1st Timers 1st Full Day

[Tazzy1]

Hi All

Wondering if you could advise me to do on our first day.
We fly Manchester to Miami August 6th, stay overnight then drive up to our villa the following morning. I expect we will be up early and hope to be in Orlando by lunchtime/early afternoon.
Will we feel like doing anything then or just go to villa, eat and sleep?

Any suggestions gratefully received

[Pinkpoochie]

How exciting for you. We have never flown in Miami, but I know we were awake around 5.30 am when went. We had a lazy morning due to the rushing around and travelling but we were still at Magic Kingdom for 8.30. However, we were fading by about 3pm (8pm UK time) and we headed out for food.

You may find that you are too tired to do very much after the drive up from Miami ( I have no idea how long that takes) but by the time you have checked in, unpacked etc you may just have enough energy to go to a park.

Who is going with you? children/teenagers?

[Sew109]

We flew to Miami last year landed I think at 4pm and drive straight to Orlando the drive is easy and it’s inky the first bit with lots of traffic. This year we booked the hotel enroute as we were not sure if we would make it orlando on flight day or not as the last 1.5 hourish has no where to stop overnight but we were fine or at least I was as only driver

We have crossed the pond many times and usually we try to stay up as late as we can on the first few nights this year we did it slightly sdifferently and it worked better.

First night it was about 9pm before we got to bed but next night we booked a table for 5 at MK and got back to POFQ for 730 had a drink the and went to bed. Next day up at crack of dawn but lay in bed until 7 and then got up went to bed 830 isha nd we were ok from then. I really recommend that you make a dining reservation for the first full day say around 5pm this will mean you are not tempted to go off too early and yet it’s not too late if you are then tired you are fed and can go straight off to bed.

[Tazzy1]

Apparently it takes about 4 hours from Miami and as we don't land till 9pm thought hotel was best idea.
There are 6 of us 2 adults and 4 kids 16 (while we are there!) 14 11 and 6

Thanks for your help

[Lisbon]

I think I would go to the villa, drop your bags and go out and get your shopping, then back to the villa relax by the pool and then go out for a nice meal.
You will probably all be ready for bed by 9 or 10 pm
Rob

[FloridaDave]

What time can you check into your villa? If that is your first day of the Villa rental then you might not be able to get into the Villa until late afternoon so could perhaps get that first big shop done when you get to Orlando to time it for when you can access the Villa.

[Snowgirl]

Originally Posted by Lisbon

I think I would go to the villa, drop your bags and go out and get your shopping, then back to the villa relax by the pool and then go out for a nice meal.
You will probably all be ready for bed by 9 or 10 pm
Rob

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This is our plan exactly, after driving up from Miami. Not sure I will last til 9pm though!

[Helen & LittleD]

I've not flown in to Miami but I do know on our first day we are always up early and raring to go. It does also depend if you have small children with you as they may find it harder.
When we went with my son and he was 2 and half we took the first day at the villa to try and let him recoup, last time we went he was 7 and we went out to magic kingdom early and was back to the hotel about 8pm. I personally would go to the parks haha 😊

[Sew109]

I would go to the parks I find that if you take it easy on he first day it takes longer to combat the jet lag and you will spend more days up and ready to go at 4am

[stupet11]

We stayed over night at Mimai. Slow drive up ealry next day ,stopping for brunch at Golden Coral in Lake Placid.
We were onsite, so checked in, did the essential / non-essential Walmart shop, then just did the pool. We planned Disney Springs, but was too tired.
Pool was great though after all that travel - and still up early to hit parks next day.