Walt Disney World Entry SignAfter all the planning and anticipation, the day will finally come when you arrive for your Walt Disney Worldยฎ vacation! What you do on that very first day can set the tone for your entire trip. How about some fun, undeniably magical, and yes, even relaxing suggestions for your very important arrival day?

If you’ve got a longer trip planned, lucky you! Why not spend your first day outside of the parks? Often, guests are so tempted to get in every last ride in at the parks that the special qualities of the resorts are often overlooked. Ease in to the experience by taking a swim, explore the resort grounds and participate in some of the activities going on there. You will be glad when you awake the next day rested and ready to take on the World!

If you are planning to stay just a few days, getting right into a park is probably on your agenda. But thereโ€™s no need to rush through the whole park in one day! Try a more laid-back approach: pick one headliner attraction you really want to experience and grab a FASTPASSยฎ for it as soon as you arrive.

Then stop and smell the roses while you wait for the return time โ€“ watch the zany Streetmosphere performers in Disneyโ€™s Hollywood Studiosโ„ข or get a dazzling hairstyle with colored gel and “Mickey Dust” at the Harmony Barbershop in the Magic Kingdomยฎ Park. Eat a Mickey Bar and watch the spectacular fountains in Epcotยฎ or wander around the trunk of the Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdomยฎ Theme Park. Be open to just letting the magic happen!

Whatever you do, plan something to top off your first day with that essential Disney feeling. A character meal might just do the trick! Try Chef Mickey’s and be welcomed in a festive atmosphere hosted by the Big Cheese himself. There’s Disney magic even in a simple thing like taking a loop on Disney’s Monorail. Riding through the Disney’s Contemporary Resort, catching a glimpse of Cinderella Castle, you could just have that moment โ€“ when you feel a little thrill and know youโ€™ve truly arrived.

Walt Disney World Vacations