Secret Tips

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad says.............................................. ..... Let's see if we can get a thread going about inside/ special tips that not many know about. Not for a whole trip, but just some little thing. I will start. The Tip....... If you are going to watch the midday parade at MK, and are sure it will start at the Frontierland side of the park, here is what you do. Watch it at the very start of the parade on the Adventureland side. When it is done, turn around and calmly walk to the Jungle Cruise, no wait. Then get on Pirates, no wait. There is the new Aladdin ride, so maybe go there first, can't say for sure because it wasn't there the last two times we did this. I would guess very short line, because the parade blocks 80% of the people at MK from Adventureland when it starts at the Frontierland/Adventureland side of the park. To really make it work, get fastpass to Splash Mountain 30 minutes before the parade. By the time you do Jungle/Pirates/Aladdin it should be time for fastpass on Splash!!

[tink2dw]

Do the Hollywood & Vine Fantazmic Dinner Package[it is almost the same price as the morning Character Breakfast with in a few Dollars] The Food is 4 star and kids have there own buffet of kid favorites! And the Desserts are WOW!! And you get the special entrance and reserved seating!!

If you want in room theming Don't stay at a All Stars,go for a Moderate,or off site.

Do stay at HIFS the Kidsuites[the Disney theming is fab],include nintendo 64[games rent for $5.00 per 24 hours] CD players, bunkbeds,Masterbedroom with a Door,college size refridgerator,micowave,3 tv's[dd played nintendo 64,dh watched Star Trek,gdd went to sleep to the Country Western Music Station it was great!!]and a w/programable safe. 2 pools. Family Kareoke and Family Bingo. FREE breakfast and kids 12 and under eat FREE.

Do go to AK, it is more than a Zoo.

[Kate-n-sam]

Our experiences/tips....

E-night wristbands
Do NOT wait in line at townhall for these. The line was horrendous. See if there are alternate pick-up locations. We went to Splash Down photos at SpM and there was no line at all.

Characters Meals
These are great! No waiting in line to get autographs for the more "common" characters

and

Fast Pass, Fast Pass, Fast Pass....I can never believe all the people waiting in a standby line upwards of an hour when there are fastpasses available. (AK Safari comes to mind)

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................................. Time to post another tip. If you are touring with young children this the best two hours ever at MK. Go to early entry. Get there before the park opens. When everyone else heads to Space Mountain, go directly to Fantasyland. Go straight to Dumbo, slow loader and extremely long lines later in the day. There will be no wait or a one ride wait of two minutes. Then hit every ride that is open in Fantasyland, all small lines! When you are done with this check the time. If it is 8:30 or earlier hit the cars in tomorrowland, and/or Space Mountain if you are really lucky. The main point is to be back at Toontown BEFORE it opens. Wait for the opening, and ride barnstormer, then do Mickey's and Minnies's house, and lastly Donald's boat. You have done more by 10:00 am than many have done in a whole day! If you really want to go for it, leave MK and jump on the monorail to EPCOT. Get a fastpass for test track and wait for the opening of world showcase. When it opens go to Mexico and Norway and ride thier rides. Then go to test track, because it should be your time to ride!!!! I have read many books on WDW, and have never seen any of them come up with this four hour plan. I challenge everyone out there to post something that beats it, cause it can't be beat, it won't be beat, wait... that sounds like bragging, what I really want is someone to post their secret tips so I can use it!! I have a few other tips, but nothing for AK or MGM, anyone out there willing to share?!?!

[curlyjbs]

go to magic kingdom on SUNDAY!
use fastpass
LET the kids have icecream or popcorn at 9am
don't rush
chef mickey's charactor dinner is a MUST DO! great autograph opportunities
see fantasmic
see illuminations


curly

[Geubux]

On a not too crowded night, sit in the back 1/4th of Fantasmic. As soon as the paddlewheel boat comes around the bend, get up and leave. Head straight to the buses as fast as your little legs can go. Carry small kids. Get on the Epcot bus. Ride the golf ball, get something to eat and watch the fireworks. Don't be in a hurry to leave. Watch the fountains dance to the music. When the crowds have left, amble over to the monorail and take a leisurely ride back to TTC. Enjoy the fiber optics in the sidewalks by the fountains before you leave.

[DisTwix]

OK ... Tips....

For DisneyDames:
For those potty stops - try and hit the potties that are also Baby Stations. Since they are always tended, they are usually really clean and nice.


*Convince CM's to take your picture.
*Get silhouttes of your children (Main St., MK). If you have more than one child, and go to Disney more than once (imagine that!) - have more silhouettes done. It is really great for the kids to compare their profiles, and to see how they are different and alike. And - it's amazing to watch them being cut!
*Really great souveniers are sometimes the least expensive - a keychain that's used every day, earrings that ya wear or even a really great photo.
*For the Super-Budgeter's - plan on treating yourself to one really great sit-down - preferably a character meal. (Chef Mickeys and Crystal Palace are my fav's)
*Actually swim in the resort pool - some of them are amazing
*Watch the MK nightly fireworks from the top of the Contemporary (California Grill)
*Stop and watch the street performers - some of the skits have been the funniest things I've ever seen.

That's all I can think of now!

Oh -- Stop and ENJOY the people you are there with (even if they've left underwear and shoes all over your room), AND smile and laugh all you can

[tink2dw]

Forget the planned schedule
Slow down to do those magical things KIDS want to do,these will be the things they remember,the ones you stopped to let them show you.

Things we missed that Dd still wants to do,

see the "duck walk" at Peobody Hotel at 4:00pm
Stop in World Showcase to see Living Statues,and other street performances
Go to a Water Park
Get AK Character autograghs
Swim with the Dolphins
Go to Alanatic Dance Club on kids night
Go to FOA Schwarz,Orlando
miniture golf

[GEM]

Originally posted by Geubux
On a not too crowded night, sit in the back 1/4th of Fantasmic. As soon as the paddlewheel boat comes around the bend, get up and leave

Please, DON'T do this!! I am begging you! We were so excited about seeing Fantasmic on our last trip and then as soon as that boat showed up, everybody around us started getting up and leaving! It really ruined the end of the show for us. We were very angry and we thought it was extremely rude. We couldn't see anything for the last five minutes of the show except people standing up and moving around. It was really rotten. It is also dangerous because the light levels are very low. We saw several people fall. PLEASE have some consideration for those around you who want to see the ENTIRE show. If you feel like you must leave early, STAND in the back of the theater behind the last row of seats. It's just not fair to ruin the end of the show for everyone sitting around you, just so you can be first in line at the bus stop. :(

[Geubux]

I said to sit in the back fourth. If you sit further up, stay seated. Let's not ruin gem's show. And Gem, if you sat back in my section, shame on you for not sitting further up. By the way, I always sit on the aisle so i'm up and out and NOT in YOUR way.

[adamak]

Buy Disney gift at home when they're half off. You can usually find them in Odd Jobs or KMart or alike. Much cheaper. Then take them with you to WDW and let the kids open them at nite, in the hotel. Little stuff like keychain and stuff animals over the trip will keep them from begging at the store.

[GEM]

Actually, Geubux, I'm sure there are people in the back 1/4 of the theater who want to see the whole show too. Even in the back 1/4 there are people sitting behind you - unless you sit on the very back row. And they have a right to see it all - without rude people standing up and ruining it for them. It doesn't matter if you sit on the end or not. Your getting up and leaving is very distracting to everyone else. And it encourages others to get up and leave as well. Please have some consideration for the other people in the theater. If you can't wait until it is over, stand in the back or just don't go. Don't mess up the end for others. I just think that we have enough wonderful tips to share with each other without encouraging people to do something that takes away from the magic for others. I know you didn't mean to be rude at all, but I promise you, it DOES bother people.

[Debi]

My favorite is to make sure you eat your big meal at lunchtime. Most, if not all, restaurants in WDW have the same menu for lunch as they do for dinner, only their lunch menu is much cheaper. Try to eat a late lunch (3:30-4:00), so that it will keep you full for the rest of the day, and you are still paying lunch prices.

Keep these great tips coming! :)

[GEM]

Here is a fun autograph tip -

If you would like to get your favorite character's autograph, but you aren't really interested in an autograph book, or you just want something extra special - buy a WDW T-shirt, sweatshirt, or baseball cap with that character on it and ask the character to autograph it! If you use a "Sharpie", it will be permanet and you can wash it and everything. The characters have always been happy to do this for us. However, they will NOT autograph something you are wearing. Just put the shirt or cap in a big plastic baggie and stick it in your backpack. Last year, I got an adorable T-shirt with the Fab 5 on it and I had them all sign the back. Every time I wear it, people love it! I've washed it a hundred times and it still looks fine! My sister got a cute Pooh and Piglet ball cap and had them autograph that. It's lots more fun than an autograph book that just goes in a drawer or something when your vacation is over. :D

[Geubux]

Gem
When I've seen all that I care to see and my hind end has endured as much as it endure, I'll stand up and leave.....Even if it ticks you off. Besides, no one can make you mad, you choose to let them. If I tick you off, I'll be on my way to Epcot to see the fireworks there if you want to pitch a fit.:p

[GEM]

That's a really nice attitude. I hope you don't have kids with you that are going to learn from your example of rudeness. :rolleyes: I guess being considerate of others just isn't your thing . . . Glad to see you are keeping the "It's all about me" attitude alive and well. Just foreget about the other thousands of people who want to see the show. I'm not going to post back on this thread because I think it will stray too far from it's original intention, but if you want to know what people think of RUDE people like you, pop on over to the Theme Parks Board. There is a nice thread about it on page one right now.

You might as well post a tip telling everybody to park at the Polynesian Resort and take the monorail to the MK instead of paying to park at the TTC. Who cares if all the guests who paid to stay at the Poly have a place to park?

Or, you might as well teach your kids that it is ok to push their way in front of other children who are in line to meet Mickey, because, after all, your family is in a hurry.

You want a nice tip for this "tip" thread? Here you go -

If you want to really enjoy a magical vacation to Disney World, try packing your manners and concern for other people along with your swimsuit and fannypack.

[Silver]

Well said GEM, couldn't agree more. The last thing we need right now is that me, me, me attitude. What a shame that people feel they have a right to behave however they want and with no regard for those people around them and what a shame that what could have been a potentially useful and interesting thread has now been spoiled.

[kristikae]

Just because you are on vacation is no excuse to stop being considerate of others!

[loribell]

Just to go along with GEM's autograph tip. Do a Chef Mickey's Character meal, take a sharpie pemanent marker with you and buy one of the chef's hats at the souvinier stand outside of the restaurant. It makes a really cool souvinier.

[GEM]

Since I feel a little bad about having to get a little "tough" in my other posts on this thread, I feel like I ought to contribute a few other helpful tips to help keep this thread on track. Here are some of my favorites.

-Take time to SLOW DOWN and enjoy all the little details that make Disney brilliant: the sparkling lights in the pavement at Epcot's Future World, the claw marks and scratches on the floor inside the Country Bear Jamboree, the benches and lamp posts at the Animal Kingdom, the Streetmosphere characters at MGM, the names on the windows of the second story shops on Main Street, the sounds coming from the Dance Studio and Piano Lessons windows on Main Street, the smell of honey on the Pooh ride, the talking trash cans and water fountains, the cuckoo clock in Germany at Epcot, the "Singing In the Rain" umbrella at MGM, the musical tiki statues in Adventureland, the WONDERFUL fountains found all over the world, the unique palm trees in Tomorrowland, the lights and shapes seen in the windows of the Haunted Mansion, the incredible themeing and attention to detail at the resorts, and so much more! If you are always in a rush from point A to point B, you will miss so much of the reall magic! It lies in the details and small things.

-Ask to ride up front in the cab of the monorail with the driver. What a great view! You will have a better chance if you ask at a really slow time of day. If you get to do this, ask for a monorail co-pilot's license!

-Spend an evening on the Boardwalk. There is so much fun stuff for kids and adults! Kids will enjoy face painting, games, and the great strolling entertainers. Adults will love the romantic atmosphere, the entertainment, and the shopping. Plan to have dinner here! If you want a GREAT dinner, eat at the Flying Fish! If you need somthing a little less expensive, try Spoodles. For something cheap, but lots of fun, get a pizza from the Boardwalk Pizza Window and eat at one of the little tables by the water. The Boardwalk can be reached by walking path or boat from both Epcot and MGM.

Anyway, that's all I've got right now. I'll try to come up with a few others!

[loribell]

and others. I'm printing this out to take with me for our next trip. I new sbout to few of these things but now that I have joined DVC and will have much more relaxed trips I hope to enjoy all of the world. I wish that we could go at less crowded times of the year then summer and maybe sometime I will be able to. It's so crowded alot of these things are hard to experience. Someday I'll be there when it's not so crowded!

[Geubux]

Gem! I was just trying to get your goat! I know what you mean with a few people leaving then the guy right in the middle of the row thinks it's ok to block all the little kids views as he stands up and takes 4 minutes to get his group out of the aisle.
By the way, where was and who made the post that hundreds of tips? She had a lot of the tips that we do and more.
Anyway, I would never block your view since we travel with my dad and he's in a wheelchair so we sit in the back anyway. However, if you get in front of us while I'm pushing......

[goodnighter]

Gem, that is a wonderful idea. I will have my girls do that this time around Thank you for the tip.

[lindym]

Way to go Gem!!!! Fantasmic is such a great show and the ending is the ultimate. To have that disturbed is ridiculous. It brings everything together. The one thing that I tell all of my customers is to not miss Fantasmic and to stay right up to the end of it. That brings to mind another point. You have gotten your seat for a parade 1 hour prior and 5 minutes prior a person comes and wants to squeeze their precious little child right down next to yours where there isn't any room. I feel everyone should see the parade and I don't begrudge any child this but where was that inconsiderate parent when we were all waiting. It is not that child's fault. Please be considerate for others and especially for your own children.

[Geubux]

Now that you mention it Lindym, that may be worse than leaving a few minutes early at the show. I don't mind if a little kid gets in front of us, if we have room, but when their parent or parents try to shove up too, that kind of irks me. I guess it's payback for standing up in front of Gem at the show. Gem, was that you crowding me at the parade? We're going in Dec. If anyone sees me, give me a hard time!

[tinofan]

Here's a quick one, I'll add more later...
As for the meals, we booked character breakfasts late (last seating was around 10:30), so we were one of the last seated. Not rushed out, and quieter. AND, that way we skipped lunch entirely. Maybe a bag of popcorn in late afternoon, then ready for dinner at a reasonable time. We would grab a little something in AM if we really needed until our meal (ie, fruit, box of cereal that kids would eat on way to park).
Worked for us.

Have fun!:)

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................................. ..................Anybody out there with secret tips?
I don't mean two ladies fighting with each other, and everyone else joining in. I want someone to say when at MGM, during the parade, you can do x,y,z because that part of the park is blocked off by the parade. Read my previous posts on this topic, they are real useable tips!! I have one for Cindy's castle, but must test it in November to make sure it is a secret tip.
Any AK fans out there?? I would love some secret tips from you, because I have none! Stuff like, watch the tapestry parade from the Japan pavillion upstairs lounge.(read about it haven't done it)

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says................................. Ooooppsss, The last statement of my last post had nothing to do with AK and was ment for Epcot. Just useing it as an example of what a secret tip is.

[Geubux]

OK, a real tip. If you didn't get Cindy's or other ressies at the 60 day window, Call 48 hours in advance and see if they have any openings. Also, call the second you get in the park and see if they can work you in that day. Sure, it's waiting til the last minute, but what a surprise if you get it!
Also, a few years ago I emailed them about a character my dd wanted to see. They responded with a form email that suggested ways to see characters. it made me mad, but I responded and thanked them for the info and further requested if they had any additional info. Anyway, since my email is through go.com, they had my address and phone number. They called us the week before we left and told us how to see the character. They then asked if my daughter would like an autographed picture of said character. They asked about other children, my ds, and if he would like a picture of any characters. Anyway, the pictures were in the mail when we returned home and had my kids names on them. So, email disney and keep in touch. Even the cast members who answer email like to bless us with the magic now and then!

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................................. .........Great tip about Cindy's, from Geubux.
I did the sixty day thing at 4:00 am west coast and got a 10:15. We did an early entry to MK the day of our ressies. As we walked into fantasyland on our way to Dumbo, I just wanted to poke my nose in to see what it looked like. The CM asked us if wanted to go on in!! I told her we had a 10:15 and she said we could go in now(7:35)! While that was going on another CM asked several families going by if they wanted to go in!! My guess is people make those extra early reservations, and then cancel or don't show up. We still had a few minutes of EE left when we were finished.

[melanieewr]

How about a haircut or style at the MK at the barber shop on Main St. I read about this on another post and I think I will make my dh go shaggy since I think this would be a great photo. Of course he will remind me of the awful wal-mart haircut that I made him get on vacation once. From what I have read they do a great job though and there was also a post about the barber shop quartet performing in the shop first thing in the morning. It seems to be popular to have your child's 1st haircut done here also.

Melanie

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................................. ......... Come on, I need some tips for MGM and AK!!! Something that saves time, or money. Here is another tip for the newbies. Ask to ride up front on the monorail, up to four can ride up front at a time. Kinda neat to be able to look forward as you ride. And parents, always be willing to give up your seat up front if it means a child can ride. We were heading to MK from EPCOT, when we asked if we could ride up front. The pilot said sure, and off we went. Me,DW, and DD. A mom and her young child heard our conversation, and asked to join in. Pilot says, sorry only four people at a time. Broken hearts. Disnee Dad says sure you can ride, I don't want to ride up front, just makeing sure my family is safe. As we got out at MK and I reunite with my family, the mom says her son said that this was his favorite ride of the trip so far!!

[ringboyz]

We're leaving Sunday for our first trip to DW - we'll be there for four days, then the cruise. Our boys are 9 and 11 and will probably want to hit the roller coasters and the "bigger kid" rides. Any tips on how to navigate MK with older kids? Is it just a matter of going from one FastPass to another? We're planning to go to MK on EE Monday. Any other tips would be welcome! Thanks.

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................................. .... Have a great trip!! Yes, work all the fastpasses you can, and do EE anytime you can. Sit down, now and decide what you are willing to save for the next trip, and there will be a next trip!!Even in the slow season it takes 6 days to hit most attractions at the four parks. You may even consider saving one park for the next trip. That said, here are the musts, mostly for the kids. :jester: At MK hit the mountains, Alien Encounter and Buzzlightyear.Pirates and Haunted Mansion. At Epcot its Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, Test Track, Body Wars, Cranium Command, Honey I shrunk the Audience. Here is where the parents rise up and say " There is a wine and food festival going on and we are going to eat ourselves around World Showcase!! At MGM it is TOT and RnRC, great one two punch! Indy Stunt Show. Star Tours. Backlot Tour. Great Movie Ride. Ashow or two if you have time. The fourth day you can do AK, but you may want to go back to the other parks and hit what you missed the first three days. Of course you already know all this, but I feel good, just in case you missed one or two points.

[ringboyz]

We leave tomorrow - I can't believe it. We have literally been saving and planning for this trip for years so I'm in shock that it's tomorrow. I know we won't be able to hit everything (not even close) but we will try to hit the big rides you mentioned. Hope the waits aren't too long. The forecast looks like rain every day, too. Hope that doesn't create problems. But, we're ready!! Can't wait! (Do the rides shut down when it rains?) I will be sure to add my "secret tips" when we get back.

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................................. ............. One last note to ringboyz. The time is short and you may not get it but..... pray for rain!!! Not everyday of course but for a day it is fun. Only the outside rides shut down, and at a place like EPCOT at World Showcase, you walk in the rain for a minute or two, then you are inside the next country. Get cheap ponchos, probably too late now!! We have had 11 actual park days on our two trips, and got rain on three days. Once for maybe twenty minutes. Another time it was an hour. The worst was for a Mickey's Halloween Treat night. It turned out the best! A light rain started out late in the morning and after a couple hours even we said it's time to go, thinking we'll just come back for the Halloween deal. WE get there as soon as we can get the wristbands, I think 4:00PM.
It's still raining some, but eventually the park closes for everyone else, and about twenty minutes later, it's thunderbolts and lightning very very frightning me! Ok, so the bolts stop and lightning also stops very quickly (ten minutes). Now all we have to deal with is a downpour. Everyone is leaving!!!! We hang out at Splash!, saying what do you want to do, I don't know, what do you want to do kinda thing. After another twenty minutes of downpour, I swear the rains stopped in ONE minute!! NO LINES FOR ANY RIDE, except for Space Mountain where we had to wait for three people in front of us. CM's were chasing us down to give us candy, not a piece, but a whole bag!! If we lived in Florida we could have bagged 100 pounds of candy!!! Sorry, got sidetracked. I say prepare for rain and let it be your friend, MANY times it doesn't last long.

[colleen mcmaster]

OK Disnee Dad - here's my one and only AK tip that I give to everyone: Get there before it opens and RUN to the safari ride. The lines are terrrible later in the day and you see more animals in the a.m. when it's not so hot. I've also heard that you can go in to the Rain Forest store and enter the park that way - same opening time but a little ahead of the crowd at the gate. I haven't tried this but read it on another site. Good Luck.

[Jane E.]

Yes, we entered AK thru the Rainforest Cafe when we were there in June. Dh thought that I was nutz! There was a huge mob of people waiting for the rope drop at the main entrance. I led my family thru RFC and there was no line at that entrance. Of course, the whole time I'm heading thru RFC, dh is questioning me. He thought I was really lost. He was pleasantly surprised when we beat the crowds and hardly had any wait at all for the Safari. Its funny how he still questions me when I do the opposite of what everyone else is doing. After this last trip, I think he knows that I've learned a lot about Disney on these boards!

I would also suggest to spend the money on a nice sitdown meal. When our children were small we were always in a hurry catching the fast food places. Lunch was usually hot and hurried. Now, I always get a ps - we find that its much more relaxed and we have a lot more energy for the day. Our kids love Sci Fi, Prime Time, etc. - we've found it to be lots of fun too!

[adamak]

Those who worried about the MK haircut..... Let me assure you it's better than your local KMart / JCPenny cut. My DH goes there every time, and it's really one of the best haircut ever. (By the way, his best haircut ever is from Epcot. Better than Vidal Sassoon. Really).

[CanadaKid]

On a blistering hot, busy day at the Magic Kingdom, take a break and walk over to the Contemporary Resort in the afternoon and go up to the lounge in the California Grill. Only a 5-10 minute walk from Main Street USA, this lounge (as well as the Outer Rim - 4th floor) is a perfect place for a cold drink and a rest.

The California Grill restaurant opens later but the adjacent lounge is open in the afternoon. Nobody thinks of going there during the day because they associate the CG with fancy evening dining so there is never anybody there.

It's nice and cool, the seats are comfy, the windows are tinted, the lagoon view is outstanding, the drinks are ice-cold and the place is dead quiet. How does that sound?

Is that a tip or what?

Have Fun!

CanadaKid

[Mortimermouse]

The best super secret tip I can offer to make memories of a life time for you and your family, especially your kids, is to take advantage of that time waiting in the perverbial Disney lines to talk to your kids !!

Tell them how much you are enjoying your time with them...even waiting in line. Ask them what they think...about anything. Tell them about your best vacation when you were growing up. What would they suggest for the next new ride at Disney? Can they sing the alphabet song backwards? Can you? Be sure to spend one on one time with each child....not just riding a ride, but really doing something special.

So many families are so busy with their every day lives, two working parents, school activites, after school sports and planning the trip to Disney, we forget to stop the insanity and enjoy the moment. That memory of really seeing the smile on your child's face or the sound of their laughter at a corny DD joke will far outlast the pain in your feet from running around the park to get the "best" seat at every parade, the "first" ride of the day on one of the mountains.

My sons favorite seat for watching the parades was on my shoulders.....and even if I couldn't see a thing....I had the best seat in the park !!! :D

[danicaw]

To beat the desire to buy all the Disney stuff in every store on your trip, establish specific items you are looking for and/or set a budget.

Also, pack the stuff you bought on your last trip and anything Disney you picked up inbetween. I love to wear Disney sweatshirts, caps, etc. and already having them curbs my desire to run out and pick up all new ones each trip.

[leebee]

OK, Disneydad, here's my MGM tip. We've been to wdw at many different times of the year, and the waiting line into Fantasmic is always a nightmare. We buy "dinner" (sandwiches/chix nuggets for kids/burgers) and take it into Fantasmic with us. That way, we can get in line 60-90 mins prior to showtime, get good seats (so we spend our waiting time sitting rather than standing), and eat dinner while we wait for the show to start. Also, if it is the least bit chilly out (or downright freezing like Jan. 2000), do NOT sit in the front of Fantasmic. You WILL get wet/damp, and be very uncomfortable! Let's see, what else...save the Great Movie Ride for around 3 pm when everyone is tired and cranky. The movie clips you see while waiting take your mind off how tired you are, and the ride itself lasts about 20 mins and it is AIR CONDITIONED (we don't ALWAYS travel in Jan.!)!

At AK...I have heard(but haven't seen) that the buggy creatures do little vignettes outside of the entrance about 20 mins before opening. "THey say" it's quite cute! If you are squeamish, be forwarned that there are sometimes cm's just inside the gates of AK with cages of tarantulas! Remember that It's Tough to be a Bug can be rough on the younger set- my 8yo has seen it 5 times and has yet to make it through a full show without crying! Finally, when your poor tired feet cannot go one step further, go to the Dinosaur Dig playground area and go up to the sand pit. The sand here is really teeny tiny polished pebbles, very fine, that do a great job massaging your feet- a true pick-me-up (now if they only served margaritas!). If you can get to the head of the queue for the Tarzan show, have your kids sit along the ramp that comes out from the stage- Terk will shake hands during the performance. BTW, we have always had good luck going on the safari in the LATE afternoon- we've seen many animals, and there are usually no lines. PS- spray your feet with aerosol antiperspirant each morning, letting it dry before putting on your socks and shoes. Dry feet are happy feet!

[LoDivaLoca]

I don't know how "secret" this is or how much of a tip this is, but I found it to be a PLEASANT surprise!! So here's your AK tip!

Boyfriend & I arrived at AK the minute it opened & SURPISE! ALLLLL the characters were there! (We were so pleased!) It was a great way to start the day & the crowds were minimal & we got to take pitcures w/Mickey & everyone - so we were thrilled. It was the only opportunity we got to see the characters as all the other times we spotted them, they were being mauled by 30 kids each. (no offense of course - but I'm a big kid too!!! Lemme have a chance!!!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

[Hawk]

Ok here is a tip that works everytime. If you want to get autographs without having a large crowd in front of you, get an e-ticket and stay near the front of the castle after the first hour. The characters always - always come out front for autographs. This tip is true to form and works everytime.

Tim.

[Rafiki USA]

Aunt Polly's on Tom Sawyer Island is a great place to stop for a quick lunch. A pbj or ham and cheese sandwich and a lemonade can go a long way towards tiding you over 'till your dinner reservation rolls around. Plus, it's secluded enough that the wait, if there is one, is frequently short.

You've all probably read this before, but do ask the monorail attendant if you can sit in the front car. You may have to wait an extra trip or two, but, if you have the time, it's more than worth it. The drivers are a hoot and will answer all your questions (they're a veritable font of Monorail knowledge), and the some of the views are AMAZING!

FASTPASS! Does this still bear repeating? Are people actually not doing this? Do not fear the Fastpass... EMBRACE the fastpass...

This may fall under the heading of "advice" rather than "tips", but.. If you've never been to Epcot's Food and Wine festival, plan a trip (especially w/o young kids...). You can eat yourself silly, and the prices (while I've heard they've gone up) are pretty good.


Poly 73
Poly 79
ASM, PO, DL etc. since then, and counting. See you at OKW 11/23-12/1

[Rafiki USA]

Honeymoons, anniversaries: go to the MK first thing and run into the hat store on the right side of Main Street just as you walk in. Buy the bride and groom mouse ears, and wear them constantly! You will be treated like royalty (ushered onto rides, given early fastpasses, free fudge, free desserts, to name a few).

I think MGM has some of the best shopping in WDW (except for the Marketplace). Leave a little extra time. We did the dinner package at Mama Melrose with Fantasmic, and it was a great way to end a day.

At AK, bring some raw hamburger in your bag to throw to the tigers. Just kidding.
There are however, some beautiful, artfully tucked away spots to sit down for a quiet moment or a meal. On the way to KRR, follow a path that looks like it doesn't lead anywhere- you'll see what I mean.