Experiencing the first time all over again!

[Grim Grinner]

I had a similar experience involving a friend who was so jaded I could probably call him anti-Disney.

I prepped him with some classic Disney cartoons, and showed him the opened day of Disneyland. That way when we reached the parks, he had some sort of foundation on who Walt was.

First this I did was take him to Carousel of Progress for that vintage yet uplifting experience. From there, we hit Adventureland and did the loop from there.

At one point while our wives were hitting a bathroom run, I sat my friend down in front of the Swiss Family Treehouse, grabbed a couple of Dole Whips- and told him to tell me all he saw. Before asking him this odd request, I told him that I could be content in life sitting at this bench, because of all the things to look at. My friend was the type to appreciate all of the details, and when compounded with the sheer infrastructure required to run operations- he was amazed.

Then I told him about the Hidden Mickeys.


Needless to say he was daunted, amazed, thrilled and addicted.

 

[Grim Grinner]

BTW- When I first went with my wife on our Honeymoon, our first stop was Epcot- and I wanted her to ride Horizons. This was April 2000. The building was there- but I couldn't go in.

Epcot is a marvel for all but the very young.

 

[Aurora_25]

If it were me (and I have been to Disney over 15 times or more....) I would want to see the Castle first- I always feel like I am not "At Disney" until I see the Castle- I know, it's strange, but that's how I feel about it all. I say go to the Castle, get pics taken and then head for SM- What a great way to start your day- seeing the Castle and then going on a great ride

 

[awallaceunc]

Have you ASKED your newbies what they are most interested in seeing/doing? Just a kooky thought.

:lol: I've asked; all he really knows of is a tiny bit about Epcot and a few rides he knows of and the castle. He just says "hey, you're the master planner." I'm trying to make the first day something he'll really like.

LoisMustDie makes an excellent point... perhaps a really awesome ride is what's needed to launch off the day.

-Aaron

 

[Nansafan]

In 12 trips to WDW we had never ridden a Main Street Vehicle so in our Christmas of 2002 trip we did first thing in the morning took a ride on the horse drawn trolley. The Dapper Dans jumped on and serenaded us with Silver Bells.

We waved at the people as we rode up Main Street to the Castle. Try a MS vehicle as your first thing to do.

 

[bhg469]

Whatever you do DO NOT do what i did!!! Ony my girlfriends first time she wanted to see the haunted mansion like nothing else on earth. i took her there first and as walked to the que i was pointing to tom sawyer island and walked into a ifre hydrent. it bruised my knee and there was a huge lump. we went on the ride anyway but walking was really bad the whole week. :brick:

 

[MrToad1]

Whatever you do DO NOT do what i did!!! Ony my girlfriends first time she wanted to see the haunted mansion like nothing else on earth. i took her there first and as walked to the que i was pointing to tom sawyer island and walked into a ifre hydrent. it bruised my knee and there was a huge lump. we went on the ride anyway but walking was really bad the whole week. :brick:

OUCH! Thanks BHG469 I will take your advice and won't walk into any hydrants (scratches that off of list of things to do at Disney).

So what is the deal with the Monorail that runs from the TTC to the MK?
Is it running or is it still being worked on? I would really rather take my fiance on the monorail rather than the ferry. The ferry is great but, I dont know maybe it is just me, I think the monorail just give me that feeling "I am Finally here at Disney"

Anyone? Anyone?

 

[diddy_mouse]

i would definintely take the monorail to MK...we took the resort line when i took my fiance (who was my boyfriend at the time) and it was really nice. got to see the resort monorail stations and the build-up to the MK station was great.

once we got into the park, we strolled down Main St. toward the castle (then he proposed at the "Partners" statue)

i would either go to Adventureland or FAntasyland first...Tomorrowland looks great a night and its nice to ride the TTA through the neon lit park. also, Space Mtn. is *sweet* at nighttime.

P.S. sorry i don;t have any info about the monorail to the TTC

 

[BonzoAPD]

OUCH! Thanks BHG469 I will take your advice and won't walk into any hydrants (scratches that off of list of things to do at Disney).

So what is the deal with the Monorail that runs from the TTC to the MK?
Is it running or is it still being worked on? I would really rather take my fiance on the monorail rather than the ferry. The ferry is great but, I dont know maybe it is just me, I think the monorail just give me that feeling "I am Finally here at Disney"

Anyone? Anyone?

The Monorail from the TTC to MK is not running (or wasn't when I was there last week). It is running out of the park to the TTC though. Are you staying on Disney property? Also are you going to have a car? If you are and want to take the monorail in, head to one of the hotels on the monorail system and go in that way. If you won't have a car but are staying on Disney property, just take the bus, it will still be very magical and you get dropped off right at the front of the park.

 

[MrToad1]

The Monorail from the TTC to MK is not running (or wasn't when I was there last week). It is running out of the park to the TTC though. Are you staying on Disney property? Also are you going to have a car? If you are and want to take the monorail in, head to one of the hotels on the monorail system and go in that way. If you won't have a car but are staying on Disney property, just take the bus, it will still be very magical and you get dropped off right at the front of the park.

ARG!
No Monorail to the MK. I'd rather not park at a resort and take up the spots of those who are actually staying there. I dont think that would be very fair. What is the problem with the monorail, if it can be used to bring people back to the TTC why cant we ride it to get to the MK. I am a little bummed now. I guess the ferry it will be.

 

[awallaceunc]

Surely the monorail problem won't be a long-term one. Perhaps it's been fixed by now?

-Aaron

 

[Peter Parker]

Magic Hour

If you are staying at the Walt Disney Resort you may want to take advantage of the MAGIC HOUR. This will give you a leg up on the morning rush since only the resort guest are allowed at that time. This allows you to take a nice stroll down the park w/o the crowds my spouse & I love this. Also you beat some of the rush to the more popular attractions.

I would definately begin with a stroll up main street. Their is nothing like the feeling you get walking in the park & seeing that castle in the distance & knowing that you are finally their. BACK GROUND MUSIC " I AM WALKING RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF MAIN STREET U.S.A."

You really can't beat that for first impressions. Also, many times characters will be lined along the circle which adds to the Magic.

One final thing,

SLOW DOWN

It is very easy to get caught up in the moment & wanting to show her everything & SPEND THE HOLE DAY RUNNING AROUND FROM ATTRACTION TO ATTRACTION without taking the time to soak it all in. Their is nothing better for my dollar than finding a nice spot, sitting down, taking a deep breath & saying, "wow I am at Disney World". Then lean in Kiss my wife, lean in & wisper in her ear, "the baby needs to go to the bathroom again its your turn"
we have a 3 year old boy with over 21 visits under his belt & a new born girl who will be 7mo. old when we visit this holloween..

 

[bgraham34]

I love to bring people who have not ever been to the parks or who have not been in Years. I get more and more psyched as the day goes in. It makes me happier and feel younger.