jedimeg16
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2007
So that's how I must have been picked! I had no clue that's how it was done, I just thought it was random or the same seat every time. Is it always a front row person? I was in the front row that time.
Best Tip I Got on Disboards
- Thread starter starjazz
- Start date
So that's how I must have been picked! I had no clue that's how it was done, I just thought it was random or the same seat every time. Is it always a front row person? I was in the front row that time.
Casey's Mommie
Nothing makes a Mommy happier than hearing her bab
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2007
I got picked and was in the 2nd or 3rd row.
At Least Many
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2014
Me too. The only one I saw was the poor little guy that cried and had a kindhearted CM get him a spot. Not really a tip.
ilovethisplace
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2008
Two words: Wide right
Love Tink
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2011
Me too. The only one I saw was the poor little guy that cried and had a kindhearted CM get him a spot. Not really a tip.
There is a lengthy thread all about it - search and I'm sure it will pop up.
There are various suggestions, such as dressing your child in Star Wars clothes, sitting in certain spots, or having your kid show a lot of enthusiasm. But the simplest tip - and I have a 100% success rate with this with five kids (mine and my sister's) over six years - is to have your kid make a sign. It doesn't have to be big or fancy. Just a sign that says "I Want to be a Jedi" or "Pick Me!" or something along those lines...works like magic.
Our last trip we had five kids in the crowd with five signs and they were literally the first five kids chosen.
At Least Many
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2014
Thank you!!
imatinkerfairy
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2013
Growing up on Disneyland, it is a part of my history. We live in Oregon now and try our hardest to take our kids and celebrate whenever we find an opportunity. With that being said I have a long list of tips I learned here on DIS as well as ones I have learned along the way. Thanks DIS for the wonderful info you provide. Even a Disney nut like me still find something new.
1. Call, order DVD, vacation search on Disney.com Get in Disney's marketing system. Their system knows more about your vacation than you do. I almost always receive a pin or some other offer.
2. Don't be shy! Talk to the Cast Members. You never know what info you will get or who you will meet. A few trips back, I was talking to this CM while waiting for my family to get off Nemo. Come to find out he was the Maintenance Supervisor with a wealth of Disney info. He also asked us if there was anything we hadn't done yet. We hadn't done Indiana Jones because the line was so long. He proceeds to take us across lands and escorts us up the exit right to the front of the line. All the while, getting some great Disney trivia. Such a magical experience.
3. Disney Visa That elusive $200 offer on the plain card? Got it. Again, pestered their system with requests, questions, etc. The offers got consecutively higher ($50, then $75) then WAMMO - $200
The Visa also has great perks that we use throughout the park.
4. Celebrating, let it be known. Again DON'T BE SHY. From the minute you start making your reservation let the CM know what you are celebrating. We have seen anything from upgraded rooms, autographed pictures, discounts on meals, etc.
5. Pirate's League. LOVE LOVE LOVED this experience. If it comes back around at Halloween time do it. For the price (even cheaper with a Disney Visa) it is such a fun experience. We had the kids do this for their costume for the Halloween Party night. They looked amazing and the cast of scurvy pirated was so engaging.
6. Dessert at Blue Bayou (and any of the high priced restaurants). Go for dessert. Make a reservation close to end of lunch service. BB was on our bucket list but oh my so $$$$ for a big party. We went in on my Mom's 70th Birthday trip. Celebrated with a cute birthday pirate themed dessert. We asked to sit by the water and got it. BB- check!
7. Observation a.k.a. Claustrophobic Room on Finding Nemo. My nephew told us about this one. When the Nemo line looks like it will never get any shorter, go to the CM at the front of the line and ask to go into the Observation room. You will see it to the right side of the ride with a green light on it. Decorated like the inside of the sub, you get to experience the entire ride.
8. Captain's Quarters in the Mark Twain. Just as the ship pulls away, ask the CM at the front if you can ride in the Captain's Quarters. It holds 4 people. You get to steer the boat, pull the horn, write in the Captain's log, and get a commemorative certificate.
9. Collect Starbucks cards before your trip when they go on promo. Both Starbucks in the park serve a good quick breakfast. I always watch our markets when they have a promo on the gift cards. Last trip I had over $80 in cards and probably only paid $20 for them.
10. Ship items to hotel via UPS not USPS. Last trip I mailed two things. One box sent UPS was full of our survival kit stuff and Christmas decorations for the room. Arrived perfect. It was delivered to the room upon check in. Room was decorated that night so when the kids woke up they awoke to Christmas. Box #2 was a foot bath I ordered for my husband. His feet get so tired after a long day in the park. Well, unfortunately we never got to try this. Box showed it had arrived prior to us arriving but no one could find it. The Bell Captain said that he strongly urges guests to not send stuff USPS because it gets routed different through the hotels. UPS goes direct to the hotel address.
11. Wide Right works awesome. Your spouse will look at you like your crazy and people will give you dirty looks but riding RSR 3 times before 11 was priceless! (1-Wide Right, 2- Fast Pass, 3 - Single Rider)
12. Single Rider. Another awesome alternative to standing in line for RSR, especially if your kids are older. The wait time is almost always shorter. We just make sure that an adult goes first so there is someone waiting at the end when our 9 year old comes out.
13. Free Ghiradelli chocolate square. At Christmas it was the peppermint bark. YUM!
14. Riding Jingles on the Carousel. Mary Poppins is my all time favorite. Love to find this horse.
15. Ride in the front of the Monorail. Just ask the CM. You may need to wait till the next ride. The driver has always had some fun trivia for us.
16. I always bring Vacation Survival Kits. They include some sort of scavenger or fun fact hunt, 20Q, glow sticks, lollipops, small flash lights, wipes, tissue packs, etc.
17. Secret exit through Grand California. We were luck that our room was just steps away from this exit. Literally 6 minutes from room to security entrance. Just don't forget anything. It is a fire exit and you can't get back in.
18. Disney Dollars. You can purchase these dollars at City Hall and a few other locations throughout the resort. My daughter lost her first tooth in line for Big Thunder Mountain. The next morning, She found that Tinkerbell had left $5 Disney dollars for her under her pillow. That morning, we went to go thank Tink at the Pixie Hollow Meet and Greet. In true Disney fashion, Tinkerbell jumped right into the story line and told Sami that she had seen the tooth fairy and gave her the Disney dollars to give to her. S0 sweet!
19. Say Yes. Read this the other day. Love it. We let our kids have fruit loops for breakfast when we go to Disneyland. Whenever they see fruit loops it always reminds them of Disneyland and the treats they get on vacation. Will have to implement this philosophy more. Seems like a more relaxed trip!
20. Lastly, STOP and smell the roses. There are so many details that you miss when you rush through everything. Things like the light show in Pixie Hollow at night, all of the fruits and vegetables in Tomorrowland, the scrumptious smells down main street (& the air conditioning), the conversations you can hear coming out the windows on Main Street are just a few of the details that you can see of you just slow down for a moment and enjoy your vacation.
Still to do:
- Flag Retreat Ceremony
- Wake Jose in the Tiki Room
- Lilly Belle, unfortunately may never get to do this one now.
- Map on Jungle Cruise
- Would love more...
1. Call, order DVD, vacation search on Disney.com Get in Disney's marketing system. Their system knows more about your vacation than you do. I almost always receive a pin or some other offer.
2. Don't be shy! Talk to the Cast Members. You never know what info you will get or who you will meet. A few trips back, I was talking to this CM while waiting for my family to get off Nemo. Come to find out he was the Maintenance Supervisor with a wealth of Disney info. He also asked us if there was anything we hadn't done yet. We hadn't done Indiana Jones because the line was so long. He proceeds to take us across lands and escorts us up the exit right to the front of the line. All the while, getting some great Disney trivia. Such a magical experience.
3. Disney Visa That elusive $200 offer on the plain card? Got it. Again, pestered their system with requests, questions, etc. The offers got consecutively higher ($50, then $75) then WAMMO - $200
The Visa also has great perks that we use throughout the park.4. Celebrating, let it be known. Again DON'T BE SHY. From the minute you start making your reservation let the CM know what you are celebrating. We have seen anything from upgraded rooms, autographed pictures, discounts on meals, etc.
5. Pirate's League. LOVE LOVE LOVED this experience. If it comes back around at Halloween time do it. For the price (even cheaper with a Disney Visa) it is such a fun experience. We had the kids do this for their costume for the Halloween Party night. They looked amazing and the cast of scurvy pirated was so engaging.
6. Dessert at Blue Bayou (and any of the high priced restaurants). Go for dessert. Make a reservation close to end of lunch service. BB was on our bucket list but oh my so $$$$ for a big party. We went in on my Mom's 70th Birthday trip. Celebrated with a cute birthday pirate themed dessert. We asked to sit by the water and got it. BB- check!
7. Observation a.k.a. Claustrophobic Room on Finding Nemo. My nephew told us about this one. When the Nemo line looks like it will never get any shorter, go to the CM at the front of the line and ask to go into the Observation room. You will see it to the right side of the ride with a green light on it. Decorated like the inside of the sub, you get to experience the entire ride.
8. Captain's Quarters in the Mark Twain. Just as the ship pulls away, ask the CM at the front if you can ride in the Captain's Quarters. It holds 4 people. You get to steer the boat, pull the horn, write in the Captain's log, and get a commemorative certificate.
9. Collect Starbucks cards before your trip when they go on promo. Both Starbucks in the park serve a good quick breakfast. I always watch our markets when they have a promo on the gift cards. Last trip I had over $80 in cards and probably only paid $20 for them.
10. Ship items to hotel via UPS not USPS. Last trip I mailed two things. One box sent UPS was full of our survival kit stuff and Christmas decorations for the room. Arrived perfect. It was delivered to the room upon check in. Room was decorated that night so when the kids woke up they awoke to Christmas. Box #2 was a foot bath I ordered for my husband. His feet get so tired after a long day in the park. Well, unfortunately we never got to try this. Box showed it had arrived prior to us arriving but no one could find it. The Bell Captain said that he strongly urges guests to not send stuff USPS because it gets routed different through the hotels. UPS goes direct to the hotel address.
11. Wide Right works awesome. Your spouse will look at you like your crazy and people will give you dirty looks but riding RSR 3 times before 11 was priceless! (1-Wide Right, 2- Fast Pass, 3 - Single Rider)
12. Single Rider. Another awesome alternative to standing in line for RSR, especially if your kids are older. The wait time is almost always shorter. We just make sure that an adult goes first so there is someone waiting at the end when our 9 year old comes out.
13. Free Ghiradelli chocolate square. At Christmas it was the peppermint bark. YUM!
14. Riding Jingles on the Carousel. Mary Poppins is my all time favorite. Love to find this horse.
15. Ride in the front of the Monorail. Just ask the CM. You may need to wait till the next ride. The driver has always had some fun trivia for us.
16. I always bring Vacation Survival Kits. They include some sort of scavenger or fun fact hunt, 20Q, glow sticks, lollipops, small flash lights, wipes, tissue packs, etc.
17. Secret exit through Grand California. We were luck that our room was just steps away from this exit. Literally 6 minutes from room to security entrance. Just don't forget anything. It is a fire exit and you can't get back in.
18. Disney Dollars. You can purchase these dollars at City Hall and a few other locations throughout the resort. My daughter lost her first tooth in line for Big Thunder Mountain. The next morning, She found that Tinkerbell had left $5 Disney dollars for her under her pillow. That morning, we went to go thank Tink at the Pixie Hollow Meet and Greet. In true Disney fashion, Tinkerbell jumped right into the story line and told Sami that she had seen the tooth fairy and gave her the Disney dollars to give to her. S0 sweet!
19. Say Yes. Read this the other day. Love it. We let our kids have fruit loops for breakfast when we go to Disneyland. Whenever they see fruit loops it always reminds them of Disneyland and the treats they get on vacation. Will have to implement this philosophy more. Seems like a more relaxed trip!
20. Lastly, STOP and smell the roses. There are so many details that you miss when you rush through everything. Things like the light show in Pixie Hollow at night, all of the fruits and vegetables in Tomorrowland, the scrumptious smells down main street (& the air conditioning), the conversations you can hear coming out the windows on Main Street are just a few of the details that you can see of you just slow down for a moment and enjoy your vacation.
Still to do:
- Flag Retreat Ceremony
- Wake Jose in the Tiki Room
- Lilly Belle, unfortunately may never get to do this one now.
- Map on Jungle Cruise
- Would love more...
shruley
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2005
Growing up on Disneyland, it is a part of my history. We live in Oregon now and try our hardest to take our kids and celebrate whenever we find an opportunity. With that being said I have a long list of tips I learned here on DIS as well as ones I have learned along the way. Thanks DIS for the wonderful info you provide. Even a Disney nut like me still find something new.
1. Call, order DVD, vacation search on Disney.com Get in Disney's marketing system. Their system knows more about your vacation than you do. I almost always receive a pin or some other offer.
2. Don't be shy! Talk to the Cast Members. You never know what info you will get or who you will meet. A few trips back, I was talking to this CM while waiting for my family to get off Nemo. Come to find out he was the Maintenance Supervisor with a wealth of Disney info. He also asked us if there was anything we hadn't done yet. We hadn't done Indiana Jones because the line was so long. He proceeds to take us across lands and escorts us up the exit right to the front of the line. All the while, getting some great Disney trivia. Such a magical experience.
3. Disney Visa That elusive $200 offer on the plain card? Got it. Again, pestered their system with requests, questions, etc. The offers got consecutively higher ($50, then $75) then WAMMO - $200
4. Celebrating, let it be known. Again DON'T BE SHY. From the minute you start making your reservation let the CM know what you are celebrating. We have seen anything from upgraded rooms, autographed pictures, discounts on meals, etc.
5. Pirate's League. LOVE LOVE LOVED this experience. If it comes back around at Halloween time do it. For the price (even cheaper with a Disney Visa) it is such a fun experience. We had the kids do this for their costume for the Halloween Party night. They looked amazing and the cast of scurvy pirated was so engaging.
6. Dessert at Blue Bayou (and any of the high priced restaurants). Go for dessert. Make a reservation close to end of lunch service. BB was on our bucket list but oh my so $$$$ for a big party. We went in on my Mom's 70th Birthday trip. Celebrated with a cute birthday pirate themed dessert. We asked to sit by the water and got it. BB- check!
7. Observation a.k.a. Claustrophobic Room on Finding Nemo. My nephew told us about this one. When the Nemo line looks like it will never get any shorter, go to the CM at the front of the line and ask to go into the Observation room. You will see it to the right side of the ride with a green light on it. Decorated like the inside of the sub, you get to experience the entire ride.
8. Captain's Quarters in the Mark Twain. Just as the ship pulls away, ask the CM at the front if you can ride in the Captain's Quarters. It holds 4 people. You get to steer the boat, pull the horn, write in the Captain's log, and get a commemorative certificate.
9. Collect Starbucks cards before your trip when they go on promo. Both Starbucks in the park serve a good quick breakfast. I always watch our markets when they have a promo on the gift cards. Last trip I had over $80 in cards and probably only paid $20 for them.
10. Ship items to hotel via UPS not USPS. Last trip I mailed two things. One box sent UPS was full of our survival kit stuff and Christmas decorations for the room. Arrived perfect. It was delivered to the room upon check in. Room was decorated that night so when the kids woke up they awoke to Christmas. Box #2 was a foot bath I ordered for my husband. His feet get so tired after a long day in the park. Well, unfortunately we never got to try this. Box showed it had arrived prior to us arriving but no one could find it. The Bell Captain said that he strongly urges guests to not send stuff USPS because it gets routed different through the hotels. UPS goes direct to the hotel address.
11. Wide Right works awesome. Your spouse will look at you like your crazy and people will give you dirty looks but riding RSR 3 times before 11 was priceless! (1-Wide Right, 2- Fast Pass, 3 - Single Rider)
12. Single Rider. Another awesome alternative to standing in line for RSR, especially if your kids are older. The wait time is almost always shorter. We just make sure that an adult goes first so there is someone waiting at the end when our 9 year old comes out.
13. Free Ghiradelli chocolate square. At Christmas it was the peppermint bark. YUM!
14. Riding Jingles on the Carousel. Mary Poppins is my all time favorite. Love to find this horse.
15. Ride in the front of the Monorail. Just ask the CM. You may need to wait till the next ride. The driver has always had some fun trivia for us.
16. I always bring Vacation Survival Kits. They include some sort of scavenger or fun fact hunt, 20Q, glow sticks, lollipops, small flash lights, wipes, tissue packs, etc.
17. Secret exit through Grand California. We were luck that our room was just steps away from this exit. Literally 6 minutes from room to security entrance. Just don't forget anything. It is a fire exit and you can't get back in.
18. Disney Dollars. You can purchase these dollars at City Hall and a few other locations throughout the resort. My daughter lost her first tooth in line for Big Thunder Mountain. The next morning, She found that Tinkerbell had left $5 Disney dollars for her under her pillow. That morning, we went to go thank Tink at the Pixie Hollow Meet and Greet. In true Disney fashion, Tinkerbell jumped right into the story line and told Sami that she had seen the tooth fairy and gave her the Disney dollars to give to her. S0 sweet!
19. Say Yes. Read this the other day. Love it. We let our kids have fruit loops for breakfast when we go to Disneyland. Whenever they see fruit loops it always reminds them of Disneyland and the treats they get on vacation. Will have to implement this philosophy more. Seems like a more relaxed trip!
20. Lastly, STOP and smell the roses. There are so many details that you miss when you rush through everything. Things like the light show in Pixie Hollow at night, all of the fruits and vegetables in Tomorrowland, the scrumptious smells down main street (& the air conditioning), the conversations you can hear coming out the windows on Main Street are just a few of the details that you can see of you just slow down for a moment and enjoy your vacation.
Still to do:
- Flag Retreat Ceremony
- Wake Jose in the Tiki Room
- Lilly Belle, unfortunately may never get to do this one now.
- Map on Jungle Cruise
- Would love more...
This is a great list!!! THANK YOU for taking the time to post it. Can you tell me what teh Map on Jungle Cruise is?
imatinkerfairy
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2013
Apparently if you ask the CM at the end of the Jungle Cruise they will give you a map.
I also forgot 21. See the Aladdin show. This past trip we did this and it is amazing. To start the show is about 40 minutes from the time you sit to end of the performance which makes a great time to just sit and chill. Secondly, it is a great musical performance. If your kids have never seen a live show of this kind, it is a perfect introduction. Sit in the first rows in the second section back. There are surprises during the show that are better if you are further back.
Enjoy!
I also forgot 21. See the Aladdin show. This past trip we did this and it is amazing. To start the show is about 40 minutes from the time you sit to end of the performance which makes a great time to just sit and chill. Secondly, it is a great musical performance. If your kids have never seen a live show of this kind, it is a perfect introduction. Sit in the first rows in the second section back. There are surprises during the show that are better if you are further back.
Enjoy!
lovebug33
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2011
Another random tip is that if your child isn't walking, don't put shoes on his/her feet. DH lost DD's shoe in the RSR death march and almost was killed when he tried to retrieve it. The shoe didn't fare so well, either. We finally took them off because we kept chasing them all over Disneyland!
Ride Junkie
Just skulking around...
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
3. Disney Visa That elusive $200 offer on the plain card? Got it. Again, pestered their system with requests, questions, etc. The offers got consecutively higher ($50, then $75) then WAMMO - $200
Is the $200 offer for new cardmembers? Or is this something available to current cardholders? Never heard of this before (I've had my card for quite a few years now).
I didn't know the carousel horses had different names! Where are they?
crystal1313
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2012
Me too!
Aladora
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2011
I just wanted to comment on this.
We were there a few weeks ago and when we got to the Mark Twain boarding area we asked the CM about doing this but were told that the next FOUR trips had already been spoken for.
So, if you want to do this, I would get to the MT early in the day and ask.
imatinkerfairy
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2013
- I believe that the offer is for new members only. Always worth a call though.
- Jingles was Walt's favorite horse. Jingles even makes a cameo in Saving Mr. Banks. Jingles looks different now.
According to Wikipedia:
"Because of the overwhelming popularity of the carousel's single white horse, since 1975 all horses have been painted white.[citation needed] Each horse on the carousel has a name; a complete list is available at City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A.[4]
Jingles is the lead horse, and Walt's favorite, named for its very ornate carvings which include beautiful straps of jingle bells hanging from her saddle and cantle. For Disneyland's 50th anniversary in 2005, Jingles was repainted gold from nose to tail, trimmed in 18k gold leaf and set apart as a photo opportunity near the queue for Dumbo the Flying Elephant.[4] When Jingles was reinstalled as lead horse after the Year of a Million Dreams campaign, major portions of Jingles were painted over, except where the gold bells and trim are showing through, with exceptionally striking translucent treatment of the rosettes on Jingles' head. Decoration detail was painted on the saddle blanket representing the talking parrot-handled umbrella from Mary Poppins, and in four quarters as a crest upon the kneepad - the monogram "JA", a robin perched upon high button shoes, the silhouette of Mary in flight and a number 50 representing the 50 Magical Years anniversary of this original Disneyland attraction featured on opening day - all showing through in gold with blue outline.[4] Jingles was then ceremoniously dedicated to Julie Andrews on April 8, 2008 as "Honorary Ambassador", the title painted beneath the Hidden Mickey on her cantle.[4]"
imatinkerfairy
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2013
My main objective of packing Survival Kits is to entertain the kids (big and small) during long waits in line.
I always pack:
1. Glow Sticks
2. Lollipops
3. Disney Trivia (I found an old Disney Trivia game at a thrift store. There were probably over 1500 cards in there. I sorted them and punched a hole so a carabeener would fit and clip onto my back pack. I take three with me each day. ) They have been really fun. I love how other people in line get in on the trivia. Definitely makes the line go faster.
4. Scavenger Hunt. The web is full of Disneyland trivia. I comprised some fun facts and turned them into a hunt. Switched it up for our Halloween visit and incorporated Villain trivia.
5. Flat led flashlights. My husband gives these out at his office. We always have one with us in the backpacks and for the room. We use it for fun like trying to find Eeyore while waiting for Indiana Jones. Of course these can be handy in an emergency too.
6. Ponchos. I unfortunately gave mine away to Son on Splash Mountain. You know who got wet.
7. Zip lock bags. You never know when you will need it for a left over or to keep something dry.
8. Anti Bacterial Wipes.
9. chapstick
10. Little coloring kits (Great for waits in the restaurant.)
11. travel size sunscreen
12. There is a game called 20Q. Fits perfect in a back pack.
13. Granola bars and crackers
14. If someone is celebrating a birthday, a sash etc. (I have a whole kit for Celebrations as well )
Most of these items you can find at the Dollar Store.
This last time I shipped our box direct to the hotel via UPS. Worked out well.
Hope this helps!
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Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
