Hi Natalie,
This is a great question! There are a lot of people that barely let their bags hit the floor before they're headed off to explore a park...I'm not one of them. I love the opportunity on the day of arrival to get ourselves unpacked and organized before tackling all that Walt Disney World has to offer.
The amazing thing about the Walt Disney World Resorts is that they are an attraction unto themselves. We love to explore the resort, the playground and of course take a swim on that first day.
Another activity we enjoy are visiting
Downtown Disney. This is free, yet is all things Disney. It's a perfect way to immerse yourself in Disney without entering a park. There are plenty of restaurants, shops and activities. The mocha lattes at the Ghiradelli shop are my biggest indulgence while at Disney.
Another favorite first day spot for my family is the
Boardwalk. We love to visit in the evening to enjoy the nightlife and street performers. They have surrey bike rentals, or it's just the perfect place for a stroll. There are carnival type games and an arcade. It's a nice way to end the busy day of travel.
Whatever you decide to do, I suggest that you turn in early. Get a good night of sleep and you'll be recharged and ready to go that next morning.
Have a great trip!