What's the FIRST thing you show Newbies at WDW?

[MickeyFan84]

One of my favorite things to do is take people on their first trip to WDW. Seeing things that I tend to skip over these days through the eyes of someone who is seeing them for the first time never fails to give me a new appreciation for my favorite place on earth. So... what's the very first thing you like to show newbies and why?

 

[normmo]

Ohhhh! I'm taking a newbie in September and the first things we're doing are:
Day 1 - Kilimanjaro Safari, Cirque de Soleil
Day 2 - tower of terror
Day 3 - Buzz Lightyear
Last Day - Mission Space or Test Track

Now - I know that there's more than one thing there but I'm trying to show her the best of the best each day. I like starting off with the Safari because I think it's mind blowing and show's how well Disney does things! Keep in mind we're doing the rest of the parks as well! LOL

 

[Chip126]

Well....on my next trip the newbies will be my SIL, nephew, and niece. I don't know where to start.

First of all...they need to see the resort and learn the busses.

Then....off to Disney Studios! I think the first thing that I will show them (except my niece because she's too little) is Rockin Roller Coaster! I can't think of a better attraction to start them off.

 

[grinningghost]

We're taking DD's friend who will be a newbie. I guess the first thing we'll be showing her is the resort and all it has to offer. After that, I think DD and her friend will want to go to the parks without us old people. I'll have to leave it up to my not-so-Disney-obsessed DD to show her something incredible. No doubt it will be TOT or RNRC first. Teens, thrills, it all goes together.

 

[twinz]

We went with Newbie last year. I loved showing them all the little touches...How the ques are not plain ole borring ques, hidden Mickeys (the kids got right into this), The fireworks, and parades! They loved it all!
Twinz

 

[Mel6197]

Well Im bringing my Mom on her first vacation ever.. So far this is what Im thinking

Check in Yada Yada,.,

Either
Go to Dinner at a monorail resort..Then to MK for Spectromagic....(if they offer it on Wesday then we will)

Go to MGM..
Dinner at 50's Prime Time and Fantasmic...

 

[Pat_Elliott]

We try to hit Epcot at the end of the day (us Northeasterners always get in mid-afternoon). If you want to know what I think makes Disney what it is, see Spaceship Earth and a fountain show as the sun sets, walk the Showcase, see ToD (sadly, not an option anymore), then watch Illuminations. Then head to the AC!
Haven't met the newbie yet that didn't become a wanna-be after that.

Pat

 

[HvnzCaress]

hmmm I'm interested in seeing what this topic brings up among the pros since we're going to be newbies in August The only guidance we're going to have is all the tips I've picked up on these boards in the last year and well one or two guide books.

I have been struggling like crazy to figure out an itinerary. I still don't know really where to start!!!

 

[MickeyFan84]

Just realized I didn't even answer my own question! Twinz, the little things are my favorites, too. For me it would have to be taking in the Magic of Main Street - SLOWLY - reading the names on the second floor of the buildings, noticing the Disney "D" on the horses' bridles (is that what they're called?), listening to the music. They just always seem to catch the magic more when they take a little more time at the beginning to sort of sink into the experience.

 

[SidB]

Got to agree with Main Street. Just standing there looking up at Cinderellas Castle is magical. To all of us Brits the sheer scale of the whole thing, from the car parks on is unbelievable.

 

[papagooch]

The first thing we do is eat at Ohana and watch the fireworks.
For the parks it's always Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by papagooch
The first thing we do is eat at Ohana and watch the fireworks.
For the parks it's always Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.

Us too! My DGD8 and I are taking my friend/coworker for her first time. We're staying at the Poly for the first two nights & doing Ohana, watermice & fw from the beach. Then after the character breakfast at Ohana the next morning we're off to MK. It's getting to be a tradition for my DGD and I to do Splash & BTMRR first so I guess we'll head there! I can't wait!

 

[Beth]

I used to always take people up to the Observation Deck at the Contemporary. It's unfortunate we can't do that any more...

 

[donna in Oz]

I love taking first-timers, too. In fact, I try to take at least one with me every trip!!

My favorite first evening is to make a PS for Ohana, then take a leisurely monorail ride around the EPCOT loop after dark. Spaceship Earth is just gorgeous then. When we get back to Ohana, we stroll down to the beach and watch the Electrical Water Pageant. If there happens to be fireworks at the MK that night, then that's an added bonus!!

Be sure to ask to ride with the driver for a great first view of EPCOT.

 

[Dancind]

We hosted newbies last March. The things we made sure they did were E-night, Fantasmic, Illuminations, the Safari, the Lion King show, and the 3D shows. And of course the major rides, using FastPass. We also planned a couple of fun but not too expensive meals, Rose & Crown for Illuminations and Prime Time Cafe. On a tour around World Showcase, we made sure they caught the World Showcase Players and the Living Statues (which they absolutely loved!). They saw the highlights of all the parks, in just three days! My niece might be going with us in August, so we'll do it again. If you are a frequent visitor, acting as a newbie tourguide is a great way to re-enjoy the parks. Diana

 

[jkovick]

We took first timers with us in November. We got in around 3pm. Explored our resort a little, had dinner at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, rode the monorails to Epcot and caught Illuminations. Our newbies were exctied and overwhelmed. It was a great trip! (Incidentally our "newbies" are going on their next trip this November and can hardly wait.)

 

[DisneyCP2002]

I usually would show them the resort and then we would head off to one of the parks and get the lay of the land.

 

[crazymomof4]

I've never taken a newbie but I distinctly remember being one in 1987. The first thing that struck me when we got off of the monorail was the size of the Geosphere in EPCOT. Seeing it in pictures you just don't comprehend the size of it! I'm surprised that I didn't walk into anyone bc. I just kept staring up at it as we walked. It still strikes a feeling of awe in me. That is where I would take a newbie first and I would watch the look on their face.

 

[kilee]

We haven't taken any newbies with us yet. However in October we are taking my parents (last trip for them was to MK in 1976) and my sis, BIL & neice (all first timers).

I am hoping to get a PS (I'm patiently waiting for my 60 day mark) for Chef Mickey's for our first night. Then I figured we could either take them to DD or the Boardwalk. We never usually go into the parks our first day in town (we stay off site). However we usually hit up DD or the Boardwalk to help catch the magic. I am alilttle torn-- I was thinking of possibly picking Ohana's instead because there will be fireworks for the 10/30 MNSSHP party and I thought viewing them from their may be another nice way to start our trip.

My only disappointment is that they're first trip into MK will be for MNSSHP on Halloween. They won't get to expierence it first thing in the morning. I still remember my first stroll down MAIN STREET. I got teary eyed!!!

 

[JimmyMartin]

Where are you staying? The first thing (buy tickets in advance) I would recommend is go to the Magic Kingdom. Ride the ferryboat from ticket and trasnportation center. There is nothing like approaching the kingdom slowly. Arrive early so you can walk slowly down Main Street. Choose the attraction you most like and do it first. Remember to get a few PS. Good luck!