Please allow me to introduce my students....

[Beauty908]

Okay Dave, I'm asking questions--

1) Tell me your top 3 things I must experience
2) When you are at Disney, do you feel like the staff tries to take care of everyone or focus more on children?
3) Any advice for a WDW virgin?

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Okay Dave, I'm asking questions--

1) Tell me your top 3 things I must experience
2) When you are at Disney, do you feel like the staff tries to take care of everyone or focus more on children?
3) Any advice for a WDW virgin?

Well done grasshopper.

 

[wishspirit]

Okay Dave, I'm asking questions--

1) Tell me your top 3 things I must experience
2) When you are at Disney, do you feel like the staff tries to take care of everyone or focus more on children?
3) Any advice for a WDW virgin?

Hmm great questions!


1) My 3 top things at WDW would be: 1) Tower of Terror, my favourite ride ever! 2) Illuminations, the fireworks at Epcot, preferably on a boat with a few of my favorite Dis-ers! 3) Wishes, the fireworks at Magic Kingdom, just beautiful!

2)I think Disney Cast Members do a fantastic job of catering for all ages (in my opinion much better than the Disneyland Paris staff). I feel just as welcome to hug Tigger at the age of 21 as I did when I was 8. I think as you get older, Disney provides little things to really boost the adult experience. I think Walt just got it about right when he said that it was a place for a family to go together, and no one gets bored!

3) Have a fantastic time! I would highly recommend a bit of planning, so you can get all of your 'must- do's' out the way. But recognise that you won't see or do everything, and that stopping to watch a parade or see the little extra Disney adds, makes it all worth while! I personally try and see the Dapper Dan's at least once each trip! I think they are fantastic! Have an amazing time! I am so jealous that you get to see it all for the first time, what I wouldn't do to have that experience all over again!

 

[solar]

Okay Dave, I'm asking questions--

1) Tell me your top 3 things I must experience
2) When you are at Disney, do you feel like the staff tries to take care of everyone or focus more on children?
3) Any advice for a WDW virgin?

Top 3 things:

1. Shopping: a leisurely stroll through Downtown Disney in the afternoon when it isn't as crowded - bright colors, neat items, and nice atmosphere to enjoy a leisurely pace without feeling "like you have to fit it all in" that day

2. Rides: Test Track at Epcot/Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom/RockNRollerCoaster at Hollywood Studios - just simple fun and gives you a full experience to see the details that go into the park whether waiting in line, on the ride, etc...

3. A Disney Resort...i've stayed both on-site and off, and it's hard to explain the incredible amount of details that go on -- but it adds to the experience, because you're bathed in themes - adds to your vacation

---
Staff - equally treats adults and kids well from what I've experienced...they really do add to the overall experience...everyone feels special
---

Advice - plan ahead - haaa, Disney offers more than most people realize - it's MUCH bigger, more to do, and can be overwhelming when you try to fit in everything, every time. Pick and choose a few things you'd really enjoy, and plan ahead - oh yeah, and dining - plan ahead too...it's not like going to the local pub and waiting for a table, you need reservations for many places in advance.

 

[jeanigor]

Hello, class. I'm Todd. I DIS while at work, so I am here frequently.

Okay Dave, I'm asking questions--

1) Tell me your top 3 things I must experience
2) When you are at Disney, do you feel like the staff tries to take care of everyone or focus more on children?
3) Any advice for a WDW virgin?

1) That is a difficult question to answer. Depends on what your interests are. And by using the qualifier "must", you may feel your trip was a wash if you couldn't experience it. That being said, I would highly recommend:
A) Illuminations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot and Wishes at the Magic Kingdom, particularly with someone special
B) The WDW mountain range. (Space, Splash, Big Thunder, Everest). Even if you don't normally do rides, check em out. The theming is superb.
C) Ride Hollywood Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster back to back.


2) Yes and no. I notice that when a family interacts with a cast member, the cast member usually focuses on the children in the group, which is what the parents usually expect. The parents smile and beam because their kid(s) are the center of attention. Not having children and being an adult, I would also say that cast members put just as much effort into engaging adult guests as well.

3) Get something to eat/drink (Mickey Ice Cream bar or Dole whip, for example) and stroll along. Watch people. Look at the details. Watch the characters interact with the guests. Notice the intricacies of the architecture.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Dave, if I ban any of your students is that an automatic F?

 

[ehaimann236]

Welcome students! as others have expressed, what a unique and fun opportunity to study disney!

favorite epcot country to dine in.....that's tough. I do enjoy the bakery in france and enjoyed Chefs De France, so it might have to win out. Of course Le Cellier is a favorite, but they don't offer much in Canada beyond that. I have Teppan Endo on my must do list as my next 'to try' restaurant!

Great Place to Try. One of my top Favs on Disney Property Teppan Endo for those of you who dont know is a open "family" style Japanese Cuisine. You sit around a grill with seating for 8 as the Cook prepares your food right in front of you, with a little entertainment. Also if you have any food allergies or are vegetarian they are very accommodating. One member in my party is allergic to shell fish so they cleaned the grill fully and prepared her food first.

Try the Iced Green Tea and the Green Tea Pudding.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Dave, if I ban any of your students is that an automatic F?

I can live with that.

 

[Imagummybear]

Hello all I am Ryan and im looking forward to a great class and time visting Disney. I have only been to Disney World once for like half a day and enjoyed if very much in the little time is there. I am looking forward to learing more about Disney and seeing what it has to offer.
Ryan Ashby

 

[MelanieC]

What a great concept for a class! My daughter is going to college next fall and I bet she would be all over that

to all the new students!

 

[stitchlover]

1) Tell me your top 3 things I must experience
2) When you are at Disney, do you feel like the staff tries to take care of everyone or focus more on children?
3) Any advice for a WDW virgin?

Question One:
There are three of us in our family and you would probably get three completely different answers. So I will give you mine...and I'm the mom so that's the one that really matters right?
Mickey's Philharmagic
Wishes
Fantasmic

Question Two
I think the staff focus' on the entire family and I feel that is appropriate.

Question Three
Don't go to Disney without doing at least a little research. I think there is such a thing as overplanning but you will be very disappointed if you don't research and plan at least a little. Also if you like to have a nice sit down meal each day or at all on vacation do yourself a favor and make dining reservations in advance.

Hope you guys have a wonderful class. Look forward to meeting more of you.

 

[shellynn24]

Where do I sign up? I would love to take a class like this! Welcome all, have fun on the DIS.

 

[PrincessINTraining]

Hey!
I'm also in Dave's class. My name is Allison and I'm a sophomore. I have also visited Disney quite a few times but I'm sure I will never have an experience quite like this one. I think my favorite part of Disney is the characters walking around the parks because for me as a kid, that was like bringing movies to life.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Where do I sign up? I would love to take a class like this! Welcome all, have fun on the DIS.

Come and enroll at Western Illinois University!

 

[Beauty908]

Hello all I am Ryan and im looking forward to a great class and time visting Disney. I have only been to Disney World once for like half a day and enjoyed if very much in the little time is there. I am looking forward to learing more about Disney and seeing what it has to offer.
Ryan Ashby

I love your user name--Rash, it fits you

 

[TXYankee]

Hey!
I'm also in Dave's class. My name is Allison and I'm a sophomore. I have also visited Disney quite a few times but I'm sure I will never have an experience quite like this one. I think my favorite part of Disney is the characters walking around the parks because for me as a kid, that was like bringing movies to life.

Welcome Allison! I agree with you about the characters, seeing them makes me feel like a kid again. I still like to get photos with Pooh. My first photo with Pooh was in December 1971. My most recent was December 2009. I think Pooh has gotten shorter!

Hello all I am Ryan and im looking forward to a great class and time visting Disney. I have only been to Disney World once for like half a day and enjoyed if very much in the little time is there. I am looking forward to learing more about Disney and seeing what it has to offer.
Ryan Ashby

Hello Ryan. Welcome to the Dis. I did not know Gummy Bears took College Classes. Things may have changed since I went!

Okay Dave, I'm asking questions--

1) Tell me your top 3 things I must experience
2) When you are at Disney, do you feel like the staff tries to take care of everyone or focus more on children?
3) Any advice for a WDW virgin?

Beauty AKA Grasshopper,

Good Questions! I my humble opinion:

1. The Magic Kingdom at Rope Drop and at night for Wishes. Day time MK and Night time MK are like two different parks. Well, same Park, different Magic!

Illiminations in Epcot.

A Dole Whip.

2. When I was a child, I thought the Cast Members catered to children. As an adult I think the cast members focus on adults. I think they work hard and making everyones experence Magical.

3. Take a College class on Disney! Do some research and figure out what is important for you to do. Take your time and notice the details. You will never get everything done in one trip! Wear comfortable shoes. Stay out of the lakes.

 

[safetymom]

Welcome to all the Students.

 

[PrincessINTraining]

I can't figure out how to do the quote thing.... but TXYankee:

My mom has actually been going through old pictures of me at certain places at disney and me with different characters because she wants me to compare me at age 5 to now, and look at the differences at the park as well.

 

[safetymom]

Okay Dave, I'm asking questions--

1) Tell me your top 3 things I must experience
2) When you are at Disney, do you feel like the staff tries to take care of everyone or focus more on children?
3) Any advice for a WDW virgin?

1. Soarin at Epcot! Toy Story Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Safari in Animal Kingdom.

2. I think many of the cast members try very hard to make you have a great time in the parks. I never felt slighted because I wasn't a child.

3. Don't think you can see it all. Take time to appreciate the small details that Disney is great at. Look at the details on the rides and buildings.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

I can't figure out how to do the quote thing.... but TXYankee:

My mom has actually been going through old pictures of me at certain places at disney and me with different characters because she wants me to compare me at age 5 to now, and look at the differences at the park as well.

To quote another post: at the bottom right of the post you'd like to quote, click the "quote" button and the system will add it into your post (like it did with yours in this post of mine).