10 things most first-timers don't know

[barrie]

This is a great list! I'm a WDW veteran and and I learned a thing or two reading through this. Thanks!

 

[thelionqueen]

If you go from May-September, it will probably be hotter than what you anticipate even if you anticipate it to be REALLY hot.

TOTALLY Agree!!! Even into October on occasion

 

[kaligal]

* Dora the Explorer does not particpate in meet and greets. The big-headed gal' with the ballet shoes signing your book at H&V's name is June. She is a Little Einstein. She is also Disney.

She does at the Nick hotel. Well, she did.

 

[Lady Hiss]

Doing the World with a large group? Divide and conquer! You don't need to be joined at the hip for every ride, restaurant, and show. Doing things as a whole group will definitely slow you down and trying to accomodate everyone's needs/desires will result in someone feeling very un-magical. Split up so each of you can see/do your top priority rides/shows. Meet later for meals (make ADRs!) or somewhere quiet to touch base and share the highlights of your day!

Lady Hiss

 

[xxnaomi89xx]

Someone said pee before you go on the monorail. I say pee before you go on pretty much any ride! Rides do break down from time to time and you don't want to be stuck on one when you need to pee!

Id say for first timers, do as much research as you can. Learning about all the things Disney World has to offer will pay off in the end.



Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

Completely agree with this. Last time I went we had fastpasses for Test Track, I slightly needed to go to the toilet but decided I could wait as we wouldn't be that long due to the fast passes. Test track broke down while I was on it and I quickly became desperate. We were stuck for ages, they tried all ways to get it going. When they finally got us off the ride they made us line up by the wall to see if they could get it running without us on it. (our car was still in the loading station) when they couldnt they handed us all fast passes. I was practically dancing by the end haha. I was so desperate that as soon as I was handed my fasspass I made a dash for the exit, not bothering to wait for my feancee and his parents. Needless to say, I learned my lesson and now make sure that I go to the toilet before going on a ride even if I don't really need to go.

 

[Twinkle Lights]

At POP I actually wouldn't suggest a preferred room. There are buildings that are not preferred equally as close to the main hall as others.

Possibly, but you can't guarantee for sure that you'll get in one of them. I wouldn't want to be in the 80's/90's, they are too far from the bus stop and food court for us. I still usually have to ask to change rooms even with preferred, and feel that they are more willing to do so because of it. (We like a room facing the courtyard or pool cause we decorate our window!)

My tips:
1) Do not just walk up to the characters you see. No. Don't do it. There is a line. You may be distracted or oblivious, but its there. Do not send your small children to run up to Mickey because the line looks too long. I saw this more than once on the trip we just returned from!

2) Do not stop in the middle of a path where people are walking to do anything; adjust your stroller, adjust your backpack, adjust your undies, no! Not unless it is a medical emergency! Please move you and your family off to the side to argue over the map, drink water, have a friendly conversation, whatever it is. Especially in the crowded times. It can get to be like an obstacle course or a game of Frogger hopping from empty spot to empty spot around people who are just standing there, not moving.

3) Rain hood for the stroller in summer. Don't even question whether you'll need it! Do put it down whenever you go on any attraction, even if its sunny with not a cloud in the sky when you go. We went in Finding Nemo the Musical and it was bright and sunny, came out, it was bright and sunny. Somewhere in the 40 minutes, it had rained ferociously for probably 5 minutes, totally soaking the stroller the one time I did not use the rain hood. Unfortunately it was an Uppababy G-Luxe, cushy to ride in, and like a sponge with water. A plastic mesh stroller like a Maclaren Volo would be better.

4) If you are traveling alone with your kids and the kids are ages 8 and up, a cell phone or walkie talkie for each is a NECESSITY. I wavered on this before departing on our trip with my 2 year old and 9 year old. I was so grateful that I had decided to go ahead and get a prepaid phone for the DS9, there wasn't an hour that went by our whole trip (while at the parks) that I didn't use it to contact him. He often got separated from me and the stroller due to the crowds (and him moving slowly, not watching where we are going or getting distracted). If we had not had a way to contact one another, it would have been a complete disaster. It was a lifesaver. For younger children, a dog tag engraved with their name and your phone number on a chain that they wear around their neck, inside their clothes (or the Safety Tat mentioned) ...is a must. It is all to easy to get separated and can waste valuable time trying to get back together, not to mention the fear and anxiety for both parent and child.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

We usually get the dining plan. Last time we learned that 3 snacks could be traded in to get something. I'm just not sure exactly what the something is you can get. I'm assuming it's either a counter service meal....or maybe a combo at the grab & go? We were at CSR.

By the way, my favorite snack to get is a kakigori and it seems like most people don't even know about them. They are just to the left of the Japan pavilion.

 

[DisneyMike13]

2) Do not stop in the middle of a path where people are walking to do anything; adjust your stroller, adjust your backpack, adjust your undies, no! Not unless it is a medical emergency! Please move you and your family off to the side to argue over the map, drink water, have a friendly conversation, whatever it is. Especially in the crowded times. It can get to be like an obstacle course or a game of Frogger hopping from empty spot to empty spot around people who are just standing there, not moving.

That's my biggest pet peeve about Disney. Usually you will have someone walking in front of you on the path and BAM! They stop in the middle of the walkway and you seem like the jerk for bumping into them

 

[Coachymom]

This are awesome tips...even for a non first timer!

 

[UNCFanatik]

Let me take a try.

1. Apparently people dont know that if you are in a crowd of people, you shouldnt just stop in the middle of the crowd blocking those behind you while you look at the map or talk about where to go eat.
2. Pictures. Apparently people dont know that you shouldnt try to take a picture of little johnny or susie against one of the inside castle walls when throngs of people are trying to make their way through and expect people to stop and hold up the crowd behind them while you do a photoshoot.
3. Lines. People dont seem to understand that there are multiple windows at many places. You dont have to just blindly jump into a line just because people are standing in it. Saw this at Aloha Isle when getting a dole whip. one line was wrapped to the side of the building while the middle line had two people in it.
4. Rain. Bring some kind of rain gear into the park with you. It was raining in AK and we were behind this couple and their child was around 3 or 4 I would say. None of them had any rain gear on. They took a small bag from one of the shops and tore the bottom about it and tried to wrap the child in it. Needless to say it didnt work and the child was crying. I had an extra poncho in my pack and offered it to them and they rudely declined. After 10 minutes we get inside and it was very chilly in there because of the AC and the child starts screamig and wont stop, probably because she is freezing at this point. Next thing I see is them leaving while CMs are walking with them. Dont know if they decided to leave on their own or were asked to leave.
5. Lines part 2. Please Dont have 2 people in line in front of others holding a place for 12 more people.
6. Buses. Parents of young men especially. Train them to give up their seat on a crowded bus for the elderly, ladies, and small children. The only time we were about to board a bus where I knew there would be some standing, I told my DD16 and her BFF17 that they were not to sit down and we all stood. While several teenage boys with their fathers just continued sitting down.
7. Character Meals. At Crystal Palace the characters make their way around to your table. Your little Johnny or Susie isnt so special where they can just come to my table and visit with the characters and try to interfere with my families time with them. make sure you allot plenty of time for this.
8. FastPasses. Please understand the rules about Fastpasses before your trip. Saw a family arguing with a CM at RnRRC as to why they couldnt get more FPs before the time it said you could on the FP. they were very loud and got very upset with the CM.
9. Elevators. Please let the people off of elevators before you try to rush onto one.
10. Dont blame Disney for your poor planning or problems of your own making. Overheard several conversations where people where upset at CMs for problems that they caused themselves. EX: if you let your child run down an incline to Roaring Forks in the WL and they fall down, dont blame a CM nor expect them to replace the broken lollipop that your child is now crying about. Witnesses this first hand as I was headed down to refill my mug.

 

[UNCFanatik]

Forgot one:

Please understand how your dining plan works BEFORE you get in line at a crowded CS venue.

 

[thelionqueen]

thanks for the great ideas PP's! Truly stopping and blocking 100,000 while you decide if you want popcorn or ice cream really gets me going..lol.

Twinkle lights-Prior to having stayed in the 80's section I would have 100% agreed with your post. Our last time @ POP I got an incredible CM rate, therefore I happily accepted whatever room/location we got. When I saw we were at the far end of the 80's section I kinda sighed but thought "oh well." I couldn't have been more pleased.

Parking was much closer, the grounds were much quieter, there was an amazing path close to the lake and the walk to the main building was not noticeably different at all..maybe an extra minute or two tops!

I have booked preferred and regular views and both were great. The only time i got a preferred room I would pay the extra $ for was a room on the ground floor, it was an end unit right in front of the main bldg. Now THAT was convenient and fun albeit loud. Apart from being assured we would get that exact room again, I wouldn't pay the extra $ for preferred. For us, we've found every building/area to have it's own unique attributes. Liked every single one!

 

[mmay60046]

Good situational awareness is a fine trait at Disney World. It will guide you to move to the side out of the path of other meandering guests while you stop to look at your map, take a picture, or fish that piece of gum out of the bottom of your bag.

Good situational awareness will also allow you to react appropriately to others who lack it. It will allow you to avoid bumping into/running over/tripping on those who instead posess situational obliviousness.

Although if you yourself suffer from situational obliviousness you probably will have more than a few encounters with others who suffer from it and later we'll all read your posts here on the DIS about how horrible everyone else is compared to you.

 

[miami305]

If you go from May-September, it will probably be hotter than what you anticipate even if you anticipate it to be REALLY hot.

I always confused when people say it will be hot in Orlando in January. Do not expect to lounge by the pool in January.

 

[JennyDrake]

You will not be able to see/do it all.

 

[Sparkly]

If you stay offsite, get a car!! I wouldn't rely on a hotel's shuttle!

 

[GenieCat]

... You can get your family crest done in UK pavilion store or at Ragland Road store in DD I got one my last trip SO cool! & great xmas gifts.

Actually, they're not. There is no such thing as a Family Crest: Crests Belong to Individuals, Not Surnames.

The CMs who are actually from the UK probably know this. It is another way to get your tourist dollars.

More specifics about displaying Heraldry to which you may be legally entitled can be found at the College-of-arms.gov.uk

 

[kaligal]

Actually, they're not. There is no such thing as a Family Crest: Crests Belong to Individuals, Not Surnames.

The staff who are actually from the UK probably know this. It is another way to get your tourist dollars.

More specifics about displaying Heraldry to which you may be legally entitled can be found at the College-of-arms.gov.uk

Astrology is a bunch of bunk, too, but it's still fun to read your horoscope.

I got the family crest for my mother. She enjoyed it.

 

[Tanooki]

Please, please, please, remember that when someone in your party is not having fun anymore, it's time for a break!

And also keep in mind that you can't blame your kids for your decisions. YOU made the plans, YOU made the reservations, YOU paid for this vacation. Don't expect your kids to be over te moon at every moment because you "brought them to WDW so they better darn start having fun already" (yes, I've seen and heard this...)

 

[PrincessCastMember]

If you're a first-timer, you should definitely stop in at any Guest Relations (located at all four parks and Downtown Disney) to get special 1st-Timer buttons! Wear them through-out your stay for an amazing first time experience.

Honeymooners, Anniversary couples, birthday goers and general celebraters should also stop in for their own buttons!