Newbie seeking advise (not me lol)

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Sean&Karen

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Okay people, I was asked this but I think it will be more fun if we all weigh in on it.. A Friend of mine sent me this email … and then responded to a couple of questions I had.. let’s show her what we can do for suggestions.. I also asked her to register on here so she can talk directly with all of us ..

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Hey Sean,

I have a non-work-related question for you…so get to it whenever you’ve got a few minutes.

You’re heavy into the whole Disney thing, right? ; Lee and I are thinking of going to Disney World next year (maybe…it’s definitely not for sure yet) and I’m wondering if you have any tips (time of year to go, are there any discounts out there, must sees for first-timers (I’ve been but Lee hasn’t), etc). ; It seems to me that I heard somewhere that you are a guru of all things Disney (although I’m sure I could still beat you at Disney Scene It…LOL) and thought I’d ask.

If the Disney guru thing isn’t you, then disregard this message…ha ha.

Thanks!

Sean:

Any idea what your budget is going to be? Do you know how many days you would like to go? Do you know what time of the year you would like to visit?


Friend:

I figured we’d budget after we found out how much the parks would cost, etc. ; I’m thinking fall for our visit (we’ve heard that it’s good to go between Labour Day and American Thanksgiving). ; And, we’ll probably go for a week or so.
 
The crowds during the ; end of the summer (Sept 21) early fall weeks are sparser. Certain US school districts that head back to class in August have Fall breaks starting in October. Weather in September can still be very hot and humid.

I first trip I had to Disney was in early Feb one year and lines for getting on the attractions were nonexistent.

Stay on site at a POP, try to take advantage of discounts, free dining etc.
Have a plan hit the parks when they open.
 
I totally agree with Ham Ham. ; In addition, if they travel mid-late September, they have a good shot at getting a decent discount (free dining or other).
 
Hi - September is a great time to catch the "free dining" when it's on, also great for the Not So Scary Hallowe'en Party. ;

But my favourite time is after American thanksgiving and before the Christmas rush. ; You get to see the parks decorated for Christmas, maybe even take in the Very Merry Christmas Party, the Osborne Lights, sleigh ride thru Fort Wilderness, and do the Epcot Christmas Narration and candlelight Processional. ;

Staying onsite is fantastic - especially for the "extra magic hours," of course - and I always do a customized excel spreadsheet for all my clients - plugging in hours the parks are open, extra magic hours, parades and fireworks scheduled, and, of course, any ADRs.

Spots I suggest no client misses - each parade at least once, Chef Mickeys, Fantasmic!, Hoop Dee Doo, another character meal, and a special dining spot in Epcot.

Obviously, hotels can be chosen to suit the guest's budget and desires - Disney has 22 onsite, so there truly is something for everyone!

Best,
Sheila
 
Here is my 2 cents

First off it appears that it is only 2 adults, as they are looking at going in the fall I would tend to tell them maybe to visit during the Food and Wine Festival which starts late Sept thru Oct. This is an added bonus and highly rated.

I would make sure that they were aware that they should make their ADR's as soon as the 180 day mark hits. As it is only 2 Adults suggesting some of the fine Dining restaurants instead of Character meals.
 
Let’s have a little fun here people… (more than 2 cents worth of information)

Since her husband has never been and she has only been once we can call them “Green” lol

Let’s do a list of must-do’s and must-see’s.. Where to Eat and top three hotels(one Deluxe, Mod and Value) to stay at on resort

I told her she needs to register on the site so she can ask more questions so we should have a new member joining us shortly 
 
OK so here I go!!!!!

Must do's:
  • The obvious - Ride all "E" Ticket Attractions.
  • Ride the Monorail.
  • Get a First Visit Button
  • Be a kid again
  • No so obvious
  • Go to the Boardwalk at Night (Very Romantic for a Couple to stroll along)
  • Watch children when they meet a character.
Where to Eat in no order
  • California Grill
  • Bistro de Paris or Chef De France (depending on budget)
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse
  • Jiko - The Cooking Place
  • Beaches and Cream - for dessert
Top Three Hotels
Value - Hand Down has to be POP Century - Although louder than the rest location out weights it.
Moderate - Tie between Port Orleans Riverside and Caribbean Beach (after refurbishment)
Deluxe - ; Polynesian - I love the layout, location and romance of this resort.
That's it in a nutshell without writing a novel.
 
Here's my 2 cents worth!

Must Do's -

MK - POC, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Dole Whip, Turkey Leg, IASW, BuzzLightyear, Get a button for first visit from City Hall

HS - RNR, PrimeTime for a PBJ shake, ToT, MovieRide, Muppets

AK - Yak&Yeti, Bugs Life, Safari, Rafiki's, All the shows, Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

Epcot - F&W Festival, All the WorldShowcase Pavillions shows and rides, Creme Brule and Chocolate Cake at the French Bakery, Grand Marnier Slushie, Grey Goose Slushie, heck any alcoholic beverage in Epcot!, The Candy Lady at Japan, LeCellier for Dinner

This is just to name a few off the top of my head!
 
My view:

Obviously, we all can think of exceptions, and obviously, I'd put them more in fine dining, but my experience is that adults (even those without kids) like character meals too! Adult couples are usually the ones with the goofiest smiles. (Course, I'd send them somewhere less crowded, and likely better at breakfast than supper when kids overtired and Ma&Pa dying for liquid reinforcements). At least that's my perspective as I'm usually wiping up spilled apple juice and in a bit of a dither over trying to get the autograph book and camera lined up for the perfect snap of DDs with character before they whisk ago. The adult couples always look so relaxed and happy to be there.

So for me (forgive repeating from earlier post):

Must Dos/ Sees/ Eats:
1. Chef Mickey's or Ohana's for breakfast
2. Hoop Dee Doo
3. Fantasmic! dinner show
4. At least one of Coral Reef, Le Cellier, or Le Chef de France for supper
5. for adults only, one special treat if can - California Grill or Narcossees or Cirque du Soleil
6. see every parade and every fireworks at least once
7. take advantage of "extra magic hours" - especially in evening
8. ride train around MK and TTA at least once
9. walk up main street USA in MK and soak up wonder
10. ride Soarin' at Epcot
11.walk and poke around the Tree of Life at AK
12. go see Lights, Camera, Action at HS
13. ride whatever thrill rides you enjoy (whether it's It's a Small World or RNR)

Hotels
Value: Pop
Moderate: Port Orleans Riverside - but maybe Wilderness Cabins (if like extra room or want to cook - more important w. family of 5 or 6, obviously, as trundle at POR very small)
Deluxe: Grand Floridian

Of course, I'd recommend staying onsite is fantastic - especially for the "extra magic hours." And, of course, I'd build my customized excel spreadsheet for the client - plugging in hours the parks are open, extra magic hours, parades and fireworks scheduled, and any ADRs so they could maximize their enjoyment, knowing what's on where and where their scheduled meals/ shows are, without planning every minute of the day.
 
oops = forgot very very special treat of Chef's Table at Victoria and Albert with matching wine

(the wine and food festival at Epcot goes without saying if they're there at that time too)
 
MICKEY'S NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY!!!!

- Wear a costume and go trick or treating. ; Each treat location will have a similar assortment of treats.
- Don’t miss Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade. ; See favourite Disney Characters in a special Halloween parade. ; Parade steps off in Frontierland at 8:15 and 10:30PM. ; The second parade will be less crowded.
- The night sky lights up high above Cinderella Castle with a HalloWishes – Grim Grinning Ghosts Come Out To Socialize – with a “scream-along” finale. ; 9:30PM
- Be sure to get a Photopass at the party. ; You will save 40% on all prints purchased either tonight at Town Square Exposition Hall or online after you return home by using the one time use discount code on the back of your photopass.
 
Magic Kingdom
  • Mickey's Philharmagic
    The Parades

EPCOT
  • World Show Case
    Soarin'

Animal Kingdom
  • Lion King Show
    Bugs Life
    Dinosaur Ride
    Expedition Everest. Even if there is no line take time to notice the detail in all of the theming

Disney Hollywood Studios
  • Fantasmic
    Beauty and the Beast Show
    Muppets 3-D

Accomodations.
Value-POP
Moderate-Port Orleans Riverside.
Deluxe-Animal Kingdom Lodge with a Savannah view
Deluxe Magic Kingdom Area -Grand Floridian and Polynesian

As ; family we attended the PPP.Princess and Pirate Party. The fireworks were the best I have ever seen.

I like Sorcerer Mickeys advice about the food and wine festival and Shelia' about going before US Thanksgiving.

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