10 things most first-timers don't know

[turkeymama]

Don't forget to laminate them... That's the key part ...ya know how it is, WDW = Wet

First year teacher here! I live to laminate! (this is where the hyper faced smiley would fit nicely but I can't post smileys from my phone).

 

[Disneyworld2122]

I love this thread!!! You may have already gotten an answer but I just found this thread! Basically in Japan there is a store, i think called Mitsukoshi, and you can go to a tank filled with Oysters and pick one and you get the pearl. My daughter and I loved doing this!

Sounds fun can't wait to try it

 

[LAMountJoy]

Not sure exactly from DHS to POR... but to give you an idea, we took a taxi last week from POR to Orlando Prime Outlets (we were catching a bus to Legoland). It was about a 5 mile trip that took about 10 minutes. Total cost? $19 plus tip! So unless you're desperate to not stand in line for the buses, I'd say skip the taxis.

 

[Carina]

Lot's of great advice, thank you

 

[leebee]

Febreeze if you intend to wear a pair of shorts or pants more than once. Might not be necessary at home, but you'll appreciate it in Florida.

There are FREE things to do at Disney. You can have a Disney Day without ever going to a theme park, if you find that people are too tired or starting to burn out, or just need a break! Examples: (A)Take a bus from your resort to Epcot and ride the monorail to MK, then boat over to Wilderness Lodge to check it out. Boat back to MK, ferry to TTC. Monorail to CR, Poly, or GF and watch the Water Pageant at night. ALL FREE. (B) Take the bus to DHS, ride the boat over to the Boardwalk. Hang on the Boardwalk, ride the Friendships around the lake and back to DHS. FREE Disney Day! (C) Do the DVC timeshare presentation. They'll take you from your resort to Saratoga Springs, where they do the presentation and walk you through several DVC suites (actual suites themed as the DVC resort suites are). They usually have snacks and free sundaes, and sometimes there are incentives... Gift cards or super fastpasses (i.e., good for 5 fastpass lines at any time over X number of days), tote bags, etc. After the tour they'll take you where you want to go, or you can take the boat over to DTD. (D) Resort hop. YOu can't swim, but you can check out some very cool things at resorts. Our favorites are AKL and GF. At AKL you can watch animals on the savannah, listen to stories, sit around the fire circle. Great gift shop, too. GF is a beautiful resort, and you can sit in the lobby and listen to the piano being played.

 

[Mariep26]

1) There really is a lot of walking.. so if you have a child that is a borderline stroller user.. you may want to consider renting one. We rented for my 2.5 and 3.5 y/o for our March trip even though our 3.5 y/o is a bit tall for the City Mini. On the second day, we went to Epcot and the kids fell asleep in the stroller pretty much immediately. DH and I walked the World Showcase and had a few drinks in blissful peace! So what if you end up on that Too Big for Stroller blog!!
2) This one probably applies for disboards and when at the park. You are the only person that can say what your ideal vacation is so you need to be the controller of your own destiny. Fellow posters, CMs and family/friends can give suggestions but you need to filter that and decide what type of experience you want to have!

 

[Nanajo1]

Do your research. Get a guide book and read it. Make a plan and be ready to scrap it and go with plan B. You can always cancel an ADR but can't always eat where/when you want without them. Relax.

 

[turkeymama]

Do your research. Get a guide book and read it. Make a plan and be ready to scrap it and go with plan B. You can always cancel an ADR but can't always eat where/when you want without them. Relax.

Yep! We had the best plans on our last visit...until the morning we couldn't get an AK bus for over 45 minutes. Strange and we never did find out what the problem was. Anyway, we abandoned all plans and hopped on the next bus that showed up!

 

[toddwest]

I was so surprised that nobody mentioned this that I made an account:

The waiting around WDW can be really hard for younger kids. I preload my smartphone with some games and stuff like Disney videos to keep them entertained. Not so much for waiting in line in the park (because I like them to be engaged with everything going on around them and catch the magic). More for the not-so-magical waiting for buses and riding the aforementioned buses while you go around and around the gigantic WDW property.

Remember: Angry Birds = Happy Kids (and parents and nearby strangers)

 

[WyldLynx]

Don't go to WDW with people who get on your nerves at home, it will be 100 times worse at WDW.

OMW this is so very true, I know from personal experience. Never again will I go with family that drives me up a tree at home, because after about day 4 of our 7 day trip it took all the magic of Disney to keep me from strangling 2 members of of our group

 

[HPS3]

You can have your packages shipped at the Parks directly to your on-site resort hotel instead of lugging them around all day!

You cannot EASILY travel from one resort to another (there is no direct bus transportation between resorts).

 

[LAMountJoy]

You cannot EASILY travel from one resort to another (there is no direct bus transportation between resorts).

Don't you mean between parks? We had that problem.... trying to get to Epcot from MK was a huge time-waster because the boat wasn't going and 1/2 the monorail was down. And we wanted to go from DTD to HS but had to go back to our resort to do that. Seems like that could have been more effecient.

 

[WyldLynx]

Wonderful Topic! I just finished all 25 pages with notes. I swear I have over 200 great tips. We are planning our 2nd trip and taking a first timer with us so I have been a little OCD planning especially since we are over a year out and I already have our reservations

 

[KTJAY]

Some of these may have already been said:

Make sure you pick up "First-timer" pins at your hotel. Lots of cast members will acknowledge you.

Tips for rain:

~Go to Animal Kingdom on a rainy or very cloudy day-the animals come out more!!
~Bring ponchos and small umbrella from home~expensive in parks.
~Bring extra sneakers or I put comfy flip flops in my backpack and when it starts to rain put them on.

Do research on the restaurants-menus, locations,dining plan etc. Eating in disney can be overwhelming especially with picky eaters.

 

[m2zjj]

Don't you mean between parks? We had that problem.... trying to get to Epcot from MK was a huge time-waster because the boat wasn't going and 1/2 the monorail was down. And we wanted to go from DTD to HS but had to go back to our resort to do that. Seems like that could have been more effecient.

We've never had any problem getting from park to park but yes there is no direct transportation from DTD to any of the parks. I would guess the reason for the is because parking is free at DTD and if there were busses from there to the parks then people would park there and take the bus to the park to save on parking costs.

 

[smokey]

Ice water is free at all CS places!

How about hot water? I hate drinking ice cold water, and prefer to drink hot water once is has cooled down a bit. Also we are gong at the end of November so the weather will be cooler then.

 

[dizneyjill]

If you're staying on property and have a car....use it..the buses will take a lot of time . You get free parking at the parks if you stay at a Disney resort.And the buses do not go from resort to resort.If you have a dinner reservation at another resort, you have to take a bus to a park and then take another one to the resort and do the same thing to go back.Believe me..the buses are standing room only at night.

 

[My3Princez]

here are mine:

-use that photopass card everywhere, order a photocalendar when you get home, 24 great pictures for $25.00! great souvenir, i get one on every trip!

LOVE this idea!!! I have never ordered photopass photos because it was just a little too rich for my blood, but this AWESOME!!!!

 

[Viator80]

Okay, I thought of another one, and it is exclusive to a certain group of people. Hang with me here for a minute and allow me to explain.

We are from Louisiana, land of Mardi Gras. The first time we took the kids, they could not figure out for the life of themselves why Mickey did not throw them beads during parades. I have pictures of them with their little hands in the air, waving in vain and yelling at Mickey to throw something. Bless their little hearts.

So, while adults may realize there will be no beads and throws to catch, Louisiana kids experiencing Disney parades for the first time may not. Prepare them accordingly. There ya go!

That is hilarious! We're going for the first time during mardi grad this year. I never thought of that!! I know mine will be expecting some beads too!! Guess we won't be bringing our Walmart bags to catch any, but maybe we could bring some from home to wear on mardi gras!

 

[jenlov]

That is hilarious! We're going for the first time during mardi grad this year. I never thought of that!! I know mine will be expecting some beads too!! Guess we won't be bringing our Walmart bags to catch any, but maybe we could bring some from home to wear on mardi gras!

Hahaha! that is FUNNY!! So, did they yell "throw me something, Mister!"? I have to hide the beads from my kids and throw them out every once in awhile. I think every holiday parade in LA includes throwing beads. They add up after just a couple of parades!