Ideas for the "young at heart" DISers

[willonlyflytodisney]

Hi there
This January, my BF and I (extreme DISers, bordering on addiction) are taking my parents to WDW. They haven't been in over 15 years and I'm trying to come up with things to make to help get them excited. I mean, they know it is Disney World, but they just aren't EXCITED (they have never been to Animal Kingdom and don't understand how it can be fun).
I can't give them websites and tell them to go explore because they don't have the time.
SO - I'm treating this almost like children going for the first time. I've got a lot of graphics and clip art but I just don't know what to do with them. Obviously, my parents are not going to enjoy playing Mickey and Minnie Checkers, you know?
I'm going to mail the letters "from Mickey" saying, "We heard you were coming..."

But I figured I'd come to the DIS and ask if there are any other things you do for your kids (or even for your First Timer guests) to get them excited about the DIS? Or things to introduce them to the rides or attractions?

Thanks a bunch DISers !

 

[michele2042]

Why not use your clip art to make them a binder. Everyone on the boards talk about their binders. But for your parents you can fill it with the "Walt Disney World Best Kept Secrets". There is one for each park. Has a lot of interesting little tidbits that I bet you're parents will enjoy. Then when they get there they can try and find all the stuff from the "Secrets". The Magic Kingdom one alone is 15 pages. Epcot is 7 pages. There is even a History page in there. Lots of fun to read.

I put mine in those plastic page savers. I also have the Guide maps from each park in my binder. Yes, I know the maps are free at Disney but I wanted them before we got there so I found them on ebay at a very reasonable price.

I pick up my binder often and read through it while I wait patiently for August to arrive!!

Oh and by the way, I think this is a great thing you're doing for your parents!!

 

[aussiedaisy]

I'd also love some ideas about this. My sister and I are also Disney fanatics and we are taking our 60 year old Dad to WDW in Nov for the first time. Now he has no idea about Disney and I don't think he understands why we are so CRAZY about it. I think the problem is many non Disney fans think WDW is only for children. We are trying to get him to listen to Disney podcasts and look at some books and web sites but he says he doesn't understand the podcasts and what they are talking about What else can we do to get him in the Disney mood??? I'd LOVE any suggestions from people who have been in similar situations.

 

[Tweevil]

I just took my Mom and Grandma and they had a great time! I made them t-shirts and the whole lot. Mom got a planning book for her to glance at while we were traveling. She really was into the resort and what that had to offer too!

I think that once they get there they will have an A-ha! moment and it will click and then it's all Disney from there. lol

Hope you guys have a wonderful time!

 

[jrc-elpaso]

My DH and I are going in September for our 41st anniversary and his 63rd birthday. Our first trip. One thing I just got is a Passporter binder. You can get them at either the Passporter web site or from Barnes and Noble - I used Barnes and Noble because at the time I could get free shipping. There are 2 models - a spiral bound and the deluxe with a 6-ring binder (I got the deluxe because I can use it for other trips too). Lots of info on the parks, resorts, dining, etc. - sort of an "Everything you want to know about WDW but were afraid to ask".

 

[Debbie-TN]

How about ordering them the customized maps from disney.com. They are really pretty.

 

[englishteacha]

What about a tour book, like The Unofficial Guide?

 

[dominicsplace]

How about ordering the vacation planning DVD and having it sent directly to them? Who knows they may even get a pin code sent to them in the future!

 

[katyjeka]

Hi. We are taking my inlaws for the 2nd time this September. My precious mil is always nervous about leaving home, and we had to "make" her go the first time. Well, she LOVED every minute of the trip, and can't wait to go again. My fil will be 87 when we travel this time, 2 years ago he had a great trip, so he too is looking forward to going. I make matching shirts, and have a white hat for my mil to collect her autographs on. I'm not sure if your doing the dining plan, if you are, one way to get them involved in planning would be to study restaurants and let them help choose. Have a fairy godmailer mail them a postcard from WDW, my inlaws were so impressed that is was mailed from Orlando, and think to this day, that disney sent it personally. Show them the disney video. Have a great trip.

 

[willonlyflytodisney]

I've decided to do a combination of things. I ordered them a vacation DVD, I am having a fairy godmailer send them a postcard from the Mouse, himself and I am doing some things on my own.
I am making my own Guide to the Dis - with descriptions of the attractions and our hotel. That's really what they need to know. In it, I'm including some tips/secrets for each park.
Then, on my own I'm creating my own binder for all of our planning which will have the tips in there as well. This way they can look over this on the plane.

Thanks for all of your ideas!
When I finish their guidebook I will definitely post pictures!!

 

[ParrotHUmbrella64]

I may be a Disney fan, but I bought these little Imagineers Guides to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom. (Haven't come out with one for Studios yet, I expect because of the licensing issues, etc.) They're really interesting and give you a lot of secret things to look for if you're going to the Parks, and they help to describe the different areas and some attractions themselves.

 

[dopeynme]

Parrott, I was going to say the same thing. The Imagineering Guides are a great way to point out all the little touches that make WDW different from ordinary amusement parks.

In addition, there is the excellent customer service, which the folks will experience once they arrive.

Have a great time!!!!

 

[JenSop]

I also think the Imagineering Guides are a good suggestion. DH loves them!

Last summer, we took my parents (early 60's) and grandmother (early 80's) to WDW for their first "adults only" Disney vacation. It wasn't a first time for any of them, but they hadn't been in a REALLY long time and my sister and I were kids when they used to take us.

To get ready, I made up a special folder for them with my own "info" sheets using Print Shop. I was able to have very nice visual representations for each subject. Had a restaurant page, park page, hotel page, etc.

They didn't care where we ate, so I made the ADR's. BUT - I then put a picture and description of each restaurant on a sheet - made it look really nice. I also did a similar sheet for all the parks - pasted a picture next to the park description. I also made up an info sheet for our resort - it was our first DVC trip and we were staying at the Beach Club. So I arranged some nice pictures (lots of SAB, of course!) of the place and a description of the resort in general.

They were glad for all the info and really appreciated all the work I put into it. But it wasn't until we actually got there that it really paid off. They loved the resort, were super happy with all the restaurants, and my Dad couldn't stop talking about Soarin'. (Man, he LOVED that ride! You'd think he was a 6 year old....."when are we going on Soarin' again? can we ride Soarin' again? wow, I really love Soarin'".....I'm sure you get the picture.)

They really enjoyed getting to experience Disney that way. Having a nice drink (or two) with dinner every night. Getting to enjoy World Showcase without feeling rushed. Relaxing in the pool everyday.

Good luck! I'm sure once you're there, they will be hooked!

 

[willonlyflytodisney]

Thanks guys!
Yes, we actually already own the Imaginearing books. They don't read them though because they don't know the parks well enough to appreciate it. For Disney fans like me, they are great.
I'm in the process of making them a book and the preview pages I showed them this morning were a hit!
Pictures sometime next week, I promise.
I know once we are there, they will love it. But, until we get there - I'm just trying to get them excited.
The only thing my mother is excited about is that her daughter wants to go on a family vacation haha Hopefully this will all help.