Tell me about your experiences taking first-timers to Disney

[bobbiwoz]

We brought first time friends (early 60's) to stay at VWL for 3 nights in December '05. We went to a MVMCP, and they had 3 day passes, so we went to each park once. We took it slowly, my DGF has digestive issues, so getting out of the rooms ( 2 studios ) early for rope drop was not ever attempted. We relaxed in the mornings. They both used Sturdy Branches. She was sort of nervous about that last morning, because we had to check out by 11, but even that worked out. That last day was AKV, and she just loved FoLK. What a great way to end their first stay. They mentioned to us that they fully understand why we love WDW so much. We've invited them next December for another VWL 3 night stay.

They loved Epcot...especially the CP and Energy, one of their DS's loved dinasours and this brought back so many memories for them.

Bobbi

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

We went with Friends for a week. Parents had gone before (15 years before) and kids never had been.

I knew that were not going to be Disney Freaks like me and my family, so I made a schedule where they got to do the things they wanted and spend time as a family, and we got to do what we wanted and spend time as a family. We went for 7 days and out of those 7 days we were only together 4.
We stayed at the BWV and they stayed a CS.

On the days that we decided to meet, I told them they needed to be at the parks at 8:45 am----- well they never made it on time, but its didn't stop me from doing what we usually did and we just met up later. However, with them being late we didn't get to experience the rides together (which was a bummer) but If I waited for them, we wouldn't of had experience much anyways. They liked Disney but not as much as we did!!!

Don't expect too much !!! You know Disney is very overwhelming and too much time together can be a BAD thing!!!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

This thread has been so interesting. We are planning our first trip with family in December. We are taking my mom and dad for their first WDW vacation. I think I made the right decision in them only coming for the first 4 days and us having a few more without them. We both have studios at seperate locations. I thought 7 days would be too much for them the first time and I wanted to see if they liked it.

Next summer I am bringing my aunt, her new husband and his son (my son's age). All their first time to WDW. I was going to get a 2br villa but perhaps I would be better getting two studios so we have our own rooms. What would you do?

My first instinct was 2 studios, but after thinking about it for awhile, I think you should do what suits your family. If you like the amenities you would have in the 1BR portion, I would stick with the 2BR. Will you be having any meals with family in the room since you'll have a full kitchen? I don't think it will be too bad with a 2BR. Both families will have some privacy and a place to also be together. Maybe run it by your Aunt, and see if she has a strong preference either way.
-mary

 

[psu4glory]

what a great thread....lots of interesting experiences.

DW and i are huge fanatics - two-trips-a-year people - and have asked my parents to join us several times. they're both in their early 50's, and neither has ever even been on a plane - yet alone to disney. to our surprise, this year they said yes! so we'll be in a 2-BR villa at BWV from 12/1 - 12/6. we figured this was the best week to bring them considering the incredible christmas decor, relatively lighter crowds, and (hopefully) more pleasant temps.

they're leaving all the planning to us, which is OK by me. in fact, i've got the flights and rental car booked, ADR's made and schedule pretty much laid out already. i am a little concerned about over-doing it, though. my dad was diagnosed with leukemia about 18 months ago, so i'm certain that this will be his one and only trip to the World. we'll want to show them everything there is to see, but will need to remember to maintain a reasonable pace.

 

[Flyerfan]

Still haven't pitched the idea to the in-laws but I got an idea today Next November DH will be 40 so I was thinking about inviting them for his birthday. I'm wondering how they will react to this. In the past DFIL has expressed a desire to see the World but DMIL kind of put the ax to it. Not sure why. On several occasions even her mother (who's in a nursing home by the way) told her to "go to Florida". I think that this will be the one and only time they will get there. I'm hoping the invite will do the trick.

 

[bobbiwoz]

what a great thread....lots of interesting experiences.

DW and i are huge fanatics - two-trips-a-year people - and have asked my parents to join us several times. they're both in their early 50's, and neither has ever even been on a plane - yet alone to disney. to our surprise, this year they said yes! so we'll be in a 2-BR villa at BWV from 12/1 - 12/6. we figured this was the best week to bring them considering the incredible christmas decor, relatively lighter crowds, and (hopefully) more pleasant temps.

they're leaving all the planning to us, which is OK by me. in fact, i've got the flights and rental car booked, ADR's made and schedule pretty much laid out already. i am a little concerned about over-doing it, though. my dad was diagnosed with leukemia about 18 months ago, so i'm certain that this will be his one and only trip to the World. we'll want to show them everything there is to see, but will need to remember to maintain a reasonable pace.

I'm glad they agreed to go, and yes, I think you've picked a good week! I do hope that your dad is strong enough to go.
Bobbi

 

[WOW]

In 2002 we took our Dear Aunt to Disney World (she was a young 85) for 10 days at OKW.....she kept saying, but what are we going to do for that long.....well, she fell in love with it and had a wonderful time. She didn't want to leave. A few years later we had a mini family reunion to celebrate her birthday (we used flier miles and flew first class) at the castle and she was surely the center of attention.....we then took her once again along with her daughter.....they were all Wonderful vacations.

The things she loved most were: It's a small world, tiki birds, the OKW main pool, (the quiet pools were boring HaHa!!!) the castle (we had her birthday party there and the cast members were sooooo wonderful to her) ,she sure got the Royal Treatment, the show at the Poly, the great ice cream by France, the boat rides, the illuminations boat ride, MGM, who wants to be a millionare, all of the parades at the Magic Kingdom.....

Of course we took it nice and easy and made sure that she didn't get too tired or hot.....she even liked the bus rides!!!!!!! She was the last one to go to bed and the first one up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We lost her almost three years ago and the memories we have of her having the time of her life are priceless.

Sooooo my advice to all of you would be to do it now and hopefully you will all have a wonderful time!!!!! And make wonderful memories!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[photobob]

Ok, now I'm starting to feel a little guilty for not taking my inlaws. They are in their low to mid 70's and in very good health. I should take them while they can still handle the walking. I don't think I could handle it in a 2 BDR though, 2 studios would have to be the route.