About first-timers...

[MKCustodial]

Guys, if you ever go to WDW with first-timers or non-WDW people, what would you rather do?

I'm asking because I'll eventually take my girlfriend, and I think I'll just take her on every single ride, instead of just doing what I think it's good. I supppose she has to have the chance to try everything and then decide for herself. Personnally, I didn't have this privilege (sp?), since my first three trips were with a tour group, and the tour guide had her own plan. When I finnally went alone, I found myself following the same path. So I've never done Dumbo, the Tea Party, Timekeeper, Living Seas, Wonders of Life (except for Body Wars)...

So what are your opinions on this?

 

[helliker]

Well, I went to WDW in June for the first time since I was like 4, so it was pretty much my first time (all I had was vague memories of Dumbo and Mr. Toad). But I would say to take them on every ride. I went on almost every ride last time, and I hope to go on all of them when I return in November. Of course I doubt Timekeeper or CoP will be open, don't know if I'll ever get to ride them....

 

[Disney4648]

If your going with a first timer to wdw, there are many different ways that you can tell them about WDW. First, you should give them a lesson on Disney History. Tell them about how the Magic Kingdom was the first park and tell them about the rest of the theme parks. Next, you should tell them about each resort, and give a description of what each resort is like. Maybe then are deciding which resort to choose, and your information could help them. Next, explain how cool Downtown Disney is. Explain to them that there are a ton of shops and restaurants and it is a great place to have a good time after a long day in the park. Then after that, you can tell them a little information about all the rides and attractions at wdw.


-Disney4648

 

[celticdog]

i was in very similiar sitiuation. My girlfriend wasn't necessarily a first timer, but she had only been during peak season. When i took her in september, 1999 we had the opportunity to do everthing. She had no idea how many cool things there are to do and see. She let me be the tour guide. In each park i mapped out a plan and went from land to land. We did it all, there were only a few things we missed. She was happy that i had taken her to everything, because if she had lead, we would've only done MK and only the main attractions (SM, IASW, HM). She didn't know POTC existed.

I'm a control freak and i tend to take charge. I wanted to have a plan, so that we wouldn't wander around discussing what we should do and then end up missing something or run out of time.

Take her on everything, she'll be so overwhelmed that everything will seem good to her, and that should remind you of your first trip.

 

[bearboysnc]

Unless you are a control freak, I would suggest a few highlights, and let them decide what to go on.

Let them become a Disney fanatic on their own.

 

[Erika]

I pick C!

She'll enjoy the trip more if she picks what to do. Also, if she ends up hating something, she can't blame you for taking her on

 

[SilentRascal]

I'd definitely have to steer them towards what I consider the best attractions (i.e. Tower of Terror, Spaceship Earth, Rock n' Roller Coaster, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, etc..etc..) and spare them from the complete waste-of-time attractions (i.e. Jungle Cruise, It's a Small World, Alien Encounter, Country Bear Jamboree, etc..etc..). I figure that way I keep them on the best rides and prevent them from cussing me out by taking them on the lousy ones.

 

[MKCustodial]

Originally posted by YankeeFan
I'd definitely have to steer them towards what I consider the best attractions (i.e. Tower of Terror, Spaceship Earth, Rock n' Roller Coaster, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, etc..etc..) and spare them from the complete waste-of-time attractions (i.e. Jungle Cruise, It's a Small World, Alien Encounter, Country Bear Jamboree, etc..etc..). I figure that way I keep them on the best rides and prevent them from cussing me out by taking them on the lousy ones.

Yes, but you see, your example is just what I feared. YOU consider CBJ, AE and JC a waste of time, while I think they're great, JC and CBJ being classics. Now, if I were to skip those, and later she found those out on her own, she might get upset she missed them on the first time...

See what I mean?

 

[hockeymom]

Originally posted by Erika
I pick C!

She'll enjoy the trip more if she picks what to do. Also, if she ends up hating something, she can't blame you for taking her on

I agree 100%!!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I would definately take her on every ride/show so that she can make her own decisions on whether she likes it or not.

Pam

 

[gjpjtj]

Originally posted by Kingdom Konsultant
I would definately take her on every ride/show so that she can make her own decisions on whether she likes it or not.

Pam

I have to agree too. The only way she can form an opinion on the rides are by riding them. Just describing these rides to people usually doesn't do them justice.

 

[The_CEO]

She should experience all the rides so she knows what she likes .. Let her decide though.. THEN beg her to try it

 

[animegirllover]

I would take them on every ride & show & let them form their own opinions.

 

[cm1988]

Take time to smell the eggrolls

Have had the great pleasure of seeing many friends and relatives enjoy the parks for the first time! I find myself less concerned with steering them to the E-tickets and more just hoping that they'll take their time and just spontaneously have fun!

I've seen kids simply jazzed to be gathering autographs from the characters - and their parents caught up in the enchantment of those moments.

Other friends enjoy lunch about as much as anything! Lunch in a castle, lunch at Wolfgang Puck's, lunch with a Big Gulp(r) beer you can hardly lift and alpenhorns in the background.

Or how about those resort pools?

Ok, Big Gulp(r) is a registered trademark of 7-11/Southland Corporation and I dunno if they sell them with beer yet.

 

[SilentRascal]

Originally posted by MKCustodial
Yes, but you see, your example is just what I feared. YOU consider CBJ, AE and JC a waste of time, while I think they're great, JC and CBJ being classics. Now, if I were to skip those, and later she found those out on her own, she might get upset she missed them on the first time...

See what I mean?

But....if this first time is someone I know pretty well, then I'll also know what things they'd like and not like and can steer them away from the weaker attractions. I figure this way I'll spare them and myself the aggravation.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Let them read the guide books before their visit and then make up their own minds when they arrive.

 

[SorcererMickey]

I agree with Captain Hook

I'm with the Captain here, get a good guide book (IE Passporter) Then, sit down with her and decide on a basic plan of attack. My trip in November will be my first, but my Fiance has been a few times, and we're doing just that. I'm so excited about it, i can't wait.. 39 more days! Wooohooo.

SorcererMickey

 

[dliddi]

i think it should be the combination of all three, i think you should let them choose what they want to go on, but also let them know, about the ride and waht there dealing with. Like i hate it's a small world but my wife has never been on it, but i told her i would ride it with her, because it coould wind up being her favorite ride.