What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[sunnyday123]

My favorite is going through the Rain Forest Cafe into AK. No one goes that entrance.

[mareed]

Originally Posted by nicki.momof3

Totally disagree that you will want to spend more than one day (or less) at epcot with young children. We went with 6 children ages 3-8 last year and all of them founf epcot the least interesting. AK was fun and so was DHS.

I think that Epcot depends on what kind of kids you have and what sort of a family you are. We've always spent the most time at Epcot from the time my kids were 2 & 5 on their first trip to now when they're 10 & 13! But, I admit that we're a math, science, "learning is fun" kind of a family! Our kids are likely destined to be somewhat geeks with an engineer & a computer programmer/analyst for parents!

We're not likely to be visiting any of the countries in "real life" and the exposure via the shops, movies, etc at Epcot is enjoyable for all of us.

With Epcot, I think the kids will follow the parents' lead. If parents think it's boring, then the kids will too!

[cuvcu]

Originally Posted by nicki.momof3

Totally disagree that you will want to spend more than one day (or less) at epcot with young children. We went with 6 children ages 3-8 last year and all of them founf epcot the least interesting. AK was fun and so was DHS.

As I stated, children "under 3" would enjoy the sights, sounds and the activities available to them at Epcot. Besides the characters and shows (maybe a few amusement rides) at DHS, a child under three would not enjoy it as much as Epcot. There they can run aroud, play in the water spouts, eat pretty much anything they want, see characters with little wait times, enjoy the aquarium, enjoy the amusement rides (esp nemo), etc. Keep in mind any child under three likes, what I feel, the simpler things at Disney not what you as an adult may enjoy. We had to step away from what we wanted to do with our children, which are under three years of age, and let them do what they wanted--even if it is watching the same parades twice a day.

[cuvcu]

Originally Posted by mareed

I think that Epcot depends on what kind of kids you have and what sort of a family you are. We've always spent the most time at Epcot from the time my kids were 2 & 5 on their first trip to now when they're 10 & 13! But, I admit that we're a math, science, "learning is fun" kind of a family! Our kids are likely destined to be somewhat geeks with an engineer & a computer programmer/analyst for parents!

We're not likely to be visiting any of the countries in "real life" and the exposure via the shops, movies, etc at Epcot is enjoyable for all of us.

With Epcot, I think the kids will follow the parents' lead. If parents think it's boring, then the kids will too!

Ditto

[OffKilterMom]

Hi all. My kids...and this is truth!...both say that Epcot is their favorite park! All their favorite attractions are there... and we DID get chosen as Family of the Day once...which sort of put Epcot over the top for them.

So here's my fave tip...ROPE DROP! Be there early and get it all done by lunch. It works best at a park with EMH evenings. No one goes in am, and by lunch when they're all showing up you go home and swim. Come back later for EMH, like after dinner, and the crowds have thinned again. And the pools are practically "to yourself" in the afternoon, cause everyone else is at the park...in the heat!
Works almost every time.

Oh yes, when we were picked for FOTD at Epcot, we were standing to the far right, at the rope, heading straight for the Land pavilion and "Soarin". That's where the guy chose us...if anyone wants to try it!

[Puget Peach]

Originally Posted by sunnyday123

My favorite is going through the Rain Forest Cafe into AK. No one goes that entrance.

I do! I do! Love it!!!!

[tamimouse]

A friend gave me this idea: I brought an emergency blanket to keep us warm at Fantasmic. It is a tiny tinfoil blanket that i carried in my pocket. My DD12 balked at using it when i took it out, but as the night grew cooler, she was covering up with it.

[quantumottle]

Originally Posted by quantumottle

Standing riiiiiight where Robo's map tells me to stand during Wishes.

Originally Posted by disneybound31

Which is where exactly?

Why it's right here:


I hope Robo doesn't mind me posting one of his incredible pics!
You can see all of Robo's maps at StitchKingdom.com.

[Wicket's Mom]

I got the Bagglatinni purse that was recommended, to use the snack credit for pastry for breakfast, & Picnic at AK. I have been to WDW many times, but after reading the DIS boards I found out so many new things & ideas that made our trip wonderful.

[LWatson]

Okay can someone fill me in as to what Family of the Day is?

[SIMJUN]

pack spare laces for sneakers and take them into the park with you - you may not need them, but you will be glad that you have them if you do.

We always eat a good breakfast, then just have a snack during the day and dinner at night.

when you go into Magic Kiingdom head to Tomorrow Land and go around the park that way, most people start off by turning left into Adventureland.

Don't waste time criss crossing the park, it will tire you out more quickly. Whether you start in Adventureland or Tomorrowland, ride all the rides and see all the things in each land before moving on.

In hot weather, look for a spot on the parade route that is in front of a doorway to a store and has a tree, that way you will get a little shade and benefit fromt he cool air from the stores. (this tip came from a cast member last year)

If there are two parades on the days you are there, plan to watch one, then ride or shop during the other.

If you have young kids, buy a postcard before you leave, and mail it to your kids from the park, write it as though it is from their favourite character. A few days after you arrive home, they will be thrilled to receive a postcard from their favourite character.

If you stay on property and you buy souvenirs in the parks, have them sent to your resort/room.

[cadchick]

When our kids were 6 and 9 and we were planning our trip to Disney, someone told us that you can expect to walk somewhere between 6 to 8 miles a day covering a park like the Magic Kingdom. Wow! That sounded like a lot for me and my husband let alone our two young children and we were planning on staying 8 days. Since we were still nearly 4 months out we put everyone on a walking regiment to build up our ability to keep going, especially in the muggy month of June. We started out with 1/2 mile walks five times a week until we reached 4 mile walks three times a week. Yes, my kids bitterly complained in the beginning, espcially since we started walking when there was still snow here on the ground in Michigan. But the incentive was always Disney. I promised them as long as we still had energy at Disney we would keep going. My husband and myself had often discussed how frazzled so many people look around 5pm in the park. Well you would look pretty bad too if you just covered eight miles in a few hours and you were unprepared for the physical strain of it all. Our walking time really paid off. We decided to enter the park later in the day on most days and we park hopped and enjoyed extended hours. Disney rocks at 1 am in the morning!

[Donna]

Originally Posted by EcbLovesMickey

We purchase "Disney Dollars" from our local Disney Store long before the trip and our son "earns" them for doing chores, good grades, etc. When we get to the park he has his own special money to spend. It teaches him about saving and budgeting.

This used to be a great idea but Disney Store is no longer selling Disney Dollars, which I think, is a huge mistake. I believe you can still get them at Guest Relations at the parks.

[joesemo]

If you are going to eat at the restaurants you should make the reservations as soon as possible, and I mean months in advance if possible.

We have gone to disney for years, and now we like to go to the different resorts for dinner and treat ourselves .

Some of the best restaurants like OHANA seem to be the hardest to get into, and even some inside the parks can be a hassle.

So when ever we go we like to get those dinner reservations done as we plan our daily treks around the properties.

If you are not a parade person then you will be glad to know that that is the best time to get on all those rides that you usually have to wait for.

[princessmom29]

Originally Posted by joesemo

If you are going to eat at the restaurants you should make the reservations as soon as possible, and I mean months in advance if possible.

We have gone to disney for years, and now we like to go to the different resorts for dinner and treat ourselves .

Some of the best restaurants like OHANA seem to be the hardest to get into, and even some inside the parks can be a hassle.

So when ever we go we like to get those dinner reservations done as we plan our daily treks around the properties.

If you are not a parade person then you will be glad to know that that is the best time to get on all those rides that you usually have to wait for.

Absolutely make your dining ressies 180 days out. This is something I would not have known if not for the dis, and my 5 year old would not have been eating in the castle!!!!