Visiting after an extended absence, asking for suggestions and ideas!

[N10CJT]

I'm returning to Disney World this November after an absence of 12 years (I was 19) with my girlfriend, who hasn't been there in 15! We'll be there for 10 days, with a late afternoon arrival on the first and an evening departure on the tenth. I've been checking out the boards for information, and it's been helpful, but there's too much to sift through! And so I joined....

What I'm looking for are any great tips or suggestions you might have for us... mostly things to do or see that would make our trip that much more special. I figured that this would be a more enjoyable thread for everyone than a strict question and answer session! So if you have any ideas, let 'em fly! I'm doing a multi-themed visit.... some romance, some family outing (my parents and my brother will be with us for some of our trip), some nostalgia, and lots of big kid. I want to make this trip more special for me, but more importantly I want to make it more special for my girlfriend. I do remember many things about Disney World, and my family goes all the time, but I fully expect there to be a TON more to hear about.... hopefully I'll get some great ideas here!

Anyway, here are the basics of our stay and of ourselves:
We're staying at the Beach Club, which I remember fondly.
We're going to all the major parks at some point. It'll be our first time at Animal Kingdom! I remember Epcot as my favorite. Rides are fun for me and I particularly want to go on those that weren't there when last I was at Disney, but even as a teenager I also loved to just be in the parks and on the other grounds of the World.
We are HUGE food, wine and craft beer people, and our dinner restaurants are already chosen. I'm looking forward to this.... I remember great food at some of these places and am primed for the new ones. I'm from the NYC area and teach in Saratoga-- two of America's best food towns-- so hopefully I can think of some of Disney's places in a similar light.
I'm golfing at least one afternoon, we are shopping at other times, and it could be 35 degrees and I'm still going to swim-- i.e. there are days we won't be in the parks, and some of the time I'm thinking about just wandering.
We're what I'd call "sophisticated dorks." That is, we enjoy the "finer" things but are also big goofs sometimes. I'm not planning for a trip where we're exclusively either.

Thanks in advance for all your help, and please don't hold back! We're somewhat experienced travelers with excellent senses of direction and so we have no trouble getting around new places, so don't worry about two more sky-gazing stumblers getting in your way!

Best to all,

Chris

 

[Disney Ron]

Have dinner at the California Grill! Make sure your ADR is late enough so you can view Wishes during your dinner.

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[Prinny27]

You could try doing a carriage ride at Port Orleans Riverside. It's very romantic - and also completely relaxing and beautiful.

Also, why not book a tour? My favorite is the Around the World on a Segway tour at Epcot. It is so much fun! My DH loved it when we went - he was like a big kid darting around on that thing! And if you book the earliest of the morning, you will wind up being in the World Showcase for an hour before it is open to the public, so you will see the cast members setting up and also learn really interesting facts about the pavilions.

If you're looking for fun little details, pick up a copy of Passporter's Treasure Hunts at WDW before you head down there. It sends you around all of the parks, resorts and water parks looking for the little hidden details that you may run right by otherwise. It's neat because you can do it at your own pace, do it one day, not do it the next (and all of the answers are sealed in the back so you can look them up in case you can't find what they are talking about).

Hope that helps! Have a fabulous time!

 

[N10CJT]

Thanks Mrs. Ron, actually we've already made reservations at the California Grill for 8.00 on a Sunday night, ready for the fireworks!
Prinny, what interesting ideas! I'll have to explore the carriage ride idea. It sounds nice, but being from New Jersey I'm sure you know how many carriage rides there are in the northeast! Of course horse culture is RAGING in Saratoga, and then there are the rides in Central Park, it might seem strange to go for a ride in Florida! Plus I've been to the real New Orleans and truly love it there. I'd have to think this one over.
The scavenger hunts look very interesting for a fun break, we may consider that as a possibility. I love things like that.... perhaps I could do that as an activity for when we're in with the family!
We've already gotten a tip to try a tour. I'm not too interested in the how-this-thing-works how-that-thing-works tours. I'm sure the segway would be fun for some, but we're city-dweller walkers and hikers to boot, so I've never really seen the appeal. I wonder why Disney doesn't do a similar thing with bicycles.... let you ride through the parks during the morning, how fun would that be? Imagine riding around Animal Kingdom!
Actually one thing we may do is the Aqua Seas tour, we're considering that after a tip we received. My girlfriend can't get Scuba certified because of an inner ear issue, so the Snuba option seems like it would be a lot of fun.
Anyway thanks for the great tips guys, I hope there's more coming! I really do appreciate all the help, it's giving us great ideas!

 

[Smile4Me]

I've heard its very fun to drink Around the World! Stop at every country in the world showcase and sample some tasty beverages.
I don't know how into characters you are, but you could also do the ever so popular character photo and autograph books.

Have a wonderful time, my boyfriend and I are going on our first vacation together the last week of August, and it will be the first time he's been to Disney in over 15 years! (only 5 for me!) ENJOY!

 

[N10CJT]

Have a great time! Maybe when you get back you'll have some great ideas for us!