12 timer with a first timer: ideas needed

[EdisonKimble]

I searched through the threads and found a few posts related to first timers, but have a little bit of a different twist...

Obviously, being on these forums, I'm a bit of a Disney geek. Im super psyched for an upcoming trip after finally convincing my wife to give Disney World a try. The background is I have been going off and on since I was a kid. I have a lot of fond memories and I'm sure that's driving part of my love of The World. My wife is not a thrill ride person, so she initially resisted a splurge on a vacation to a 'theme park'. This vacation is essentially a trial run to see if she likes it enough to go back. She's a bit more laid back and we will probably not be spending an entire day from rope drop to park close, which is fine since I've seen much of what there is to do. As a younger guy, I previously focused more on the 'thrill rides' than the shows, so I figure this will be more of an opportunity to sit down and watch some shows I haven't been to before (more entertainment).

Problem I currently have is that I want to find out what she wants to do and what she wants to experience, but as I've read in a few other threads, there's simply too much for her to think about to connect to any one thing. I've ordered the DVD to watch before the trip and give her some ideas, but I was hoping for some other ideas from anyone that has gone through this experience in the past. Have you taken them around Disney 'through your eyes'? Or have you tried to come up with a game plan of their own choosing? What did you do to get them to come up with some basics of a plan? I don't want to put too much pressure on her that she stresses out and hates the experience. I truly think she'll love it if she gets to do what she wants, only problem is she doesn't know what that is. If I make her sit down for the planning DVD, I think she'll feel the pressure.

By me worrying about her having a good time, probably too much pressure, right? But I don't want to be selfish and come up with a game plan that may not be what she wants to do. I feel a little stuck.

Any suggestions or feedback would be much appreciated!!

 

[erasure fan1]

I've been with a few first timers over the years and I have always tried to use my best judgement on what I think they would like the most based on what I know about them. If you want them to want to come back I wouldn't go at it commando style. Use your knowledge to make sure you see enough without running them into the ground. It can be a tricky balance between running crazy and too laid back and not seeing enough. The DVD is a great start to see what peaks their interest and then expand on it with maybe some youtube videos... Whatever you do, do not overwhelm them with options. The hope is that you can give them a great taste of what is offered so they want to come back. Then once they are hooked, they will want to see all the options as you really need multiple, multiple trips to see everything. Even then it may not be enough time.

 

[Kosmo1986]

I wouldn't stress to much about it! I took my boyfriend for the first time about a year ago. He was one of those types of people who didn't understand why grown adults love Disney. Now he loves it as much as I do! I think it was my excitement level and love of planning that made the trip so much fun. We now have seasons passes!!!

I would say to make the trip of a mix of things you love to do (thrill rides) and things you have never tried before. Maybe try some restaurants and shows. What time of year are you going? Where are you going to stay?

 

[officialtom]

We were supposed to have my first-timer aunt/uncle and their two young kids with us for our trip last March, until my cousin broke her leg and they had to cancel at the last minute. That said, we did a lot of planning with them to make sure that we got lots of everything scheduled for everyone -- the two kids have very different tastes. If your wife likes good food, make some ADRs for her types of restaurants because without ADRs, your changes of getting anything other than quick service are slim. If she likes shows, book the Lion King, etc. If she likes shows and food together, book something like the Hoop-Dee-Doo revue. If she likes shopping, make sure to allow plenty of time for World Showcase and DTD.

My advice is to reserve everything you possibly can. We always structure our days around our ADRs, which always works out well. It's a good place to start.

I chuckled a bit to myself with the way you quoted "theme park" -- all of us lifelong fans know that it's a terrible description, but anyone outside the Disney bubble wouldn't know any better! I have a feeling your wife will fall in love with WDW just like to many other skeptics do once they're finally convinced to give it a shot. There is no place like it in the world, and nowhere I'd rather be!

 

[EdisonKimble]

Thank you for the ideas! Again, another thing I haven't done much of is sit down dining. We'll be there for our second anniversary, other ideas on dining for that would be appreciated.

We're splitting 1st half at POP, second at Coronado. I haven't stayed at either. Part was availability and cost, but part of the reasoning to split is to show the wife the difference between value and moderate. Then I get to stay at two new resorts.

I seriously appreciate the feedback. It's very helpful!

 

[lunchbox1175]

First and foremost, i would be prepared to be flexible, i find that the plans change frequently with first timers. My experience has been that my trips with first timers are a little slower and more laid back. I understand that we aren't going to see everything, so I just try to really hit the highlights and the things that they are more interested in. When I go with adult first timers, we usually spend more time at nicer restaurants and shopping and avoid some of the rides like Pooh and Pan. I always suggest to first timers to watch the DVD, as well as watch the TV in the room on one of the Disney channels that shows the parks and features over and over, it gives them ideas for what they might want to check out the next day.

 

[Kosmo1986]

Dining at Disney is so much fun. There is such a large range of food to choose from. If you are planning for a nice laid back type trip I would get one table service meal each day (maybe look into the DDP).

Its hard to pick favorites but here are some dining options that would be good. Yak & Yeti, O'hana, Sanaa, Via Napoli, 50's prime time.

 

[tman2000]

Your best bet is to avoid pitfalls, while sprinkling surprises.

Pitfalls involve getting caught in the rain, it being too hot out, getting stuck with nowhere to eat due to reservation problems, etc.

Sprinkle surprises. Pick a couple of things you think she'll love and sprinkle them in there almost like it's spontaneous.

For example, the signing in the rain umbrella. Don't tell her you're taking her there. If you get out of Muppets 3D, just sort of walk her in that direction, and when you're right next to it tell her you want to take a picture and show her how it works.

Definitely pick food carefully. Don't get stuck going into a third rate burger stand. Learn the food options. So, if you're walking by the "lunchpad" and she's hungry, tell her you've heard it's not so great and walk her a little bit up ahead to somewhere else (well, bad example, food's not great in Tomorrowland). At the same time, make sure you know when to arrive for lunch at Be Our Guest, it's a great lunch, but it sells out pretty quickly. Have her review some restaurants and pick one or two, then get reservations! Don't overdue the restaurant thing though - she has never been to Disney and doesn't 'get' it, so she might get overwhelmed - just sort of guide her to what you think she likes theme and food wise, give her a couple of choices, and make the reservations. I brought a girl to Disney for the first time and totally overwhelmed her looking at all the restaurants. After we actually ate at a couple, she instantly appreciated them, but not during the planning process. In my experience, go with Liberty Tree Tavern, at least.

Let her explore, but set the overall plan. Do not leave her day 1 with a blank slate in terms of the choice of where to go first. Tell her where you are going first, take her there, bring her to a couple of rides during that precious short-line opening hour or two. But, once you're on the move, in the midst of it, let her explore. Let her become intrigued with what's around the corner. If she sees a sign for "Beauty and the Beast" stage show, and shows interest, make figuring out when that is and planning to be there a temporary priority.

I guess I'm saying that you have to let her fall in love with it on her own terms, but until she does she's not going to understand how - she's not going to "care" what restaurants there are, or what there is to do. Show her some things, but then let her pursue what grabs her interest.

You're right to take it slow. My experience with a "first timer" led to a lot of street show watching and participating. Ugg... But she loved it. Guitar Dan anyone?

Go. To. Epcot. World. Showcase.

Take. Her. To. The. Back. All. The. Way.

Japan and China have great stores. Checking out the huge stores, getting the great food, and catching a street show in between is a perfect way to give a Disney skeptic the right dose of 'magic'. Especially if it seems spontaneous.