Husband and I went to Disney for 5 days a year ago in June.
We had a really nice time, though we are not really DISNEY people - (if you know what I mean).

We used the unOfficial guide to disney...using the "plans" in the back of the book. They worked out wonderfully - very few lines at all. We followed them pretty tightly (leaving out stuff we werent interested in) and we were able to see the majority of each park by about 2pm every day. Then, we would go back to the hotel and relax by the pool until dinnertime. At night we went out to a nice dinner and either went to a park for late night rides, or to a bar/attraction. This was enjoyable, while not being really stressful.

For a 23 yr. old (we are 26) would recommend some late-night fun. (You will be very sick of little children by the end of the day!) We had a great time at Paradise Island's Comedy club & Adventurer's Club. And on the boardwalk Jellyrolls (a dueling piano bar) was a blast. These are all good for moms too.

oh yeah,

Dont bother getting more than one guidebook...it just becomes overwhelming. Pick one and just stick to it.

Eileen, just relax and you're bound to have a good time. It's a great experience as an adult and you and your daughter will have a great time. (And my personal favorite is to toast each other with a glass of champagne in EPCOT's France.

One of my favorite things to do at Disney is a hotel tour. The hotels are so elaborately themed and decorated and it is fun to see their similarities and differences. Disney has made it slightly harder to walk into the hotels lately but I've generally found that if you take a Disney bus in from another destination you are fine and if you drive just say that you have a reservation at whatever restaurant is there. My husband always made fun of me when I talked about my hotel tours, but I took him on one on our last trip and he loved it. It is a great way to see a part of the Disney experience with no lines and no crowds. The easiest tours are around the Magic Kingdom - Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian, or around Epcot - Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club.

I also very much agree with the comments about trying out the Disney fine dining experience if you don't have little ones. Contrary to popular belief, many Disney restaurants are extremely innovative and high quality. One of my favorites is Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is also a fun hotel to tour while you are there.

Or whats to stop you from going to a different Disney hotel pool each afternoon?

eileenleft,
You DON'T have to defend your daughter. She has EVERY RIGHT to choose anything she wants as her dream trip!!

Others have to learn that their opinions are not the only ones that count.

I am planning my own D vacation soon! I LOVE Epcott ... and I saw the most exciting show on the Travel Channel (if you can believe that!) on Animal Kingdom. It looks incredible.

BTW, I am in my 30's ... and don't have kids! (So there!!)

You can't pool hop.

steviegene, Disney on site pools are notoriously strict about having to show a hotel ID to use them.

Considering each guest, including children, get a resort/hotel ID, they'll ask you to leave without one.

wallace?
I dont think eileen needs to defend her daughter.

But I see what other people are saying when they say it shouldnt be a "dream trip". It is a fun, fantastic place to spend a few days and have a good time. But it is fake. It is brainless. All it is is a good time. It isnt full of history or culture or anything but things that have been "imagineered". Everything has been carefully constructed to make things easy for the guest, to herd the guest in certain directions, to accomadate the guest. There arent things in Disney that can be "discovered" because everything has been intentionally placed there for the guest to discover it. I think it SHOULD be appreciated for being arguably the most designed environment on the face of the planet. It should be admired for its perfection and its creativity. But in the end it isnt real...

So i think the idea is, that a dream trip should involve one of the spectacular and Real places the planet has to offer... but to each his own.

ps, I never had to show hotel id at a pool.
I dont even remember getting pool id.

I agree about the Disney for Adult Birnbaum book. Easy to navigate, good ideas. My husband and I go in October or November for the Food and Wine fest in EPCOT. That's a great experience! Having done all the parks, etc, we still like EPCOT and LOVED the new ride, Soarin. Go there first and get fast passes. Away from Disney is a little town built by Disney called Celebration. We enjoy going to the hotel for a drink, or having dinner in one of the restaurants. They have a few very nice shops- it's fun to sit out by the lake and enjoy some peace and quiet.

I just want to wish you a wonderful trip... I've been to Disney too many times to count and I'm 31. There are many places I would still like to visit other than Disney, but my Disney trips always turn into my dream-come-true vacation... I hope it can for you and your daughter as well!

I totally agreewith jcepk1.....some people get s tired of Disney, but I get excited EVERY time I go. Like a little kid.

...also at Downtown Disney is Cirque Du Soleil's "La Nouba"...

I've stayed at several Disney resorts over the past couple of years and I've never been asked to show my room key for the pool or the transportation, although Disney will tell you that they check.

Last June, we were staying at the Beach Club and there wasn't anyone passing about arm bands when we first got to the pool in the morning but by noon we got stopped and were told that we had to get one. We were checked every time on the waterslide. Of course, Beach Club has "THE" pool - maybe it is more of a draw. I'm told that Animal Kingdom lodge checks too.