10 things most first-timers don't know

[icesk8abc]

Definitely bring a sharpie autographs and don't forget the character will not use RED Sharpies to sign with. Also I suggest getting your autograph book before you leave home. You won't have to waste time in a gift shop as soon as you get to your resort or parks.

They will use red scrapbook markers. I took a whole pack of thick scrapbook markers on our last trip. My niece and nephew chose different colors based on the Characters.

Along those lines - remove the cap from your marker before handing it to the character - especially furry characters. It is too hard for Pluto to get the cap off your marker.

 

[JustRZ]

This is such a great thread! I never would have thought about the possibility of gum not being available on site, which would have been disastrous for my gum-chewing DH!

 

[chimilady]

Just curious, is there a reason they won't use red sharpies? And does this apply to all red ink? Also, there are different size Sharpies, which one is the best size for the characters?

I was always taught in school signing in red is the ultimate in rudeness and can be seen as aggressive and disapproving. I have no idea why, but I have never signed anything in red as a result.

 

[mmay60046]

Also, you can have merchandise shipped home .....for a fee of course....but If you are buying something glass or fragile, It is much better to have it shipped than you packing it in your luggage and risk it breaking or even stolen by a luggage handler (yes, it has happened to my family). Also, WDW packs items incredibly well using lots and lots of paper and bubble wrap. I also read that if the item gets to you broken they will replace it free. Don't quote me as that was a few years ago. Disney magic......I love it!

To add to this, if you buy a souvenier such as a snowglobe you won't be able to have it in your carry-on luggage. You'll either need to put it in your checked bags or have it shipped home.

I've learned from experience it's better to have it shipped. Things tend to break sometimes in checked baggage.

 

[sixkristy6]

SO? I do agree - travel light and make sure to check the storage bins while exiting the rides!!!

I knew the water rides had storage bins, but "dry" rides do as well? Even Space Mountain? I don't anticipate needing to use one since if all 3 of us (DH and DD4) go on a ride, it will be something tame. I was still wondering though.

 

[siskaren]

I knew the water rides had storage bins, but "dry" rides do as well? Even Space Mountain? I don't anticipate needing to use one since if all 3 of us (DH and DD4) go on a ride, it will be something tame. I was still wondering though.

Space Mountain doesn't, but there are several rides that have mesh storage areas on them. Off the top of my head I know that Dinosaur and Soarin' do (Soarin's is under your seat).

 

[lindsay314]

Hello! New member and first post

This past February (2012) I returned to WDW for the first time since 2002. It was an amazing time! I was surprised by what had changed (and what hadn't). Although I wasn't a true first-timer, there were still moments where I felt like one. Here are some of my tips:

1) Just because it's Florida doesn't mean it will be warm, especially in the winter months. My friends and I arrived for our 7:30 ADR at Chef Mickey's (in mid-February) and it wasn't even 50 degrees F outside. We ended up buying Disney sweatshirts in one of the gift shops. Granted, I have a great souvenir, but I wish we'd been more prepared.

2) If you feel yourself getting tired and cranky, take a break. It's much better to go back to the hotel and rest/swim than be snapping at each other for the rest of the day. If you don't want to leave the park, at least take a while to grab a snack, sit, and people-watch for a while. It's definitely worth it!

3) If you don't want to see the parades or evening shows, head for the popular rides during those times. The lines are usually shorter because most people are watching the show.

4) A car can be a lifesaver at WDW. My friends and I left an hour early from the Yacht Club for our ADR at Boma (at AKL) and we barely made it on time--we had to take a bus to Downtown Disney, then take another bus from there to AKL. It took almost an hour. On our way back, we paid for a taxi and arrived in less than 30 minutes. As for the parks--one morning we drove to the MK resort area, parked at the Contemporary, and walked to MK from there (granted, we were with a friend that's a CM that day). A car can save a lot of time!

5) Remember to take time to stop and enjoy the moment. Whether it's trying on silly hats, making a Mickey candy, listening to street musicians, catching every bit of Wishes, or people-watching while in line to meet Mary Poppins--these are memories you'll never forget.

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

Disney is not just one park! The first time I went I was so confused, I went to Animal Kingdom on the first day of the trip and could not for the life of me find the castle. My friend who took me was laughing hysterically explaining there are multiple theme parks, Magic Kingdom is not all of Disney.

 

[siskaren]

4) A car can be a lifesaver at WDW. My friends and I left an hour early from the Yacht Club for our ADR at Boma (at AKL) and we barely made it on time--we had to take a bus to Downtown Disney, then take another bus from there to AKL. It took almost an hour. On our way back, we paid for a taxi and arrived in less than 30 minutes. As for the parks--one morning we drove to the MK resort area, parked at the Contemporary, and walked to MK from there (granted, we were with a friend that's a CM that day). A car can save a lot of time!

You're not supposed to park at a hotel for theme park access, though.

 

[Celine]

Along those lines - remove the cap from your marker before handing it to the character - especially furry characters. It is too hard for Pluto to get the cap off your marker.

I'm sure I got this tip here last year, but on our last trip we used the retractable black sharpie and it was a blessing compared to dealing with the caps. (plus it's bigger than a regular sharpie, so easier for furry characters to use!) We'd just push the sharpie point out and hand it to the character, then push it back in when done. It was so easy. Also, because it has that clippy thing at the top, we attached it to our (kinko spiral bound disney jr encyclopedia) autograph book with a string and that way it was always RIGHT THERE when we needed!! Like those spontaneous moments when they walk up on you in the restaurants.

Edited to add - here's a link to some of those retractable sharpies and I didn't even KNOW they came in other colors than black! I'm definitely picking them up for this upcoming trip!

http://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Retractable-Permanent-Assorted-SAN32730/dp/B000Y4ME56

 

[Mickeyhead12]

Hello! New member and first post

5) Remember to take time to stop and enjoy the moment. Whether it's trying on silly hats, making a Mickey candy, listening to street musicians, catching every bit of Wishes, or people-watching while in line to meet Mary Poppins--these are memories you'll never forget.

I REALLY wouldn't try on hats. I read on here last year that someone came home with lice from doing that but didn't think anything of it. Well, we went the end of august last year and ended up missing the beginning of school because my DDs and I had lice. It was horrible!!!

DON'T PUT ON THE HATS!!!

 

[lindsay314]

Siskaren and Mickeyhead12, thanks for the info: I'm still new to all this, glad to learn new things. Good point about the lice and the hats--didn't even think about that. About the parking: we were with our friend (a CM) that day and rode in his car. Didn't realize that was a rule. I guess we won't try that with our car next time. I still recommend driving a car if you plan to eat at or visit other resorts, though; it saves a lot of time!

 

[susanrose73]

All the characters signed their autographs with DD's red sharpie with no problem.

 

[luvmylatte]

I'm sure I got this tip here last year, but on our last trip we used the retractable black sharpie and it was a blessing compared to dealing with the caps. (plus it's bigger than a regular sharpie, so easier for furry characters to use!) We'd just push the sharpie point out and hand it to the character, then push it back in when done. It was so easy. Also, because it has that clippy thing at the top, we attached it to our (kinko spiral bound disney jr encyclopedia) autograph book with a string and that way it was always RIGHT THERE when we needed!! Like those spontaneous moments when they walk up on you in the restaurants.

Edited to add - here's a link to some of those retractable sharpies and I didn't even KNOW they came in other colors than black! I'm definitely picking them up for this upcoming trip!

http://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Retractable-Permanent-Assorted-SAN32730/dp/B000Y4ME56

Thanks for the reminder about retractable sharpies. Great idea. Also in reference to the red sharpies, I think it has something to do with getting the ink out. I'm sure they was than character costumes, but imagine the amount of signing they do and if each time they got a swipe of marker on the costume, by the end of the day Pluto would look like his paws were cut. Also in my home wash red seems to stain the worst. Just a few theories.

 

[AngieBangie]

5. Lines part 2. Please Dont have 2 people in line in front of others holding a place for 12 more people.

OMG YES. This happened to us on EE at AK and the line was already 45mins long (no FP's) It was one person holding a place in line for about 10-12 people. And we were the last people in line, they all got in front of us. I was like SERIOUSLY?! Like being in front of those last 2 people in line will get you on that much faster.

 

[hearts8701]

1.If there are lines at the entry turnstiles and everyone in your party has a purse, backpack or bag, have one person give his items to another member of your party. This will allow her to go through the "no bag" entry, which rarely has a line, while the rest of the party waits to go through the bag check. That person can get into a turnstile line, and everyone else can join her once they make it through the checkpoint.
2.If you dine at a counter service location, check the lines at the far ends of the restaurant. Like the theme park entrances, the middle dining lines are often long while the ends are much shorter. Also note that many counter service restaurants have a line on both sides of each cash register. People may not notice this and line up on one side, so you can minimize your wait by going to the other

 

[Karl66]

Direct bus service is available between Parks without having to transfer.

 

[ARAITHEL]

As I am making my lists of tips for first-timers (I'm guiding a trip to WDW this september), I remembered that you should always take off your purse/backpack/fanny pack when getting your photo taken. A purse strap across your chest between the "girls" is not flattering!

 

[Peter Panic Attack]

1. getting overly excited and slapping Eeyore into an affectionate, playful headlock is considered assault and battery in the state of Florida.

2. "Barney the Bail Bondsman" in Kissimmee Florida is a real pleasure to work with and will even throw in a preferred seating package for Fantasmic with every successful court appearance.

 

[Walleandeva2011]

bring a kitchen-sized trash bag in your bag so you can place it over your bag when you go on KRR or Splash. Takes up no space and saves your bag from getting soaked.