My SIL is going to WDW--wants input!

[MissBianca]

My sister in law, sweet Emma's mom, is getting a business trip to the heart of the World. Poor Hewon, the Dolphin was all booked up for the conference so she has to stay at the Boardwalk. :roll:

It will be Hewon's first trip to the Magic and she won't have a lot of time. What should I recommend she does with her free time? I want her to get enough of a taste that she'll be even more excited about our planned trip (see my siggy?). Folks who have traveled solo, I'd especially like to hear from you!

[LimeGreenCheri]

I'm going to give advice on something I haven't done. :roll: And that is to spend time in the World Showcase. Since she is so close to Epcot, I think this would be a great thing. It would also be fun to just wander around Animal Kingdom take her time on the trials and just enjoy herself. I hope she has a great time! :clap:

[LisaS]

Oh, Cheri, I agree!! I had a chance to be in the World alone on a business trip a couple of years ago! What a pleasure to do an "adult" World Showcase. MissB, it will be enough to give her the magic, yet leave her the great privilege of seeing the MK with her daughter - letting her share that awe!! Plus, her Boardwalk location is perfect for Epcot!! Hope she enjoys!!

[MargaretJ]

Oh wow how lucky that she gets to stay at The Boardwalk. This resort in itself is one that she should just wander around taking in all the sights. I would love to be able to walk around & enjoy all the Epcot resorts without being dragged out. World Showcase would be the best though, just to be able to enjoy it at your own pace. How wonderful.

[WillCAD]

Remember the solo traveller's creed: Do what you want! Find out the kinds of things she is likely to enjoy (shows, rides, restaurants) that her family won't, and help her plan how to do as many of them as she can when she's solo. For instance, her DD is not likely to enjoy Mission: Space or Rock and Rollercoaster, so if your SIL likes thrill rides, she can do them while solo. Or, if her DD deosn't do well sitting through long shows, SIL can see the shows in Epcot and MGM that DD wouldn't be able to handle.

[LuvmeDisney]

I agree with all the above! To do what you can't do with other family members is a great idea. The going to World Showcase is as well. She would probably be able to take some quality time and really investigate the food and the shopping there. The Boardwalk alone is one of my very favorite areas. It is so beautiful and peaceful!

Linda

[SuzyQ]

One of the things that I like to do for friends who are visiting for the first time is make them a little calendar of events. Granted, they can get a park map and calendar of activities, sometimes that can be a little overwhelming and/or they just don't know what to look for.

I make a calendar that has the days that they will be at WDW. I put the park hours (based on the Disney site) and time of the parades/fireworks for each day.

Then, I make a list of activities that I think they might find interesting and put the times for them on the dates:

Example:

Monday Feb 23rd
MK: 9a - 9p (list parades & fireworks)
MGM: 9a - 7p (3:30 parade)
AK: 8a - 5p (4p parade)
Epcot: 9a - 9p (9p Illuminations)

Recommended things to do:
Epcot
British Invasion (England): 4, 5:15, 7, 8
Chinese Acrobats (China) 1, 2:15, 3, 5
Masquerade (Italy) 2, 3:15, 4:30, 6

Animal Kingdom
Legend of the Lion King (11, 12:30, 3, 4:30)
Tarzan Rocks (11:30, 1, 3:30)

Granted, my times and whatnot are not correct, but this is an example of what I do for each of the parks if there are things that I think that they will enjoy. That way, they don't have to do spend too much time trying to figure out what to see. This does take some time to put together, but I find it fun for me to do and it can be a really useful tool. Especially if they don't have much time.

Have fun!

[Smiley]

If your sister likes shows and it is not planned for your upcoming trip, she may enjoy a splurge on herself to see La Nouba!

If I were to go by myself, I would like to see some of the shows, like Fantasmic at MGM and Lion King at AK...

I agree that she should do what she enjoys, with special plans for anything that she may be unable to do with the group.

[MissBianca]

Great ideas everyone! I'm going to email her with them right away! Thanks :)

[Moley]

Don't forget she will be handy to that lovely boat transportation between MGM, the Epcot Resorts and Epcot. That alone is a great way to introduce her to the scope of Disney World. And that is just two parks. I think she will have a great time on her own. :)

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

How about Illuminations? That is always so nice and makes you realize that no one else can do fireworks quite like Disney.
Then there is always shopping at DD. And maybe even squeeze in an outlet or 2.
Checking out a few of the resorts is always fun. Shopping there too!
Maybe a stroll through DD at night. (of course, there will be shopping here)

LindaC :sun:

[Kylara]

Well not knowing how much time she has or what kind of pass she will have, I will start off with Epcot. One of the things I love about Epcot is that it is so big, you can go for a few hours and know that there is lots more to do when you come back. If she has evening free, this park stays open later than the others at times and it would be a great place to grab dinner and then just stroll around til illuminations.

If she does have days free, then AK is another suggestion. It just seems like a park that is geared towards doing solo more than MK or MGM.

And as others have mentioned, shopping at DD is always a great way to spend an evening. Cruising in and out of the stores, playing in the toy store (I love the potato head area), maybe having a quick dinner at the Wolfgang Pucks express and of course, people watching.