Must DOs for first timer?

[FLkid]

Hey Guys!

I'm pretty excited to be 72 days out from my next (and long awaited) Disney trip. I haven't been since April and I am having serious withdrawals!

This trip is very special for a few reasons, I am going for the longest stay I ever have (9 days) It's going to be my Birthday And I am taking my significant other who has only ever been to Animal Kingdom (and I think MK when they were little) and it is ALSO her Birthday trip as well.

I am trying to compile a list of must do's for Disney both in and outside of the parks. In October we went to Universal and I of course had to take advantage of our location and we made a visit to Wilderness Lodge, And the campground to see the horses (everyone enjoyed this day trip lodge hopping more than I expected) We made it to The Contemporary as well but due to a monorail issue we were unable to see Polynesian or Grand Floridian. But it gave me the opportunity to see that my other half did have a good time and didn't think I was a huge weirdo for my obsession.

I have been to *almost* every resort on property, I've tried my best to get off the beaten path of a Disney Tourist and explore things on property but I'm trying to come up with things a first timer must do/try/experience. She has mentioned Epcot many times as she is very excited to see world showcase. Even though I have crossed off many things on my Disney world bucket list I am quite overwhelmed trying to make a list for someone who is new to a lot of it. We have only made 2 dining reservations so far (Sci Fi, 50s diner)


So far on my list all I have is The Beverly...................


Any suggestions/tips is greatly appreciated!

 

[VACamm]

I took my husband for his first trip 5 years ago (in 10 days we will be on our 5th trip to WDW together.... haha) and i made sure that he experienced the following for his first trip:
Wishes
3:00 Parade in MK
Illuminations
Fantasmic
All Classic WDW rides: Carousel of Progress, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiki Room, Swiss Family Treehouse, Its a Small World, etc...
All Classic WDW snacks: Mickey ice cream bar, Dole Whip, etc...
Meet and Greet with Mickey Mouse
At least 1 Character Meal

I hope ya'll have fun!!

 

[kay1864]

Get silhouettes done at MK (on Main Street on the "food" side, down a little side street, OR in Liberty Square across from the Sleepy Hollow restaurant). You get two copies for about $8-10, or with frames for about $20 for both. They'll deliver them to your resort so you don't have to carry them around.

 

[journies_end]

I don't know how "gung-ho" you guys are doing everything, but if you do want to take a day to relax and see some of the resorts outside the parks, one of my favorite "leisure" day activities (and kind of off the beaten path - my boyfriend never knew you could WALK - or take a boat ride - between Epcot and Hollywood Studios!) is to start with breakfast at Sunshine Seasons at Epcot (quickservice, no reservation), see some of the attractions, then around noon, exit the park at the Epcot Resort International Gateway and walk to lunch at Beaches and Cream Ice Cream Parlor (Beach and Yacht Club resort, reservation recommended), while I'm in the Epcot resort area, maaaaaybe squeeze in an afternoon round of minigolf at Fantasia Gardens adjacent to the Swan and Dolphin, and wrap up the day by walking to Hollywood Studios and enjoying dinner at the 50's Prime Time Cafe (of course you know, reservation required) and, of course, do some HS attractions and if I'm in the mood, catch a showing of Fantasmic (But I'd probably save Fantasmic for like a "full" Hollywood Studios day - most likely I'd probably head over to Disney Springs for some end-of-the-day shopping or if I missed out on that round of minigolf, head over to Fantasia Gardens and do that).