10 things most first-timers don't know

[Disneyworld2122]

loving this thread

 

[ttintagel]

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.

I'm not sure what the benefit would be for this. It would get one person through faster, but then that person would have to wait for everybody else once inside. What am I missing?

 

[mousefan73]

Dont attempt to see/ do everything. You will only stress yourself out with planni g trying too.

The day is longer than you think, esp with smaller kids. Take the time for an afternoon nap or break. My kids ages 5 / 6 suddenly starting napping Again at WDW!!! Even us. We would all nap, swim , shower. The 4 hr park break did wonders. It was a new day!! Out til close

 

[amazedbymickey]

this was fun thanks

 

[MidgeD79]

If you have a bag, you must go through bag check first and then go through another line to show your ticket. If one person is designated as the "bag"(security) person, then the rest of the party can go through the "ticket" (or hold a place in line if there is a wait)line. You usually can't get a stroller/wheelchair etc until you go through security and entrance. The benefit is that whoever doesn't go through security can do all the other things while waiting for security. Just make sure the person going through security has their own ticket.

 

[potc]

First timers should also know there is a limited selection of soda on property.

Disney is dominated by Coca Cola. In 2008 (which wasn't our first trip, but our first trip in 10 years), about the only soda I would drink was Mello Yello. One would think this wouldn't have been a problem, since it is a Coke product; however, I think I found one vending machine that had them, and it was out. I suffered from horrible caffeine-withdrawal headaches. It doesn't hurt to bring your own soda. (Advice given to my brother, since he is a Diet Cherry Dr Pepper drinker. You want it? You better bring it!)

Southerners who are used to drinking sweet iced tea may also be disappointed because sweet tea isn't on the menu, either.

Thanks for posting this. I am a huge Cherry Coke Zero drinker. I don't like anything else from a can. I will definitely be bringing a lot with us!

 

[ttintagel]

If you have a bag, you must go through bag check first and then go through another line to show your ticket. If one person is designated as the "bag"(security) person, then the rest of the party can go through the "ticket" (or hold a place in line if there is a wait)line. You usually can't get a stroller/wheelchair etc until you go through security and entrance. The benefit is that whoever doesn't go through security can do all the other things while waiting for security. Just make sure the person going through security has their own ticket.

OK. So, it sounds like it would really only benefit the group if they needed to rent a stroller or wheelchair.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

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 sign in whatever color you hand to them. I have a rainbow pack (they came in a nice clear folder for carrying) of "clickie" Sharpies in 10 different colors including red. I've never had any character refuse to sign in red or any other color for that matter. They do however really appreciate the "clickie" ones. No worries about a cap to juggle. On our last trip, we brought 2 queen size pillow cases for the characters to sign. Part of the fun for my daughter was choosing which color she wanted that particular character to sign in. We used a "painting ring" to pull the fabric tight, and to give a solid back for them to sign on. They were an absolute hit with the characters and everyone in line behind us! They are my daughters favorite souveniers yet. She has such sweet dreams on them every night that they are on her bed.

 

[jennc27]

Here is a few tips I learned for my first trip in 2009.

1. If you have an issue with chafing check out Bodyglide Anti-Chafing Stick. You can find it at most sport stores and it was a lifesaver.

2. With young children take an afternoon break back at the hotel. We would take a cool shower or go to the pool and then take a nap.

3. Print out your ADRs confirmations. When we went for our character breakfast in AK before the park opened we were not on the list and they would not let us in. When I showed them our print out they let us in. I picked up a small plastic photo book for a $1 at the store and printed everything out on blank 3x5 index cards. If my book was to get wet then my papers would still be dry.

4. We used our cups from our Quick Service Dinning Plan in the parks for the free ice water from the counter service locations to keep our ice water cold.

5. We went to WDW in Aug and because I am out of shape I started walking in March. I would download the Dis podcast and would listen to them while I would walk. By the time we left for WDW I was walking about 3 hours a night and I was able to handle all the walking and the heat in FL a little better. I bought new shoes in March to break in while I did my walking at night. I did take moleskin just in case.

6. We used an offsite company to rent a stroller and electric wheelchair that was delivered to our hotel. It was waiting for us when we checked in and when we left we just turned it back into the hotel for the company to pick up. The price was great and we had the use of items even outside of the parks and for DTD.

7. Pick the top 4 or 5 things you want to do in each park. Make a plan on how you will see each of these things. Use Fastpass. Send one person to collect for everyone while the others take in a ride. My DH can not ride the Tea Cups so I sent him to collect the Fastpasses while I took the boys on the ride. Once your list is done everything else is the cherry on top!

8. When we flew to WDW we stayed on site and would not have the need for a car rental. So we had a car company pick us up and take us to our hotel and also take us back to the airport for the return home. On the way to the hotel the car company made a stop at store so we could pick up any food and drink. We also picked up some adult beverages so we would not have to pay a lot of money for cocktails. Having the car company was very nice because we did not have to navigate the roads after a long flight and in the dark when we had an early morning flight home.

9. The best advice I was given and did not listen to on the first day is...slow down and go with the flow. I missed a lot of the small magical things because I wanted to get to the next item on my to do list.

 

[Disneyworld2122]

Oh, oh, oh! Pick a pearl in Japan @ Epcot is a must see/do! I love it!

What's that? Heard about it on hear before but not sure what it is.

 

[DDuck83]

Me too! We went in Feb when free dining was offered...seemed like everyone in line in front of us had the dining plan. When the check out CMs found out we were not using it they all breathed a sigh of relief. They seemed to prefer dealing with us just paying with cash/giftcards.

If I had to guess this probably has to do with Tipping.. Tips are not included on DDP and I would imagine there are many occasions that there is not a tip left v. when paying with cash/CC.. Just a guess.

 

[siskaren]

If I had to guess this probably has to do with Tipping.. Tips are not included on DDP and I would imagine there are many occasions that there is not a tip left v. when paying with cash/CC.. Just a guess.

But solana131 refered to being in line, so I would assume she was talking about CS restaurants, not TS. It sounds to me like it was more an issue of too many people not knowing how the dining plan works.

 

[solana131]

If I had to guess this probably has to do with Tipping.. Tips are not included on DDP and I would imagine there are many occasions that there is not a tip left v. when paying with cash/CC.. Just a guess.

But solana131 refered to being in line, so I would assume she was talking about CS restaurants, not TS. It sounds to me like it was more an issue of too many people not knowing how the dining plan works.

Yep, I was referring to Captain Cooks at the Poly and Sassagoula Floatworks at POFQ specifically. We got this reaction at both those places. I didn't notice any difference at the TS locations. I'm sure there is some confusion with the tipping. I know I will be confused for sure if and when we ever use the DDP

 

[SpencerKMom]

Thank you all for sharing your tips. I am scribbling notes to myself!

 

[Disneyworld2122]

Keep these tips coming going in may 2014 but havent been since like 2005 so these will come in handy.

 

[dsneydude124]

If paying with TIW, should I choose to give the server and extra tip over & above the 18% automatically added, I hand it to them myself at the end of the meal thanking them for the excellent service and letting them know that I am aware the 18% is already included. It is a great opportunity for them to know how great the service was. And should the cash walk off, they would never know you left it on the table since it is included on the check.

 

[kimysbug]

You cannot WALK to all the parks from a single resort hotel.

You can from the contemporary resort to the magic kingdon

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

You can from the contemporary resort to the magic kingdon

I think Ocean was saying that all four parks aren't within walking distance of a single resort.

 

[hgeisler]

correct me if im wrong..

but if you are staying on disney property - you can have them send any merchandise you buy (around the property) back to your resort for free (pretty sure its free)

Except for the last day of your stay:/

 

[hgeisler]

Universal Studios is not on Disney property. Disney's Hollywood Studios is not the same thing.

Ba ha ha ha!