Advice for how to make an adult trip fun for the non-Disney obsessed?

[caybean]

Hi!
I am 26 and am going to ESPN the Weekend this year with my boyfriend and our best friends who are married. The fact they even agreed to come appears to be an act of a higher power, because I NEVER thought I would get them to say yes - he grew up in Lakeland and spent plenty of time at Disney when he was 14 and younger (but has NOT been since) and his wife went to college in Orlando so also spent plenty of time there about ten years ago.
Anyways, needless to say, my presentation on why we should go was lengthy! I think I really sold the husband on the ESPN (we are all huggge sports fans) weekend thing... and must have said 40 times that they both have never seen Animal Kingdom...nevermind all the new rides and attractions since the 1999! Ok, so that was a success and they are getting excited... but now I feel so much pressure! I love Disney and really want them to have a great time (if only in hopes of getting them to return with us!).
My question is... any advice on how to show them a good time? Revive the magic that has gone out of Disney World for them because they overdosed as children? Haha.

Trip Details:
Feb 24-28... we are driving from Charlotte...
On the Disney Dining Plan (I think that was a selling point too, the wife is a vegetarian and didn't want to eat a salad CS meal every day)
Have the ESPN the weekend package (tickets to Mike&Mike, Harlem Globetrotters, running the 5K)
Staying at All Start Sports (we are on a budget!)

Thanks in advance for any advice... I might just appreciate it for many years to come if I manage to not blow it...

~ Cailyn

 

[ChloroFiend]

First off, I'd say do the parks in small doses and definitely not commando-style. Let them set the pace and if they're not up for it, don't force them. Along the same lines, if you want to go gung-ho and they'd rather do something else, go for it. They might want to just relax by themselves.

There's always the ever-popular Drink Around the World at Epcot.

Plenty of non-park stuff to do. Dining you've got covered. Shopping at DTD. Golf (mini or real). Bar hop around the monorail, around DTD, or just head over to Jellyrolls for the night....that's a total blast that should be amicable. ESPN Club isn't bad to watch a game, grab some food, and down a few beers.

Let's see...Spa day maybe? The water sports like renting the boats, parasailing, jetskiing, or just lounging by the pool?

 

[caybean]

Drink Around the World... Now that is something I have always wanted to do... Is there a specific "way" to do this? Or just get a drink at every bar in every country? And what is barhopping along the monorail? Just going to the hotel bars?

And I did plan mini golf...and Jelly Rolls is a great idea - I had forgotten about the Boardwalk.

Definitely NOT going gung ho all day... I think they are worried I will! I tried to explain the importance of ADRs and I think even that made them nervous as to us sticking to a schedule!

Thanks for the great ideas...

 

[ChloroFiend]

If we're going to drink around World Showcase, we usually start at one end (for some reason always Canada) and just lazily walk through the pavilions. By the time our glass runs dry, we're ready for the next one. Germany, Italy, and France each have extensive wine selections and sampler flights available at their shops, so that can make for a longer (and intoxicating) stop.

Drinking around the Monorail is the resort bars....Mizner's at GF, Tambu Lounge at Poly, and Outer Rim at Contemporary. Bonus points if you include the Wave, Cali Grill, and any of the pool bars (if they're still open).

 

[iluveeyore]

We did the drink around the world plan this past summer with another couple for the first time, we had a blast! We started in Mexico with margharitas, then picked our own drinks from there. We took our time and enjoyed what each country had to offer, whether it was a ride, movie or show. When we got to the UK, we had fish and chips and found a spot to watch Illuminations to end the evening. It was great. We did however find out afterwards that my BFF and I could have got a $20 wine pass for six glasses of wine instead of paying $6-8 per glass. We'll do that next time! One thing I wish we had done was the Kim Possible scavenger hunt - that might be fun for you to try!
Have a great time!

 

[HallsInTheKingdom]

We did the drink around the world plan this past summer with another couple for the first time, we had a blast! We started in Mexico with margharitas, then picked our own drinks from there. We took our time and enjoyed what each country had to offer, whether it was a ride, movie or show. When we got to the UK, we had fish and chips and found a spot to watch Illuminations to end the evening. It was great. We did however find out afterwards that my BFF and I could have got a $20 wine pass for six glasses of wine instead of paying $6-8 per glass. We'll do that next time! One thing I wish we had done was the Kim Possible scavenger hunt - that might be fun for you to try!
Have a great time!

So explain this $20 wine pass? We are doing a DATW for the first time in march wit friends of ours.

 

[iluveeyore]

I didn't actually get to use the wine pass - we saw a sign at the wine store in France when we were paying for our wine, and it said $20 for 6 glasses of wine, two glasses from 3 countries of your choice. I would just ask at any country you are buying your drinks before you get started.

 

[caybean]

I found a great DATW passport that a DIS member made... and I printed it... I am so excited!

 

[goldielocksraj]

DEFINATELY do JellyRolls-it is a blast! Sooo non-Disney too, since their drink prices are "normal"! BFF and I went last month and we stayed 3x what I'd intended too . . . dunno how that happened ! I also recommend it for anyone who wants "adult time" and even "adult beverages" WITHOUT a club-y feel.

I also echo everyone else's vote for Epcot in general and ESPECIALLY WS. You really don't feel like you're at "the mouse" (as my non-Disney loving hubby says), but rather you're traveling.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Drinking around the world is a blast. . .remember there is the new Tequila Bar in Mexico. Something that should not be missed. Also, at Hollywood Studios I can recommend the Tune Inn Lounge (next to 50's Prime Time Cafe) as a great place to stop in for a drink and either a meal or a snack. . .no need for "reservations". Just go. Ask for Dave and tell him nurse darcy sent you. . .lol. Love doing Jellyrolls. . .keep in mind it is an 8 dollar cover charge. Also, Atlantic Dance Hall is quite fun. Both of these are on the boardwalk. House of Blues always has some entertainment going on.

Don't get too strict on reservations for dining. The time of year you are going should be no sweat to get something "spur of the moment". Overplanning may only stress your friends out. . .We always manage to get some ressies spur of the moment even when the parks are most crowded. . .

 

[goofykb03]

First off, I'd say do the parks in small doses and definitely not commando-style. Let them set the pace and if they're not up for it, don't force them. Along the same lines, if you want to go gung-ho and they'd rather do something else, go for it. They might want to just relax by themselves.

There's always the ever-popular Drink Around the World at Epcot.

Plenty of non-park stuff to do. Dining you've got covered. Shopping at DTD. Golf (mini or real). Bar hop around the monorail, around DTD, or just head over to Jellyrolls for the night....that's a total blast that should be amicable. ESPN Club isn't bad to watch a game, grab some food, and down a few beers.

Let's see...Spa day maybe? The water sports like renting the boats, parasailing, jetskiing, or just lounging by the pool?

I second everything Chlorofriend mentioned, all great options!

I will strongly re-state what you already know: don't go crazy trying to do everything in the parks. The parks will probably be the least enchanting for non-Disney fans. Keep in mind a few things you love and would like to share with them. If you head over to Animal Kingdom, since you mentioned your friends wanting to go, I'd also recommend stopping by AK Lodge - there's a great bar, along with fire pits, rocking chairs, etc - it's an awesome spot to grab a drink and hang out with friends.

Adding to the ideas of things you can do for outdoor recreation, I love riding bikes at Port Orleans (you can do it just about anywhere, but PO is my favorite spot since it's easy riding, and the scenery between the French Quarter and what used to be Dixie Landings is great!) and also a favorite activity of mine in Disney is horseback riding in Fort Wilderness. I also love renting canopy boats - perfect for 4 adults!

As for ADRs, if you're worried that it is stressing them out, suggest making a few different reservations for different spots at different times. There's no limit to how many ADRs you can make, and having options might make an itinerary seem less intimidating. Just PLEASE remember if you opt to make extra ADRs and don't use all of them - be sure to cancel ahead so other park guests can enjoy a great meal! There are so many restaurants geared toward a more mature audience, some created by world-renowned chefs! The food will make their worries disappear, I have a feeling

There's a movie theater at DTD as well... not really my idea of a Disney vaca, but on a crappy day it's a good option. It has stadium seating, reclining seats, and armrests that lift up!

I'm sure you will have a great time and all will go smoothly. Good luck with the 5K!