Ideas for my trip...

[DDPGambit]

Alright, a bit of backstory I suppose. Since about last June I have been trying to organize a trip to WDW with some friends. Unfortunatly, all of our plans kept falling through. A few months ago, my parents decided to go to WDW in March, and they told me that I could take Stephanie with us. Stephanie is a really close friend of mine, one of the ones I was trying to plan a WDW trip with to begin with.
So finally just this week, her parents said it was ok for her to go (she's only 17). I've been racking my brain trying to think of some nice things to do, since it will be her first WDW trip. If anyone has any ideas of things to do to get her in the "Disney spirit" and such on the first day, that'd be great.
Now, here is where a problem of sorts comes in. Since we are driving from Texas, we don't know the exact time we will arrive, but we are shooting for noon to 2 pm. We don't want to waste our park hoppers for a half a day, so we need to find other stuff to do. I had figured the Village (gaak, I still call it that!) I mean, Downtown Disney is a shoe in, but since she is only 17, we can't really do Pleasure Island. I want to take her to the boardwalk around the time of Illuminations so she can see some fireworks on her first night. So if anyone has some neat first day ideas, expecially for someones first WDW visit, that would rock!

Edit: I just realized that this should have gone in the "Vacation Planning" topic. Sorry guys!

 

[cymbaldiva]

I LOVE your avatar!!

That said, where is Keller anyway? (I went to HS in TX, so I'm just curious!)

 

[DDPGambit]

Originally posted by cymbaldiva
I LOVE your avatar!!

That said, where is Keller anyway? (I went to HS in TX, so I'm just curious!)

Keller is located about 10 miles from downtown Ft. Worth. It's north of it, and its part of Tarrant County. If you know where Watauga, Haltom or North Richland Hills are, thats where Keller is.

 

[Maria]

You could do a dinner show on that night, or have dinner at Ohana´s at the Polynesian and watch the MK fireworks from there. The food and place are awesome! Just request a table by the window.

If you don´t want to to do Disney right then, you could all go to International Drive to Pointe Orlando or have dinner at Bahama Breeze... my favorite place out of "the world".

Have a great trip! :wave:

 

[cymbaldiva]

Originally posted by DDPGambit
Keller is located about 10 miles from downtown Ft. Worth. It's north of it, and its part of Tarrant County. If you know where Watauga, Haltom or North Richland Hills are, thats where Keller is.

Ahhhh... a suburb!

The town I went to HS in is about 30 miles SE of Dallas.

 

[Nansafan]

Something we always like to do is miniature golf. It's a great way to spend a couple hours and you are surrounded by the whole Fantasia theme. To take Maria's suggestion further, visit a couple resorts to show her the awesome and unique theming, plus the shopping.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I'd go along with one of your suggestions - go to DTD for the afternoon (girls love shops !) take in a meal somewhere and then go to the Boardwalk and watch the fireworks.

 

[MGM WDWFan]

I'd have to agree with all the posts mentioning fireworks--that's really an awesome way to "catch the spirit". Miniature golf is also not a bad idea.

--MGM

 

[tweetypez1]

I'm always glad when I have a day I don't feel pressured to use a pass...it gives you time to try other things out without feeling guilty. We often have length of stay passes and feel wasteful not spending all our time in the parks.

Things to do without a pass:
Swimming
Dinner shows
Disneyquest
Cirque Du Soleil
Fireworks Cruises
The water Pagent
Shopping
Dining

Some of these, granted, cost as much as a park entrance, but they would whenever you went anyway. What hotel are you staying at? Many of the hotels are attractions in themselves, with great pools, restaurants, and activities.

 

[DDPGambit]

Thanks for all the help guys!
And, tweetypez1, we are staying at All Star Music, so there isn't much to do there except for the pool. Which isn't a bad idea, but I think we might do that later in the week after a long day at the parks.

 

[mwitkus]

We are taking my in laws who have never been, in October and have run into the same problem with the arrival time. We opted to book PS at the Hoop De Doo Revue which does not require a park admission. I haven't seen it yet, but have heard it is among the best dinner shows on property.

Whatever you do, I'm sure it will be great fun! Have a blast!

 

[Disneynutcase]

If you can afford the cost and/or if your parents are up for it, definately plan a dinner at Ohana's, particularly if you want Disney magic.

Why?

Because if planned right you can see the MK fireworks go off, plus be in a primo location for the Seven Seas Lagoon Electric Water Parade. It may take a bit of research on your part to find out the exact times for both (fireworks and water pageant), but I really think this is the way to go.

Plus, you end up with great access to ride the monorials--around Seven Seas Lagoon to get a peek at MK, then the Epcot one which goes inside of Futureworld. If that doesn't get your friend jacked up to be there, nothing will.

And the beauty is, you could be finished with dinner, monorail rides, fireworks and water pageant by 9:30 which can then give you a bit of time to check out the Boardwalk or Downtown Disney (or you can get to bed and be ready for park fun the next AM).

But Ohanas, Fireworks, Electric Water Parade, and Monorials (the latter three are all free!) is what I'd definately do....in fact, it's what my family has planned on arrival day for our next trip.

 

[tweetypez1]

If you get in town at a decent hour consider this...All Stars is near Animal Kingdom Lodge. You could catch a bus to Animal Kingdom and go to AKL from there. You can go see the animals from the viewing areas and trails - then try one of their two great restaurants. Only a good idea if you can get there during daylight hours to see the animals.

 

[tweetypez1]

Forgot to mention that I also love Disneynutcase's itinerary! Nothing says Disney like a monorail ride, and it's free. With dinner, fireworks and a water show...If you time it all right, it would be well worth the trip.