35 Things We Learned on Our Trip to WDW

[claypje]

Thanks for the awesome post! Made me smile and chuckle more than once. We are staying at BC for the first time in 23 days and your post is making the days go even slooooowwwer.

 

[lindsroc]

Great post! Even if its tips you already know, was good for a laugh...and I did learn a thing or 2.

 

[JessM]

I love your post! Exactly what I needed to get this Thursday jump started

 

[waffles77]

Thank you OP!! This was very entertaining, and I especially like #28.

We hope to have just as much fun on our trip!

 

[VACamm]

Amaaazing post. .. sounds like you had a blast!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

1) We discovered Pixie Hollow after talking with our tablemates at the Biergarten...really cool if you love Tink! It's just passed the Adventureland sign on the right.

2) Beach Club Marketplace has all the food and provisions you would ever need (not necessary to stop at a grocery store or have it delivered to the room from an outside vendor).

3) The Beach Club is better than advertised (if that is possible). The pool is truly unbelievable.

4) The Secret door near Room #1500 wing is REAL. And you truly are a 3 minute walk from EPCOT. Our room (#4534) was directly above that area and we thought the Illuminations fireworks were being shot off of our balcony.

5) EPCOT RD was a dream. We left the Beach Club at 8:41, and got a FP for Soarin and were on the ride by 9:06.

6) For Soarin at RD, while following the CMs thru The Land don't go down the escalator with the mob to the left, but veer to the right and go down the stairs and you'll be first in line at the FP machines.

7) For Soarin, try to get in the front seats...you won't see the feet hanging.

8) Biergarten is a cool place to eat. Get an 8:40 ADR because the Oompa Band ends at 9:00pm...just enough time with that Oompa Band.

9) The boat to DHS was wonderful and timely...no need to walk.

10) I could have sworn there was a bus from BC to DHS. Our group walked out to the Bus Stop at 7:55am and there was a bus with DHS on it. We attempted to get on but the driver said that there was no bus service, only the boat and the walkway. Our group of nine looked dejected and glum. The driver said, "get in, I'll give you a special lift." We got a private ride to DHS from this wonderful guy. We tried to give him a tip, but he declined and told us to have a great day. We were at DHS at 8:10. my group couldn't believe we were there 50 minutes early, but we bided our time and were right at the turnstiles and the front of the line at RD. Clearly we were the first wave to TSM, while I went to RnRC for FP. My party met me at ToT which we rode Standby (13 minute wait) and then used the FP for RnRC and then FP it again.

11) 50's Primetime is absolutely adorable. The decorations are perfect and the attitudes of the staff are hilarious. Plus, when one of the kids didn't eat their string beans, the waiter came back with the string beans covered in Whipped Cream and nine cherries...one for each of us.

12) Wishes from Narcossees' deck is beautiful.

13) Narcoossees is over-priced!!!!

14) I can't spell Narcoosses correctly or consistently.

15) For a quick adult treat, try the pub at Rose 'n Crown: A Delicious Cheese plate and a glass of Cabernet (for two).

16) We found a great place for our DD15 and her BFF15 to get beautiful henna tattoos in Morrocco.

17) Get an 8:30pm ADR at Tokyo Dining and watch Illuminations from their deck at 9:00.

18) We gained a greater appreciaton for EPCOT, being so close and with such easy access. We had a lot of time to really explore the countries instead of just walking by, and glancing in. Walk over to BWI too!

19) Germany had many upscale items for sale, chrystal, steins, cookoo clocks.

20) The Akershus Princess Banquet is not worth the money. We felt very rushed and it cost $46/person (four of which were teenage girls).

21) I'm not cheap, but I don't understand tipping 18% (group of nine) at a buffet where I get up from my seat and serve myself the food. 10% would be more than enough, especially since the Cape May Cafe breakfast is so over-priced.....just saying.

22) Boy, it's really hard to keep nine people, all with different senses of urgency, on the same page. Ranging in age from 11 to 55 (me).

22a) Always tell the members of your group: "Let's meet at 7:30am" when you really want to meet at 8:00am. Especially when 5 of them are teenage girls!!!

22b) Have your UT WDW tickets added to your room keys. And maybe even allow the older teens have charging ability.

23) We spent 2 1/2 days at the Royal Pacific at Universal. FOTL passes are almost unfair, I felt guilty walking past all those people all the time, but I loved them.

24) The Harry Potter Forbidden Journey ride was incredible, nothing like I have ever experienced. Rode it at RD and then again in the single rider line. Get to IOA at 7:40am.

24a) Skip the Hippo-dippo-graff ride at HP...30 seconds and then "is that it?"

24b) And really listen to me: Skip the Wand thing at Ollivanders (sic), or whatever the heck it's called. Absolutely wasted an hour of my life from 9:00-10:00pm in a line that snails along, and then your in a little room for what seems like 2 minutes to hear an old guy talking about...whatever the heck he was talking about..and then it's over, and then they have the gall to usher you through a shop to buy these wands for $30. Yikes...stay far, far away from this. If you don't you will only say afterwards "I should have listened to redc !!!"

24c) Get the non-frozen Butterbeer. It is pretty good...like cream soda...but better.

24d) Take in all that the Hogwarts scenery has to offer...it is truly exquisite.

24d) Don't bring carry bags to IOA or US. You will need to secure them in a locker to ride most attractions. What a hassle. Fanny packs are OK, but be ready to be made fun of. WDW allows carry bags on the rides.

25) Let the 15-year-olds explore on their own. Gives them freedom and confidence. Gives you and your Lady a little time together both in the parks and at the BC!!!

26) Don't eat a heavy meal just before riding RnRC. Wow!

26a) Ride Everest as many times as you possibly can. Maybe my fave at WDW.

26b) Ride Kali RR in a torrential rain storm...it answers the "will you get wet?" question conclusively.

26c) Bring extra walking shoes...see 26b.

27) Get an 8:05am ADR at Crystal Palace. At 8:55, have a runner (me) scurry across to get Space Mtn FPs. Then ride BTMRR and Splash Mtn standby.

28) Innocently step on the toes of people who sit in the middle of every theater instead of going all the way to the end. Make sure you say "Oh, I'm sorry." Gets your aggression out, believe me.

28a) Don't let more than one person pass you in line so they can "get to their group up ahead"...especially teenagers. Say "I'm sure your party will wait for you up ahead."

29) Stay at the BC. My love was always WL, but now I am one of the converted.

30) Don't ride Space Mtn more than once or you will surely need a chiropractor. Front or middle seat is better than the rear!!!!

31) Go on the Safari at AK. Saw a lot of cool animals, more than I remembered from last visit.

31a) Ride Test Track single rider. We rode 3 times without waiting and always got to sit in the same car with my Lady. Ask for an ODD number lane and get the front seat.

32) Don't forget your backpack in the netting at your seat on DINOSAUR! Oiy!

32a) Bring water bottles and PB&J sandwiches to the parks for lunch...eat cereal breakfast in the room.

33) Bring ponchos if there is a threat of thunderstorms (it rained every afternoon at about 4:00).

33a) Don't expect Jasmine or Aladdin to hang around during a meet-and-greet when thunder cracks closeby. Never saw two humans in silky clothing run so fast in my life.

33b) Run past the Stitch Escape travesty and DON'T GO IN!!! Thank God we didn't wait long for that!!!

34) Raise your arms over your head and scream while riding the Hulk, Dragon's Challenge, Test Track, Everest, BTMRR, Splash Mtn, Space Mtn, RnRC and...you'll feel like a teenager again!!

35) Ride IASW and sing....because you can.

36) Have fun....redc

Loved reading these! Learned some new stuff and got the warm and fuzzies being reminded of others. One comment I wanted to make about number 30, though. I, too, prefer the front or middle, but my husband is ridiculously tall (6'8") and he needs some leg room. On Space Mountain, the front seat has the least amount of leg room and the back row has the most. He is terribly uncomfortable in the front or middle row.

I do disagree about Akershus. My absolutely favorite character dining experience.

 

[freckles04]

Loved your post! Wish I had the $$ to stay at Beach Club but we are going in early October with (likely) no discounts at all and the BC is filled for our dates anyway! WOW. Hope to try it someday.

I'm going to use your tip for the stairs at Soarin'!

Had to comment on this though:

21) I'm not cheap, but I don't understand tipping 18% (group of nine) at a buffet where I get up from my seat and serve myself the food. 10% would be more than enough, especially since the Cape May Cafe breakfast is so over-priced.....just saying.

Don't know how it works at WDW, but I worked at a buffet as a teen as well as a full-service restaurant. I worked equally hard at both because at the buffet, we bussed all our own tables and omg do people make a mess when they eat at a buffet. I also did everything else full-service including keeping drinks topped off, bringing anything extra needed, and handling checks/money.. really the only thing I did differently was NOT bring a plate of food (and that was offset but not having a busser!). Not to mention at the full-service place I worked at, we often had food runners so I didn't bring the food anyway. Most importantly, I still also made only $2.13/hr at the buffet and was dependent on my tips!

I hear people complain about tipping at buffets so often and I just hadta throw that out there!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Loved reading these! Learned some new stuff and got the warm and fuzzies being reminded of others. One comment I wanted to make about number 30, though. I, too, prefer the front or middle, but my husband is ridiculously tall (6'8") and he needs some leg room. On Space Mountain, the front seat has the least amount of leg room and the back row has the most. He is terribly uncomfortable in the front or middle row.

I do disagree about Akershus. My absolutely favorite character dining experience.

My husband is tall also...6'5"...he is scared on SM....loves coasters but I don't know if it's the dark or what...thinks he is going to hit his head the whole time and spends the majority of the ride ducking! LOL Does your husband get that? One time we rode TTA and Space was down and totally lit inside. We rode through it in the light on TTA...he is even more nervous after seeing it in the light! LOL

 

[2manydaves]

Good stuff!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

OP...awesome post! It looks like you had a wonderful time and made plenty of memories! Great for you and your family! I love reading these...whether we know any, all or none of these tidbits, it's fun to hear someone else's take on things! Keeps me going til my return! So, again, thank you for that! Also, the middle of the row thing...that annoys me and I will be using your tip this fall! Your writing is fun...would love to see a full trip report if you do one!

 

[Minnie222]

I agree that 18% tips for large groups is way too much. It is just totally discouraging for people trying to do a reunion at WDW. Their food is already over-priced. It really kills the magic having to out 18% on top.

 

[dipastor]

1) We discovered Pixie Hollow after talking with our tablemates at the Biergarten...really cool if you love Tink! It's just passed the Adventureland sign on the right.

2) Beach Club Marketplace has all the food and provisions you would ever need (not necessary to stop at a grocery store or have it delivered to the room from an outside vendor).

3) The Beach Club is better than advertised (if that is possible). The pool is truly unbelievable.

4) The Secret door near Room #1500 wing is REAL. And you truly are a 3 minute walk from EPCOT. Our room (#4534) was directly above that area and we thought the Illuminations fireworks were being shot off of our balcony.

5) EPCOT RD was a dream. We left the Beach Club at 8:41, and got a FP for Soarin and were on the ride by 9:06.

6) For Soarin at RD, while following the CMs thru The Land don't go down the escalator with the mob to the left, but veer to the right and go down the stairs and you'll be first in line at the FP machines.

7) For Soarin, try to get in the front seats...you won't see the feet hanging.

8) Biergarten is a cool place to eat. Get an 8:40 ADR because the Oompa Band ends at 9:00pm...just enough time with that Oompa Band.

9) The boat to DHS was wonderful and timely...no need to walk.

10) I could have sworn there was a bus from BC to DHS. Our group walked out to the Bus Stop at 7:55am and there was a bus with DHS on it. We attempted to get on but the driver said that there was no bus service, only the boat and the walkway. Our group of nine looked dejected and glum. The driver said, "get in, I'll give you a special lift." We got a private ride to DHS from this wonderful guy. We tried to give him a tip, but he declined and told us to have a great day. We were at DHS at 8:10. my group couldn't believe we were there 50 minutes early, but we bided our time and were right at the turnstiles and the front of the line at RD. Clearly we were the first wave to TSM, while I went to RnRC for FP. My party met me at ToT which we rode Standby (13 minute wait) and then used the FP for RnRC and then FP it again.

11) 50's Primetime is absolutely adorable. The decorations are perfect and the attitudes of the staff are hilarious. Plus, when one of the kids didn't eat their string beans, the waiter came back with the string beans covered in Whipped Cream and nine cherries...one for each of us.

12) Wishes from Narcossees' deck is beautiful.

13) Narcoossees is over-priced!!!!

14) I can't spell Narcoosses correctly or consistently.

15) For a quick adult treat, try the pub at Rose 'n Crown: A Delicious Cheese plate and a glass of Cabernet (for two).

16) We found a great place for our DD15 and her BFF15 to get beautiful henna tattoos in Morrocco.

17) Get an 8:30pm ADR at Tokyo Dining and watch Illuminations from their deck at 9:00.

18) We gained a greater appreciaton for EPCOT, being so close and with such easy access. We had a lot of time to really explore the countries instead of just walking by, and glancing in. Walk over to BWI too!

19) Germany had many upscale items for sale, chrystal, steins, cookoo clocks.

20) The Akershus Princess Banquet is not worth the money. We felt very rushed and it cost $46/person (four of which were teenage girls).

21) I'm not cheap, but I don't understand tipping 18% (group of nine) at a buffet where I get up from my seat and serve myself the food. 10% would be more than enough, especially since the Cape May Cafe breakfast is so over-priced.....just saying.

22) Boy, it's really hard to keep nine people, all with different senses of urgency, on the same page. Ranging in age from 11 to 55 (me).

22a) Always tell the members of your group: "Let's meet at 7:30am" when you really want to meet at 8:00am. Especially when 5 of them are teenage girls!!!

22b) Have your UT WDW tickets added to your room keys. And maybe even allow the older teens have charging ability.

23) We spent 2 1/2 days at the Royal Pacific at Universal. FOTL passes are almost unfair, I felt guilty walking past all those people all the time, but I loved them.

24) The Harry Potter Forbidden Journey ride was incredible, nothing like I have ever experienced. Rode it at RD and then again in the single rider line. Get to IOA at 7:40am.

24a) Skip the Hippo-dippo-graff ride at HP...30 seconds and then "is that it?"

24b) And really listen to me: Skip the Wand thing at Ollivanders (sic), or whatever the heck it's called. Absolutely wasted an hour of my life from 9:00-10:00pm in a line that snails along, and then your in a little room for what seems like 2 minutes to hear an old guy talking about...whatever the heck he was talking about..and then it's over, and then they have the gall to usher you through a shop to buy these wands for $30. Yikes...stay far, far away from this. If you don't you will only say afterwards "I should have listened to redc !!!"

24c) Get the non-frozen Butterbeer. It is pretty good...like cream soda...but better.

24d) Take in all that the Hogwarts scenery has to offer...it is truly exquisite.

24d) Don't bring carry bags to IOA or US. You will need to secure them in a locker to ride most attractions. What a hassle. Fanny packs are OK, but be ready to be made fun of. WDW allows carry bags on the rides.

25) Let the 15-year-olds explore on their own. Gives them freedom and confidence. Gives you and your Lady a little time together both in the parks and at the BC!!!

26) Don't eat a heavy meal just before riding RnRC. Wow!

26a) Ride Everest as many times as you possibly can. Maybe my fave at WDW.

26b) Ride Kali RR in a torrential rain storm...it answers the "will you get wet?" question conclusively.

26c) Bring extra walking shoes...see 26b.

27) Get an 8:05am ADR at Crystal Palace. At 8:55, have a runner (me) scurry across to get Space Mtn FPs. Then ride BTMRR and Splash Mtn standby.

28) Innocently step on the toes of people who sit in the middle of every theater instead of going all the way to the end. Make sure you say "Oh, I'm sorry." Gets your aggression out, believe me.

28a) Don't let more than one person pass you in line so they can "get to their group up ahead"...especially teenagers. Say "I'm sure your party will wait for you up ahead."

29) Stay at the BC. My love was always WL, but now I am one of the converted.

30) Don't ride Space Mtn more than once or you will surely need a chiropractor. Front or middle seat is better than the rear!!!!

31) Go on the Safari at AK. Saw a lot of cool animals, more than I remembered from last visit.

31a) Ride Test Track single rider. We rode 3 times without waiting and always got to sit in the same car with my Lady. Ask for an ODD number lane and get the front seat.

32) Don't forget your backpack in the netting at your seat on DINOSAUR! Oiy!

32a) Bring water bottles and PB&J sandwiches to the parks for lunch...eat cereal breakfast in the room.

33) Bring ponchos if there is a threat of thunderstorms (it rained every afternoon at about 4:00).

33a) Don't expect Jasmine or Aladdin to hang around during a meet-and-greet when thunder cracks closeby. Never saw two humans in silky clothing run so fast in my life.

33b) Run past the Stitch Escape travesty and DON'T GO IN!!! Thank God we didn't wait long for that!!!

34) Raise your arms over your head and scream while riding the Hulk, Dragon's Challenge, Test Track, Everest, BTMRR, Splash Mtn, Space Mtn, RnRC and...you'll feel like a teenager again!!

35) Ride IASW and sing....because you can.

36) Have fun....redc

I loved your tips... it didn't matter if I knew some of them... it was the way you wrote them... very entertaining to read. Thanks... I giggled on a few of them.

 

[hollygolitely93]

I have to agree that the people who just plop in the middle of the theater while the CM's are trying to fill the seats in order drive me nuts.

My DH has tried to do this...his thought is I lined up first I shouldn't be stuck with the crappy end seat. It always embarrasses me so I have convinced him to at least let people in front of him when lining up to position himself closer to a middle section and this was our happy median. Good grief!

 

[disneymore2]

Awesome post!

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Fabulous post on a gray morning when I needed a giggle-thanks!

 

[Dani4girls]

This post just made my day! Thoroughly enjoyed your tips. Thanks for taking the time to post these!

 

[Trish.Glenn]

Lame. How about thanks for taking the time to write everything down..... Ugh.

Well said! And great post so fun!

 

[TheWigs]

Question for everyone! The boat ride to HS....Is it located near DW?? Would love to take my kiddos on boat to HS

Thanks in Advance

 

[jw50]

24c) Get the non-frozen Butterbeer. It is pretty good...like cream soda...but better.

I, and most other people I know who have tried it, disagree with you, the frozen is much better.

 

[Itinkso]

Question for everyone! The boat ride to HS....Is it located near DW?? Would love to take my kiddos on boat to HS

Thanks in Advance

The Friendship boats travel between Hollywood Studios and Epcot's International Gateway entrance. They also stop at all the Boardwalk resorts.