What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[carlbarry]

Originally Posted by Princess Maeve

I have read all the tips, and they are really great! A lot of people have said to go to the MK rope drop, i'm not sure exactly what this is. Also what time is it at. Thanks for the help.

It's the opening ceremony. You didn't think Disney would open a park every day by just announcing "We're open"?
Each park has its own elaborate opening ceremony. Arrive no later than 8:30, and ask a cast member where the rope drop is.

[Hootch]

Originally Posted by Princess Maeve

I have read all the tips, and they are really great! A lot of people have said to go to the MK rope drop, i'm not sure exactly what this is. Also what time is it at. Thanks for the help.

is just before the park opens. People are usually let into the entrance area right past the turnstiles. Before they let everyone into the park the train pulls up and positions right in the middle of the entrance. It's the only time that it does this each day. There is a family of the introduced, characters are on the train and there are singers to welcome everyone. Mickey does the big welcome. I'd be there no later than 15 minutes before park opening but would suggest at least 30.

Other park openings we say this past trip:

DAK - People were let in up to Discovery Island. Donald. Minny and Goofy greet everyone in a safari vehicle dressed in safari dress and go through a checklist of what is needed to go on a safari adventure. Mickey shows up at the end further away in one of the safari vehicles. (And then everyone runs to Expedition Everest)

DHS - People are let into the park to a certain point. There is an act of putting on a show with some of the DHS street characters (worth watching on their own while the park is open). The idea is that they are shooting a scene with the waiting crowd as extras. (And then everyone rushes to Toy Story Mania, Rock and Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror)

Epcot - was the most laid back. Guests were let into the park past Space Ship Earth. Mickey Minny, Goofy and Pluto walked along the rope saying hi to people. People were generally good about letting little kids get to the ropes to see the characters. (Then everyone runs to Soarin', Test Track and possibly Mission Space).

Epcot was the one with the strictest crowd control after the rope dropped (and it is literally a rope drop). CMs from from each of the rides walked from the rope to the ride. People were supposed to stay behind them. In most of the others there were admonishments to not run. It was never too bad. We had a five and nine year old with us.

[Thumper_Man]

You can also purchase Body Glide at REI.com

[tsd1202]

Originally Posted by rhodisney

:
Oh, and when the CM's tell you to take your baseball cap off when you ride something like Primeval Whirl...just do it. Dear hubby thought his hat couldn't possibly come off and sure enough after the first twist and turn he lost his best LSU cap. .

Wouldn't want to lose an LSU hat!!! Geaux Tigers!!!

[kaismahma]

Originally Posted by btcrane

I'm not the craftiest person in the world. Or the World!

Any place to just buy neck coolers? Sound like a great idea, especially for DH!

I found them in the check out lanes last year at Walmart. They looked like a folden bandana. I think they were are about $4.00. I bought a bunch and shipped them to my nephew in Iraq.

Just finished reading everything. Thanks for all the tips we leave at the end of the month so exciting!

[tinkbutt]

Originally Posted by sandiegosusie

I like this idea too but my younger DD wouldn't keep a necklace on...so I found a website via disboards that made silicone bracelets with anything on them. I had two bracelets made for my DD's with "Mommy's cell phone # --- --- ----". These work perfectly for us!

You can always put the dog tag interlaced in their shoe laces as well!!

[Tigger-Lover]

Originally Posted by Madisonsmom926

I have to agree that the photopass photos are great!! But they are expensive. After our trip last year, my mom found a program on the internet called "Cropper catcher" (I think) The program will allow you to crop a section on any page and save it on your computer. So, we looked up our pics, added whatever details we wanted (borders, pictures, character signatures, etc) then cropped out the pic and saved it on our computer. Then we printed them out ourselves. They may not be as clear as the ones you get from Disney (not sure, because we never ordered any) but it will, without a doubt save you a lot of money, especially if you have a bunch of pics on there like we did!!!
Madison
Mackenzie
Heather
Corey

I know I'm quoting something that is 2 years old.

All you have to do is have the photo on your screen.
Hit the prt scr (print screen) button - usually on the top right.
Open paint, edit, paste and there it is. Then just crop out what you want. Cut it. Open a new paint document. Paste and there it is

[carlbarry]

Vista has a built in program called "Snipping Tool" that will do the same thing. Just be aware that the picture you are snipping from the Disney site is NOT full resolution. If you want the full resolution picture, you have to pay Disney. I'll let others discuss the moral implications of this; you are, after all, getting your picture taken by Disney on the assumption that you will view it and if you like it, pay (their highly inflated price) for it. If everybody clipped the photos for free, there would be no incentive for Disney to provide this service.

[captainj]

I know photopass shares are no longer allowed on this board, however, I found a great group of people through facebook who are still working on these. Much cheaper than the full price of the cd and you get the full resolution pics.

[Puget Peach]

This site is by the people who write the Unofficial Guide. The subscription to this site is much less than buying the guide books. You get the crowd planner, detailed touring plans, and you can even make your own touring plans. What I use is the cheat sheets. No matter what time you arrive at the park, we always know what we can do right away and what to not even think about at that time. There's separate cheats for busy and moderate crowds. For the stuff that I really want the skinny on, Allears.net never fails to deliver. That's how I found about that they make beignets at Port Orleans! Oh yea, then there's Mousesavers.com!

[luvmyfam444]

mine would be to plan shows around kids naps - like hall of presidents - or ride the TTA around & around for nap time - we've done both of these on our trips - just depending where inthe park we are & we never leave the park once we're there!

[princesspenelope]

Love all these tips!! Thank you!!

[techdude]

Originally Posted by Hootch

Epcot - was the most laid back. Guests were let into the park past Space Ship Earth. Mickey Minny, Goofy and Pluto walked along the rope saying hi to people. People were generally good about letting little kids get to the ropes to see the characters. (Then everyone runs to Soarin', Test Track and possibly Mission Space).

Epcot was the one with the strictest crowd control after the rope dropped (and it is literally a rope drop). CMs from from each of the rides walked from the rope to the ride. People were supposed to stay behind them. In most of the others there were admonishments to not run. It was never too bad. We had a five and nine year old with us.

IIRC, the Epcot opening used to involve the characters arriving on a British-style double-decker bus. I was told they had to stop that after one of the CMs in character costume fell off the bus and was injured.

[momtoamulan]

[QUOTE=ksoehrlein;8061857]For DD4 : The thread about how to get a PS for Cindy's Royal Table for breakfast. I never could have snagged it once, let alone three times (and counting), without those instrux!

My six year old would love to go there!

[Grumpy Pete]

I can't thank everyone on this thread enough. Your tips, hints, and just good advice made my first visit to WDW a great success. I won't go into all the details, but I made a to-do list from the suggestions made and followed it as close as I could. The advice on caring for your feet, keeping dry, keeping hydrated, and on & on made it a most enjoyable trip, even though it was hot and muggy. Thank you so much.