Help!!!!

[aba06001]

My girlfriend and I are going to be taking a "surprise" trip to WDW later this year. I was raised on a healthy dose of all things WDW. I've made enough trips to the world where my gfs new favorite game is put the blank map in front of me and let me fill in the attractions.

Sadly, her only memory from visits are of cheerleading competitions and dropping her field pass off of Space Mountain.

We ordered all the materials to plan a trip that she thinks is coming in winter 2015 but is already in the works with help from some fellow fanatic friends. HERE IS MY PROBLEM:
I feel like we are missing some must dos for someone who is a first time
visitor. What are some peoples can't miss stop to help her experience
everything WDW has to offer?

 

[DakotaRose]

First, know what two or three things she really wants to do, and make those top priority. Second, try at least two special meals and go for atmosphere, characters, or excellent food. Choose a handful of things to do in one day, and be flexible with those other hours. That way you can spent extra time on whatever intrigues you at the time, whether it's a cultural exhibit in Epcot, cocktails and music at the Dawa Bar, or the horses at Ft. Wilderness.

 

[ValarDisneyus]

Personally, (and I've only ever been to Disney LAND, not the World, but still, some of it translates) I feel like everyone has to do It's A Small World once. It's like a rite of passage.

More important than MY opinion, though, is hers. Who are her favorite characters? Can she eat with them? Do you know her shoe size? (I know-odd, BUT, you might buy her a pair of walking shoes to break in. Find an excuse. Tell her you want to go hiking with her.) That's my .02. Good luck! I love this surprise idea! <3

PS-If you don't mind the price tag, you might check out the Disney Florist and see if there's any extra detail that you could use to make her first time extra magical.

 

[disney0829]

As for dining, I would say absolutely go to Chef Mickey's for character dining. Has the best characters to offer (fab five) and the good is pretty good too. Another meal I recommend for the view of the fireworks and delicious food is California Grill, but it is a bit pricey and hard to get a reservation. I would also say to try to get a reservation in a restaurant in Animal Kingdom Lodge (Sanaa, Boma, or Jiko). The atmosphere at that resort is something that is truly magical and out of this world. As for the parks, there is a must do in my opinion for each. In magic kingdom, obviously everyone knows about the fireworks, but not many people know about the "Kiss Goodnight". As the park is clearing out, every half hour or so after the park "closes" they make an announcement on the intercom and the castle lights up and it says goodnight an really just puts a great end to the day. In Epcot, a great way to experience the World Showcase is to snack (or drink if you are old enough) around the world. It makes you walk in to each country represented and experience their culture. In animal kingdom, there are two must do attraction in my opinion. Kilimanjaro Safari is a must do at rope drop because the animals are more active, and the Festival of the Lion King is a classic show and is outstanding. In Hollywood Studios, my must do for a first timer is to see Fantasmic. It is a great show with a great message. There is a Fantasmic dining package available where you can eat lunch or dinner at a table service restaurant in the park, and you get passes to Fantasmic, saving you hours of waiting in line for a good seat. I did this in June and the seats were just about in the center section of the theater. Hope this helps! And if you have any questions, feel free to message me!

 

[aba06001]

disney0829 thank you so much for those suggestions! I personally love chef Mickey's and we will be staying on the monorail loop so it would be an easy trip over from the Grand Floridian. She is a Tigger fanatic and I know that Crystal Palace has a Pooh and friends breakfast, plus the whole getting into the park early.

I haven't been to that particular breakfast since the early 90s and I don't know how much it has changed since then. Anyone have any feedback?