Top 10 Walt Disney World Arrival Day Do’s and Don’ts - Practical Tips for Traveling with Babies, Toddlers & Kids |

Your Walt Disney World vacation has finally arrived! Perhaps you have been counting down for years…maybe just a few days. Regardless, you are so excited to finally be in the middle of the magic!

The arrival day of your Walt Disney World vacation can be one of the best days of your trip! Once you arrive at your Walt Disney World Resort, you are in the “bubble”, and feel as if the outside world is so far away, right?

What are the best ways to spend your time on your arrival day at Walt Disney World to set your trip up for success?

Today, I am going to share with you my favorite “Do’s and Don’ts for Your Arrival Day at Walt Disney World.

Arrival Day DO NOTs

Do not expect your room to be ready upon arrival

Disney’s official check in time begins at 3PM. That does not mean your room will be ready at 3PM, or even shortly after. To be prepared, be sure to pack anything you may need right away in a backpack or in your carry on. Then you can have your necessities available until your room is ready.

Do not go directly to a park without stopping at the front desk

In fact, I don’t suggest you go to a park at all on arrival day. However, if you do, be SURE to stop at the front desk of your resort. You want to make sure your MagicBands are active, that your tickets and dining are all set, and THEN make your way to a park.

A good way to test this is to try and purchase a snack at your resort to make sure your meal plan is working. So much time is wasted at Guest Services, or even having to to all the way back to the resort if something is not working properly.

Do not book a sit down meal reservation within the first 3 or 4 hours of arrival

It can take about 1.5 to 2 hours from the time you land in Orlando until you make your way through the airport and to your Walt Disney World Resort. With any sort of delays, you will not make a dining reservation and you will be charged a $10 per person cancellation fee.

Do not try to pack too much into your arrival day

Traveling can take its toll on your family. Whether you spent hours in the car, or in an airport, chances are everyone’s excitement is mixed with being tired. This is not the time to plan a “must do” character meal or park activity. You want to be energized and ready for your first full day, not tired and stressed.

Do not arrive in Orlando unprepared for the weather

While you want to be comfortable, and in some cases fashionable, keep in mind that you are arriving in Orlando later in the day. Chances are, it is going to be a bit warmer there than when you left home. That being said, arriving in your parka and scarf is going to be a very uncomfortable start to your trip.

You are going to be walking, carrying things, and navigating your way through the airport, and then around Disney property. Wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers, and leave room in your bag to store your jacket or anything else you do not need when you arrive.

Arrival Day DOs

Do explore your Walt Disney World Resort

You are paying to stay there, so you might as well enjoy it! Arrival day is the perfect day to check out the activities that are offered at your resort including getting your first souvenir of your trip (pressing pennies or starting your Disney pin collection, perhaps?), and plan on enjoying a movie by the pool later that evening or taking in some pool side games, activities, and drinks for the afternoon.

Walk the paths or hallways of your resort, and get to know the lay of the land. Key things are where the pools are, as well as the transportation stops and restaurants.

Do take time to get your room organized

When you arrive, if you have your luggage with you, take some time to get your room arranged. Unpack, set out clothes for the next day (especially if you have character outfits for your kids the next day), designate a shoe area in your room, etc.

If you do NOT have your luggage, because you are using the Magical Express luggage delivery, be sure to carve out some time later that day or evening when your luggage has arrived to get yourself organized.

Do visit the quick service dining location at your resort

If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, this is especially important. This is where your resort refillable mugs are activated, and you can pick them up.

Also, this is a good time to check and make sure your Disney Dining Plan is active and try to purchase a snack item or a meal.

Do enjoy the pool at your Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World resorts have amazing pools. Not only do they have fun feature pools, but also some very relaxing quiet pool areas. Either of these atmospheres will make for a nice arrival day activity for your trip.

Plan to camp out by the pool, keeping your resort refillable mugs full, and let the kids play and run after being cooped up in the car or on an airplane.

Do visit Disney Springs

I think Disney Springs is amazing, yes. But do you want to take park time to visit? Maybe so, but most don’t want to. So, I think visiting Disney Springs on arrival day is ideal.

We used to have a fun first day tradition of going to Disney Springs. We would get the kids a new set of pins and a lanyard to begin their pin trading for that trip.

This is also a good place to get a last minute dining reservation if you end up having enough time for a table service meal.

What advice can you add to the list? Do you have your Walt Disney World arrival day plans made? The key is to have reasonable expectations and to start your trip in a relaxing way. This allows you to enjoy more time in the Disney parks during your stay. After all, isn’t that where the magic lives?