DW virgins, what do you do?

[Elsaalltheway]

I know that may sound bad, but it kinda fits. I've been a few times but this year I'll be taking two grown men to DW for the first time. They have both been to Disneyland many times but this is their first time in the four parks. So I should ask, what is a must for any person on their first trip. What is it that you HAVE to do every time you go. We will have the quick service meal plan too and I want them to get the most out of it, so any other suggestions will be welcome. We will be in the parks for five days and have two days of rest. Well we may add another day, we're not sure yet.

 

[Accident]

i'm a big fan of not adding on too much for a first trip. They have 3 parks they've never seen (to a degree). very few attractions overlap exactly and there is a few no longer at DL they will probably appreciate and want to explore. Resorts are packed with a lot more things to do they can't do in DL. Springs is completely different from downtown there now. different food options and only at WDW things..

I don't really have specifics without thinking about it more for a group of people who know DL except to say it's going to be a lot of familiar but different and a lot they've never seen so don't go overboard and pick your ADRs carefully for things they can't do at DL.

 

[BrianL]

Well, I used to say MK Welcome Show, but, well....

If they've been to DL, I would focus on the unique attractions that are not over there. Expedition Everest, Rock'n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror . I'd definitely watch Illuminations and maybe the Star Wars Galactic Spectacular if they are into Star Wars. Show them what that elevated track in Tomorrowland is for and take a ride on the People Mover!

Sometimes a similar ride from DL might be a bit different too. POTC will probably be disappointing to them, but Haunted Mansion is a little better. Space Mountain is very different, though most prefer the DL version. Test Track is like a much shorter Radiator Springs Racers.

 

[AshleeH]

I would make a few TS ADR's because the dining experience are so much different than Disneyland! Epcot would also be near the top of the list - DLR/DCA have several Epcot attractions, but it is nowhere near the same experience. Depending on how commando your group is, it's a goal of mine to visit all four parks in one day - I've always thought that would be fun and we have plans to make that a reality in November when it's just my husband and me and our friends .

 

[Elsaalltheway]

i'm a big fan of not adding on too much for a first trip. They have 3 parks they've never seen (to a degree). very few attractions overlap exactly and there is a few no longer at DL they will probably appreciate and want to explore. Resorts are packed with a lot more things to do they can't do in DL. Springs is completely different from downtown there now. different food options and only at WDW things..

I don't really have specifics without thinking about it more for a group of people who know DL except to say it's going to be a lot of familiar but different and a lot they've never seen so don't go overboard and pick your ADRs carefully for things they can't do at DL.

Thank you, Yeah the overlapping rides was a concern of mine. I was going to ask if they needed to go on the same rides they've already experienced, or if they want to just do what they can't get on the west coast. Being so close to Disneyland we can drive there in six hours so I was wondering if they wanted to waste any of that time waiting for rides they already knew.

 

[hakepb]

I know it is intended to be the opposite

But Hydroguy's "DL for WDW vets" lists most of the main differences between DL and WDW:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

As mentioned, WDW is more centered on TS dining, so I would look to add a few.
(DL has much better overall QS dining, because most DL visitors are local day visitors that know how to quickly get decent food off site. WDW has a much more captive audience with guests staying on property for a week)
But on QS, try MK BOG for lunch. Most any country in Epcot (except USA), Flametree in AK, and I guess ABC Commissary in DHS (since they now bring food to you)

Ride wise, don't forget Carousel of Progress since it's an original Walt ride that was moved from DL.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Well, I used to say MK Welcome Show, but, well....

If they've been to DL, I would focus on the unique attractions that are not over there. Expedition Everest, Rock'n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror . I'd definitely watch Illuminations and maybe the Star Wars Galactic Spectacular if they are into Star Wars. Show them what that elevated track in Tomorrowland is for and take a ride on the People Mover!

Sometimes a similar ride from DL might be a bit different too. POTC will probably be disappointing to them, but Haunted Mansion is a little better. Space Mountain is very different, though most prefer the DL version. Test Track is like a much shorter Radiator Springs Racers.

Thank you for your feedback. Yeah with only five days I was wondering what night time shows to do. I really enjoy the Star Wars one. I hope it will still be there when we get back there in Sept.
The rides that overlap have slight changes and that's why I'm wondering if we should waste the time on them. I don't know how many shows we will take in and I think that will cut out a lot of time. I mean Hollywood studios only has 12 attractions and some of them are for kids and I don't think we will be really spending any time there. Normally I can get Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom done in one day, but not that they've added Pandora I need to get into AK at night.

 

[Accident]

Thank you, Yeah the overlapping rides was a concern of mine. I was going to ask if they needed to go on the same rides they've already experienced, or if they want to just do what they can't get on the west coast. Being so close to Disneyland we can drive there in six hours so I was wondering if they wanted to waste any of that time waiting for rides they already knew.

Disunplugged over the summer (I thikn might be early fall) had a great podcast or two on their trip to disneyland. A lot of really great descriptions comparing overlapping rides. An example that I remember is Kevin talking about it's a small world where he likes the outside at DL better but the ride itself he likes better at WDW. I also believe he has mentioned this is his favorite ride at disney so that's a good example of they may decide to not skip things that are the same because they aren't exactly the same.

they went in more detail. When I do the opposite trip, I do go onto rides I woudln't consider at WDW just to see how they did them differently there and I suspect your group might want to do the same on a first trip.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I would make a few TS ADR's because the dining experience are so much different than Disneyland! Epcot would also be near the top of the list - DLR/DCA have several Epcot attractions, but it is nowhere near the same experience. Depending on how commando your group is, it's a goal of mine to visit all four parks in one day - I've always thought that would be fun and we have plans to make that a reality in November when it's just my husband and me and our friends .

Thank you, I don't know how commando we will be. I know we will be doing multiple parks a day. I know I'm also getting an ADR for lunch at BOG. We have the quick service meal right now. I have only eat at quick service myself except Beirgarten. If you had to eat just one table service meal where would you eat. I am bringing that up to them to have one really nice meal.
And I think thats a great goal to visit all the parks in one day. I think you can do it....

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I know it is intended to be the opposite

But Hydroguy's "DL for WDW vets" lists most of the main differences between DL and WDW:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

As mentioned, WDW is more centered on TS dining, so I would look to add a few.
(DL has much better overall QS dining, because most DL visitors are local day visitors that know how to quickly get decent food off site. WDW has a much more captive audience with guests staying on property for a week)
But on QS, try MK BOG for lunch. Most any country in Epcot (except USA), Flametree in AK, and I guess ABC Commissary in DHS (since they now bring food to you)

Ride wise, don't forget Carousel of Progress since it's an original Walt ride that was moved from DL.

Thank you for the feedback. I haven't eaten anywhere in AK myself and it was on the schedule to eat somewhere so thank you for the response. And I was actually looking forward to going back to the ABC Commissary, I saw the changes and it looks like they really invested some thought into the new menu. I ate at USA in Epcot last time, but I think I'm going to try the electric umbrella again. I was pleasantly surprised last time. I think I want to try a different land too.

Thank you for the link. I'll definitely look that up.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Disunplugged over the summer (I thikn might be early fall) had a great podcast or two on their trip to disneyland. A lot of really great descriptions comparing overlapping rides. An example that I remember is Kevin talking about it's a small world where he likes the outside at DL better but the ride itself he likes better at WDW. I also believe he has mentioned this is his favorite ride at disney so that's a good example of they may decide to not skip things that are the same because they aren't exactly the same.

they went in more detail. When I do the opposite trip, I do go onto rides I woudln't consider at WDW just to see how they did them differently there and I suspect your group might want to do the same on a first trip.

I'll admit that when I go back to Disneyland I get turned around. I expect bathrooms to be certain places or a certain restaurant. But I would have to agree that the outside of It's a Small World is a lot better. And if Poo was by Critter country like it is in Disneyland they could bring back Mr Toads wild ride.

 

[Accident]

Thank you for the feedback. I haven't eaten anywhere in AK myself and it was on the schedule to eat somewhere so thank you for the response. And I was actually looking forward to going back to the ABC Commissary, I saw the changes and it looks like they really invested some thought into the new menu. I ate at USA in Epcot last time, but I think I'm going to try the electric umbrella again. I was pleasantly surprised last time. I think I want to try a different land too.

Epcot is doing so many kiosk related things for their food. it might be a nice insight into how WDW does food festivals like food and wine different. (and a whole lot better than that quick service your thinking about)

 

[Micca]

I understand the logic of wanting to avoid attractions that are duplicates of DLR, but if you really enjoy those rides I wouldn't call it a waste of time. I can see saving those similar attractions for the end of the trip/after you've done all the unique stuff but give 'em a shot if time allows. The two DLR rides that really stick out to me as "better" would be POTC and IASW

 

[old feller]

Am I alone on this
..Animal Kingdom...FOTLK..atmosphere alone

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Epcot is doing so many kiosk related things for their food. it might be a nice insight into how WDW does food festivals like food and wine different. (and a whole lot better than that quick service your thinking about)

I saw that, but there are some quick service places I rather do like to eat, and haven't tried, that I would like to try. But we will also be there during food and wine so I'm sure we will be making some pit stops around those kisosks and using our snack credits.

 

[BrianL]

I'll admit that when I go back to Disneyland I get turned around. I expect bathrooms to be certain places or a certain restaurant. But I would have to agree that the outside of It's a Small World is a lot better. And if Poo was by Critter country like it is in Disneyland they could bring back Mr Toads wild ride.

I do that too. My first time at DLR I felt like I was in "bizzaro-land" in that everything was similar enough that you start to feel comfortable, and then you turn a corner, and, wait, why is Big Thunder on the wrong side of the river? It happens.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I understand the logic of wanting to avoid attractions that are duplicates of DLR, but if you really enjoy those rides I wouldn't call it a waste of time. I can see saving those similar attractions for the end of the trip/after you've done all the unique stuff but give 'em a shot if time allows. The two DLR rides that really stick out to me as "better" would be POTC and IASW

Thank you, I want to make sure they are getting the most out of it too and I appreciate your input. I just hope five days is enough. I might be adding another if by the second they are up for it.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I do that too. My first time at DLR I felt like I was in "bizzaro-land" in that everything was similar enough that you start to feel comfortable, and then you turn a corner, and, wait, why is Big Thunder on the wrong side of the river? It happens.

Every time. I've been good the past few times because I've been sticking to DW, but I know the moment I go back. I'll be all turned around and totally bummed the COP isn't there.

 

[Micca]

Thank you, I want to make sure they are getting the most out of it too and I appreciate your input. I just hope five days is enough. I might be adding another if by the second they are up for it.

Your friends are lucky to have you as a guide. For anyone who really loves "Disney" I don't see how they couldn't love WDW. You could twist my arm and get me to say DLR has the edge over MK, but when you factor-in everything else, I say "No contest!"

 

[hakepb]

Thank you for your feedback. Yeah with only five days I was wondering what night time shows to do. I really enjoy the Star Wars one. I hope it will still be there when we get back there in Sept.
The rides that overlap have slight changes and that's why I'm wondering if we should waste the time on them. I don't know how many shows we will take in and I think that will cut out a lot of time. I mean Hollywood studios only has 12 attractions and some of them are for kids and I don't think we will be really spending any time there. Normally I can get Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom done in one day, but not that they've added Pandora I need to get into AK at night.

I know it's really easy for a repeat WDW guest to spend less time in both those parks, because repeat guests usually don't repeat all shows. But 1st time guests may want to go to all the shows. I would lean towards planning full days on both.
(DHS is a bit more difficult sell. TSMM is the same ride, just a different queue. But RnR and ToT (better at WDW) are a must. And the Indiana Jones show is fun.