Experiencing the first time all over again!

[MrToad1]

This will be my 10th Trip down to Disney but only the very first time for my Fiance. We are leaving in 8 days! She is really excited and I think I am even more excited just to see her reactions to everything. The question I want to ask all of you is this. I have already decided I am taking her to the Magic Kingdom first, from there though where do you think I should bring her first. Should we first take a ride on the train and circle the park? Walk down Main St though the castle? Detour off into Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland? Or is there something else you guys can come up with. I just want to make it the best experience for her.

 

[SirNim]

Go immediately to Adventureland and treat her to a Dole Whip! :slurp:

 

[awallaceunc]

Very similar situation with me, Mr. Toad! This summer will be my 10th trip as well, and I'm traveling with a friend who hasn't been since he was so small that he barely remembers anything. He only recalls bits of Epcot, for which he's extremely excited.

We're getting down there just in time to make it to the parks during nighttime on Day 1. I didn't really want to take him to MK only to have a few hours in it and see it at night for the first time. Since he's so excited for Epcot, I think that's where we're going... what do you think?

I'm also debating with myself on exactly the same situation on the first day at the MK. I've ruled against the train option as the first thing to do. I think that works better as a recap than an introduction. First thing will definitely be a stroll down Main Street. Then we'll either go through the castle into Fantasyland, or branch off into Adventureland and go clock-wise. I wodner which makes for the better experience?

Another thing to consider is that a lot of West Magic Kingdom (AL, FL, LS) doesn't open until 10 am.

-Aaron

 

[MrToad1]

Really?

I didn't know about the 10am thing. When did they start doing that?

Your right though, now that I think of it, the train would be a better recap
than a thing to do when you first start the day.

 

[figmentmom]

I took my Dad last November for his first trip ever to WDW, and it was a blast seeing the place thorough his eyes! Our first day at the parks, we went to the Magic Kingdom and went straight down Main Street to the castle. It was a great way to start the day!

We actually finished our day with the Walt Disney World railroad...since, by then, we had seen quite a bit of the park, Dad was familiar with the various areas, and seeing it from a different perspective was interesting.

 

[awallaceunc]

Really?

I didn't know about the 10am thing. When did they start doing that?

Your right though, now that I think of it, the train would be a better recap
than a thing to do when you first start the day.

I might have not stated that as clearly as possible... the lands are all open at the same time as the rest of the park, it's just certain key attractions that are closed until 10am (Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Country Bears, and HoP). I guess that's only 4 attractions, but if you're looking to start at Adventureland, having Jungle Cruise and Tiki Room gone for an hour takes out a huge chunk of the land, and you'll be pushing it to spend 9 to 10 in there w/o those 2. They've been doing it for at least a couple of years, unfortunately.

-Aaron

 

[Woody13]

Really?

I didn't know about the 10am thing. When did they start doing that?

Your right though, now that I think of it, the train would be a better recap
than a thing to do when you first start the day.

Walt Disney loved steam trains! He had a small one in his backyard. I'm not normally one for much sentimentality, but I would ride the train first in honor of the 50th anniversary.

 

[MickeyMan101]

I think that is a good idea, But when you go to epcot- you need to do The Living Seas Aqua Tour, the water's cold but its amazing, it's top water snorkeling where you cant go underwater but you float on your stomach and look down in one of the giant tanks at the fish, and look for the Sea Turtle it's really cool. If your interested in doing this find a cast member at the Living Seas and ask them to see one of their brocurs! it's really fun, i'm not a water person and i liked it! so have fun while your down ther!

MickeyMan101

 

[Pongo]

I would NOT take the train right away. Walk down Main Street and take in the morning sights and smells. I would then go through the castle into Fantasyland, but I'm not even sure you can go through the castle anymore. When I went last month, a big, blue curtain was up in the south (front) entrance for Cinderellabration all day. You could still go inside the castle, but only from Fantasyland.

Kind of ruins the magic a bit.

 

[awallaceunc]

Yes, I've run into that problem as well. I think it's sort of hit and miss... sometimes you can walk through the castle, sometimes you can't. I agree that it's a major bummer when you can't, especially when it's your first walk-through. I'm not even sure if it's worth having a show there (even though I did like Cinderella's Surprise Celebration)... I wish they could work it out so that they don't need to close off the walk way, but I guess that's unrealistic.

Can you take the scenic route where you veer to the right of the castle and walk up its side, where the bird cage fountain thingy is, even when the main entrance is closed?

-Aaron

 

[Pongo]

Can you take the scenic route where you veer to the right of the castle and walk up its side, where the bird cage fountain thingy is, even when the main entrance is closed?

You can take a bridge to the right into the northern end of Tomorrowland and take a path into Fantasyland past Cinderella's Wishing Well and Belle's Fairytale Garden. Or you can veer off to the left and across a bridge into Liberty Square, then take a right and go through a smoking area. You get good views of the castle either way, but it's nothing like going through.

 

[the-reason14]

I have the same deal coming up in july, but instead of just one person, its about 9 people. Some of them have been before(cousins) I know my aunt has, but they dont know a thing about it from their last visit. I know me and my dad are like seasonal pros, but having to see it through there eyes is gonna be tough.

 

[MrToad1]

I would NOT take the train right away. Walk down Main Street and take in the morning sights and smells. I would then go through the castle into Fantasyland, but I'm not even sure you can go through the castle anymore. When I went last month, a big, blue curtain was up in the south (front) entrance for Cinderellabration all day. You could still go inside the castle, but only from Fantasyland.

Kind of ruins the magic a bit.

Sounds like Cinderellabration is more of a pain than anything else. One thing I definitley was hoping to do even before getting to the magic Kingdom was taking the monorail from the TTC. But from what i have been hearing it is closed down. Please say it isn't so. I have always taken the monorail to the MK and I love if she got to as well!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

First - walk up Main Street to the Castle (great photo opportunity) then I would have the best character breakfast ever at Crystal Palace. Following breakfast I would stroll up to BTMRR & SM and then having ridden (possibly) the two best rides in the park, board the RailRoad for a journey around the park

 

[LoisMustDie]

Actually, I had a similar situation with a friend last year as well. I realized that once we were there, he expected to go on the rides (it is a theme park, after all) before anything else. So I would whole-heartedly recommend hitting the Mountains as soon as you get to MK. Wouldn't you want your fiance's first Disney memory to be an awesome ride on Space or Splash Mountain? That would certainly hook ANYONE onto Disney in a hurry. If you strolled down Main Street or rode the train, where would you go after? If I were your fiance, I would be absolutely giddy to go on the rides rather than a train tour. I would be tortured by the sight of all the attractions passing by and someone saying "no, we can't go on Space Mountain until the train ride's over!"

 

[S_Grise]

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

 

[Epcot82Guy]

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

Ha ha. My thoughts exactly (although I'm sure you guys have). I personally would also go with the walk down Main St., and be sure to show her the Partners statue.

As for first attraction, I would guage it based on what your guest likes to do. I would pick from the major classics like Space Mtn., IASW, Mansion, or Pirates. I would save Splash for mid-day, since it is the biggest one IMHO, and doing it first might set the bar a little too high.

I personally might say Space Mountain just because the Tomorrowland entrance is pretty darn cool, IMHO, and you would get to see the spinning planets! :sohappy: I would definitely do the train, but I would save it for an afternoon trek back to Main St. station, or ask what they would like to ride, and use the train to get to that part of the park.

Also, as for going to Epcot the first day, I think it is a great idea. Go and ride SSE first thing. Epcot at night is arguably the most beautiful part of the entire Resort, and Illuminations is one heck of an ending to the first day at Disney!

 

[steveshady]

Just got back from the world with a first timer. What we did was went up main street first, then hit it's a small world. Followed by haunted mansion. Have fun!

 

[S_Grise]

Ha ha. My thoughts exactly (although I'm sure you guys have). I personally would also go with the walk down Main St., and be sure to show her the Partners statue.

As for first attraction, I would guage it based on what your guest likes to do. I would pick from the major classics like Space Mtn., IASW, Mansion, or Pirates. I would save Splash for mid-day, since it is the biggest one IMHO, and doing it first might set the bar a little too high.

I personally might say Space Mountain just because the Tomorrowland entrance is pretty darn cool, IMHO, and you would get to see the spinning planets! :sohappy: I would definitely do the train, but I would save it for an afternoon trek back to Main St. station, or ask what they would like to ride, and use the train to get to that part of the park.

Also, as for going to Epcot the first day, I think it is a great idea. Go and ride SSE first thing. Epcot at night is arguably the most beautiful part of the entire Resort, and Illuminations is one heck of an ending to the first day at Disney!

I whole heartedly agree. This is actually very close to what I did when I took my husband for his first trip.

 

[MrToad1]

I was thinking Epcot first but then decided against it. Since she was a little girl she has always wanted to go to the magic kingdom. She is still not even 100% sure what Epcot is all about. So Epcot will definitley be a second day thing. I just wish Horizons was still around at Epcot so I could show her that. Horizons was my fav.