Tips for first timers

[penguinande]

My best friend and I are going to Disney World for the first time May 14-20. We are both juniors in college. I am sure that two adults going for the first time will have a slightly different experience than many described on the boards. Any tips you have would be helpful.

 

[all4fun]

I recommend you go to the bookstore and take a look at the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World or check out The passporter book. There is also a board for Adults as well where you might get some ideas. I went just after graduating h.s with my best friend and her aunt (who lives in FL) and we had a wonderful time. Of course, her aunt was our "tour guide" since she had been there many times. Later, my dh and I went as a couple and we studied up using the UG and later found the DIS which has been an invaluable source of information. I also like this site for planning and information: www.allearsnet.com Planning helped us to get the most out of our vacation, since there is just so much to do at WDW, you can't possibly fit it all in in one vacation alone. That's why we keep coming back!

hth!
Cheryl

 

[penguinande]

I've looked at allearsnet a lot and it's a great source of info. Anything else? I'd love to hear some tips from personal experience.

 

[senecabeach]

penguinande...........

This has always been a very difficult question for me to answer wether in a thread like this, or, to friends and family going for the 1st time.
Doing your homework is essential. The UG and allears are great resources!

In 71 DH and I made our 1st trip to WDW and absolutely loved it. We have been there every year since, sometimes twice! Always staying at the Poly, in the "Tonga" (?, I think) Longhouse...facing the lake and castle, which is now the Hawaii Longhouse...oh yea...@ $42.00 per night!! Waking up early, kick back the sliding door, sitting on the patio, lake and castle view, and hearing the music from the not opened MK is ingrained in my mind and my most precious memory.

We have always taken our time and "stopped to smell the roses", never have done the commando style.

Ask to ride with the driver, in the front car on the monorail...nice perspective!
Pina Colada's @ the Poly bar are great!
Lunch in England in EPCOT, on the patio by the water...wonderful! (Bass Ale is too!)
Dessert from France's pastry shop...Yummy!
Crush Talk in the Living Seas..neat!!

Take the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour @ MK..good stuff about Disney's building the MK..i.e., the names on the windows on Main St., Castle not stone, Carousel from old Olympic Park in NJ, utilidor tour..etc.
Doing 1 land @ a time works well, Tommorrow.. Fantasy( dont miss Philharmonic)..Frontier..etc.
See the "Wishes" fireworks..awesome Don't forget to "listen" to Jimminie Cricket's dialog..

AK and MGM ...also great places!

Guess you're not interested in mid-day breaks @ the pool??
Re-generating is a good idea for your evenings out especially for those long nights @ PI, which Im assuming you would want to try?

And on and on...

Well...here I am 34 yrs. later, the "World" had grown sooo much. I'm still doing "new" things...Illuminations cruise, blow out dinner @ V&A, massage, golf...

So much to do...so little time!!

DH has passed but I still make my yearly trips, now to my DVC, and never tire of the "Magic" and have such wonderful memories!

Hope you make great memories too!!

 

[DeanDoug]

Have a great time! Yes, you should get an unofficial guide book... we often use Frommers... it will help you plan before you go and map out what you want to do... this helps save time because remember, time in the parks is money!

In MGM, Tower of Terror is great, as is the Rockin' Roller Coaster... in Epcot, Dinosaur!, Test Track and Mission are awesome. While in Epcot, we like to have lunch in the Living Seas restuarant (looking at the huge aquarium)... at lunch it's much cheaper

Mostly, enjoy your time!

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

Several people have mentioned it and we will plug it again...the passporter is a great planning tool- www.passporter.com

Also make priority seating (PS) arrangements for meals, that is the best tip I think we were ever given, made the wait time less traumatic

Take your time and remember a bad day at disney is more magical than any good day you've ever had

Have fun hope that helps

 

[KIANGA]

Spectro Magic And Wishes At Mk On Certain Nights And Illiminations At Epcot Every Night. Call Up Park Hours On Main Page. They Are Listed By Months. Be Sure You Print The Page For Park Hours, Then Call Up Parades/fireworks Only To Let You Know When To Plan To Be In That Particular PARK For What You Want To See.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

Here's two sites that I refer my adult friends to, that offer some great suggestions:

Adults at WDW Website
Discovering WDW Without Kids