FIRST TIME to WDW

[jz6982]

In Dec I am planning a pre-cruise trip to Disney. I've NEVER been there. We will only have 3 days. What are your suggestions for the parks worth visiting? It will also be my boyfriends 30th bday and I'd like to do a little something special. Any suggestions on that?

Thanks so much!!

 

[Judy in Texas]

In Dec I am planning a pre-cruise trip to Disney. I've NEVER been there. We will only have 3 days. What are your suggestions for the parks worth visiting? It will also be my boyfriends 30th bday and I'd like to do a little something special. Any suggestions on that?

Thanks so much!!

3 days at WDW and never been before? I suggest one full day at each Magic Kingdom and Epcot and then split the 3rd day between Animal Kingdom (morning) and Hollywood Studios (the rest of the day). Have fun!

 

[Stumpy]

First poster made good plans. There will be a lot of walking involved and a lot to see, so be sure to expect a few long days. As far as 30th birthday, there are a lot of really nice restaurants at the parks and at the resorts, but reservations are difficult. There should be plenty of posts about the reservations, plus if you call Disney they will be happy to help. Depending on when you go in Dec the parks may be crowded if the Christmas parade is being taped, but it's a great time to go. Nice weather, the decorations...

 

[mdinme]

what is your arrival date? That will tell a lot about how crowded the parks are. Epcot is a great park for adults (great for kids too).

 

[Disneydonnam]

We are doing the Disney Wonder Dec 2nd and then Disney World after. What are your dates?

 

[JenSop]

I like the advice of the first poster. 1 day at MK, 1 day at Epcot, and split the other two. (Although if there's a park I'd have to skip, it would be Hollywood Studios.)

Know going in that you will only be able to just scratch the surface on a three day (first time) Disney trip. Be ready for LOTS of walking (comfy shoes are a MUST) and get up early! Figure out a few ride/show priorities and cross your top picks off your list. You'll find many threads in the Theme Park board discussing people's favorite rides. The guide books will also help you pick which rides you'll want to prioritize.

Have a fabulous time!!!

 

[jz6982]

Thanks everyone! We will be at Disney Dec 9-12th. I had planned on one day at Epcot, one day at MK, and splitting the rest of the time between AK and HS. There is a pop warner football event going on that Sat so I planned to leave Epcot for then. I already know what rides/attractions I'd like to see at each park. We're prepared for the walking. Anyone have dining suggestions? He likes a variety of things but my palate is a bit more narrow.

 

[mandibc11]

I'm taking my husband for the first time during his birthday this May. He is very excited, and being a long time Disney fan, I'll be showing him around. We both love to eat, and I've made reservations for each meal the entire week we'll be there! Some suggestions for you would be Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Hotel is gorgeous, and the restaurant is much more authentic than what you would find at the parks. Another idea is to "Drink around the World." Being a lightweight myself, I couldn't possibly have a drink in each country throughout Epcot, but we have decided that we'll alternate food and beverages in each location! Pastries in France, a pint at the pub in England, some sushi in Japan, and a margarita in Mexico are just starters!

 

[JenSop]

As far as dining goes.... since you're not there long and are trying to get stuff in at the parks, I might avoid leaving to go to a resort to eat, unless it's one right near one of the parks. (However, that being said, some of our favorite restaurants are at the resorts - like Jiko and Sanaa.)

There's TONS of awesome restaurants in Epcot - especially in World Showcase. The hardest reservation to get is Le Cellier - the steakhouse in Canada. We've never been disappointed in a meal there. Mexico gets mixed reviews on the food, but the atmosphere can NOT be beat. Le Chefs de France has a great lunch deal if you're not using the dining plan. Teppen Edo in Japan is also really good. While in Epcot, you can also always walk over to the Beach Club/Boardwalk area and try out some of those restaurants.
We also like Yak and Yeti in Animal Kingdom. We usually never do a table service at MK, but always like Columbia Harbour House for a good counter service meal. (Plus, there's always tons of seating on the second floor - nice and quiet.) We don't usually eat at DHS, but if you're looking for basic food with a really fun atmosphere, Sci Fi Drive In is a good choice.