You’ve spent endless hours planning your vacation at Walt Disney World in Orlando! You’ve checked, double-checked, and triple-checked your lists! There are as many different ways to start your time at WDW, as there are people who visit! Here are a couple of my favorite ways! LET’S GO!!
Whether flying or driving, when you plan to arrive is key to determining what your first day might look like. One if my favorite ways to begin my time at WDW, is to first make sure I arrive as early as possible. Once I have checked into my resort, and hopefully my room, I tend to grab a quick bite at the resort food court and head for a bus stop! My first stop…MAGIC KINGDOM! 
If this all works out, I will be in the Magic Kingdom around noon or shortly after. I have successfully done this on at least 4 occasions! This gives me plenty of time to get to a few of my traditional attractions and take in a bit of the surroundings. My first ride? Typically, It’s A Small World! I usually stop here on my way to The Haunted Mansion, and I never regret the choice. Small World is full of classic Disney Imagineering designs. Sure, the music can be a bit repetitive, but it’s part of the charm.
Second stop is, as mentioned above, The Haunted Mansion! I still can’t tell what part of the stretch room is “actually stretching”…hahahaha. But, again, it is a classic WDW attraction and it helps get me into a magical frame of mind!
Another way to begin my stay, done twice, is to just enjoy the resort! It is difficult for me to spend the kind of money required for a WDW resort and NOT get to see some of it! So, if my arrival is later than 10am, I tend to make use of the resort pool, grounds, food court, and even just stay in the room! After all, the rooms are nice!
On our last visit, we arrived at the resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, about 10am, checked into our room, and my girls and I grabbed a bus to Downtown Disney, and the Earl of Sandwich! I had a coupon to use for my birthday, and had always heard how good the food was here. So, off we went! The bus ride wasn’t bad and gave us a chance to see a little of Saratoga Springs along the way! My oldest daughter loved that!
We then went back to the resort, walked around, used the pool a bit, and then we drove over to Disney’s Beach Club Resort for a taste of Beaches and Cream!
May I say, the No Way Jose’ was YUMMY! We walked around the Boardwalk for a short time, before heading back to AOA for a good night’s sleep in preparation for an all out assault on The Magic Kingdom.
I can recommend taking the first day to relax and take in a few things outside of the parks. There is a lot to see, and we don’t always take the time to enjoy these areas. But, don’t give up on the idea of hitting a park, if you can be there by early afternoon, either.
Thanks for reading and have a Blessed and Magical Day!!
threestrandswdw 