Any night owls awake?? Quick ideas needed!

[idinagirl]

So as a planning park crazy commando- I have just been sprung this from my mother- "I'd like to drive up to Disney with you one last time... tomorrow ok?"

I'm staying down in Sarasota for the summer for a job, and my mother is down visiting. She won't be able to travel soon- she's not that old, it's a medical thing, so we NEVER say NEVER!!, anyhow, this is sort of a huge deal... for her to want to do this. She was never quite as Disney crazy as her daughter

Now, I'm heading to Orlando NEXT WEEK for my big planned out vacation with my bestfriend who is flying down, and I'm already freaking over that.

We are leaving in 5 hours- holy!- and I have NO CLUE where to take her. I'm pretty sure the last time she went into the parks I was four. I have since then graduated from university...

So here are some questions:
-What's good on Fridays???
-Which park is best for people who are not thrill seekers... yet the damn woman claims she hates Epcot.. though I'm not entirely sure she remembers anything but the Figment ride, which she also claims to hate. Hey, I agree with that atleast.
-And, finally... I want to take her out for a special dinner... Friday night? No reservations? Any ideas?

At this point, from all you night owls, I'll take anything.. as I search the site for a bit!

Yours in worry (and a little bit of excitement),
Danni

 

[BlindTyldak]

Night owl up here, give me 5 minutes to check some times. Be right back!

 

[idinagirl]

Chances are good that I will grant you hero status by the end of this night!! Yay!

 

[KimRaye]

Flower & Garden Festival? It's Epcot, but it's pretty!

Have a GREAT time!

 

[cjb71870]

A night owl and DW regular from Sarasota here. Nice to meet you!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

If it's to be her last, then I'd take her to MK, crowds or no. It's got a lot of non-thrill rides and the like.
A second alternative would be AK, especially if she's never seen it.

AK is on the list tomorrow as the best.
MGM and EP are on the avoid list
MK made neither the go to list, nor the avoid.

For dinner, just call as early as you can tomorrow and see what you can get.
You can likely get into Maya Grill at Coronado Springs fairly easily. Kona maybe. Citricos might be another. Artist Point.

Just remember to have fun.

 

[KimRaye]

-And, finally... I want to take her out for a special dinner... Friday night? No reservations? Any ideas?

A MOM? For Dinner? 50s Prime time! FUN!!!

 

[Rella Bella]

Hey Dani,

You don't say how old she is but with a "medical condition" involved I would say you might be moving at a slower pace so lack of planning is no problem. It isn't Memorial Day yet so the crowds shouldn't be too bad.

I would always choose MK if I can only do one park. It just doesn't feel like were at Disney until I walk through those gates! Just strolling up Main Street, shopping, seeing the shows & parades, and a few attractions so she can enjoy the atmosphere will most likely be plenty of adventure. She may not be too into doing a bunch of rides, but since you have another big trip planned soon I'd just let her lead.

Think of it as good quality time with mom and you'll have a great day!

 

[cjb71870]

I know alot of you are saying MK. But, that's the most crowded park on a daily basis. Will she need a wheelchair to get around?

 

[BlindTyldak]

Okay . . . first I'd really try to convince her to do Epcot. Tell her that a lot has changed since she was there last (which I'm sure it has!). It's an EMH day there so it may be a little more crowded than usual, but that place is huge anyway. I'd recommend Garden Grille for dinner since it's unique and the booths are set up in such a way that the restaurant remains very quiet, and it's not the most popular place to eat, though the food is very good . . . you may have good luck getting an Adr as soon as you walk in the gate.

Second choice, MK, since a lot of people arrive on Fridays and don't get there until later. It's not an EMH day so crowds should be normal, or are getting ready to leave and are at AK for their last day. Additionally, MGM will draw HUGE crowds so that might help quite a bit (Star Wars Weekend). You might try Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner, or Tony's, both of which I hear are very good. I've never eaten dinner there. Or, dinner reservations for the Castle are supposed to be not TOO bad to make, so you might try to get those as soon as you get in the gate.

Third choice, AK, especially if she will not be doing thrill rides, since though it may be crowded most folks will be on Dinosaur, EE, or Kali. She'd probably really like the shows, and dinner at Rainforest would be good . . . another one I've heard is easier to get since most people leave the park around 3 or 4.

AVOID MGM, like I said Star Wars Weekends. Unless you think she'd have fun navigating through 20,00 Jedi wanna-be's.

 

[idinagirl]

Disney World Hero Status granted to all of you!! bahaha..

Seriously thank you guys so much, I feel much better hearing some of these crowd statistics-- I was actually thinking "meh it's just Star Wars" ... yah, no MGM and Jedis are probably what to avoid for us!

I'm thinking on MK, that comment on how it's not Disney til you walk down Main St. got me thinking, I definitely feel the same way. Though she does like flowers, and I've never been on Soarin'

Either way, thank you! I will go over to Trip Reports in a few days and post a little quickie, because it is hard for her to get around I think it will hopefully help a few people out!

MWAHS to all you night owls... now... GET TO BED!!

 

[idinagirl]

A night owl and DW regular from Sarasota here. Nice to meet you!

please to meet ya

 

[BlindTyldak]

MWAHS to all you night owls... now... GET TO BED!!

YEEP! Yes, Mommy!!!


(Hahaha, actually I leave for short vaca to Omaha for Henry Doorly Zoo in the morning, so ADVICE TAKEN! XD )

 

[Rella Bella]

MWAHS to all you night owls... now... GET TO BED!!

Yeah!! She feels better!
But bed?? This early???

 

[sdy]

On a whim I thought I'd try something and was able to help you out with ADR's. I think.

Sent you a PM with details.

You're gonna have a great time, either way...

ENJOY.
Love the impromptu journeys...

 

[cjb71870]

For ADR's that soon I'd start calling ASAP!

 

[Mariposa]

I'd go for MK, maybe try on of the monorail resorts for an ADR? You can call in the morning on the way- might be able to swing a last minute spot, just ask the CM on the phone for anything at the MK, Poly, Contemporary, or GF (I'd even throw in the WL since it's just a boat ride off). Then, if she's game I'd swing back to MK, find a nice spot to just sit and watch Spectro and Wishes.

 

[Quinn222]

Take her to MK. My mother always swore she would only be interested in Epcot since she is older. I took her to MK a couple of weeks ago and she has been raving about it ever since, it's her new favourite park. There are tons of gentle attractions for her to ride on and it's pretty and so much less walking than Epcot.