Need some opinions please, bringing a first timer!

[luvDaMouse]

Okay, have a short trip planned for end of April, would arrive on Thursday night, so we have a full Fri-Sat and Sun (will fly back Monday after-noon) it will just be us two girls, my step-mom and myself. I figured I would give her a “small” dose of Disney to see how much she likes it (and maybe plan a longer trip for the whole family) So with that said I need some advice from my “intercot” family…

We will be staying in a studio on my points. What is available right now is OKW, AKV or SSR. Which would you pick? With any that I do pick I will probably waitlist for BWV because I want to be able to walk into Epcot for the garden festival. (She loves gardening so that is one of the main reasons for going this time of year) I have stayed at SSR and AKV, but never at OKW, so if my waitlist does not come through which one would you think a newbie would prefer?

We will definitely be going to Epcot and MK. But I don’t want to overwhelm her so I am not sure if we will do DHS or AK. Do you think we should? Or should we try to do a split day for each? Just to get a taste? Epcot has EMH on Friday and MK on Sunday so that leaves SAT open.

Not sure about adding the dining plan yet, but she is a foodie she will pretty much eat anything but I know she loves fish ( I do not eat seafood) any recommendations for dining?
I am thinking about the behind the seeds tour, any thoughts on this? It is reasonable only 18$ pp and I might get a discount being a DVC member. What about the segway around epcot?

Anything else I am forgetting? Again, I don’t want to overwhelm her but I am so excited to show her what I love about Disney so any help planning for a first timer would be welcome!!

Thank you!
Dana

[mom2morgan]

It sounds like it will be a fun trip for her! She'll definitely love Epcot! As for where to book, I think it comes down so much to theming. I'd personally probably pick AKV - it's one of the newer ones, the pool complex is wonderful, Sanaa is a great place to eat...but it IS kind of a long haul to Epcot. It would sure be nice if you could get BWV. As for whether to try to see more parks, I am torn; it is almost necessary in order for her to see what the whole Disney experience is like, so she knows if she wants to come back. On the other hand, you are right that trying to do too much in a short time frame might just exhaust and overwhelm her! I think I'd plan for just the two and then see what she thinks and how she's feeling - if she's having fun and up for trying out more, you can always buy park hoppers at the gate for no more than you'd pay for buying them in advance! I haven't done the Behind the Seeds tour but think since she's a gardener that she'd enjoy it. Can't help with teh Segway or the seafood restaurant though ;-)

[LVT]

I enjoyed the Behind the Seeds tour.
I enjoyed the Wilderness Lodge Segway tour.
I am 55 and not athletic.

[Fangorn]

The Behind the Seeds tour is nice and very enjoyable. But a better choice for a gardener is the Gardens of the World Tour at Epcot. It's $60/person, but well worth the cost. You get to spend 3-4 hours with one of Disney's horticulture folks as they take you around Epcot and show you how they create the incredible landscaping. A large part of the tour is in World Showcase before it opens so you get to be there pretty much with just your tour group (10-15 people). We took newbies (also gardeners) and they absolutely loved the tour. It showed them a "magical" aspect of Disney that 1) connected with an existing love of theirs and 2) showed them that Disney is more than just rides and "kid stuff".

IMHO, if you can't get a room at BWV (or BCV), then AKV might have the better "wow" factor.

As for dining, you might think about Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian. They have seafood, but not exclusively. It's a Signature restaturant, so 2 TS credits if you're on the DDP. Coral Reef in Epcot is another place to get seafood. It's only 1 TS credit. Todd English's Bluezoo at the Dolphin is wonderful. It's high-end and not on the DDP.

Hope this helps some,

Steve

[hauntedmansiongirl]

That's is awesome that you are having a girls trip! You'll have a great time!

I would pick AKV- like everyone else says, it definitely has the wow factor!

I also agree that you should gauge the newbie as far as which parks to visit. Definitely make Epcot the priority! I've never done "Behind the Seeds" but it is on our list. I've only ever heard great things about it!

As far as seafood there are a few options:

Coral Reef has a great atmosphere. They have steak and chicken as well. 1 table service on DDP.

Cape May Cafe is a seafood buffet at the Yacht & Beach Club.

The Wave at CR has some really nice fish options. The tilapia there comes from The Land over in Epcot ( at least it did when we were there last September).

Have a great time!

[Ms. Mode]

You may want to think about lunch or dinner at The Grand Floridian. It's a beautiful resort and lunch on the patio can be quite relaxing. It's really hard for us to slow down on our trips to WDW and we tend to overdue it with all the walking.

We did the Backstage Magic Tour last year and I can't say enough good things about WDWs tours! I would imagine that your step-mom would love the Epcot Garden Tour.

[luvDaMouse]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I am booked at VWL and wailisted at BWV. I figured it is a smaller resort and she loves the outdoors so I think she will love it. I also booked the segway around epcot and she is excited about that as well! got some ADRs set and may or may not do the behind the seeds tour if time permits. Now just have to wait.....
50 days!!
Cant wait to show off my happy place
so excited