The First Day of a Disney World Vacation Is Its Own Kind of Magic

Before you've ridden an attraction or watched the fireworks, there's a moment when you realize: We're finally here.

You've spent weeks or months planning. Maybe longer.

You've chosen dates, made reservations, packed bags, counted down the days, traveled to Florida, and answered more times than you can count:

“How much longer?”

Then, it happens. You see the entrance to Walt Disney World. You see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. You see where it says, "The Most Magical Place on Earth." It really is.

Instantly, you are transported into a magical world. As Walt Disney said of Disneyland, you "enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy." You pass under the entrance and begin to see the signs for the theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, and resort hotels. You start to see Disney busses and your family begins keeping track of which characters they see on each bus.

Suddenly, the vacation you've been talking about isn't in the future anymore. You're in it.

Arrival Day Feels Different

Arrival day exists in the space between ordinary life and the vacation.

Part of the day may involve airports, highways, luggage, waiting, and logistics, but underneath all of that is anticipation. You haven't experienced any attractions yet. You haven't watched any shows. You haven't eat any of the park treats.

Everything is still ahead of you. For a little while, the entire vacation exists as possibility.

That's part of what makes the first day special.

Don't Rush Through the Beginning

Since everyone is excited, there's a temptation to start immediately.

Drop off the luggage. Get to the park. Go.

Sometimes, that's exactly what you want to do. However, arrival day can also be an opportunity to let the vacation begin more gently.

Walk around your resort. Look at the details in the lobby. You may notice a piece of art, architecture, or Disney history you would have otherwise skipped over.

Find your room. Gaze out the window looking out over the resort. You may notice excited families, which, in turn, adds to your anticipation of an amazing vacation.

Go swimming. Have dinner. Let everyone realize:

We're at Disney World.

You don't necessarily need a major experience to make the first night feel significant. The significance is that it's the first night.

Watch Someone Arrive for the First Time

If you're traveling with someone who has never been to Walt Disney World, try not to experience their first moments entirely through your phone.

Take the photograph, but then put the phone in your pocket or bag.

Watch the first time reaction to Walt Disney World. Maybe they react exactly as you expected. Maybe they don't.

The little details that feel familiar to a returning visitor can feel extraordinary to someone seeing them for the first time.

Create a Little Moment That Says “We're Here”

You don't need a giant arrival-day plan. Instead, consider one small thing your family can look forward to.

Maybe everyone gets a favorite snack.

Maybe you explore the resort together.

Maybe you purchase a souvenir pin or magnet.

Maybe you have the same first dinner each trip.

Maybe you take one group photograph.

Maybe you ride the Skyliner or monorail simply because you're excited to be back.

Or maybe everyone changes into swimsuits and heads directly for the pool.

Whatever it is, let it mark the transition:

The traveling is over. The vacation has begun.

Anticipation Is Part of the Memory

Years later, you may remember the big experiences from the trip. You'll remember seeing the African animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris. You'll remember riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

But, you may also remember how everyone felt before any of that happened. You'll remember the first-night excitement.

Children talking about what they're going to do tomorrow.

Everyone looking at the park map.

Standing on the balcony.

Walking around the resort after dark.

Those moments are different from the rest of the vacation because nothing has happened yet. There are no tired feet. No missed attractions. No changed plans.

There is just anticipation. Enjoy that feeling.

You Only Get One First Day

Eventually, the vacation develops a rhythm.

The room starts feeling familiar. You know where the bus stop is and have instinctively mapped in your mind the quickest path to it. Everyone has a favorite place to eat and a favorite food to eat there.

You start saying things like “when we were at EPCOT the other day.” That's wonderful, too.

Arrival day happens once, though, so before you rush into everything you've planned, give yourself permission to notice the beginning. There is a sensation you will feel on your first day. It is a mix of escape from the world you came from and excitement to explore the new world that you are in. There is nothing quite like it.

Before You Start Planning...

Ask your family:

“What's one thing we should do when we arrive that will make it feel like our vacation has officially started?”

Keep it simple.

It doesn't need a reservation. It doesn't need to cost anything. It just needs to mean something to you and your loved ones.

Then, someday, you'll arrive at Walt Disney World again and someone will say:

“We have to do that first. That's how we start our Disney trip.”

And without realizing it, your first-day moment may have become a tradition.

Plan Your Trip. Make Lifelong Memories.