Help me plan our first planning dinner!

[singingpixie]

As some of you have read, DBF and I are planning to take our best couple friends to disney with us for our next trip. One of them is a newbie, and one hasn't been in ages (don't know the specifics). Friday night is our first "planning dinner," which will probably be me asking questions and talking about disney until they're all sick of hearing me. To prevent this and to make this as fun and non-annoying as possible, I want to enlist your help. What should we discuss now, and what should wait till closer to the trip? I think it will probably end up being in late september 2007, but that date comes from me with some affirmative nods from DBF. These are the things I think we should talk about first:
1) Dates of the trip (approx)
2) method of travel (fly vs. drive)
3) hotel (at least value vs. mod vs. deluxe)
4) dining plan (should this be part of initial discussion?)
5) touring styles (I have no idea how to phrase/approach this but I know it's important)

Am I leaving something out of the initial discussion? Am I doing too much, too fast? How can I make this more fun and interactive, instead of me giving a presentation (I'm having flashbacks to my COMM 100 class!)? Thanks guys!

 

[indigoxtreme]

Plan on dates first, ask them how they like to do amusement parks. Do they like to take in all aspects of the park or do they want to only hit the high lights. Then talk food, explain the greatness of the dining plan. Most everyone I have explained it to that has not had an opporuntity to use it loves the idea, especially since you are all adults. Then maybe gradely ask how the would like to travel, quick and easy by air or enjoy a site seeing drive down. I think you are ok with your list. By sept of 07 they may have the Free dining again since it is going over so well.

 

[MyGoofy26]

Might just be me, but I wouldn't bring up touring styles yet. Their heads are probably going to be spinning going over dates, hotels, transportation and all those details - asking them how they want to hit the parks might just send them over an edge, LOL. I'm sure you can get hints on their expectations for touring - you can't talk Disney without talking about the parks, so I'm sure some convos will drift into park stuff so you can use that as an opportunity to find out their expectations first. If they're talking excitedly about seeing and doing it all, make a mental note to come back next time with details for a "commando" tour. If they're talking about spending time at the hotel pool and a few attractions, come back with a relaxed plan.

I just think that if they're new to Disney or haven't been in awhile, it may be overwhelming if they think they have to plan out their days right away, before they even have set days planned.

 

[KarenCPA]

I'll be as tactful as possible. If you are unmarried adults, you may want to confirm rooming arrangements - all in one room, boys in one - girls in the other, couples, etc. karen