So, when you get to your home away from home, what's the first thing you do? Check out the pool? Grab a snack? Wander around in amazement that you're finally here?
What's your resort of choice? (Not the one you'd like to stay in, but the one you do stay in the most.) What makes it magical for you?
We always stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge and everything about it is magical. Usually the first thing we do is hit Mara for something to eat because we are hungry and usually have to wait for our room to be ready.
We turn on the Top 7! And then one of two things happen..I get ants in my pants and I convince Dave..who has just driven 8 hours..to hit the parks or DTD. Or he convinces he he needs rest and I hit the gift shop.
Bella
If we get to the resort before check in time, we'll usually try to kill some time exploring the resort, maybe grab some lunch. Once we get into the room, the very thing thing we do before unpacking anything is turn on the TV and see if the Must Dos have changed, hahaha. I have a feeling they won't have Stacey update it until the Fantasyland Expansion is nearly done, but it makes me laugh that they still say the American Idol Experience is "new this year!"
So far we have stayed in a different resort each trip. I think our favorite so far has been Port Orleans - Riverside. I could definitely see us going back there again. We just loved the style of the rooms, and the layout and feel of the resort. I think next time we go, we're going to try a room over at the French Quarter, just to see how it compares.
I have GOT to get over to Port Orleans and walk around! Would you believe I have never seen it? And the pics look simply amazing.
That's so funny Lizzie, we had never been to Port Orleans either, and after all the talk on here about it, we were curious. Yesterday after our EE adventure at AK, we left about 12:30 and headed to DTD to take the boat to Port Orleans. We had no idea having never been there, so we just took the resort boat from Marketplace and relaxed and enjoyed the scenery, it was wonderful! First we went to French Quarter (it's first stop on the boat) and walked all around and explored. Mike was amazed at how authentic it is, I wasn't, afterall, it's Disney! We walked all around and loved it. It was quieter than I expected, not a whole lotta people, even at the pool. Then we got back on the boat and went down river to the RIverside. It's really nice too, I like the big paddle boat themed restaurant. I kept thinking "this is where all my new Disney friends stay, they're so lucky"! We had a blast exploring both resorts and now feel better that we can at least say we've been there. I liked Riverside, Mike liked the FQ. I'd certainly stay in EITHER!! (you understand, being local). I recommend you do it, We love exploring the resorts, and it's FREE!!!!
Julie
Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust
Must Do's, Top 7's, refillable mugs then to the pool
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As soon as we get our stuff in the room, we are out the door headed to the Magic Kingdom.
The Poly is where we tend to stay the most often. It is our favorite theme as well as a great location.
We throw our stuff on the floor, grab some mugs, and hit the parks right away!
Grovesnor offsite '93 ~ Port Orleans '94 ~ Port Orleans '95 ~ Caribbean Beach '97~ Carribbean Beach '99 ~ Caribbean Beach '00 ~ Offsite '02~ Caribbean Beach '08 ~ Port Orleans French Quarter '10 ~ Dolphin/Hilton '12-~All Star Sports '16
In the past we always look at the animals at check in since we stayed at the AKL.
This year we'll probably go to the park and come back to a room late at night. I will allow my daughter to open the door so I can hear her scream about pirate beds 
.
Pi}{ie
Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis
We always stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge and everything about it is magical. Usually the first thing we do is hit Mara for something to eat because we are hungry and usually have to wait for our room to be ready.
Yeah... and just to echo what Jess said... but will probably be a bit different this year. Im hitting a couple spots for pin trading and then the gift shop to see some new pins before I do anything! lol
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[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]
In the past we always look at the animals at check in since we stayed at the AKL.This year we'll probably go to the park and come back to a room late at night. I will allow my daughter to open the door so I can hear her scream about pirate beds
They are sooooo awesome! I can't wait to hear about how much she loves the room!
Have you seen the CaribbeanBeach fan site? It has some cool detail about the resort.
That's so funny Lizzie, we had never been to Port Orleans either, and after all the talk on here about it, we were curious. Yesterday after our EE adventure at AK, we left about 12:30 and headed to DTD to take the boat to Port Orleans. We had no idea having never been there, so we just took the resort boat from Marketplace and relaxed and enjoyed the scenery, it was wonderful! First we went to French Quarter (it's first stop on the boat) and walked all around and explored. Mike was amazed at how authentic it is, I wasn't, afterall, it's Disney! We walked all around and loved it. It was quieter than I expected, not a whole lotta people, even at the pool. Then we got back on the boat and went down river to the RIverside. It's really nice too, I like the big paddle boat themed restaurant. I kept thinking "this is where all my new Disney friends stay, they're so lucky"! We had a blast exploring both resorts and now feel better that we can at least say we've been there. I liked Riverside, Mike liked the FQ. I'd certainly stay in EITHER!! (you understand, being local). I recommend you do it, We love exploring the resorts, and it's FREE!!!!
This is awesome, Julie! We definitely love to do this. I really wanted to get over to the resorts and eat at different resort restaurants this year, but so far, I haven't done it. I hear the beignets are killer! Thanks for the DTD detail. We'll make this a Saturday plan in the next month or so for sure!
Lizzy I hadnt checked that out thank you .
Pi}{ie
Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis
We get unpacked then either walk around the resort or head straight for the pool. We mainly stay at Port Orleans Riverside. Our past trip was at the French Quarter. My kids were very anxious to check out the pool with the sea serpant slide. We unpacked and got our suits on and hit the pool. We LOVED the new upgrades, especially the queen size beds.
We love Port Orleans Riverside because it makes you feel like you have stepped back in time to a more gracious period. The gardens are beautiful the mansions are gorgeous! It's very peaceful and relaxing.
Well, the first thing my husband does is check for bed bugs! 
Then, we usually walk around the resort and get our mugs!
arrival day is ALWAYS DTD day for us. Flying cross country gets us in around 4pmish.. so by the time we get to the Magical Express, then to the resort, checked in, over to the room.. it gets to be around 6pm. So I always make reservations at Raglan Road for Dinner... we eat, then explore DTD.. get to bed early because Magic Kingdom is always the 1st park we visit!