How do you even begin to plan a trip for a first timer?!

[Seewhatimesdone]

The first time I went to Florida I was five but I still remember how amazing and overwhelming everything was. I'm taking my best friend in January and it's her first time! We'll be there for nine nights which is the longest vacation i've ever taken so we'll have a good amount of time to see things. We're doing Disney and Universal. The thing is, I don't know how to make it extra special for her. I've already seen so many things and i'm sure I take stuff for granted. Are there any things that you MUST SEE when you go or that you recommend I show her? It's just too overwhelming for me! Thanks a ton in advance!

 

[Kae]

I would have your friend do some research. Whether it is online or a guide book. Then list the 3 must dos/sees in each park, resort, dining anything. And after that the rest is gravy. You have time to make it a great fun & relaxing trip.

Kae

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

I would have your friend do some research. Whether it is online or a guide book. Then list the 3 must dos/sees in each park, resort, dining anything. And after that the rest is gravy. You have time to make it a great fun & relaxing trip.

Kae

That's an interesting suggestion, I never thought of having her look into it. That's a great idea! Thanks!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I bought the unofficial guide before our first trip and read it cover to cover. It is a great read and really gives you a grounding in all that is Disney.

Then come hang out here on the diff boards - the transportation board, the resort borad, the theme park board and the restaurant board for specific help and questions

have a great time planning!

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I will look into those unofficial guides.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I would make dining reso-s for only half the nights. If they want to get in the good places. then leave the other nights free....

Mikeeee

 

[GeorgeG]

Get them the WDW Vacation Planner DVD, too. Maybe Universal has something similar or you can catch Samantha Brown on the Travel Channe. They run her at WDW and Universal on a somewhat regular basis.

And don't forget, unless they're going for a long time, explain that they cannot do and see it all in just one trip. Then start helping them plpan their second trip as soon as they get home from the first.

 

[Kae]

I forgot to add you should pick your top 3 also.

Kae

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

I would make dining reso-s for only half the nights. If they want to get in the good places. then leave the other nights free....

Mikeeee

Thanks, I think i'll do that. There's some places i'd like to try like Flying Fish and I want her to eat at Teppan Edo but I want to be able to try stuff spur of the moment. Even in October we had no problems walking up.

Get them the WDW Vacation Planner DVD, too. Maybe Universal has something similar or you can catch Samantha Brown on the Travel Channe. They run her at WDW and Universal on a somewhat regular basis.

And don't forget, unless they're going for a long time, explain that they cannot do and see it all in just one trip. Then start helping them plpan their second trip as soon as they get home from the first.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check out the travel channel and see what's on! I know you can't see it all in one trip but I have to get as much as possible. Her family cannot afford a vacation which I can totally understand because it can be pricey so I decided it would be a nice treat for us before I start my college program. Maybe I can fly her out again during my program because I get a lot of discounts. Then we wouldn't have to cram so much!

Either way I think she'll have an awesome time having never been before

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I bought the unofficial guide before our first trip and read it cover to cover. It is a great read and really gives you a grounding in all that is Disney.

Then come hang out here on the diff boards - the transportation board, the resort borad, the theme park board and the restaurant board for specific help and questions

have a great time planning!

I also read the UG cover to cover. It's quite entertaining..although the frantic pace at which the tours are laid out make me hyperventillate. Does anyone really do those things and survive?

My biggest suggestion to the OP is that when you are at US, you should stay on site. The front of the line privileges you get with staying on site are so worth the extra money you spend on a hotel..Just think of it as..."how much would I be willing to spend to NOT spend all day in lines?" Wish WDW had something like that, I would pay lots extra for that..

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

I also read the UG cover to cover. It's quite entertaining..although the frantic pace at which the tours are laid out make me hyperventillate. Does anyone really do those things and survive?

My biggest suggestion to the OP is that when you are at US, you should stay on site. The front of the line privileges you get with staying on site are so worth the extra money you spend on a hotel..Just think of it as..."how much would I be willing to spend to NOT spend all day in lines?" Wish WDW had something like that, I would pay lots extra for that..

I've stayed at the HRH and it was great. However, that was a peak time when it was worth the front of the line pass that was included. We're going in January - when Express passes (if we decided we need them) will be 20 dollars and we'll gladly pay that. But I don't want to spend 250 a night at a hotel when I can just buy the pass. I'm not sure we'll need them anyways. The hotel is lovely though but we'll be spending 80% of the time at Disney.

 

[GeorgeG]

I just heard today that Disney is trying to pick up the slack with the seven nights for the price of four they had post 9/11. That might be worth looking into.

 

[Planogirl]

Head over to the Universal Boards for that part of your planning. Kelly Monaghan's Universal guide is invaluable and I would definitely pick up one of those.

Make sure that your friend checks out what's available and that she provides input. I would start out with hotels and then go from there.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I've stayed at the HRH and it was great. However, that was a peak time when it was worth the front of the line pass that was included. We're going in January - when Express passes (if we decided we need them) will be 20 dollars and we'll gladly pay that. But I don't want to spend 250 a night at a hotel when I can just buy the pass. I'm not sure we'll need them anyways. The hotel is lovely though but we'll be spending 80% of the time at Disney.

I've never been there at that time of year, you are probably right about just buying the Express passes. I've stayed at the HRH and RP, both were way beyond the luxury I am used to, so I enjoyed both of them immensely! I got a good deal, I think less than $200 for either, and there are 4 of us, so it really worked out well for us..plus we loved that it was within walking distance to the parks.

I hope you and your friend have a great time..

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

I just heard today that Disney is trying to pick up the slack with the seven nights for the price of four they had post 9/11. That might be worth looking into.

Oh i'm all over it! It saved us a ton of money. We got three nights free and free 9 day park hoppers! It saved me like 800$

Head over to the Universal Boards for that part of your planning. Kelly Monaghan's Universal guide is invaluable and I would definitely pick up one of those.

Make sure that your friend checks out what's available and that she provides input. I would start out with hotels and then go from there.

Thanks, i'll check out the guide!

I've never been there at that time of year, you are probably right about just buying the Express passes. I've stayed at the HRH and RP, both were way beyond the luxury I am used to, so I enjoyed both of them immensely!

Yeah, HRH is REALLY nice. But since i'm paying for everything I needed a place that was a little cheaper to stay. I'd like to stay at RP sometime to see what it's like