First things first?

[blackthidot]

Okay so I got 7.5 freaking days to go! I am going insane waiting.

My girl and I get there Thursday the 18th, my brother and his "date" Tara, get there Friday the 19th.

Here is my question for YOU people. Many of you who have talked a bit with me know my GF's story but Ill give you a run down real quick.

She went to WDW with her HS Band 4 years ago. She litterally did NOTHING. She remembers TOT and thats all.

Naturally I wanna make her nuts over this place. I know it will happen because she is super excited, she buys a new scrap book everyday.

We are going to MK the first day because its the only day for just her and I. She IS really excited to see POTC, and HM because of all the collectables I have esp HM stuff.

My question is what in all of MK should I show her first? It could be anything there. Im thinking POTC, then bolt to HM, Philhar, COP, and then do Splash. I know that is spread out but I want her to see my favs in the order where shed prob like them the best.

We have reservations for TS at Sci Fi that day at 3pm. Our flight lands at 9am so Im HOPING to be at MK around 12-1pm.

Im a fan of Pecos Bills for CS, anyone have a better idea?

Side note she has no idea what Philhar, or COP is and I know she will LOVE the scents inside Philhar.

Thanks in advance for the help. Im kind of rambling cause Im going insane here "waiting" I just need to discuss something! :wave:

 

[DisneyJoe]

We have reservations for TS at Sci Fi that day at 3pm. Our flight lands at 9am so Im HOPING to be at MK around 12-1pm

Are you driving or using Disney transportation?

Either way, landing at MCO at 9am should get you to your resort by 10-10:15am. Your estimate of getting to the MK by 12 is a good one.

My question is - with so much excitement about the MK and your GF, why are you leaving to go to the Studios for dinner at Sc-Fi by 3pm?? That won't give you much time in the MK.

 

[sarabi]

As soon as you enter, climb up onto the train station platform and look down on Main Street and the castle and just take it in for a moment. Don't rush, let her find what she loves.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I know everyone talks up Pecos, but I was not that impressed. Why is your Sci Fi so early? It's going to be pretty close to after lunch and you will have to hustle to get over there.
Af few things to make this trip a bit smoother.
One, Rent a car. It will make getting around just so much faster, especially if you plan on park hopping. My wife and I just hit ALL the parks in 4 days/5 nights (that includes both water parks and two trips to pleasure island). The car made that possible
Two- Make time for the water parks, she will have a ball and so will you especially Blizzard Beach which has great themeing, it's good to do a few daying into the trip, to beat the heat and take a break from rides.
Three- Epcot Epcot....the dinners there are so great so many good restaurants. If your having trouble with reservations try something other than Le Cellier or Chefs De France. We got Tokyo Dining that day, and they were even taking walk ins and the place was the best.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Take her to Cinderella's Wishing well to make a wish
My boyfriend did that for me, and I had no idea the wishing well was there. It became an instant favorite spot for me at the MK and we've made it a tradition of ours.

Get a lot of photopass pictures taken - the special ones are my favorite. I was ecstatic when I found out I could "hold Tinkerbell" or "fight captain hook". It is little things like this that made me love Disney.

My personal favorite ride is Buzz Lightyear, and I think people skip that a lot because they think it's for kids. It's so much fun! All the major rides are must-sees if she hasn't done much. But don't forget the little things too, because that's the magic that will make her love Disney like you do.

Have a wonderful time! :wave:

 

[blackthidot]

We are eating at Sci Fi cause I changed it at the last minute (2 weeks ago).

Just plans and other things we need to do I had to change it its a long story. Mainly I want to eat there cause she will like the theme and my bro ate there before so I figured her and I can do that alone.

We will be there 10 days so we will get everything we need to get in. We are gonna eat then go back to MK.

That train station platform is a really good idea...

 

[Adventure]

We leave tomorrow and are taking a first timer with us. Just be aware that even if you plan on hitting rides in a certain order she might be overwhelmed with all the magic and want to try a ride she sees before one that you pick. We've decided to not so much lead our friend to our favorites but let her experience things as a first timer.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Personally, if you are only going to get 2 hours in at MK (noon to 2pm, need to start leaving then to get to Studios for a 3pm ADR at Studios), I would start the day at Disney Studios, eat at Sci-Fi, then go to MK in time for some rides and attractions and then maybe Spectro and Wishes.

Flying in, getting to your resort, going to MK, then to Studios, then back to MK and then back to your resort on the first day could be too much and quite stressful for the first day....especially for a newbie.

 

[blackthidot]

Yeah I thought about heading to DHS first. However she knows she is in for a foot pounding.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Yeah I thought about heading to DHS first. However she knows she is in for a foot pounding.

Its not the walking that can kill (well, sometimes! - but there is nothing you can do about that) - its the time spent in transit going from one part of property to another and back again - especially if you are using Disney transportation - you need to allow 30-60 minutes EACH TIME.

(If you have a car, this can be less)

Let me explain:

1 - fly into MCO, arrive 9am
2 - go from MCO to resort, after getting luggage or finding DME, about 60 minutes, now 10am
3 - check in - 15 minutes to 1 hour or more - just say 11am
4 - wait for bus to MK - gets you there at 12pm
5 - get thru security, etc, photo op in front of big Mickey in flowers, 12:15pm

Enjoy park from 12:15pm to 1:45pm (90 mins), start heading out.

Take monorail or boat to TTC, then bus to Studios. Hopefully arrive by 3pm.

3pm-4:20pm eat.
exit park by 4:30ish

travel to MK, your choice of transportation, by 5:30.

By this time, you've already spent between 3-4 hours of your day just getting around - not counting your plane ride and the effort it took to get there.

Many people don't take this into account and leave WDW with a bad memory because of all of the bus rides and waiting for buses.

One multi-family trip we took, 4 families, one family insisted on running all over property to eat meals when most of us would try and schedule meals and parks more logically. The family that did all of the running around had the most complaints.

Just some thoughts - I wish you luck in whatever you do!

 

[KingStefan]

Are you driving or using Disney transportation?

Either way, landing at MCO at 9am should get you to your resort by 10-10:15am. Your estimate of getting to the MK by 12 is a good one.

My question is - with so much excitement about the MK and your GF, why are you leaving to go to the Studios for dinner at Sc-Fi by 3pm?? That won't give you much time in the MK.

I agree - you're trying to fit too much in.

I know everyone talks up Pecos, but I was not that impressed. Why is your Sci Fi so early? It's going to be pretty close to after lunch and you will have to hustle to get over there.
...

Pecos is OK. But pjkdog is right - your two meals are scheduled right together.

OK, a few things: you might be hungry when you get there, and tired. Let's suppose for a minute that you skip Sci-Fi, or do something else later.

You are arriving at MK at the busiest time, although the crowds shouldn't be too bad this time of year. Still, I think you'd enjoy yourselves more if you did something like this:

I personally wouldn't take the time to go up on the train station platform, but definitely take a few moments in town square, at least, to take it all in as has been said before. Rounding the corner of the main street buildings and standing in the middle of town square is one of my favorite moments.

There are also convenient rest rooms next to town hall.

If you are hungry, stop at Pecos Bills now, if you like that one. I personally prefer El Pirata, but it may be closed this time of year. If you're not hungry - wait.

Then go to Splash and check out the wait time. It it is 25 min or less, ride it right then and there. Otherwise Fast Pass it. Then do POTC, Philhar, HM, COP, in that order. Return to Splash at your FP time, if you haven't ridden it already.

I also prefer Columbia Harbor House or Cosmic Ray's to Pecos. If you're hungry when you pass by these, then stop.

Realistically, if you've done all that in a relaxed fashion (which I recommend), then it will be around 4 pm (assuming you arrive between 12 and 1).

In any case, I agree with others that you should avoid hopping between parks twice, especially on a late-start day. Maybe the solution is to do DHS first, then MK - with same plan as above. It depends on park hours that day. Make sure you allow a good 2 hours or more for the attractions you've mentioned if you want to be relaxed.

I'm sure you are going to have a magical trip. Relax and enjoy, whatever you decide to do!

 

[blackthidot]

Does the ME not take your luggage to the resort for you?

Im going to go to DHS first now after reading your suggestions and advice.

 

[blackthidot]

I agree - you're trying to fit too much in.



Pecos is OK. But pjkdog is right - your two meals are schedule right together.

OK, a few things: you might be hungry when you get there, and tired. Let's suppose for a minute that you skip Sci-Fi, or do something else later.

You are arriving at MK at the busiest time, although the crowds shouldn't be too bad this time of year. Still, I think you'd enjoy yourselves more if you did something like this:

I personally wouldn't take the time to go up on the train station platform, but definitely take a few moments in town square, at least, to take it all in as has been said before. Rounding the corner of the main street buildings and standing in the middle of town square is one of my favorite moments.

There are also convenient rest rooms next to town hall.

If you are hungry, stop at Pecos Bills now, if you like that one. I personally prefer El Pirata, but it may be closed this time of year. If you're not hungry - wait.

Then go to Splash and check out the wait time. It it is 25 min or less, ride it right then and there. Otherwise Fast Pass it. Then do POTC, Philhar, HM, COP, in that order. Return to Splash at your FP time, if you haven't ridden it already.

I also prefer Columbia Harbor House or Cosmic Ray's to Pecos. If you're hungry when you pass by these, then stop.

Realistically, if you've done all that in a relaxed fashion (which I recommend), then it will be around 4 pm (assuming you arrive between 12 and 1).

I think in any case that you should avoid hopping between parks twice. Maybe the solution is to do DHS first, then MK - with same plan as above. It depends on park hours that day. Make sure you allow a good 2 hours or more for the attractions you've mentioned if you want to be relaxed.

I'm sure you are going to have a magical trip. Relax and enjoy, whatever you decide to do!

Yeah I am going to hit up DHS first. I just got done watching Star Wars with her so we can ride that and she can see how it has remotley NOTHING to do with Star Wars except outside and the waiting area. She will like Muppets. Maybe when we get to DHS we will go straight to Sci Fi and see if they have a walk in, get lucky with that and go to MK. I wanted to reserve something earlier than 3 but I didnt want to risk incase something stupid happened with ME, or the Hotel and didnt get there in time. Its my luck as dumb as that sounds.

As far as transportation goes...Im not renting a car. Ive never had a gripe with the buses. The only time I did have issues was when we hopped a boat to the Polynesian Resort to go to DTD and that was the longest wait for ANYTHING I have ever done in all of WDW. The boat ride was nice, and so was walking the resort but the wait was around 45 minues. Ontop of all that these old people were arguing for at LEAST a half hour over how to string a tennis racket. :brick:

 

[chipndale76]

I think using the ME, you still need to get checked in to your resort, if the room isn't available they will hold your luggage. I also believe once our luggage was inside our room waiting for us.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Does the ME not take your luggage to the resort for you?

it does, but when I said "after getting luggage or finding DME", I was allowing for the people who like to claim their own luggage; some people like to do this so they don't need to wait 2-6 hours for their luggage to arrive at the resort.

 

[KingStefan]

Yeah I am going to hit up DHS first. I just got done watching Star Wars with her so we can ride that and she can see how it has remotley NOTHING to do with Star Wars except outside and the waiting area. She will like Muppets. Maybe when we get to DHS we will go straight to Sci Fi and see if they have a walk in, get lucky with that and go to MK. I wanted to reserve something earlier than 3 but I didnt want to risk incase something stupid happened with ME, or the Hotel and didnt get there in time. Its my luck as dumb as that sounds.

As far as transportation goes...Im not renting a car. Ive never had a gripe with the buses. The only time I did have issues was when we hopped a boat to the Polynesian Resort to go to DTD and that was the longest wait for ANYTHING I have ever done in all of WDW. The boat ride was nice, and so was walking the resort but the wait was around 45 minues. Ontop of all that these old people were arguing for at LEAST a half hour over how to string a tennis racket. :brick:

That sounds like a great plan. I wouldn't be too upset if you can't get an earlier walk in, though. I'd spend a little time at Studios. MK is open until 9. Star tours and Muppets sound like good choices - they are both in the right area of the park.

 

[blackthidot]

Oh okay cause we just go check in, drop off our carry on bags and leave. We make sure we bring everything we will need for that day on our plane with us so we dont have to worry about our luggage. Its NEVER been there before me though. But its ALWAYS been there when we got back at night thank god.

 

[lighteningqueen]

Don't forget the Jungle Cruise...Pecos Bills is good if you eat the Pork Sandwich. It is the best thing thereBut, I heard Columbia Harbor House is good as well. With Sci Fi the Angus Burgers are the best choice so try those. Oh don't forget Splash Mountain she will love that. Have fun we will be there in 86 days for 9 days second trip ever....

 

[blackthidot]

Don't forget the Jungle Cruise...Pecos Bills is good if you eat the Pork Sandwich. It is the best thing thereBut, I heard Columbia Harbor House is good as well. With Sci Fi the Angus Burgers are the best choice so try those. Oh don't forget Splash Mountain she will love that. Have fun we will be there in 86 days for 9 days second trip ever....

86 days...geeeez my 7.5 dont hurt so bad now!

Anyways for some reason I LOVED the Pecos double burgers. I also have been intrigued to try Columbia Harbor...

 

[Disneykidder]

You can always grab a quick bite at your food court and then be ready to eat at 3 pm. If you can, I suggest making that 3 pm ressie a bit later so you won't be hungry again at 7 pm. Good move switching to DHS. Who wants to spend that much time in transit. That is the reason that we don't do a hopper...saves us time. But we get the water option. You can hop with that. (water and a park)

Good luck. Show your GF the maps...and let her tell you where to go. Get lots of photopass pictures and take pics with lots of characters. She will def. remember this trip with you.