Crescent Lake. Full of charm and nostalgia for seaside life of the past, it is themed to feel as though you’re on a turn-of-the-century boardwalk of a Mid-Atlantic coastal town. As you walk along the quarter-mile-long waterfront promenade, you’ll come across a slew of restaurants, shops, street performers, and midway carnival-style games. Surrey bikes are available to rent as well.
If you venture just past where the BoardWalk promenade ends, you’ll be a hop, skip, and jump away from a lovely view of Epcot’s World Showcase, as well as Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts where you’ll find more dining and shopping opportunities. In fact, Beach Club is home to one of my personal favorite restaurants on Walt Disney World property – Beaches and Cream. If you ever plan on spending time at the BoardWalk (and adore ice cream with your whole heart like I do) then be sure to pay a visit to Beaches and Cream. You will not be disappointed!
MINIATURE GOLF
Put your mini-golf skills to the test at one of Disney’s family-friendly 18-hole courses. Choose from Fantasia Gardens, near the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel; or, Winter Summerland, near Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park.
GO FOR A SWIM
Nobody does a solidly themed pool quite like Disney does – the pools at Disney resort hotels are some of the most imaginative I’ve ever seen! Every pool on Walt Disney World property is unique and designed to match its resort’s theme, which makes swimming on a Disney vacation all the more magical. And, best of all, there are family-friendly poolside activities available to enjoy every afternoon, such as dance parties, water games, Disney trivia, and arts and crafts. Relaxing poolside is perfect for arrival day and a really terrific way to tap right into vacation mode!
VISIT A WATER PARK
Whether you’re a water slide thrill seeker, a sunbather, or just like to wind your way around a lazy river all day long, you’ll love spending time at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park.
BOOK A RESTAURANT RESERVATION
We are quite passionate about Disney food and meals in our family and, as my kids get older and continue to grow (and grow!), eating our way around Disney World has become one of our happiest pastimes on vacation. So for us, there’s no better time to get started on enjoying all of our favorites than day one! After checking in and relaxing at our resort, and perhaps some pool time, we love to end our first day with a dinner reservation at a table-service restaurant. Many of our favorite meals are outside the theme parks, at the various resort hotels, making this a great option for arrival day.
RESORT HOP
Each of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels offers unique theming and experiences. Use the complimentary bus, boat, monorail, and Skyliner transportation options to spend time exploring some of them.
If you’ve got energy to spare after traveling and are chomping at the bit to hit the attractions (totally me – I can’t sit still once I’ve arrived!), then some theme park time might certainly be in order. But if you need a little extra time to ramp up to all of the adventures that await you, consider a more casual arrival day strategy away from the parks. And no matter what you choose to do, know that there is definitely no right or wrong way to begin a Disney vacation – because there is magic to be had everywhere you go!
