Thank you DISboards! Top 12 things that helped me on my 1st trip - The DIS Discussion Forums

lmbcdb · 01-09-2010, 07:35 AM

1. Golf carts at the Fort are awesome for those with little kids and DON'T rent them from Disney. Kenny rocks. 407-276-0809 - half the price of Disney.

2. Get a stroller for older kids. My big 6yo hopped in and out, but it was great for long treks across the parks and back to the busses. Use Orlando Stroller. They are cheaper and more comfortable. My 2yo slept in it for two hours last night and it was plenty big for my 49", 55 pound boy.

3. Get there when the park opens. We did all of Fantasyland yesterday by 10:00 with 5 minute or less waits. We also used TGM's Least Crowded Parks guide and only went on green days, along with his sample park tours. We didn't do RideMax and didn't need it. (it was a really slow week) (tourguidemike dot com)

4. Take the "confirmed snacks" list. I forwarded it to myself in email and looked at it on my iPhone when I needed it. Funnel cakes by Liberty Square rock!

5. Get ponchos at the dollar store. It drizzled yesterday and they worked great!

6. Buy glowsticks before you go. However, not at the dollar store. One out of 15 worked. Try a party store.

7. Make a packing list and use it. I started with the Ultimate one and edited it for my family.

8. If leaving early, (like for a flight) dress and bathe the kids the night before. Then just throw them in the vehicle. We also did this on an early park day and it worked great.

9. Use Fast Passes. And you DON'T have to return during the time window printed. You can come back anytime that day!

10. Read the "What's in your park bag" post and decide what your family needs in their park bag. We used everything I put in but the band-aids! Put things you don't mind losing/getting stolen in a big clear ziploc and leave it in the bottom of the stroller. (diapers, snacks, etc) We just took the camera in the backpack on the rides.

11. Use gallon bags to pack the kids clothes and 2-gallon ziplocs for the adults (Wal-Mart) In each bag pack an outfit - pants, shirt, underwear, socks. Makes getting ready SO much easier - just grab a bag and get dressed! Also, fold the outfit flat as you can, and roll the air out of the bag (or sit on it) as you zip it. I am AMAZED at the amount of clothes we got in our suitcases!

12. Relax. If it's your first trip, remember it won't be perfect. The kids will still fight, your husband will still forget stuff, and they will still get cranky at nap time. Make your own magic. The highlight of my trip was listening to my 2yo giggle on the Mad Hatter Tea Party.

kaffinito · 01-09-2010, 08:00 AM

How nice! Glad you had a good first trip, and thanks for posting your list of what worked for you!

I have visions though of you lobbing your fully dressed still sleeping kids through a car window though...

loganjared · 01-09-2010, 08:27 AM

Where do you get the least crowded parks guide?

lmbcdb · 01-09-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loganjared

Where do you get the least crowded parks guide?

tourguidemike dot com

I think it was about $20, but worth every penny. He breaks down every day of the week (by exact date) and tells you what color each park is that day. (green - go, yellow - go with caution, red - no way jose.) I think he has up to June or July of 2010 done so far.

He also has sample park tours - we used the 2-day MK with small children and it worked awesome - waited no more than 5 minutes for everything all day.

DisneyMomx7 · 01-09-2010, 08:48 AM

I've used most of your tips for all of our trips - the one that would throw me though is dressing the kids the night before and letting them sleep in their clothes. Aren't they awfully wrinkled by the morning, I know mine would be. Although I definitely have them take their showers at night!

vettechick99 · 01-09-2010, 08:48 AM

Great tips! You're practically a pro now.

DisneyPolve · 01-09-2010, 09:02 AM

Sounds like you got some great tips....glad you had a great vacation! When do you start planning your next one??

MrsBlovesDisney · 01-09-2010, 09:11 AM

Wow!!! Well done!!

lmbcdb · 01-09-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyMomx7

I've used most of your tips for all of our trips - the one that would throw me though is dressing the kids the night before and letting them sleep in their clothes. Aren't they awfully wrinkled by the morning, I know mine would be.

We did jeans and a t-shirt - a little wrinkled, but a small trade off for not having to persuade a 6yo to get dressed at 4:45 am!
We even brushed teeth on the plane!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyPolve

Sounds like you got some great tips....glad you had a great vacation! When do you start planning your next one??

already done - used the bounceback to secure the cabins at 40% off for October!

(we are even thinking of coming adults only for our 10th anniversary the first week of August, but I haven't researched the weather or the crowds yet)

Microcell · 01-09-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyMomx7

I've used most of your tips for all of our trips - the one that would throw me though is dressing the kids the night before and letting them sleep in their clothes. Aren't they awfully wrinkled by the morning, I know mine would be. Although I definitely have them take their showers at night!

Nope! I have done it every trip.. the key is to have them wear cotton poly blends!

This will be the first trip where we leave at 9AM so we can get up at 6 instead of 4AM so I might let them get dressed before I toss em through a window into the car!

lmbcdb · 01-09-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaffinito

How nice! Glad you had a good first trip, and thanks for posting your list of what worked for you!

I have visions though of you lobbing your fully dressed still sleeping kids through a car window though...

Actually, didn't have to throw them - my 6yo probably would have slept in the van he was so excited! I told him we were getting him up at 4:45 and he was bounding down the stairs at 4:30!

lmbcdb · 01-10-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Microcell

This will be the first trip where we leave at 9AM so we can get up at 6 instead of 4AM so I might let them get dressed before I toss em through a window into the car!

Ladies and Gentlemen - introducing the newest Olympic sport - child tossing. Accuracy and keeping them asleep are the winners!

tinkbyday · 01-11-2010, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmbcdb

!
We even brushed teeth on the plane!

That's just gross!

kaffinito · 01-11-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmbcdb

Actually, didn't have to throw them - my 6yo probably would have slept in the van he was so excited! I told him we were getting him up at 4:45 and he was bounding down the stairs at 4:30!

Too cute!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmbcdb

Ladies and Gentlemen - introducing the newest Olympic sport - child tossing. Accuracy and keeping them asleep are the winners!

WDWjen · 01-11-2010, 09:32 AM

...I've learned so much from these forums I don't think I could list it all..but I'll add my favorite tips I learned about 5 years ago...

Renting DVC points from a member (Rent/Trade Board) to stay at a villa for cash. We saved SOO much money!

For example- 9 pts for a night at boardwalk at $10/point (going rate) means we paid $90/night for a deluxe! NO tax added! That trip we did 5 nights at the BWV..2 kids 2 Adults.

It was so great to have a little kitchenette in our room - we saved even more money by eating breakfast in the room.. storing waters/juices in the fridge.. Our trip to the WLV was our last in a studio - 3rd kid is 4 now - and we cant fit in the studios anymore!! LOL

01-09-2010, 07:35 AM	#1
lmbcdb DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 909	Thank you DISboards! Top 12 things that helped me on my 1st trip 1. Golf carts at the Fort are awesome for those with little kids and DON'T rent them from Disney. Kenny rocks. 407-276-0809 - half the price of Disney. 2. Get a stroller for older kids. My big 6yo hopped in and out, but it was great for long treks across the parks and back to the busses. Use Orlando Stroller. They are cheaper and more comfortable. My 2yo slept in it for two hours last night and it was plenty big for my 49", 55 pound boy. 3. Get there when the park opens. We did all of Fantasyland yesterday by 10:00 with 5 minute or less waits. We also used TGM's Least Crowded Parks guide and only went on green days, along with his sample park tours. We didn't do RideMax and didn't need it. (it was a really slow week) (tourguidemike dot com) 4. Take the "confirmed snacks" list. I forwarded it to myself in email and looked at it on my iPhone when I needed it. Funnel cakes by Liberty Square rock! 5. Get ponchos at the dollar store. It drizzled yesterday and they worked great! 6. Buy glowsticks before you go. However, not at the dollar store. One out of 15 worked. Try a party store. 7. Make a packing list and use it. I started with the Ultimate one and edited it for my family. 8. If leaving early, (like for a flight) dress and bathe the kids the night before. Then just throw them in the vehicle. We also did this on an early park day and it worked great. 9. Use Fast Passes. And you DON'T have to return during the time window printed. You can come back anytime that day! 10. Read the "What's in your park bag" post and decide what your family needs in their park bag. We used everything I put in but the band-aids! Put things you don't mind losing/getting stolen in a big clear ziploc and leave it in the bottom of the stroller. (diapers, snacks, etc) We just took the camera in the backpack on the rides. 11. Use gallon bags to pack the kids clothes and 2-gallon ziplocs for the adults (Wal-Mart) In each bag pack an outfit - pants, shirt, underwear, socks. Makes getting ready SO much easier - just grab a bag and get dressed! Also, fold the outfit flat as you can, and roll the air out of the bag (or sit on it) as you zip it. I am AMAZED at the amount of clothes we got in our suitcases! 12. Relax. If it's your first trip, remember it won't be perfect. The kids will still fight, your husband will still forget stuff, and they will still get cranky at nap time. Make your own magic. The highlight of my trip was listening to my 2yo giggle on the Mad Hatter Tea Party. __________________ Lisa Marie Me42, DH42, DS9,DD4 9/15/12-AoA/CSR(FD),Oct 2011-Pop(FD),Christmas 2010-ASMo(FD),Jan 2010 FW Cabins(buy 4,get3) Last edited by lmbcdb; 01-09-2010 at 08:43 AM. Reason: I started with a top 10 and keep thinking of things to add!

01-09-2010, 08:00 AM	#2
kaffinito Grant me the Serenity to Accept the Reservations I Cannot Change Lock yourself in there for a few minutes and sing a happy song until the angry gerbils in your head stop stomping on your brain! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Way Too Far North Posts: 6,303	How nice! Glad you had a good first trip, and thanks for posting your list of what worked for you! I have visions though of you lobbing your fully dressed still sleeping kids through a car window though... __________________ http://www.disboards.com/showthread....5#post43546405 Me DS19 DS11 Zolly Claire Silo Schtunky Jack Anya (Onion) Mushka [/B] Thanks JanetB, KOOK and Pas130! GO LIONS!!!

01-09-2010, 08:48 AM	#5
DisneyMomx7 DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hamilton Square, NJ Posts: 10,713	I've used most of your tips for all of our trips - the one that would throw me though is dressing the kids the night before and letting them sleep in their clothes. Aren't they awfully wrinkled by the morning, I know mine would be. Although I definitely have them take their showers at night! __________________ Robyn GF - 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011,2013 YC-2006,2007,2008 BC-2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013 Poly-2006, 2007, 2008 HRH-2004,2006 RPR-2012

01-09-2010, 08:48 AM	#6
vettechick99 Why do I open these threads? Car Snob Oh snap, I'm Bree!! my mom used to call me "gagootz" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 7,978	Great tips! You're practically a pro now. __________________ Allison, Kory, Scooner Tuna & Indian Baby .. Check out the Official Bonnet Creek Thread or You too can do Disney Pregnant!

01-09-2010, 09:02 AM	#7
DisneyPolve Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lewes, Delaware Posts: 271	Sounds like you got some great tips....glad you had a great vacation! When do you start planning your next one?? __________________ DH (47) Me (36) DS (11)

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01-09-2010, 08:27 AM	#3
loganjared Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 364	Where do you get the least crowded parks guide?

01-09-2010, 09:11 AM	#8
MrsBlovesDisney DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MA/RI BORDER Posts: 1,009	Wow!!! Well done!! __________________ Me DH DD18 DS15 The Contemporary will always be our first love.... ....we're so glad DVC built the BLT!! DVC @ OKW & BLT Fell in love with the Mouse on our Honeymoon in 1992...been going ever since! Last trip: April 2013 CR MK view Future trip: March or May 2014 BLT

01-11-2010, 09:32 AM	#15
WDWjen Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NY Posts: 229	loved your post... ...I've learned so much from these forums I don't think I could list it all..but I'll add my favorite tips I learned about 5 years ago... Renting DVC points from a member (Rent/Trade Board) to stay at a villa for cash. We saved SOO much money! For example- 9 pts for a night at boardwalk at $10/point (going rate) means we paid $90/night for a deluxe! NO tax added! That trip we did 5 nights at the BWV..2 kids 2 Adults. It was so great to have a little kitchenette in our room - we saved even more money by eating breakfast in the room.. storing waters/juices in the fridge.. Our trip to the WLV was our last in a studio - 3rd kid is 4 now - and we cant fit in the studios anymore!! LOL __________________ Nov 11 - Port Orleans Riverside Jan 10 - Beach Club Feb 09 - Rental house offsite Jan 08 - Wilderness Lodge & Villas Mar 07 - Offsite & Universal Dec 05 - Saratoga Springs Jan 05 - Port Orleans FQ April 04 - Boardwalk Villas Dec 01 - Port Orleans Riverside Sept 99 - All Star Music

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