First Night On Property Help...

[DadLightyear]

Hey Everyone,

My wife and I are arriving at WDW in early June, and I'm looking for some ideas to introduce her to the "magic". We've had 2 previous trips planned, and then canceled at the last minute, so this is my opportunity to introduce her to the amazing world at WDW. She's never been to a Disney park, and I think she is assuming that it's going to be like 6 Flags (boy is she in for a surprise). Anyway...I'm looking for ideas for our first night on property. Here are a few of my ideas, but I'd LOVE some input!

-Dinner and vino at Mama Melrose, and then Fantasmic.
-Dinner in Epcot, and stroll around World Showcase as we wait for Illuminations
-Dinner at Crystal Palace and Wishes at MK

My goal here is to show her how "adult", yet fun WDW can be. I think that she'd love the studios, as her first real introduction into the world of Disney has come through our 3 year old son who loves Toy Story, Cars, Peter Pan, and Pirates. I really think she'd get a big kick out of Toy Story Midway Mania. I also know that she'd love to have sushi and cocktails, which means Epcot would be ideal. We only have 4 nights in WDW, so I need to really show her just a few of the incredible things it has to offer! Any suggestions?

 

[TDC Nala]

Your travel schedule will determine this, but I'd recommend NOT booking any restaurant requiring a credit card hold for a no-show fee on an arrival day if you are traveling by air, unless you are scheduled to arrive at the airport a good five or six hours before the meal.

The list of restaurants requiring a credit card hold now includes all restaurants that feature character meals, and signature restaurants (including meals at these restaurants that are not considered character or signature). There is a full list on the Dining Reservations board. Of those you listed, Crystal Palace is on that list. At Epcot, the only restaurants requiring a credit card hold are Akershus, Le Cellier and Garden Grill.

 

[AshleyAnn]

I would suggest doing MK and Wishes the first night. I was in a similar situation last year with my husband. He openly told me he didn't think he was going to like Disney World and that it would be a waste of time and money. So the very first night I dragged him to MK and we saw the Electrical Parade and Wishes. He is now hooked on Disney and has told me that was the best night of our vacation and that we will be going back yearly. I think there's something about the castle and fireworks that really just brings out the magic of Disney.

 

[DadLightyear]

I would suggest doing MK and Wishes the first night. I was in a similar situation last year with my husband. He openly told me he didn't think he was going to like Disney World and that it would be a waste of time and money. So the very first night I dragged him to MK and we saw the Electrical Parade and Wishes. He is now hooked on Disney and has told me that was the best night of our vacation and that we will be going back yearly. I think there's something about the castle and fireworks that really just brings out the magic of Disney.

Ashley,

My wife sounds a lot like your husband. I'm pretty much dragging her to WDW while we're in FLA for her best friends wedding. Question for you, where did you guys do dinner that night? Did you just grab counter service? I was thinking the Plaza Restaurant or Tony's (although I haven't heard good things about Tony's).

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

You could book a massage or a service at Saratoga Springs Spa---that place is amazing!! I like this on my first day, followed by a fun night, maybe drinking around the world or dinner at Ohana watching fireworks from the Polynesian Beach!!

 

[Lynn57]

I would do dinner in Epcot, stroll around the WS, grab a beverage, and watch Illuminations. Although I love the Crystal Palace, I think Epcot would be the best way to introduce her to the "adult" side of Disney. Illuminations is my favorite firework display, so I may be somewhat biased...

 

[ocean702]

Epcot/stroll around WS/Illuminations would be my first choice. Especially after traveling, this is more relaxing than fighting crowds at MK to watch wishes.

Mama Melrose is our least favorite TS restaurant of the ones we've tried and Fantasmic is our least favorite evening show. everyone has different opinions of course.

never been to crystal palace.

not sure what time you arrive during the day, but some of the magic might be lost if you enter the MK for hte first time in the evening and are trying to fight crowds to find a spot for parade, or just to walk around people.

 

[chip 'n dale rule]

I would also vote for viewing Wishes on your first night provided it wasn't a really busy time of year. My husband, who is no where near the Disney nut I am, loves Wishes. It is by far our favorite night time show. If you're looking to show her the 'adult' side of Disney I would pick a TS meal at one of the monorail resorts rather than Crystal Palace. There are a lot of great choices there. I hope she loves whatever you choose!

 

[Teddys~Mom]

Have you checked out the menu for Tokoyo Dining? That has sushi and I know it used to have a view of Illuminations. Maybe someone can correct me if that's changed

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would go with Epcot first. Two major reasons - Especially in World Showcase she can see that there is fine dining, and also it is more geared toward adults.

 

[DisneyMamato4]

Epcot is my favorite park, I love strolling the WS and snacking around the world and the restaurants there are great. I always look forward to our Epcot days the most.

That said we always start our vacation with the Magic Kingdom. There is just something so magical about Main Street and the Castle and of course Wishes. Young, old or in between you just cannot help but be captured by the Disney spirit when that castle comes into view for the first time. So as much as I love Epcot I would definitely start with the Magic Kingdom!

 

[carseatmommy]

If you can do an adult only meal(although they do accomodate kids)---The California Grill. It's on the roof of the Contemporary Resort. Time it for dinner before the fireworks and then have dessert after they are over.

We dined there for our Disney-moon. It was wonderful, we had a window table. App and dinner served before the fireworks and then we put in our dessert before the fireworks went off and it was served right as the lights came back up. They dim the lights and pipe in the narration. It was very magical.

Susan

 

[heatherbabydoll1]

If you can do an adult only meal(although they do accomodate kids)---The California Grill. It's on the roof of the Contemporary Resort. Time it for dinner before the fireworks and then have dessert after they are over.

We dined there for our Disney-moon. It was wonderful, we had a window table. App and dinner served before the fireworks and then we put in our dessert before the fireworks went off and it was served right as the lights came back up. They dim the lights and pipe in the narration. It was very magical.

Susan

I agree with Susan, this would be the best adult way! A nice dinner with a great meal! Then you can save your tickets for days you can spend the whole day at a park.

 

[TDC Nala]

California Grill will also cost you if you happen to miss the reservation. Window tables for fireworks cannot be guaranteed either.

 

[chartle]

Are you bringing the 3 year old? Because that will determine how late you can stay in a park.

A co worker just came back from a trip last week with a 1 and 4 year old and she had to cancel 2 ADRs because the kids just couldn't stay up late at all even with a nap.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

Ashley,

My wife sounds a lot like your husband. I'm pretty much dragging her to WDW while we're in FLA for her best friends wedding. Question for you, where did you guys do dinner that night? Did you just grab counter service? I was thinking the Plaza Restaurant or Tony's (although I haven't heard good things about Tony's).

I was reading some dining reports yesterday and one of them had multiple good reports about Tony's. I can't speak to it myself because I've never been, but I now will not hesitate to at least try them.

 

[myladyisatramp]

When we arrive for our trip, arrival night I have planned Via Napoli at Epcot because the night we arrive they are open the latest... Then I will do a FULL day at MK and HS on other days with a return trip the last day to Epcot..I think in June the parks are open later sooo if that is the case then maybe I would do MK first with Electrical parade and wishes to me there is nothing like seeing the castle when you first arrive..IMO.. How about maybe going to grand floridian for dinner... after wishes

 

[DadLightyear]

Are you bringing the 3 year old? Because that will determine how late you can stay in a park.

A co worker just came back from a trip last week with a 1 and 4 year old and she had to cancel 2 ADRs because the kids just cold stay up late at all even with a nap.

We are NOT taking our 3 year old...I should also let everyone know that we are kind of on a tight budget, so California Grill is definitely out. I'd say we're probably thinking more along the lines of The Plaza or Tony's...

 

[TosaTrio]

I would go to WS at Epoct. That will be a new experience completely different then a Six Flags. It is always fun to stroll the World Showcase in the evening with a drink. Unless you are absolute sit down diners I would wing dinner. She may be happy to stroll and graze on yummy things around the world.

 

[YankeePrincess]

I would go with Tony's and then Wishes. There is nothing more amazing and magical than seeing those fireworks over the castle.