So It's Official I need to make a check list!

Be Our Guest is my new favorite place to eat!! Highlight of my Birthday Trip! Don't forget to try the gray stuff!

I had the shrimp and scallops in the puff pastry with lobster sauce and they were amazing! My hubby said the steak was one of the best he has ever had and he is very picky.

Congrats Steve. Where in the World will you be working? Maybe when I am down in the fall I can look you up!

Congrats Steve, now just go! Go to the parks and enjoy man! Live the experience! Start by doing a rope drop and go from there. I didn't grow up a Disney kid either but if I had what you have now I would be having a ball!

Congrats on the new job

I think between us all on this forum we could probably mention every ride, attraction and restaurant as a must-do! Thats the great thing about Disney, there really is something for everyone. For me:-

Entertainment

Hoop Dee Doo Revue is my favourite dinner show
The Festival of The Lion King is my favourite park show
The french acrobat in Epcot WS is also worth watching
Turtle Talk

Restaurants

Teppan Edo, you watch the food being cooked in front of you and it tastes delicious
Tusker House - I loved this place, but i know many people would not list it as a favourite so it's all down to personal choice.
Sci-Fi Dine-In - This is more about the setting than the food!

Rides

Splash Mountain on a hot day
It's a small world - You need to try this at least once for the classic disney ride experience
Soarin'

This is just a very short list of must-dos. I'm sure by the time a few others have contributed you are going to have a very long list

I would recommend taking a walk around World Showcase in Epcot. You will meet Cast Members from all over the world! There are plenty of interesting food and drinks to try and shops with merchandise from each country. You could read all the menus and have a look at the table service restaurants to see which ones would appeal to you for future reservations.

Steve, on the new job. Since you are asking about getting the real experience of Disney, I would really reccomend that one of your stops be the display in Hollywood Studios entitled "One Man's Dream". I think this it will give you an insight of what Disney (your now new employer) is all about.

I'll throw out some must do's for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom since you don't have anything from there on your list! My must do's for DHS would be Tower of Terror, Rock'n Rollercoaster, Toy Story Mania, Muppet 3D, and the Great Movie Ride. I also have to get a Red Velvet Cheesecake cupcake from Starring Roles! At Animal Kingdom I must ride the Kilamanjaro Safari and Expedition Everest, see Finding Nemo the Musical, and get a Kobi Beef Burger and lettuce wraps at Yak and Yeti!

Try the Frushie in Japan at the F&G food booth and the Lamb kabobs at the Morroco booth were amazing!

Whoo hoo! I'm kind of excited to hear about your trips DJ! You have such a different perspective than most of us and checking it all out is going to help you help the guests you speak with. I think that you'll have a terrific time exploring it all.

Epcot is my husband's favorite park, he says to be sure to hit Soarin' and the new Test Track rides. I love the Grey Goose slushie in France, and if you have time to sit back and catch some entertainment, Off Kilter in Canada is one of my favorite bands.

It is!! And I am!!

Hey DJ, one of these days you will have to rent one of the water Sprites at one of the marinas, preferably the Poly, take a run around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. We did that in January and had a ball!

Hi,

As a CM, do you get to do the tours for free? If so, I highly recommend doing every single one! I have been on almost all of them and there isn't one that I wouldn't do again. AND, having that particular knowledge will make you more helpful to your clients. They really ARE worth the money for us guests.

RESTAURANTS:

Downtown Disney--Fulton's Crab House. The fish (including the crab) is flown in fresh every day!

Epcot--Cape May on the Boardwalk for the seafood (crab!) buffet, and Flying Fish (also on the boardwalk) for almost anything. Season's Cafe (near Soarin') for quick serve that is really good! And the French restaurant-not the new one-(I forget the name) for the French onion soup and bagettes.

Magic Kingdom--Narcoosies--across the water at the Grand Floridian for the filet and the almond crusted cheesecake dessert. Both are hands down the best filet and dessert anywhere on grounds! Crystal Cafe (across the street from Casey's) for the greatest Philly steak cheese sandwich (suggestion--get mozerella instead of the regular cheese--simply scrumptious!)

Animal Kingdom--Yak & Yeti--really good!

Hollywood Studios--Hollywood/Vine buffet, Brown Derby

RIDES

Epcot--Soarin', Test Track

Magic Kingdom--It's A Small World, Splash Mountain

Animal Kingdom--Safari ride, Expedition Everest

Hollywood Studios--Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, Great Movie Ride, One Man's Dream

Be sure to take in every show Disney offers--by seeing them, you can describe the experience to your customers. I have enjoyed Nemo, Lion King, and Flights of Fancy (all at Animal Kingdom). The are MANY others offered throughout the parks.

Patti

Glad your first Disney excursion was a success! Sounds like you got a lot done!

Whoo hooo DJ!
Sounds like a great day!

What was your favorite part?