Hello Andrew! Welcome to planDisney!
Your vacation to
The Most Magical Place on Earth is coming up so quickly now! I bet you and your family are getting so excited to ride all your favorite attractions, see your favorite character pals, and snack on some of your favorite Disney snacks, like Mickey's Premium Ice Cream Bar!
Just like you, my family and I usually fly in early on our check-in day but we don't usually start running through the Theme Parks until "Rope Drop" the next morning. Since you'll be staying at the absolutely magnificent
Disney Resorts Collection hotel,
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, you and your party will have plenty to do even before scanning into your first Park the next day.
If your Guest room isn't quite ready when you arrive at the Resort there's no problem! I would suggest taking a small bag with necessities and bathing suits and then leaving your luggage with Bell Services until your room is ready. If you've completed your Online Check-In through your
My Disney Experience mobile app you'll be able to see your room number right on your phone and just head up when it's ready with
Direct-to-Room Service! With this service, you'll even gain access to Resort areas like the
Beach and Courtyard Pools so you can spend the afternoon relaxing and splashing in the sun. If you're planning on a pool day you might even think of
renting a Cabana so that you have a little slice of poolside privacy!
My family and I also love to head to
Disney Springs on our arrival day. We usually choose to dine in one of the many fantastic restaurants, like
Chef Art Smith's Homecomin', and on my next visit, I'm definitely planning on trying out a new ice cream flavor at
Salt & Straw! While you're at Disney Springs I would also HIGHLY suggest grabbing tickets for the incredible show
Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney. I've had the pleasure of seeing this show twice now and I was just as much in awe the second time as I was the first!
No matter what you do on your first day at Walt Disney World Resort I know you and your family will fill it with fun and magic. Enjoy!
Ashley M