Tips and advice to make Disney trip unforgettable

[Malin]

Looks like I'll be visiting Orlando in October with a friend. This is not my first time out to Florida. However for my friend this is her first time and I want to make it special for them.

I'm planning on two weeks of trying to get as much packed in as possible. Including Discovery Cove and the other SeaWorld and Universal Parks.

For Disney I was wondering if anyone has tried the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom before. And could you recomend it?

La Nouba is fairly high on my list. Can you recomend any other must see Orlando attractions or experiences that we should consider?

 

[Bridgey]

Aside from the parks other things that we've done that I would highly recommend are taking a balloon flight. We got lucky with ours and had one of the best winds for taking in the views plus as its an early morning thing it leaves the rest of the day for doing something else. The best thing we did though wasnt in Orlando it was at crystal river where we swam with manatees, unbelievable experience even if one of the calves did mistake me for its mother and followed me back to the boat!

 

[dixonsontour]

If she has always dreamed of going to disney maybe a meal in the castle at cinderella's royal table? They will give adults the wand and wishing star aswell.

 

[starrysky]

We did discovery cove and it was wonderful.

If you are not sure about a full hot air balloon flight the one at DTD that only goes up is great amazing view. I did it on our last trip for the first time and loved it now its going on my list for next year. Might even get DH to come up as well.

The halloween party at MK is great fun and we always have a great time best parade and fireworks are amazing.

Friends have said the horror nights at universal are great as well but I'm too chicken to go.

Plus in october you have food and wine and at epcot and thats a free event but there are extra parties and other events that you can book in advance.

Overall try and relax the best trips we have had are the ones were we just take it easy and try and not do everything. Think thats why we keep going back as there are still things we have not done.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Sometimes it's the smaller things that you remember.

Get your friend a 1st visit badge
Play mini golf on one of the Disney courses
Take a Surrey bike round the Boardwalk
Go to the GF for a look round - take breakfast there looking out over the marina towards MK & then take a stroll on the beach

I have read a few good reports on the Wild Trek safari and can recommend La Nouba too.

You could book a restaurant and time it to watch the fireworks - we like California Grille, but you could try Citricos or Narcoosees at the GF.

Finally, why not try and book one of the firework cruises? You can sometimes pick up a couple of places on the ones offered to share on the DIS boards and then it doesn't work out too expensive. We did the MK one and it was really good.

I hope we have given you food for thought

 

[PFlo]

I loved La Nouba. A really enjoyable and memorable evening.

 

[orangetiggs]

We are planning a private dessert party much like our wedding one for all our family who are travelling with us this year

Everyone still comments on how good it was so thought it would be nice for them to experiance some of our wedding.

Im in contact with disney private catered events and they seem great and its all over email

 

[starrysky]

We are planning a private dessert party much like our wedding one for all our family who are travelling with us this year

Everyone still comments on how good it was so thought it would be nice for them to experiance some of our wedding.

Im in contact with disney private catered events and they seem great and its all over email

Is this something you can do at a park? I am interested in trying to do something romantic for our next trip but I don't like the idea of the MK desert party this sounds good. Can it be done for just two people?

 

[orangetiggs]

Yes im doing it in epcot just like our wedding, there are mins you have to meet for in park but i am only just in talks with them at the moment

I know they did send me an idea of a patio at the grand floridian marina which looked nice

We had a private dinner in 2009 on the fifth floor of the grand floridian with a butler and everything and we could see wishes and illuminations from the window, that was planned through grand floridian dining and was worth every penny, was about $300 but we had a special menu as it was our wedding meal. Might be s ething to look into if just the two of you

 

[starrysky]

Yes im doing it in epcot just like our wedding, there are mins you have to meet for in park but i am only just in talks with them at the moment

I know they did send me an idea of a patio at the grand floridian marina which looked nice

We had a private dinner in 2009 on the fifth floor of the grand floridian with a butler and everything and we could see wishes and illuminations from the window, that was planned through grand floridian dining and was worth every penny, was about $300 but we had a special menu as it was our wedding meal. Might be s ething to look into if just the two of you

Now the private meal does sound rather nice, DH would be impressed with that. I am planning this as it might be our last trip for a while and as we went on honeymoon for our first trip I want to make this a special one.

 

[orangetiggs]

I was pregnant with the girls when we went and wasnt sure if we would go back so it was our anniversay dinner, you can do it cheaper by using their menus, the butler was great, the tab,e was decorated and everything, menus personilised. Was a lovely night. It was raining so we couldnt have the normal balcony so they had us on and empty floor where a room that has walts stuff in, we went to toilet there! Had a sneeky look! They tried to get us the grand one to make up for the balcony but the window we sta at was fantastic

I would def recommend this

 

[starrysky]

I was pregnant with the girls when we went and wasnt sure if we would go back so it was our anniversay dinner, you can do it cheaper by using their menus, the butler was great, the tab,e was decorated and everything, menus personilised. Was a lovely night. It was raining so we couldnt have the normal balcony so they had us on and empty floor where a room that has walts stuff in, we went to toilet there! Had a sneeky look! They tried to get us the grand one to make up for the balcony but the window we sta at was fantastic

I would def recommend this

It does sound wonderful. I'm going to have a think about it and see what I can do. We were going over all of the ideas for our ADRs last night so will have to see where I can fit it in.

 

[Mouseketeer1974]

Orangetiggs,

Can you tell me more about the private dining? We're at WDW for a special anniversary next year and I'd love to do a once in a lifetime type thing. There'll only be 4 of us, me, DH & 2xDD - would the GF overlooking Wishes & Illuminations be an option do you think?

TIA

 

[orangetiggs]

This is what our table looked like

 

[orangetiggs]

The view, one side to ledt was wishes and right to illuminations

I would speak to gf private dining as im sure anythin is possible

 

[Mouseketeer1974]

do you have an email address you could pass on?
the table and view are amazing! Just mentioned it to OH and he told me to go for it - don't need telling twice!

 

[orangetiggs]

http://www.www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2274626&page=2

This was my posts about it

Cant find an email address it was two years aho and changed email accounts sorry but this thread did say i dealt with it all on email but cant remeber who i got email address from, think lady at disney was called pat

 

[orangetiggs]

Try this

Her contact information is below

Pat Anderson
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
office - (8282) 407-824-1951
fax - 407-824-3252
patricia.k.anderson@disney.com

 

[Mouseketeer1974]

Thanks for this.
I have in the last few minutes spoken to Pat, having phoned GF and asked for private dining. She seems lovely and very keen to make sure we can organise something to suit our requirements.
Very excited about this now

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Thanks for this.
I have in the last few minutes spoken to Pat, having phoned GF and asked for private dining. She seems lovely and very keen to make sure we can organise something to suit our requirements.
Very excited about this now

It would be good if you could post how you get on as this is a lovely idea