A skeptical family of First-Timers take on WDW Nov 15-22** NOV 28 update

Hello everybody:wave2:
I don't have anything amazing to report but I'm just in the Disney mood today and don't have to go to work until 4 pm tonight so I've got some time on my hands.:woohoo: I think I'm going to do a couple lists for this trip on various topics just so I have something to do on my PTR. So, this first list will be "what do I predict my husband will love the most about our trip?".

I think the thing I'm looking forward to the most on this trip is seeing David have a good time and really enjoy the place. Now, the kids will OF COURSE love it and I just can't wait to see how excited they will be!! but.... David is really by far the most skeptical in the family and he is the one that NEEDS a vacation and NEEDS to let his hair down most of all! I don't expect or even want him to become a "Disney fanatic" by any means but I really want him to enjoy the trip and feel that it was worth the money and time off of work. So....I've compiled a little list of the things that I PREDICT he'll love the very most. It will be fun to report back on whether I was right or not in my predictions.

I'll probably add more to my lists as I go on this Pre-report and I'll probably even post a list of what I predict each of the kiddos will love the most. I may be totally off so it will be fun to see. I'll give them complete interviews after our trip of what their most favorite things of all were and compare them to my predictions.

So, I tried to pick just one thing from each park that I think will be David's favorite attraction. Also, his favorite meal and such.

First off, I'm sure staying at the Polynesian will be a huge hit with him. He is a very chilled out and relaxed dude and loves his music. I can totally see him lounging on a chair outside or in a hammock listening to whatever music is piped in around there. He has no problem with relaxing, wheras I feel like I've got to be doing something at all times. The Poly just screams relaxing to me!
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The first park we will visit on this trip will be MK and I predict that he'll be most impressed by Haunted Mansion! It is just so impressive and realistic and the technology of this attraction is amazing. Plus, it's not babyish and cartoonish which he'll like. My favorite part of this attraction was the ball room scene. Wow!
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The second park we will visit is Animal Kingdom. He is gonna love it here all together! He tells me that he's getting too old and queesey in the stomach to be able to handle major thrill rides like he used to so I think AK will be a favorite of his because it's more scenic and relaxed and "natural" and not so ride focused. I think he'll be impressed by the theming of Expedition Everest but maybe not so much the "ride". If I had to pick one thing he'd want to do more than once at AK, it will probably be the Safari!
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Once we get to the Studios, it's probably a toss up between Rock N Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. If I had to pick one, I'd say Rock will be his favorite. He's a huge guitar player and LOVES loud music and loves Aerosmith and I really think the pre-show of this ride is so cool and I bet he will too!! Now TT is impressive in theming but I'm just not sure he'll want to do it more than once because the falling part kind of sucks.
:rotfl:

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As far as Epcot goes, I'm almost certain that it wont be an attraction there that he is impressed with but rather just touring the World Showcase! He is going to go nuts seeing all the different cultures and buildings and landscaping, etc etc. He'll like World Showcase more than anything over in Future World.
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As far as food goes, David is really really into Breakfast (so happens to be my least favorite meal of the day and I can do without it all together). Anyhoo..I booked 2 ADR breakfasts and one is at the Grand Floridian and the other is at Kona. It's probably a tie but again, if I have to choose, I'd say that he'll like Kona the best. He's going to be all over the platter with sausage and eggs and such and he doesn't usually do sweets so I dont think he'll go for the Tonga toast.
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One last thing that I know will really blow him away will be the fireworks. He has a little bit of Pyromaniac tendencies (don't most men?) and I know we've never seen fireworks like they have at Disney before. I have personally only seen Wishes so I can't compare to Illuminations or even Fantasmic laser stuff but we do plan on hitting all of them. Either way, he's going to go bananas over the fireworks!
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And last but not least, he's going to be giddy about all the alcoholic beverages he can sample around WDW. He's not a big drinker but he appreciates trying various types of drinks and is very interested in exotic tequilas and beers and wines from other places. Like I said before, he still thinks we're just going to a regular ol' theme park so I don't think he realizes that there will be LOTS and LOTS of different alcoholic beverages to try everywhere from the Poly bar to World Showcase!
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So be sure to stay tuned and when I do the actual report when we get back, I'll have to let you know if I was right or waaay off. Wont it be funny if David's favorite ride is Winnie the Pooh and he's really been a closeted character-lover this whole time!:lmao:
 
It will be interesting to see what his favorites really are. You'll have to let us all know!

I was reading this and was thinking about in 2007 when we went took our friends. DWs BFF (our maid of honor) and their 9-year old DD and her DH. While their DD was very excited to go, and mom was interested but not a hard-core fan by any means, the Dad was very sceptical. He doesn't like crowds, doesn't like lines, doesn't like kiddie stuff. As such, he only came for half the trip (he couldn't get off work the full time). But he had a great time, and we went in September with the awful heat. Your note about your DH loving fireworks reminded me of what this guy said right after watching wishes from in front of the castle: "Well, that pretty much ruined all other fireworks shows."

I might put something similar in my TR for my Mom. She's been before, but not really since it's become a destination resort, and she's just going to spend time with DD,but she doesn't really "get" it why we like to go. And the moment I picture that'll happen is on our 2nd day when watching Festival of the Lion King. That show just exemplifies for me how Disney is both for kids and not for kids at the same time.
 
It will be interesting to see what his favorites really are. You'll have to let us all know!

I was reading this and was thinking about in 2007 when we went took our friends. DWs BFF (our maid of honor) and their 9-year old DD and her DH. While their DD was very excited to go, and mom was interested but not a hard-core fan by any means, the Dad was very sceptical. He doesn't like crowds, doesn't like lines, doesn't like kiddie stuff. As such, he only came for half the trip (he couldn't get off work the full time). But he had a great time, and we went in September with the awful heat. Your note about your DH loving fireworks reminded me of what this guy said right after watching wishes from in front of the castle: "Well, that pretty much ruined all other fireworks shows."

I might put something similar in my TR for my Mom. She's been before, but not really since it's become a destination resort, and she's just going to spend time with DD,but she doesn't really "get" it why we like to go. And the moment I picture that'll happen is on our 2nd day when watching Festival of the Lion King. That show just exemplifies for me how Disney is both for kids and not for kids at the same time.

You are so right about Disney fireworks ruining it for any other firework shows. I've heard that before and it's so true.
So, has your mom seen the Lion King show at AK before? I read your report but I don't remember how long it's been since she's been to Disney. Maybe before AK was even there? She's going to love it! I thought the Festival of Lion King show would be boring but it was amazing when I saw it. I can't wait to go again!! Hurry up NOVEMBER!
 
I can't wait to hear what they all think. I think your family will love Epcot. It's really more for adults than kids (IMO). And, who could not love the Poly? It's my dream resort. I'm really excited to hear what you all think of the resort.
 

You are so right about Disney fireworks ruining it for any other firework shows. I've heard that before and it's so true.
So, has your mom seen the Lion King show at AK before? I read your report but I don't remember how long it's been since she's been to Disney. Maybe before AK was even there? She's going to love it! I thought the Festival of Lion King show would be boring but it was amazing when I saw it. I can't wait to go again!! Hurry up NOVEMBER!

Nope - they had free passes and went to AK a few years ago - but I guess it rained really awful and she says they really didn't get to see much. Before that I remember us going around 1982-1983 because Epcot was newly opened. I didn't go once between 1983 and 1997 myself, and other than that one day at AK I don't think she's been since 1983 either. It's almost completely different from back then. Even EPCOT has changed significantly, with only I think Spaceship Earth being somewhat the same ride. It's such a different experience when you stay on-site, too. I think she'll really like the Port Orleans French Quarter (the closer I get - the more I think there is NO WAY I which from that resort).
 
Make sure the two of you do a tequila flight at the cantina in Mexico...personally I would split it...5 shots is probably not good for anyone at once! :lmao: 2 1/2 made my head spin...there is something about good quality tequila!
 
I can't wait to hear what they all think. I think your family will love Epcot. It's really more for adults than kids (IMO). And, who could not love the Poly? It's my dream resort. I'm really excited to hear what you all think of the resort.

Thanks for joining along! Yes, I can't wait to do Epcot. I know they are all going to love it and World Showcase is really the one area I did not explore at all when I went in Feb so it will be totally new for all of us.
So excited about the Poly, I will for sure report all the deets!

Nope - they had free passes and went to AK a few years ago - but I guess it rained really awful and she says they really didn't get to see much. Before that I remember us going around 1982-1983 because Epcot was newly opened. I didn't go once between 1983 and 1997 myself, and other than that one day at AK I don't think she's been since 1983 either. It's almost completely different from back then. Even EPCOT has changed significantly, with only I think Spaceship Earth being somewhat the same ride. It's such a different experience when you stay on-site, too. I think she'll really like the Port Orleans French Quarter (the closer I get - the more I think there is NO WAY I which from that resort).

I really want to check out Port Orleans when we go since it's my second choice after the Poly. David is Cajun:lmao: so I'm hoping he'll just love the looks of the place and feel right at home there and want to book a bounceback to stay there one day! we shall see.
I can't wait to hear about everything ya'll did when you do your report!

Make sure the two of you do a tequila flight at the cantina in Mexico...personally I would split it...5 shots is probably not good for anyone at once! :lmao: 2 1/2 made my head spin...there is something about good quality tequila!

Oh my, we'll definitely have to check out the tequila flight. I'm cool with some head spinning every now and then:laughing:
 
I like your list and I'm sure you'll be right! I'm really looking forward to your trip report. And as for the 5 shots of tequila - my head is spinning just thinking about it! lol
 
I went back it is only 3 shots with a shot of mexican tomato juice...sure seemed like 5 (but maybe it was the margarita I had with it, the heat, and not eating before hand).:lmao:
 
So I was feeling a little crafty today and did some digital scrapbooking. I got this idea to make sort of a "photo itinerary" mainly because Ian will LOVE it. Ian gets a little overstimulated every so often and I know when we get to Disney he's going to be constantly asking what day we are doing what so I thought I'd print this up and take it along. I "designed" these pages with the intention of printing them at Costco on 12x12 paper. If they survive the trip, I'll just insert into the scrapbook when we get back. If they get tore up, no problem, I just print more! That's the beauty of doing digital scrappin', you can just print more pages! I figure I'll insert these into the plastic sheet things and Ian can tape it right up in our room if he wants to!

Notice, I did all our ADRs in red so I'll remember those! Also, if we do any switches at the last minute, I'll just drag the photos around and adjust to make it accurate. I also might have made some typos and mistakes and since I found these photos on Google, be sure to let me know if any of them aren't right!:laughing: I really haven't seen THAT much at Disney so I may have my firework shows and such all mixed up. I usually find all sorts of mistakes when I make a page but most of the time I can iron them all out before it goes to print. I think it's around 3 bucks a page to print at Costco so you really want to make sure you've got it right first!
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I love your digital page!!! I have got to start digital scrapbooking!!! I am making a day by day journal for the kids as part of my reveal so they can look at it on the plane!
 
I love your digital page!!! I have got to start digital scrapbooking!!! I am making a day by day journal for the kids as part of my reveal so they can look at it on the plane!

ooooh, I love that idea! Is it going to be in a little notebook? with photos or just journaling? tell me more:goodvibes

I may even re-adjust my photo itinerary and do maybe an 8x8 little album with each day being one page. This wouldn't be the "real" scrapbook but more of a mini pre-scrapbook for each kid to take along and see what's in store for each day. I would add more photos and more details since I'd have a page set aside for each day.
 
Like the digital Scrapbook! Nice Job!

Just disappointed our trips don't really overlap at all...except it looks like you'll be in MK for the parade and fireworks on 11/19. We'll be in the park too...though mostly avoiding the parade and fireworks. Saturday night parade and fireworks tend to be a mob scene as a lot of people arrive on Saturday and bee-line to MK for these things...since this is the start of Thanksgiving week I expect relatively high crowds in the park that evening. We have CRT at 6:40 PM. The intention is to do rides while the parade is going on and we'll probably leave before the fireworks. I normally wouldn't stay out that late with DD, but it's our last night.
 
Like the digital Scrapbook! Nice Job!

Just disappointed our trips don't really overlap at all...except it looks like you'll be in MK for the parade and fireworks on 11/19. We'll be in the park too...though mostly avoiding the parade and fireworks. Saturday night parade and fireworks tend to be a mob scene as a lot of people arrive on Saturday and bee-line to MK for these things...since this is the start of Thanksgiving week I expect relatively high crowds in the park that evening. We have CRT at 6:40 PM. The intention is to do rides while the parade is going on and we'll probably leave before the fireworks. I normally wouldn't stay out that late with DD, but it's our last night.

I know, I'm not really sure about my idea to see Electric parade this night either. By this time in our trip, we'll have been to MK already a couple of times and should have knocked out most of the rides so the plan is to go to MK JUST for the elec parade and Wishes. Even Wishes isn't THAT important because we'll have already seen Holiday wishes at the party and probably even seen it a time or two from our resort. It's mainly the elec. parade we'll need to catch. I'm not sure yet...but I may move our Luau on Thurs 17th to 5:00 instead of 8:00 and that way after that, we can head over and see Elec. parade on Thurs. instead after the dinner show. Still tossing that idea around. It's just that thurs. is our AK day and I don't want to feel rushed to be done and back at Poly for Luau at 5:00 or whatever the earlier time is which is why I planned the Luau for the 8 pm show. If things go ideally, I'd like to do AK on Thurs and as the day goes on, I'll know if we'll be tired of that place by 3 or 4 ish and then I can simply call and move my reservation at luau to the earlier spot but I'm not even sure it's remotely possible that there would be any openings to do a switch of time on the actual day. Know what I mean?

Thanks for keeping up!
 
I know, I'm not really sure about my idea to see Electric parade this night either. By this time in our trip, we'll have been to MK already a couple of times and should have knocked out most of the rides so the plan is to go to MK JUST for the elec parade and Wishes. Even Wishes isn't THAT important because we'll have already seen Holiday wishes at the party and probably even seen it a time or two from our resort. It's mainly the elec. parade we'll need to catch. I'm not sure yet...but I may move our Luau on Thurs 17th to 5:00 instead of 8:00 and that way after that, we can head over and see Elec. parade on Thurs. instead after the dinner show. Still tossing that idea around. It's just that thurs. is our AK day and I don't want to feel rushed to be done and back at Poly for Luau at 5:00 or whatever the earlier time is which is why I planned the Luau for the 8 pm show. If things go ideally, I'd like to do AK on Thurs and as the day goes on, I'll know if we'll be tired of that place by 3 or 4 ish and then I can simply call and move my reservation at luau to the earlier spot but I'm not even sure it's remotely possible that there would be any openings to do a switch of time on the actual day. Know what I mean?

Thanks for keeping up!

Hmmmm...how long is the Luau. You don't want to feel rushed to get out of there - and if it runs past 6:30 PM you may be hard-pressed to get over for the 7 PM parade. Of course, you could hop on the train and go around to Frontierland, as the parade wouldn't get there until almost 7:30 PM. I personally would stick with your current plan. (You'll also likely not be able to change the ADR at this point.) A general rule for WDW - don't plan things that you HAVE to be within 2 hours after TS meals - you are spending too much money to have to rush through your meals. Plus it is a time to sit and recharge.

I'd be more likely to say if you REALLY want to see the parade on Thursday - get over early enough (6 PM?) to get a spot right at the foot of main street. The parade will be through by 7:20 PM, then as soon as the parade is over (as the "America" floats are coming through) book outta there for the resort monorail and go to your 8 PM ADR. I wish we could save you a spot - but we'll be at the HUB, and the parade takes about 10 minutes to get there plus then you'd have to push out through the main street crowd afterwards - which would make it tough to make the ADR.

Even if you do that, keep that as more of a back-up plan to doing it Saturday night...that way you don't feel pressed to leave AK. (I know you think you won't need much time there - but we love that park and feel that we need two full days - your family might just want to explore there until closing.) Realistically, the parades are ALWAYS crowded, so whether you pick Thursday or Saturday, you'll still need to get there a ways in advance for a good viewing spot.

SkierPete
 
I love your scrapbook idea! You plans look good - I'll defer to Pete on your questions, because it looks like he's got them covered nicely. I see we don't really overlap at all either - except maybe World Showcase on Sunday the 20th. Maybe we'll see you there :) It's a Sunday - so we'll probably be wearing Packer clothes ;)
 
I love your scrapbook idea! You plans look good - I'll defer to Pete on your questions, because it looks like he's got them covered nicely. I see we don't really overlap at all either - except maybe World Showcase on Sunday the 20th. Maybe we'll see you there :) It's a Sunday - so we'll probably be wearing Packer clothes ;)

Ah...but Joy do OUR trips overlap at all? ;) We don't know where we'll be on Sunday (other than @ 3 PM on a DME bus :( ), so maybe i'll see you both on Sunday.

You can't tell me on a Sunday from my football colors. I own zero Buffalo Bills paraphenalia. I might have on Sabres (hockey) gear during the trip though, probably a hat. While you football people miss 1 or 2 games during your trip - I am missing SIX games in the 11 days of my trip. (Based on length of a season 5 NHL games = 1 NFL game) And try watching a Sabres vs Ottawa Senators broadcast in Florida! (Hint: You can't.) Fortunately, I now have an APP for just that purpose!

Oops - hijacking someone else's thread again. Back to work - Pete!
 
Hmmmm...how long is the Luau. You don't want to feel rushed to get out of there - and if it runs past 6:30 PM you may be hard-pressed to get over for the 7 PM parade. Of course, you could hop on the train and go around to Frontierland, as the parade wouldn't get there until almost 7:30 PM. I personally would stick with your current plan. (You'll also likely not be able to change the ADR at this point.) A general rule for WDW - don't plan things that you HAVE to be within 2 hours after TS meals - you are spending too much money to have to rush through your meals. Plus it is a time to sit and recharge.

I'd be more likely to say if you REALLY want to see the parade on Thursday - get over early enough (6 PM?) to get a spot right at the foot of main street. The parade will be through by 7:20 PM, then as soon as the parade is over (as the "America" floats are coming through) book outta there for the resort monorail and go to your 8 PM ADR. I wish we could save you a spot - but we'll be at the HUB, and the parade takes about 10 minutes to get there plus then you'd have to push out through the main street crowd afterwards - which would make it tough to make the ADR.

Even if you do that, keep that as more of a back-up plan to doing it Saturday night...that way you don't feel pressed to leave AK. (I know you think you won't need much time there - but we love that park and feel that we need two full days - your family might just want to explore there until closing.) Realistically, the parades are ALWAYS crowded, so whether you pick Thursday or Saturday, you'll still need to get there a ways in advance for a good viewing spot.

SkierPete

Oh duh, I wasn't even thinking at all. I was thinking that the elec. parade was at 9:00 on the 17th, not 7:00. So, no, we would not make it at all with the Luau show happening no matter what time we did that. I'll just stick with the original plan on seeing the elec parade on Sat. the 19th then. I sort of think that parades are always packed no matter what day so I guess we'll feel packed in regardless:laughing:
So, how are we all not at the same places on same days I wonder? I sort of based my plan on Tour Guide Mike more or less. I hope I'm not doing anything totally dumb since you and Joy13 are much more experienced than me and you're doing totally different days for things. Yikes.
 





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