Taking my BFF for her First Time - Suggestions Welcome!

[SeptemberGirl]

Hi! I'm a 33 yr old married mom who's been to WDW 7 times - 3 as a kid, 2 with my DH, and 2 with my DD - this Sept and last. My BFF is 36 and has never been! Originally we thought she might come with us in March (I've developed quite the WDW travel bug, can you tell?). But in March we'll be with my parents, my DH and my DD, 3, all of who love and adore BFF and she them, but I was thinking it would be nicer for her to see the World as an adult who gets to be a kid - just the two of us.

So we're scratching that plan and going alone, her and I. We don't know when, but we sort of hope for either November or December. We don't know where, but we plan to stay on property and use Disney transportation. She loves Stitch, so I know the breakfast at Ohana is a must. She's really a big Disney fan but can't imagine a theme park like the MK. Her experience is more the Six Flags variety.

It's been 8 years since I did an adult trip, and I can't wait. I would LOVE your suggestions on the best things to do as adults at the World and also your suggestions for a first-time trip that's all about being a kid-like grown-up.

Thanks!

 

[MEK]

I've never done just a "grown-up trip", but if I did I think I would really enjoy doing one of the behind the scenes tours. I've always wanted to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour or the Segway tour.

Because it is an adult trip and you will be taking your friend to different restaurants, I think I would do the dining plan. I think LeCellier in Canada is a great place to eat, but might be booked for Nov/dec. The Fanatasmic dinner package would also be nice.

You might consider the MVMCP and the Candlelight processional, since they are seasonal things for Christmas.

I say - just be spontaneous and have a great time!

 

[WICKEDWILLINGWENCH]

i love to take a day and resort hop to see all the xmas decos.

i love the adult world..LOL. Less hectic and 'cumbersome'.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[SeptemberGirl]

I've never done just a "grown-up trip", but if I did I think I would really enjoy doing one of the behind the scenes tours. I've always wanted to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour or the Segway tour.

What a great idea!! Thank you! I think she would love that, and I sure would, too - and it's not something I'd ever do with my 3 yr old!

i love the adult world..LOL. Less hectic and 'cumbersome'.

Have a wonderful time!

The more I think about this, the better it sounds. Adult time! Thank you!

Oh, and we have revised our trip time - we're going in January, I think! So no Christmas decorations but it should be nice and empty, I hope!

 

[perfectparanoia]

I took my best friend on her first trip to disney world and frankly, it didn't matter what we did. Just seeing the look in her eyes when she did everything for the first time was enough for me. I can't even remember the best parts but I know they had nothing to do with what we went to see. It was just great to be together and to see her find out about the disney magic.

You will have a great time and hopefully your BFF will become a disney convert like mine (she is headed there for her honeymoon next week to try to convert her freshly minted hubby).

I could not be more jealous of you right now.

 

[mzliza3]

Your trip sounds GREAT! Although WDW is viewed primarily as a family destination, there's also a lot of stuff for adults, too. GF has a fantastic spa; my sister & I only got a massage & a facial, but let me tell you, we felt AMAZING afterwards. Since my kids are in college now, our trips have been more adult, but not TOO adult. We like shopping at the World Showcase, hanging out at Downtown Disney, but always find time for Space Mountain, Pirates, etc. We're also able to try some of the more exotic Disney cuisine. Happy planning!

 

[melissac]

My BFF and I are in the same situation as you. We will be going Dec.6-Dec.10 for my Bday. I have been there 4 time and have grown more and more Disney obsessed each time. We are DVC members and have 3 trips planned from Dec.- Oct. BFF-Dec. Kids and Mom-Jan and Whole family-Oct. I'm really looking forward to this trip. My girlfriend has not been to Disney since a child
(30 years ago) so this will be all new to her. Just the time away from home and to experience Disney without children is exciting. I wish it could be longer but, I'm thankful for the time I'm getting. Hope you have as much fun as we're hoping to have. Any suggestions for a friend that is nervous about flying. She hasn't flown in over 16 years and is scared more about that then leaving her DD(4) home with her husband(Just kidding, about the husband not the fear of flying). Any suggestions would be great. We have 2 1/2 hour flight. Thanks

 

[PictureJumpr]

I am bringing my BFF in April for her first trip ever.
We are celebrating 20 years of friendship, ever since junior high!

She also hates to fly, when we were a little younger she used to just grab a double at the airport bar pre-flight, but this time around I think I've talked her out of that - can't let your first sight of WDW happen while you're passed out and/or suffering from a hangover on the ME bus!

To kind of help her out, I got tickets on the first available flight (5:15am) so hopefully she can sleep through most of it after a 3am wake-up call... if only we could get Stitch to handle that one, cause I am not looking forward to it!

As for the adult activities, that is a harder question because while I have no children of my own - therefore my trips are mostly 'adult' trips - I tend to act like a kid when I'm there, teacups and character meals and hidden mickeys and all. This time we are going to do tea at the GF, a little monorail barhopping, the early-morning backstage safari at AK, some nights at PI or the Boardwalk.... and it really does make a difference in what sorts of dining you can plan when there are no little ones in the party. At least with the kids I have in my life - most of them don't enjoy the Yachtsman or the Biegarten as much as the adults do.

 

[odd1]

The Segway tour is a great way to tour the World Showcase for the first time! Did that with my BF this year -- it was her first time at Epcot and she loved it! We felt like celebreties touring an empty World Showcase!

It's too bad you won't make the F&W festival ... that's the coolest adult treat there is.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

...was with 2 friends, and we were celebrating a milestone birthday for one of them! We are all experienced Disney goers, but it was so much more fun not having to worry about spouses and kids. I'd definately take the time to go to PI, especially the Adventurers Club. You'll have to be sure to get her the "First Trip" badge to wear around the world...CM's always make a big deal over anyone wearing a badge.

 

[Taja]

I convinced my BFF from childhood (sisters by choice since age 7!) to take her first trip to WDW in 2003 on the Fairytale package. It was my second trip--22 years after the first! *lol* We grew up at and with DL, so we already were quite "Disneyfied."

Despite hanging around The DIS and a few other sites, there was a lot we didn't know, but we thoroughly enjoyed our 7 nights at YC and relaxing without family members. We see each other once or twice a year (live in different states), so just having time to catch up with our lives is a treat!

Things I would suggest:

Tour monorail resorts. Add bar-hopping, if you enjoy it.
Tour EPCOT resorts.
Spend an evening at the AC in PI.
Gentle planning, but mostly relax and enjoy!

Edited to add:

We did the KTTK tour last October--our first. My BFF couldn't figure out why she should do a tour of MK. She hasn't stopped talking about it since, and is planning to take care of the baby so her daughter can do it when we visit in December!

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Wow, these are all so great - thank you for replying with your stories! I love that there's more of us who have done this special trip.

We only have 3 and a half days! We arrive Friday night, late, have all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and a half day one Tuesday before we leave for home. Are we just going to be too pressed for time? We are staying at the Poly so we have the monorails working for us! What would you drop if pressed to?

 

[minicoopercraig]

I'm sure it's been said before, but the first time I was ever at Disney World, wasn't until I was 24, my other half took me there. I wasn't all that into it. THEN we hit EPCOT, as soon as I saw Spaceship Earth, my eyes started to well up, and as we walked through the gates, they seemd to be waiting for me especially, because we got a packet that had "So you finally made it!" on the front. THAT was it! I was bawling like a toddler in a toy store! LOL. I highly recommend doing at least a full day in EPCOT, that way you can walk leisurely around the lake, at least 3-4 times. Make one full circle without buying any souvinears ( ) then on the next time around pick them up, alot lighter that way.
The rides kinda get you excited for MK. It depends on how many days you're going to be spending there, but each park is great for adults. I always buy the newest edition on Birnbaums guide to Disney, because they have a section just for adult travelers without kids. Check it out!

 

[twotoohappy]

I've done 3 "grown-up" trips with just friends and it was great!

things to do:

Jellyrolls
snack around Epcot
spa treatment at SSR
Jellyrolls
stay at BCV and float around
tea at GF
Jellyrolls
sleep in, eat junkfood, and...
go to Jellyrolls

 

[Constance]

This will be so much fun for you both! I have one BFF flying in on my Oct trip (leave in 3 days!) and she hasn't been to WDW in 20 years (when she was 10!) So, I planned one full day at each park with EMH, dining plan, and dinner reservations so it isn't too "rushed" for her.

Then, I have another BFF heading to the Dolphin for a conference in Nov 2008who has never been to WDW and has never been interested. Until now! Different experience planned here - Narcoosee's, GF Tea, Pleasure Island, the spas and poolside with adult beverages. She is intending on adding on days to her conference trip to enjoy some of the experience, based on the info I sent her - menus, details and resort amenities.

First time I've planned my vacations around other people's availability, but since I go on my own every year, it will be a lot of fun to experience it with the novice and the never-been!

I just gear the trip based on personalities and preferences, and to me, seeing Disney through someone else's eyes makes it a new experience for me too.

You'll enjoy it! Have fun planning!

 

[colleen3]

I grew up in the Tampa Bay area so I've been to Disney many, many, MANY times. I am taking a good friend from NY, who's never been to Florida much less Disney, for her 50th birthday in December.

One thing I am very excited about is how different the experience is going to be for ME. I've never stayed at a resort, only gone for day trips in the past. We are staying at the CBR. I have never "dined" at Disney. Since every trip I have made has been with kids (younger siblings, cousins, nephews, etc.) or when I was a kid myself. I can honestly say that "dining" up to this point has been The Launching Pad in Tomorrowland because it is the cheapest place for a family to get a meal in TMK. We are getting the dining plan, an combining 4 of our table service meals for 2 signature restaurants. On her birthday, we are getting a spa treatment in the Grand Floridian. And I was told when I booked our spa treatments that we have the use of the GF health club facilities for the day of our spa treatment, so we are skipping the parks that day, spending a half day getting pampered at the spa, then using the steamroom and jacuzzi before we dress to go to dinner at Artist Point. Then, we have decided that after dinner we are going to return to our resort and watch Illuminations from the Banana Cabana (?) bar.

Also, I have never been to either MGM or Animal Kingdom before at all. So, I'm thrilled! It is a very new experience for me, to go as an adult with another adult. I'm very much looking forward to it. I'm discovering an entirely different Disney as an adult!

 

[SeptemberGirl]

I grew up in the Tampa Bay area so I've been to Disney many, many, MANY times. I am taking a good friend from NY, who's never been to Florida much less Disney, for her 50th birthday in December.

One thing I am very excited about is how different the experience is going to be for ME. I've never stayed at a resort, only gone for day trips in the past. We are staying at the CBR. I have never "dined" at Disney. Since every trip I have made has been with kids (younger siblings, cousins, nephews, etc.) or when I was a kid myself. I can honestly say that "dining" up to this point has been The Launching Pad in Tomorrowland because it is the cheapest place for a family to get a meal in TMK. We are getting the dining plan, an combining 4 of our table service meals for 2 signature restaurants. On her birthday, we are getting a spa treatment in the Grand Floridian. And I was told when I booked our spa treatments that we have the use of the GF health club facilities for the day of our spa treatment, so we are skipping the parks that day, spending a half day getting pampered at the spa, then using the steamroom and jacuzzi before we dress to go to dinner at Artist Point. Then, we have decided that after dinner we are going to return to our resort and watch Illuminations from the Banana Cabana (?) bar.

Also, I have never been to either MGM or Animal Kingdom before at all. So, I'm thrilled! It is a very new experience for me, to go as an adult with another adult. I'm very much looking forward to it. I'm discovering an entirely different Disney as an adult!

So cool! Do you mind sharing your plans? I'd love to know what you're doing there! I'm rethinking my entire itinerary. I'll figure out how to cut and paste it here, but tell me yours if you don't mind!

 

[justlikeeyore]

I suggest you go to Jellyrolls at the Broadwalk and the Adventure Club in Pleasure Island.

 

[dizzi]

YES JELLY ROLLS!

One of the few BARS me and my DH have a good time in when it is just the 2 of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We dont dance so this was the bestest for us!

 

[onesadduck]

Subscribing! My BFF and I are going next August, only it'll be the first time for both of us. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm amazed at the number of "best friends" trips that are going on (or have happened).

Segway tour sounds like a great idea! We are doing a dinner show, or two. That's really all I have, but I'm sure we'll have fun no matter what. We are definitely catching as many night shows as possible, and doing Pleasure Island, too. I think we'll go to DisneyQuest, but that's a little immature for you, probably (we'll only be 21 at the time- so we practically still count as kids).

Another thing I heard was (even though this is a special BFFs trip) to be okay with splitting up, even if just for a ride or two. This might not be as much of a problem for "real" adults like you, but you don't want to get cabin fever (you won't be confined in terms of space so much as socialization). My BFF and I have known each other since we were four, and have camped together many times, but we've never stayed at a hotel together and we are both aware that this new and prolonged experience may cause a bit of *******. Hopefully not, though, I mean if we can still be BFFs after nearly freezing in a tent that turned into a swimming pool (and then it started to snow!) or a week of backpacking with no shower and a tiny tent (read: no personal space), a dry room with our own beds and a working bathroom should be fine.