Taking a newbie to disney?

[DNSDisney]

We are taking my 11 yr old niece with us this trip and I was just wondering what everyone thought the must sees for each park would be for her. This will be her first trip ever! So I really want to show her everything! But I realize time will only permit so much . We have 8 days in FL but only wanted to do 5 in Disney (2 for Universal and 1 day water ,mini golf and rest )
So what do you think the must sees things are?

Thanks
Sharon

 

[Matty_Disfan]

Here are my picks, trying to balance the magic of imagination with fun of the rides:

MK- Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain (if you fastpass, not worth lining up for), Peter Pan, Pooh, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Carribean.

Epcot- Spaceship Earth (cause you gotta see what's in the huge golf ball), Honey I shrunk the Audience, Cranium Command (cheesy, but funny), Test Track (fatspass this as soon as you enter the park, notorious for running out of fastpasses), Maelstrom, Illuminations.

Disney Studios- Tower of Terror (if she's not too faint of heart), ditto for Rock n' Roller Coaster, Muppets in 3D, Star Tours, Inidana Jones STunt Spectatcular, Beauty and the Beast Show, Fantasmic show.

Animal Kingdom- Kali, Kilimanjaro, Tough To Be A Bug, Dinosaur, Rafiki's is cool, The treks are good too.

Hope that helps you.

 

[Figment2]

In January I had three newbies, my niece and her friend (both 19) and a good friend (my age). I gave them all Birnbaum's book and told them to mark which rides they were interested in.
We spent one day in each park and we usually spent breakfast going over our plan of attack. They had an idea of the rides they wanted to go on and I had my list of must-dos.

Happy to say everyone enjoyed themselves and can't wait to go back!

Cyn

 

[GlennandAnn]

Here are some don't miss attractions:

MK: Buzz Lightyear, Alien Encounter, Space & Splash Mountains, Small World (gotta do it!), Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion

AK: Safari, Tough to be a Bug, Lion King show,

MGM: Rock and Roller Coaster, TOT, Muppets 3D, Backlot Tour

Epcot: Test Track, the Maelstrom, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Spaceship Earth

HAve a great time!! Ann

 

[ddgirl]

Do NOT miss Fantasmic!!! IMHO it is the BEST show at Disney. We listen to the CD of this whole show (28 minutes long) at least three times a week while we're in the car. It is AWESOME!! My daughter is 11 and loves it.

 

[DNSDisney]

ddgirl- You know out of all our trips we have never done Fantasmic! It is the one thing that i do want to try and do this year. I have heard so much about it on this board, positive things. I just really want to see it now.

 

[Hadjii]

Another vote for Fantasmic. After going to WDW 7 times without seeing the show, I finally did it last October. It was amazing. Truly magical. Even the most jaded of adults love Fantasmic. I'm sure your niece will be thrilled. Also, you might want to try a character meal. If you know who her favorite characters are you can pretty much choose the restaurant they hang out at. The character meals are so much fun and a great place for her to get pictures and autographs from her favorites. How much fun for you to be able to share this wonderful place with your niece. Have a great time!! - Nancy

 

[DNSDisney]

I do have a couple of character meals planned. We always do Ohana's on the day we leave , sort of our fairwell breakfast (a tradition). Taking my niece with us this time is put new life into our disney experiance. I believe even though she is 11yrs old her face will light up like my daughter did when seeing the castle for the first time! It just sort of takes your breath away, even at my age. I told my sister i will not promise that she will not come back a disney fanatic... I think it is contagious!

 

[Hadjii]

I think that's so much a part of the magic of DisneyWorld. Being able to enjoy seeing someone you love's face light up when they see something for the first time. Hope you have a great time. Enjoy! - Nancy