Planning a trip to Walt Disney World with kids and looking for what to do as soon as you land? Keep scrolling to check out the best things to do on your Walt Disney World arrival day!
This list of things to do on your Disney World arrival day was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
We’ve been to Walt Disney World a few times, and my kids always beg to go back! If your family is anything like mine, you probably want to start your Disney vacation at the theme parks on Disney World arrival day!
Arrival day can be hectic, including travel, checking into your hotel, unpacking, and more.
As a family that has had many Disney visits, we have come to know what seems to flow best and what we have found works best regarding timing and arrival.
Today, we will share our experience, what you can expect, and what we find makes for a fun and productive arrival day for your Disney trip.
Getting to Your Hotel/Resort
If you are flying, you are likely flying into the Orlando International Airport, commonly known as MCO.
There are a number of transportation options available on-site at the airport, including shuttles, ride-sharing, and more, that will get you to your hotel at an affordable rate. You can see details and pricing here.
Additionally, at MCO, you have the opportunity to rent a vehicle through a variety of companies if you prefer to drive yourself; you can find more information on car rentals at MCO here.
When is the Best Time to Arrive at Disney?
When traveling to Disney, you may wonder what is the best time to make your arrival.
In my opinion, my favorite time to arrive is typically late afternoon/early evening. That will give you enough time to rest, and then consider the next day your first park day.
Remember that the standard check-in time at most hotels, including Disney resorts, is 3:00 pm. So, I prefer to wait until I can get checked in and ready to go rather than arriving in the area and waiting around with all our luggage.
Arriving between 3:00 – 5:00 pm is ideal, in my opinion. This allows you enough time to get checked in, unpack, and enjoy a pleasant and relaxing evening with the family before preparing to hit the parks the next day.
Settle in at Your Hotel
Upon checking in at your hotel, whether a Disney resort or an off-site option, I always recommend getting settled in and comfortable at your home for the next few days.
Get your luggage inside, unpack, and get to know your resort.
If you are staying at a Disney resort, feel free to roam around and see what on-site activities they have available during your stay. Many resorts offer shopping, fun activities such as games and movies, and dining experiences.
If you have a room or suite that allows you to cook or prepare your own meals, you may want to visit a grocery store or order a grocery delivery that will have you stocked up and ready with meals, snacks, and drinks for the length of your vacation.
Skip the Parks
One thing I always avoid on arrival day is going to one of the theme parks. Although you may be excited and want to get a jump on the parks, in my experience, it has never been a good choice.
With the traveling you have done and the craziness of your arrival day, it just always seems that you are rushed and exhausted, causing you not to have the most desirable experience to kick off your trip.
Additionally, visiting a park on your arrival tends not to be the best use of your funds as there is no discounted rate for a partial day at the parks, so you will be paying the full park ticket cost to visit only for a short time.
Instead, you can find other fun activities and experiences that will benefit your trip but may not be quite so expensive and hectic for just a partial day.
Other Things to Do on Your Disney World Arrival Day
If you are looking for something fun to do on your arrival day, here are some ideas and activities that will make a great start to your vacation:
1. Plan Your Trip
If you haven’t already made a game plan for how the remainder of your trip will go, now is a great time to do so!
That’s not to say that you can’t go with the flow and enjoy your trip, but creating at least a basic plan is always a good idea.
I personally like to grab a physical map of the parks and mark up on the map which rides and attractions I would like to do. Then, I made a general plan of which park we would visit each day and how to expect the day to go.
2. Make a Dining Reservation
A dining reservation at one of the Disney resort restaurants is a great way to enjoy some Disney fun without visiting the theme parks. It’s always nice to relax and indulge in a nice dinner.
Resort Dining
You can book a reservation at your resort specifically, or if you are staying off-site or would like to visit another resort, you can make a dining reservation without staying at that resort.
My favorite is the Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. You can never go wrong with a fine steak. (bonus: The Truffle Macaroni & Cheese is to die for!)
Character Dining
If you really want to amplify your evening, book a character dining experience for your arrival day.
Keep in mind that character experiences have limited availability and it is required to make a reservation in advance.
But I have found this is always a fun and exciting way to start a Disney vacation, especially if you have little ones – they will love interacting with their favorite Disney characters!
3. Visit Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a shopping and entertainment center located on Disney grounds and is an excellent choice for an arrival day activity.
It is a one-stop shop for shopping, dining, and entertainment, with nearly 200 shops, restaurants, and attractions to enjoy.
Disney Springs Kids Club
This new entertainment offering takes place every Saturday morning starting at 10:30 am. It is located in the heart of The Landing at Disney Springs, the scenic amphitheater known as Waterview Park.
Shopping
Popular shops include Goofy’s Candy Company, The LEGO Store, and Kate Spade.
Dining
Enjoy delicious dining experiences, including quick service options like Chicken Guy and The Daily Poutine. There are table service restaurants, including The Edison and the House of Blues Restaurant and Bar.
And don’t miss the food trucks such as the 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck.
Entertainment
Finally, have fun with one of the many entertaining activities, including the AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatre or the House of Blues.
4. Play Mini Golf
Another fun Disney-related activity to enjoy is mini golf. Disney properties have three mini golf courses that are so much fun and a great way to have a Disney evening without visiting the parks.
You can enjoy Fantasia Gardens & Fairways, an 18-hole miniature golf course based on the classic Disney film, Fantasia.
Additionally, there are two courses located at Disney’s Winter Summerland, one is Summer themed while the other is themed based on the Winter season.
The cost to play at all three courses is $14 per adult or $12 per child, ages 3-9, per round at each course. You can make reservations to play at 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529) or walk up to the booth and purchase to play.
5. Lounge at the Pool
Nearly all Disney resorts and many local hotels in Orlando have a resort pool to enjoy.
After a long day of traveling and getting settled, a great way to spend the rest of your day is lounging at the pool, soaking up that Florida sun.
Check with your resort for pool availability and hours.
6. Disney Boardwalk
The Disney Boardwalk is another excellent place for entertainment and dining options.
You can enjoy live entertainment on the boardwalk, including jugglers, dining experiences such as Trattoria al Forno, or an on-the-go treat from BoardWalk Ice Cream.
7. Visit Other Resorts
There are several other Disney resorts on the property, many of which have a variety of fun activities and things to do.
Even if you are not staying at a Disney resort, it may be fun and a good idea to check out the Disney resorts.
Feel free to use Disney transportation, including the Skyliner or the Monorail, to explore and see what the Disney property offers.
9. Explore International Drive in Orlando
If you’re looking for more entertainment, you might consider checking out International Drive in Orlando.
Here, you’ll find the Orlando Eye, Fun Spot America, I-Drive Nascar Kart racing, America’s Escape Game, and more!
10. Simply Relax
If you prefer to spend your evening with nothing to do or worry about before heading into a crazy vacation, that is okay, too!
Spending the evening hanging out in your hotel room and maybe watching a movie with the family is a great way to spend your Disney arrival day as well.
What to do on Arrival Day at Disney World FAQs
Standard check-in time is 3:00 PM, but you may be able to check in earlier if your room is available. You can also ask to store your luggage if you arrive before your room is ready.
Theme park hours vary depending on the time of year and special events, but typically, they open between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM and close between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
Yes, you can use your Disney World tickets as soon as you arrive, even if you haven’t checked in to your resort yet.
You can check the Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app for information on any events or activities on your arrival day.
There are several options for transportation to the theme parks, including complimentary bus service, monorail, ferry boats, and Minnie Van service.
Yes, you can make dining reservations for your arrival day by calling Disney Dining or using the My Disney Experience app.
Yes, you can pre-order MagicBands for your arrival day by logging in to your My Disney Experience account.
What to do on Arrival Day at Disney World Wrap-Up
Arrival day can be pretty crazy, and ultimately, it’s all about what works best for your family.
If you love a lot of activity and want to get going right away, finding a fun activity may be the best plan for you, and if you prefer a slow and relaxing arrival day, simply hanging out and enjoying the day might be best.
I hope this has provided you with some experience and knowledge in what has worked for my family’s Disney Arrival day and that it may have given you some good ideas if you plan an upcoming Disney trip.