MUST SEES for First-Timer Friend?

[bbowers]

The software company I represent began (as of last year) to have their annual conference in Orlando instead of Palm Springs (YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!). Last year I came by myself (DH was supposed to come, but ended up in bed with a pinched sciatic nerve), but this year my friend will be going, and she has NEVER been to WDW.

As soon as I found out she was going, I made reservations at OKW (we are DVC owners) (and yes, I had to use weekend points, but if you can't use them for something like this, what good are they?) for the 4 nights we will be there (W-Sun). We have basically 3 days we can go to the parks, but seminars (drat that BUSINESS business!) encroach on the time we have.

My main goal is 1) to thrill her, followed by 2) getting her to fall in love with WDW so she will want to come back with her family. (And she is going to have to REALLY love it because her husband is a stay-at-home sort of guy and it will take a lot to get him to go that far (from Michigan).)

Please look at my MUST SEES and see if there is anything I am missing. I am hoping that some recent first-timers themselves will give me their opinions, because I'm worried that since I've been there so often, I have become jaded about something that she really should see.

Plans are based on regular EMH, which they will hopefully be back to by then.

Wed night - First off, a monorail trip around just to get an overview. Monorails ARE Disney, IMHO. Then off to DTD for some shopping followed by PI time.

Thursday - Our longest open stretch, until 3 pm. First, Cape May breakfast, then Epcot. MUST SEES here are M:S, TT, Ice Station Cool (friends don't let friends try Beverly, do they???? Bwa ha ha), The Land. (That's MY personal opinion - for some reason I just love those big melons and squash.) Also Norway, and one of the 360 movies.

Please remember time is of essence - so while I love Universe of Energy, it is very time-consuming.

Friday AM - AK using EMH. Safari, ITTBAB, and FOTLK.

Friday night - HDDR! Also EWP if we can catch it.

Saturday AM - MGM using EMH. RNRC (twice). TOT, WWTBAM. Also Star Tours, if possible, since it's a Star Wars weekend.

Saturday PM - MK (since it's open the latest). POC (the very ESSENCE of WDW for me), SM (either SM), HM? This is the one I most want opinions on, because I never seem to get very excited about MK anymore, yet once I'm there I see tons of things I want to do. Currently have a ressie at Crystal Palace, but am willing to think about Liberty Tree also.

So - am I missing anything that will grab her and not let her go?

 

[mmeb144]

Jungle Cruise, and pray for an inspired guide! This ride is at its finest with a really into it CM. Don't forget Mickey's Philharmagic! And the TTA, The Tomorrowland Transit Authority. At least you won't have to wait too long for this attraction. What about Buzz Lightyear?

Marie

 

[DisneyPete]

Definitely do the Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan's Flight too.

 

[tcfdick]

I would try to add in Spaceship Earth at EPCOT because that's the first ride you see. Instead of a 360 movie, could you substitute HISTA?

Instead of HDDR, could you stay and watch Spectro and see Wishes at MK? That is always very popular with my family.
I would only do one sit-down restaurant because of the time limitations.

I would try to go to a show at MGM, maybe Voyage of the Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast or you could choose one show at AK, like The Lion King.

With a variety of activities (rides, shows, shopping, and dining) I can't see how she couldn't LOVE Disney World.

 

[bbowers]

See - I needed to be reminded - definitely JC and HISTA. I"m standing firm on HDDR - she and I both love corny stuff.

 

[Boo Mc]

Personally, I would skip breakfast at Cape May (I'm not a big breakfast person) and just head over to Epcot. See a few things, get a FP for Test Track or something else, and have an early lunch at Le Cellier (Love that cheese soup and breadsticks!!!). That way you can also see Canada which I think is nice with the waterfall etc. and use your fastpass after lunch. For Saturday PM I think I'd choose Liberty Tree. My top choice though would be to just grab some counter service so you can see more things. But again, food isn't that important to me and if your friend is like me she might want to see more attractions (to help convince her hubby) than spend time in restaurants. I still love lots of things at MK - all the mountains, IASW (everyone has to do it once), Astro Orbiter (just for the view), Tomorrowland Transit Authority (again for the views and there's usually no line). Also, at Epcot catch Kristos (mom and two sons are acrobats-sort of) which only appear early in the afternoon and late morning I think. That's all I can think of for now - hope it helps.

 

[MouseClubMom]

I would also take some time to see some of the nicer resorts like AKL and WL - just stop by and walk thru if you have time!

We are going in a few days with a first timer who is a CM in Cali but has never been to WDW! She wants to see it ALL in 4 days.

Have a great trip!
MCMom

 

[DepCor0311]

Definately Pirates of the Carribean, a classic...then take her to dinner at O'hana

 

[Musky]

You don't mention IllumiNations or Fantasmic. If it were me, I would skip DD and spend that night in either Epcot or MGM seeing one of these, as well as some of the other stuff you didn't mention, such as The Great Movie Ride or the street entertainers at Epcot. I would also go easy on the time-consuming sit-down restaurants. I don't think her husband is going to agree to go to WDW based on her description of the restaurants.

Musky

 

[tomerin]

at MK Space Mountain is the ride to do. on our last trip one of my fondest memories was after getting off of SM with my 13yr old son who never rode SM before and seeing the glow on his face as we were leaving was priceless


my personal must do favorite is definitly POTC. i still rememeber my first time on it as if it happened yesterday. as the OP said the very "ESSENCE of WDW". very well put.

just take her to your favorites in each park and let her see just much you enjoy them.
Disney Magic is definitly contagious!!

 

[RLewis]

I would give her the full treatment right off. How can you take a ride on the monorail then not go into MK until Saturday?

Even if you don't want to spend the whole day, I say take her directly to MK and at least walk around. There's nothing like seeing the castle for the first time. In fact, I would make a lunch/dinner PS at Cinderella's. Maybe you've been there so much it no longer holds a thrill, but I'll bet she'll be thrilled.

I think SPace M is a must if she's into thrill rides ( I see you want to ride ROR twice). If not, then Splash M and Thunder M. I would also suggest HM. The lines are usually bearable and it's classic Disney.

I see that time is an issue, but I would suggest the American Adventure instead of one of the 360 movies. It'll probably eat about as much time.

I would also see Dinosaur. It;s not that thrilling, but I think first-timerrs will be impressed.

 

[chyam]

I too would spend more time at MK afterall this is "Disney" to most folks and besides BTMR, Spash and Thunder Mt. I would all go see the Country Bear Jamboree! It's not only corny but it is a nice rest when it is hot. I too would skip some of the sit down restaurants and opt for counter service to spend a little more time seeing the sights. At AK I would defineately go to The Lion King show and Tarzan Rocks if you have the time. Any which way it is always great showing a newbie around, they are usually in awe of everything!
Have a great time!

 

[DaveT1]

Like to put my vote in for Alien Encounter, I always like to take first timers here while waiting for Fastpass SM.

It's a good example of a newer ride in the oldest park and it doesn't take too long to get in and out. Everyone usually comes out talking and laughing (except a few littler ones )

 

[RLewis]

Originally posted by DaveT1
Like to put my vote in for Alien Encounter, I always like to take first timers here while waiting for Fastpass SM.

It's a good example of a newer ride in the oldest park and it doesn't take too long to get in and out. Everyone usually comes out talking and laughing (except a few littler ones )

Alien Encounter is gone.

 

[DaveT1]

Really? When did that happen? I know it was there last year at this time

 

[DaveT1]

October 11th

I'm bummed, my the only one who liked it?

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Take the monorail b/n MK and EPCOT and ride up front.

EP - Mission Space and Test Track. Illuminations - Go to the area at the front of WS b/n the 2 Gift shops. About 15 minutes before the show, they will drop the rope and you can sit righ nest to the water and feel the heat.

AK - Kilamanjaro Safari (all depends on the driver), Kali River Rapids, Bugs Life and Lion King - most excellent.

MGM - Rock and Roll Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Movie Ride, Star Tours and Indiana Jones. Fantasmic - must see.

MK - Need to spend the most time here and would try to do it other than a Saturday.

Make sure you utilize Fast Passes to the max. Get a FP before lunch or dinner and maybe by the time you're done, it'll betime to ride. But always have at least one FP going at all times, then kick around or find a ride with a short line.