First Timer Tips?

[YepsenCP]

About a week ago I booked round-trip (should've just done one way and be forced to stay) to ORL for my girlfriend's b-day present... She has never been the the World, and frequently feels left out when we hang out w/ my CP friends because we inevitably recall our great WDW experiences.

So, my question to you is, what would be some good ideas to make this trip as memorable and fun as possible! She doesn't know about the trip yet (her b-day is April 4th) and we aren't going till June 5th - 11th.

Understanding the chances of good PS is possible, yet unlikely, what are a few other good suggestions? I know by reading here that ya'll have some good ideas! Keep in mind we are 21 and on a dreaded College Budget!

Looking forward to the suggestions!

 

[henrylovespooh]

First of all, how nice to take your girlfriend to WDW as a birthday gift. Here are some ideas I had:

1) Get some pictures taken with characters. Great keepsakes and they are free.

2) Take her to lunch in the castle at Cinderella's Royal Table. It's cheaper than dinner, the view of Fantasyland is nice, and I just like the atmosphere of the restaurant. She'll be called M'Lady or a princess which is cute.

3) Take her to watch Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic. All three shows are great - and - free once you're in the park. Other Diser's can tell you good places to watch the first two shows and you can either book a Fantasmic dinner package at the cheapest restaurant or go to the later show and just wait in line.

4) If your girlfriend has a good sense of humor, take her to a character meal like Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's. These meals aren't cheap but try a late lunch and it can be your big meal of the day.

5) If you don't mind doing stuff outside of the parks, spend an afternoon at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. On a rainy day, we went over there, checked out the animal viewing areas and found a nice area outside where you can sit outside on rocking chairs and watch the animals. It's quiet and relaxing. There are two on the lobby levels - just walk back to the back of the lobby and go to your right or left. The Mara food court is to your right, so if you go that way, you can get a snack or drink and then go sit outside and relax. Or grab dinner at the Mara and then walk around. It's wonderful.

6) Along the same lines, take a Monorail Tour. Go to MK, then ride to the Grand Floridian and check it out, then the Poly, then the Contemporary. Have a snack or drink in each place or just walk around. Then go back to MK or on to Epcot.

7) Have your cariacature done with your girlfriend at one of the parks. The black and white ones are cheaper.

Just some thoughts. Have a great trip!

 

[YepsenCP]

Thanks alot! I had a few ideas stashed away from my expereinces, but it's amazing that no matter how many ideas you think you have, there is always someone out there with more.

I am going to definatly try the Chef Mickey's breakfast/lunch, and I never even thought about just touring the resorts! Luckily, I have a friend who is "Maingated" so we will be saving a bundle of money by not having to buy our own tickets!

I can't wait to tell her, she is going to freak! I can hardly wait the 2 weeks till her b-day!

Keep 'em coming, all of those were great ideas, I want to have a nice stack off options, only 11 weeks to go!

 

[MikeWazowski]

I assume you are staying on property, so on your first day I would take the bus over to DTD for dinner. Maybe have dinner at Wolfgang's or even Wolfgang Express (depending on budget), Both are very good.

You probably know already that the counter-service restaurants can be very good. So even if you plan to eat mainly at counter-service places to save a little money there are a few good places:

Columbia Harbor House
Pizza Plant
PEco Bills
Tusker House

But, if there is one must-do and memorable dinners, would be watching the fireworks from the California Grill. She will never forget that.

You won't have a problem showing her the world. GOOD LUCK

 

[YepsenCP]

In the 7 months I lived and worked at WDW I never saw the fireworks from the Contemporary, so I definatly want to do that! Is it pretty easy to go up there? Do you have to have dinner reservations or can you just take the elevator up and watch?

 

[ErinInCT]

If you do take the monorail, be sure to ask to sit up front with the pilot. Very cool!
EPCOT has so many great shows & restaurants. I would try to see as many as you can & grab a snack or dessert (or a drink since you are 21) at each country.
Don't forget your free Coke products at Ice Station Cool!
Have fun!

 

[kandeebunny]

Being about your age, I have a slightly different perspective!

Go to PI a night, sit in the AC for most of the night if she is in to theater it's a blast!!! If not head to Mannequins tons of fun!

DTD and Roainforest Cafe is always a must do for us! We order an appetizer and dessert to split or 2 apps then over to Ghiradelli for dessert! Yum!

TL has always been a blast and you can take it at a slower pace then at the parks, don't forget to swim with the sharks!

As for stuff in the parks we would take the train to toowtown fair get a snack from the farmers market walk through the houses and have our pics taken in them!

Anothing thing we did in every park was a hat tour! You know the hats I mean, Goofy, Mickey etc! Photos of you two in the stores with the hats on, in Epcot we did the hats of each country! Like in the MK theres me in a tigger hat in the emporium in front of the thing thats supposed to look like a snow globe!

Go have a snack on Tom Sawyer Island and look around! You never know what you will find there!

 

[YepsenCP]

Great ideas everyone... Reading all of these are reminding me of all the good times I had during my CP and gets me even more (if it's possible) excited to get down there! I can't wait!

Plus it's cool to see everyone elses view on what makes for a memorable and magical trip! Keep 'em coming!

 

[YepsenCP]

Bump!

 

[pezpam]

Depending on her personality..... and going for inexpensive..... you could make or have made a special It's My Birthday/First Time at WDW shirt and get her one of those special Birthday pins when you get to the parks. With a little luck, CMs will add to the magic for you!

 

[YepsenCP]

Ya know what? That T-Shirt Idea would be pretty cool, especially because it would be a great opportunity embaress her AND she does love some extra attention so it would fill both roles!

 

[LSUDis]

Tell us where you are staying...that could help w/ some ideas.

A lot of us will be there then, so if you do make up a shirt, let us know what it looks like and if we happen to see you, we can have a way of knowing it's you. We can wish her a happy belated birthday or tell her what a wonderful guy you are, etc.

How about watching Wishes and Electrical Water Pageant from Poly's beach?

Sit by kids during a parade and fireworks.

Let her show you something new that she's found...don't constantly relive the past while you are with her.

Can you show her where you lived?

Walk around World Showcase at night....very romantic.

 

[YepsenCP]

I am definatly going to look into the T-Shirt and will post a pic of what it lloks like if I do so! I am looking into lodging right now because my CM friend is checking out the rates he can get us, so right now that is classified under my TBD folder.

The ideas are great everyone, kee 'em coming, I really appreciate it!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

In the 7 months I lived and worked at WDW I never saw the fireworks from the Contemporary, so I definatly want to do that! Is it pretty easy to go up there? Do you have to have dinner reservations or can you just take the elevator up and watch?

Last time I was there (4/03) they weren't letting casual viewers up on the deck to see the fireworks, so I'd book a dinner PS. The view is incredible! Just order appetizers, if you want to save money.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Oh, and do the Water Mice(or whatever those little boats are called)...they're a blast, and you don't need ressies.

 

[YepsenCP]

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to look into the PS and the boat rentals are a blast! They'll be great in early June too!

Ya'll are great, the mojo's workin', feelin' the flo, gettin' the vibes, WDW here we come! (In 11 weeks)

 

[YepsenCP]

Bump!