Disney with 25 yo

[SleeplessInTO]

We are planning a trip to Disney world over March break 2023. It will be me, DH, our 7 year old, and my 25 year old brother. Going for 4 full days. My brother hasn’t been since he was a little kid, and I’m excited to introduce him to WDW again.

We are going to be staying at Boardwalk villas in a two bedroom, so he will have his own lockoff studio for privacy.

Hoping you guys can give me some ideas of how to make this an awesome trip for my brother? Can’t afford a VIP tour but am planning to get Genie+ and buy ILLs so he can experience Rise, Guardians, Mine Train, Flight of Passage, etc. He is super laidback, likes to do rides, doesn’t like to eat fish. Lives near Disneyland in LA and has been there once as an adult so he’s not a total stranger to the rides. Have asked if there’s any restaurants he wants to try or activities he wants to do but nothing so far.

My thoughts right now (but I’m open to any tips that would make this a great trip for him!!!)

- Boardwalk for the ambiance/view/late night Disney entertainment if he can’t sleep (3 hour time change coming from LA), won out over Saratoga Springs’ access to Disney Springs since it’s easier to get to Epcot and HS from Boardwalk
- One day at each park, with park hoppers, and Genie+ (I might make it a 6 day ticket if arrival and departure flight times make it worthwhile, but so far not the case)
- Dining: Space 220, Cinderella’s Royal Table, 50s Prime Time + Oga’s for drinks, Sanaa or Boma depending on whether it’s lunch or dinner (something that “represents” each park’s uniqueness, with AKL subbing in for AK)
- maybe a fireworks dessert party at MK if I manage to snag a reservation
- no Droid or Lightsaber build, he can always do that closer to home

Seven months and counting!!!! I can’t wait.

 

[loves to dive]

Looks good but is a 25 year old man going to want to eat at Cindys? I know your daughter will enjoy it but not sure about him. I know my son certainly wouldn't have. Maybe give him a night on his own that night?
Why not go to Yak and Yeti or Tiffins at AK? Or even just go by Nomad Lounge for some small plates, you don't need an ADR just do walk up wait list.
I would ask about the dessert party. We did it years ago in it's first life and while my son was o.k. with it, we could have easily skipped it since the viewing wasn't the best from there.

I wouldn't try to build too much into the trip. 4 days really isn't a lot, PHs will make it easier but you don't want to be too booked up. Being at BWV is a good call, you can't beat being able to walk to two parks and if ya'll are over it for the night, he can always walk over to either park and chill.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

Would he enjoy Trader Sam's?

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Looks good but is a 25 year old man going to want to eat at Cindys? I know your daughter will enjoy it but not sure about him. I know my son certainly wouldn't have. Maybe give him a night on his own that night?
Why not go to Yak and Yeti or Tiffins at AK? Or even just go by Nomad Lounge for some small plates, you don't need an ADR just do walk up wait list.
I would ask about the dessert party. We did it years ago in it's first life and while my son was o.k. with it, we could have easily skipped it since the viewing wasn't the best from there.

I wouldn't try to build too much into the trip. 4 days really isn't a lot, PHs will make it easier but you don't want to be too booked up. Being at BWV is a good call, you can't beat being able to walk to two parks and if ya'll are over it for the night, he can always walk over to either park and chill.

Good point about CRT. It might not be my brother’s cup of tea at all. Maybe I’ll leave that one flexible and see how we are feeling that day, food wise.

I’ve never been to Yak and Yeti. Maybe it’s time to try it. I do love Tiffins and Nomad Lounge but thought the food at Boma and Sanaa were even better. I have a soft spot (many soft spots, sigh) for bread and soup.

And you are spot on - I’m definitely in overbooking mode. *exhales*

Thank you!

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Would he enjoy Trader Sam's?

Excellent idea! I’ve never done Trader Sam’s but I think he would like that for sure.

 

[Rory607]

Maybe you and your 7 year old could eat at CRT and the guys could go off and do what they wanted during that time? Otherwise, I wouldn’t stress too much. If you’ve got Genie and park hoppers you should be good to go. I would think most laid back 25 year olds won’t want an itinerary that is planned to the minute.

 

[HopperFan]

Good point about CRT. It might not be my brother’s cup of tea at all. Maybe I’ll leave that one flexible and see how we are feeling that day, food wise.

I’ve never been to Yak and Yeti. Maybe it’s time to try it. I do love Tiffins and Nomad Lounge but thought the food at Boma and Sanaa were even better. I have a soft spot (many soft spots, sigh) for bread and soup.

And you are spot on - I’m definitely in overbooking mode. *exhales*

Thank you!

There is no feeling that day on this one. ^ You pay in advance and you can't cancel last minute. I would book this as a Parent/Child meal and the other parent/brother go off and do something else more adult and reasonable ... maybe Skipper Canteen. Or just SM and a quick serve. OR skip it all together and just go with the flow.

Nomad's is one of my young adult's favorite places and they have the bread service. We do drinks and a variety of their appetizers. I think you are spreading yourself thin going out of your way for eats at resorts on top of park days. I LOVE Yak & Yeti and the desserts, the sorbet, and the wonton one are heaven.

My kids fully appreciate good food but they don't mind losing park time etc because they've been so often. For your brother who will have SO much in the parks he might want to do, I would put less stress on the dining part that takes you away from that. Just like he can do some SW stuff away from parks, he can eat good, much better food away from parks.

My kids LOVE Trader Sam's. Couple weeks ago I was with them. We left MK to arrive at TS at 2 pm to get on the list. Got lunch from QS and we were called to TS about 3:20. Enjoy it about an hour then back to the MK. Great break in the day.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Maybe you and your 7 year old could eat at CRT and the guys could go off and do what they wanted during that time? Otherwise, I wouldn’t stress too much. If you’ve got Genie and park hoppers you should be good to go. I would think most laid back 25 year olds won’t want an itinerary that is planned to the minute.

Probably true re the itinerary. Especially since he’ll be sleeping in most days until noon. Maybe even later!

I think I’m ready to pass on CRT too. My 7 year old won’t know what she’s missing out on, as she was too young (2 yo) the last time we went to remember, and I don’t love it enough to repeat the experience just for me. Might save CRT for a future trip when we bring someone else along that would enjoy it

 

[SleeplessInTO]

There is no feeling that day on this one. ^ You pay in advance and you can't cancel last minute. I would book this as a Parent/Child meal and the other parent/brother go off and do something else more adult and reasonable ... maybe Skipper Canteen. Or just SM and a quick serve. OR skip it all together and just go with the flow.

Nomad's is one of my young adult's favorite places and they have the bread service. We do drinks and a variety of their appetizers. I think you are spreading yourself thin going out of your way for eats at resorts on top of park days. I LOVE Yak & Yeti and the desserts, sorbet and wonton one are heaven.

My kids fully appreciate good food but they don't mind losing park time etc because they've been so often. For your brother who will have SO much in the parks he might want to do, I would put less stress on the dining part that takes you away from that. Just like he can do some SW stuff away from parks, he can eat good, much better food away from parks.

My kids LOVE Trader Sam's. Couple weeks ago I was with them. We left MK to arrive at TS at 2 pm to get on the list. Got lunch from QS and we were called to TS about 3:20. Enjoy it about an hour then back to the MK. Great break in the day.

I am leaning towards skipping CRT completely for all of us. I think Trader Sam is definitely going on the list!! (I’ve never been, so will be a fun experience for us all.)

You guys are making me rethink the Boma/Sanaa idea too. Nomads is great. Would I be an evil sister if I book us at Tusker House and get some trip photos of us with Mickey and friends? (Assuming they’re back by then.)

 

[HopperFan]

I am leaning towards skipping CRT completely for all of us. I think Trader Sam is definitely going on the list!! (I’ve never been, so will be a fun experience for us all.)

You guys are making me rethink the Boma/Sanaa idea too. Nomads is great. Would I be an evil sister if I book us at Tusker House and get some trip photos of us with Mickey and friends? (Assuming they’re back by then.)

You tell him it's for the little but he'll enjoy the food ... and guarantee he'll have fun with the characters, be sure to get those photos!

 

[pjacobi]

I visited WDW at 25 with my then girlfriend, who is now my wife of 30 years of marriage.

We managed it all by ourselves. That was even before the internet, so we had to buy a WDW guidebook and use a travel agent for airline tickets.


-Paul

 

[Cadiewampus]

We are planning a trip to Disney world over March break 2023. It will be me, DH, our 7 year old, and my 25 year old brother. Going for 4 full days. My brother hasn’t been since he was a little kid, and I’m excited to introduce him to WDW again.

We are going to be staying at Boardwalk villas in a two bedroom, so he will have his own lockoff studio for privacy.

Hoping you guys can give me some ideas of how to make this an awesome trip for my brother? Can’t afford a VIP tour but am planning to get Genie+ and buy ILLs so he can experience Rise, Guardians, Mine Train, Flight of Passage, etc. He is super laidback, likes to do rides, doesn’t like to eat fish. Lives near Disneyland in LA and has been there once as an adult so he’s not a total stranger to the rides. Have asked if there’s any restaurants he wants to try or activities he wants to do but nothing so far.

My thoughts right now (but I’m open to any tips that would make this a great trip for him!!!)

- Boardwalk for the ambiance/view/late night Disney entertainment if he can’t sleep (3 hour time change coming from LA), won out over Saratoga Springs’ access to Disney Springs since it’s easier to get to Epcot and HS from Boardwalk
- One day at each park, with park hoppers, and Genie+ (I might make it a 6 day ticket if arrival and departure flight times make it worthwhile, but so far not the case)
- Dining: Space 220, Cinderella’s Royal Table, 50s Prime Time + Oga’s for drinks, Sanaa or Boma depending on whether it’s lunch or dinner (something that “represents” each park’s uniqueness, with AKL subbing in for AK)
- maybe a fireworks dessert party at MK if I manage to snag a reservation
- no Droid or Lightsaber build, he can always do that closer to home

Seven months and counting!!!! I can’t wait.

If he is a Star Wars fan Try to snag reservation at Oga's Cantina.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

If he is a Star Wars fan Try to snag reservation at Oga's Cantina.

Thanks! I do plan to try to get an Oga's reservation. I don't think he's a big Star Wars fan but I think he'll enjoy the experience

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I visited WDW at 25 with my then girlfriend, who is now my wife of 30 years of marriage.

We managed it all by ourselves. That was even before the internet, so we had to buy a WDW guidebook and use a travel agent for airline tickets.


-Paul

Congrats on 30 years! That is awesome.

The intention of this trip is for us to spend time together. I've been appointed chief planner, which admittedly is a role I relish lol. Hopefully my brother falls in love with WDW and brings his girlfriend there someday too. I will definitely not be third-wheeling on that trip!

I like to think I know Disneyworld pretty well, but so far the advice here is spot-on and it never hurts to crowdsource. I do not miss the days when I had to rely on guidebooks alone

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

If you are going to animal kingdom, I personally would eat at Tiffans

Great vibe for older guests, amazing food, good drinks

EDIT: Opps didn't see the 7 year old

 

[SleeplessInTO]

If you are going to animal kingdom, I personally would eat at Tiffans

Great vibe for older guests, amazing food, good drinks

EDIT: Opps didn't see the 7 year old

I agree Tiffins is awesome - but my daughter did get pretty fidgety there last time. We bribed her with one of the glowing ice cubes, which isn't a terrible price to pay I am leaning towards eating in the park and Tiffins is definitely a strong contender.

I am also tempted to get pictures of my brother being hugged by Mickey since I don't think he'd want to line up to do that otherwise, so Tusker House is also on my mind.

Not booking ADRs until 60 days in advance means I have 5 more months to think about this LOL

 

[sponica]

I wish I could time travel and tell my 25 year old self all the fun things to do!
I went at 18, 20, 21 and 26. When I was 20, I went with some of my younger cousins, and my aunt had more fun with me because I was basically a little kid when it came to excitement at the parks.

My now husband was 26 when we went for the first time together, and he hadn't been since he was 12. I still remember when I told him we were going to Epcot and he rolled his eyes so hard because 12 year old him hated Epcot.

I know most people try to squeeze everything park related out of a trip to WDW, but some of my most enjoyable trips were when I did things outside of the parks. Minigolf at Fantasia Gardens or Jock Lindsays and Raglan Road at Disney Springs.
I still think Epcot has some of the better character sightings and meet and greets, plus your brother can partake in the adult beverages around the world.

I do think balancing between what's fun for a 25 year old and what's fun for a 7 year old will be the challenge.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Are you park commandos? Or really slow touring type of family?

That's one detail I would absolutely share with your brother. Laid back may mean he's up for anything but to know the pace of the park touring is a whole different thing.

Also is the cost of the meals on you or him? He may be laid back but multiple pricey sit down meals is a different thing. I think for those who haven't gone it can catch you off guard not only the time commitment a TS (especially character dining) meal can be but also the cost. Sure he hasn't given you much to go off of but I'd let him know that.

Also on the front of character dining, this one is knowing your brother, but I personally am not the biggest on characters, I'd do it and have taken random photos here and there when I was younger and then did chip n dale in DLR in 2019 but as an adult I would not have appreciated being blindsided by a surprise of taking photos with characters. Realize that not everyone is into that and I would personally get permission first. He can opt to join or not join based on that or you guys can look for alternatives.

This sounds like an exciting trip! but I would say 4 days is a pretty tight schedule. Even with park hoppers. I like your idea of 6 days given the circumstances.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Are you park commandos? Or really slow touring type of family?

That's one detail I would absolutely share with your brother. Laid back may mean he's up for anything but to know the pace of the park touring is a whole different thing.

Also is the cost of the meals on you or him? He may be laid back but multiple pricey sit down meals is a different thing. I think for those who haven't gone it can catch you off guard not only the time commitment a TS (especially character dining) meal can be but also the cost. Sure he hasn't given you much to go off of but I'd let him know that.

Also on the front of character dining, this one is knowing your brother, but I personally am not the biggest on characters, I'd do it and have taken random photos here and there when I was younger and then did chip n dale in DLR in 2019 but as an adult I would not have appreciated being blindsided by a surprise of taking photos with characters. Realize that not everyone is into that and I would personally get permission first. He can opt to join or not join based on that or you guys can look for alternatives.

This sounds like an exciting trip! but I would say 4 days is a pretty tight schedule. Even with park hoppers. I like your idea of 6 days given the circumstances.

We are not park commandos, but we're going to up our game for this trip with my brother! Usually we do 3-4 rides a day, at most, and spend the rest of the time enjoying the resort or stuffing our faces haha. For this trip, whatever pace he wants to do, we'll match. DD7 usually has more energy than I do anyways, and DH can always take her back to the resort if she gets tired. I'll ride whatever rides he wants to do. I'm also open to adjusting our plans the day before, and don't mind dropping a park if its getting to be too much. I want him to have a really great trip and great memories, as opposed to seeing/doing everything. Maybe the best way to do it is to leave something undone, so he'll have a desire to come back to WDW?

The cost of meals is on me. DH and I are paying for everything for this trip (airfare, hotel, tickets, food), the only exception is probably his Uber to and from the airport. And maybe souvenirs if he deliberately decides not to charge it to the room, but I will be enabling his MB (or MB+) to have charging abilities.

I will not surprise him the day of, but that is a good point I do plan to run through the itinerary with him closer to the trip.

I am personally really excited for this trip!! DH is already sick of me talking about it LOL.

It is definitely a tight schedule. DH, DD7 and I are flying in two days before my brother does, and we stay an extra 2 days afterwards. But his work schedule is tough and he won't be able to get away for longer than 4 full days. (He'll land late on day 1 given the time change & how long it is from LAX to MCO, we'll be together for day 2 - day 5, then he flies out early on day 6. I'll book him 6 day tickets if flight times co-operate.)

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I wish I could time travel and tell my 25 year old self all the fun things to do!
I went at 18, 20, 21 and 26. When I was 20, I went with some of my younger cousins, and my aunt had more fun with me because I was basically a little kid when it came to excitement at the parks.

My now husband was 26 when we went for the first time together, and he hadn't been since he was 12. I still remember when I told him we were going to Epcot and he rolled his eyes so hard because 12 year old him hated Epcot.

I know most people try to squeeze everything park related out of a trip to WDW, but some of my most enjoyable trips were when I did things outside of the parks. Minigolf at Fantasia Gardens or Jock Lindsays and Raglan Road at Disney Springs.
I still think Epcot has some of the better character sightings and meet and greets, plus your brother can partake in the adult beverages around the world.

I do think balancing between what's fun for a 25 year old and what's fun for a 7 year old will be the challenge.

I'm prioritizing my brother over my 7 year old, at least for the days when my brother is with us, haha! For the two days before and two days after when its just the three of us, DD7 will have her way (as usual).

I've never done minigolf at Fantasia Gardens or Jock Lindsays or Raglan Road! Previous trips have very much been guided by my daughter's whims (like riding Small World 11 times in one day... ) so grown up me is excited for these things too

Did your DH change his mind about Epcot when he went as a 26 year old?

I did find Pooh bear frolicking in the fields at Epcot adorable, he was waving a butterfly net and started doing stretches/trying to touch his toes. Oh Pooh bear