AK and meeting someone new the first time? "Young Love"

[imktdqt810]

We will be at one park per day with hopper and plan to go to EPCOT each evening (or HS) due to walking at BWV. DS is 16 and has been "Dating" a girl who lives in FL for about 1 1/2 years (we live in WV) They have known each other online for 2 years and it got as serious as online dating for a High Schooler can get. They talk on the phone, over the computer, exchange sweatshirts to wear, gifts at holidays and play many online games together but never had to opportunity to meet. They wanted to meet each other last year, at WDW, but of course things got cancelled. Her parents agreed to take her to one park for them to meet and that park will be AK. This is kinda our least favorite park, the last two times we went (2012 & 2016) we would go and enjoy what we wanted then head over to Disney Springs. But THIS year with "The Meeting" I have a feeling we will be there from morning until closing. DH and I have seen the girl on the computer and past by and talking to her from time to time but I fear this will be a tad bit uncomfortable for all the parents involved. I told DS that they hand the day together, use the mobile app to order lunch/dinner/snacks...whatever and to get as many PhotoPass pics at possible. Any must do things in this park that comes to mind you think they should do? We do the Sioultte/Profiles as a family at MK and suggested they do that IF it's at AK since you get two and they can each have one. But I don't know too much about that park and thought I would ask here.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

That’s very sweet. Given their age you don’t need to be at AK with them do you?

 

[tinkerjo]

I agree with welsh_dragon. Meet her and let the kids spend the day at AK (riding Everest 150 million times) You do what you want to do in the park and leave in the afternoon to Disney Springs or the resort and maybe return for a late supper with the kids. It’s really sweet but I’m sure they want their “date” without parents as much as you don’t want to be stuck in their date. Just make sure you have well established ground rules so there is no miscommunications. IE: no leaving the park, check in every 2 hours, or whatever rules you want to set. Without FOTLK and finding Nemo, And Dino land being a practical ghost town, I think it would be tough to spend a whole day at AK right now
ETA: if they still do it, they used to have an animation drawing class at Rafikis Planet Watch. I forgot about it. DS did it at DL a couple years ago and it was fun

 

[imktdqt810]

@Welsh_Dragon and @tinkerjo

We planned to going to that park anyways and DH and I were not planning on staying with them. We are thinking of still going to Disney Springs to walk around and then return later in the day. We have Life360 on our phones and his so that is how our family always "checks in" with a quick glance at the app and if something isn't right then we call (like it doesn't update or it shows someone in the river and not on the toad...LOL, it's a free app so we are used to this but that would be like a "calling situation". THANK YOU about the Rafikis Plant Watch drawing class, I need to look into that. I know she loves to draw and sends my son stuff all the time (she is really good at it) so I will look into that and see what the openings are, price and ask if it's something they would like to do together.

 

[tinkerjo]

The drawing class was free and we didn’t need a reservation or anything. You just learn to draw one of the characters. DS was 11 and did better than me. We drew Simba that day. It eats up about 45 minutes or so and was fun. Good luck!! Sounds interesting for sure!!! The app sounds awesome and adds extra piece of mind.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I think AK sounds like the perfect first date park. There's plenty to walk around and look at, which translates to a lot of things to make small talk about. It may not be awkward for them since they've known each other for so long already, but I imagine there will still be a lot of 'butterflies' and having all the trails/animals to look at would have been a welcome thing for me at that age. It's also nice, if one of them isn't into thrill rides, or rides much at all. The drawing class sounds great.

We have met friends of my daughter at the parks before and her parents that we had not seen in a long time. I was also nervous about it being really awkward, but it turned out not to be. I think a lot of it just depends on the individuals. And at least, you know you can head out and come back later, if needed/wanted. I hope they have an amazing day together!

 

[unrequited23]

When all else fails, get on the wait list for Nomad Lounge.

 

[noahdove]

I can't wait to hear how this turns out, please keep us updated...and have a great day...

 

[imktdqt810]

I can't wait to hear how this turns out, please keep us updated...and have a great day...

Will do and I'm sure the kids will have fun no matter what!

 

[zeferjen]

I don't have ideas but this is incredibly sweet