First Time - 13 DAYS!! About This Page:

[DWIowan]

Hi there - I could use some friendly advice if you have a moment. Everyone seems so knowledgable! My husband and 4 year old daughter and I leave for DW on Jan 16 - our first time there! We are so incredibly excited!! I have a few questions, though...
1) Our flight gets in at 6:06 pm (don't get me started on why it's so late - airline changed our flight!!). Anyway, we're staying at AKL and taking DME to the resort. If, by the grace of God, our flight is on time - about how long does it typically take to get to your resort?
Along those lines - any suggestions for where to eat that night? We have the dining plan, so I believe we have a QS meal or TS meal for that night - but I don't really want to be up very late because we plan on heading to MK the next morning right away. Don't want to be tired!
2) Here's our general itinerary with our TS meals - thoughts?
Thurs (17) - MK and eat dinner at Crystal Palace
Fri (18) - Epcot and eat breakfast at the Norway place
Sat (19) - MGM and eat lunch at Hollywood & Vine
Sun (20) - AK and eat breakfast at Tusker House
Mon (21) - no plans yet
Tues (22) - one last day at MK with dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
Wed (23) - flight leaves at 11:00 for home, which is Iowa (brrr!)

Thoughts, advice, must tell me, etc?? I have to quit worrying about things!! Thanks in advcance!
Kim

[mcc0313]

Since you can use your meal allotment in any order I would vote for Mara (CS) when you get to the resort and save the TS for the "???" day.....you can use a TS on that day.

If you get in a 6 - figure you get to the resort in 1 1/2 after landing, check in, get to your room....take a breath and then enjoy a CS meal, walk around the resort to work off your meal and then hit the bed for your early morning....

[chezp]

Your plans look great, but I agree, I'd go for counter service at the Mara on the first night and go for table service on your day without any plans yet.

[emtpej]

I would follow the advice already presented (not that i know much). I would also check out Cheryl's PassPorter Eateries forum and Dining at Walt Disney World at allearsnet. Have you also looked at First-Timer Primer also at allearsnet? You don't mention if you have made reservations at any of the eateries.
I love PassPorter and allearsnet! They Rock!

[Colexis Mom]

I think your ADRs look great I too would recommend eating at Mara at the AKL your first night. They have a great selection of food and cartoons to keep your DD occupied.

[RobDVC]

You should be checking in at your hotel around 8pm. I'd see if there are any options for a light meal at the AKL.

[DWIowan]

THanks so much everyone for your advice! I am SO incredibly bummed that we aren't getting in until that late. We had scheduled a NON STOP flight that got changed on us to a layover in Atlanta, getting us to Orlando 2 hours later than planned. Really ticks me off, but I am trying to deal with it since I can't change it (though I really expressed my displeasure with the airline!). I had planned on a nice relaxing evening at the resort with an early bedtime so we would be well rested for MK the next day! Now it's 8 before we might even eat dinner? Yikes! For us, in the midwest, that is late OH well......we'll still be at Disney!!!

[wdwlovers]

Have a wonderful time!

[HollyH]

Enjoy your first trip! Try not to worry too much. DME is pretty quick and efficient in my experience.

If you are staying at AKL, you should try to get an ADR for dinner at Boma (maybe on your AK day, or the following day where you don't have plans yet). Boma is a treat, and most people really like it.

[Pris]

Since you have a 2 hour layover in Atlanta, have you considered eating dinner there (not as much fun as WDW, but not nearly as late). Then you could just stroll around the resort after you get in. Atho I've never been there at night, I understand AKL is an awesome resort to hang around.

[DWIowan]

Pris - I think we will try to see what there is to eat when we get to Atlanta - haven't been at that airport so no idea what there is. That would probably be best and then we could do something lighter/snacky while hanging out at AKL. I am SOOOO excited!!

And HollyH - I might try for Boma, though I honestly don't know if there'd be much to eat for either myself or my daughter (I'm quite picky unfortunately ) But I might reconsider after I go look at the menus.

Only 11 days!!!

[Kitka]

I agree with the others, Mara would be great, and exploring the AKL on arrival night. They have so many great activities - the night vision, stories around the fire.... soak in that atmosphere the first night and just relax - that resort is so amazing.

Have fun! We'll be there the same time, and will be at Liberty Tree Tavern on the same night!

[cmhand30]

hey,
you are getting there the night before me! Lucky! and staying longer! My DS14 & DS17 only have a few days off school, but they'll be at relatives anyways. I haven't been to WDW in a couple years, and never done DME. That will be a first for DH and I. Your plans look great to me.
Have fun!

[DWIowan]

Originally Posted by cmhand30

hey,
you are getting there the night before me! Lucky! and staying longer! My DS14 & DS17 only have a few days off school, but they'll be at relatives anyways. I haven't been to WDW in a couple years, and never done DME. That will be a first for DH and I. Your plans look great to me.
Have fun!

One of my wishes is to go back to DW with just my husband. Wish we'd done it in the years before our daughter was born, but it would still make a great getaway sometime. Enjoy your time without kids!!

[emtpej]

You might take a look at:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

If it were my family, I would get to the general area of the gate and then get some eats / more distractions for kids. You might have to go through security (again), I'm not sure.
Have a great trip, I wish we were going too!