WDW Pros and Rookies

Walt Disney World
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We are planning an all girls trip in May, with 8 people. 4 of us are Disney pros (ages 47, 20, 14, and 11), 2 are rookies (20 and 19), and 2 have been a couple of times (44 and 19).

I’ve been asked to plan it, and I love that role! But I sometimes forget what it’s like to be the new guy----- what would you add to the itinerary for a couple of 20 yr olds to enjoy on their first ever WDW visit?

What stands out as one of the “wow factors” from your first or earlier visits?

Feel free to mention anything that had the opposite effect as well!

I still enjoy it all, so I have a tough time narrowing down the choices.

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Seems like this age would be most interested in the big rides:

  • Tron
  • Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Expedition Everest
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  • Tower of Terror
  • Rise of the Resistance
  • Flight of Passage
  • Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

I’m guessing they might enjoy drinks in Epcot? Since you’re traveling with kids maybe you split up for part of the time? I know when I was that age I appreciated some time to go out on my own and burn off some youthful energy.

Another thing I’d do is properly prep them to enjoy Disney rides for the story vs. the pure thrill.

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I think some old school advice would have been to make sure you plan to include the night time fireworks shows. Even though we mostly skip them now :joy:

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Universal.

I am not joking.

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Waiting for the dust to settle, but plan to tackle it later in the year, or next year.

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Same. There was a request for Fantasmic, though and i figure MK fireworks have to be included for the newbies

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I like @Jeff_AZ 's idea of story of the ride, not just thrill of the ride. Along that idea is to have them see the level of detail or theming Disney does in things, whether it’s very detailed vinyl leaves on the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, or some themed restrooms, or the hoofprints in the sidewalk. I don’t know where you’re staying, but it’s always cool if the first time you approach MK it is via the ferry boat, or maybe the monorail (not a bus), so you feel how the regular outside world is shut out.

Maybe find out if the newbies have any favorite characters or movies/shows you can tie in to your plans. Find a time to walk through the castle.

Show them a sample of the variety of resorts via monorail or skyway.

My first visit, age 27, when I emerged from the entrance tunnels under the railroad onto Main Street USA, and the sights/sounds/smells were NOTHING like my everyday life. MK was so much of a “Not in Kansas anymore.”

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Seeing the MK fireworks with the castle projections is a wow moment every trip for me.

For rides - RotR, EE, FOP, TOT, maybe Tron, definitely GotG

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I asked the 20 yo WDW veteran in the family about the newbies and copied @Jeff_AZ 's list.

I rcvd this in return

Yeah those are good
Plus something really disney like a character meal or a magic kingdom firework show

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I can’t disagree, even though we haven’t done character meals in ages. The meals we look back on with great memories are Chef Mickey and especially the one in the Land. Go to the Garden Grill at an unpopular time and get great interaction.

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We like Tusker House right at park closing but then we like interesting food

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This was going to be my suggestion.

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We did this for lunch with the 3 great .
grandaughters on day 5 and opening Epcot. Really great character interaction.

Good macaroni and cheese, too.

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Are these girls outgoing? I think I would have liked to chat around the world in Epcot, as it seems like many DCP people and cultural representatives working in Epcot are about this same age. And Epcot just feels so “wow” to me about how well Disney transports you and not just to cartoon places.

Can’t drink around the world at 20 quite yet, but interesting snacks yes. Is the reason they are listed separately because they don’t have a mom going with? If so, other moms/aunts in the group could surprise the 20yos with gift cards to use for food. I was very cheap at 20, split meals while traveling with friends to save money etc, and would have been very appreciative of the chance to splurge if going without my parents to pay my way.

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This is way cool

One trip a kid in our group had just lost a tooth so we chatted up about possible tooth fairy customs. Memorable trip.

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Our group would totally snack around the world. Not sure about the listed separately part but let me try to explain better----my sister snd I are taking our daughters plus 2 of their friends who are first timers. That gives us two 20 and two 19 yr olds, along with my additional DDs 14 and 11. We love these 2 newbies so much we cant wait to see the wow factor from their perspective. I think 1 or 2 character meals will definitely happen, probably Akershus for multiple princesses, though NO ONE in the while group has ever dined in the castle. Too many good choices to evaluate!

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We have never eaten in the Castle either.

A very favorite was 1900 Park Fair because my sister likes villains and Lady Tremaine was there.

We also like to try for a Tusker House reservation about park closing. We love trying the different foods and walking out of the nearly empty park. In May there may not be as much wonderful lighting, with the later sunset unless the park’s hours have been extended.

For a really special treat we got an ADR for Storybook dining at Wilderness Lodge. I went for an early time which might account for the quiet restaurant.

A non-character meal with some wow factor is Coral Reef with the big tank windows.

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