I guess I've learned a few of things about WDW. 1) Ear plugs are important for sleeping, but the foam ones just don't get it done. I have found silicone ear plugs work amazingly well. They cost about $5 at any Walgreen's and come in packs of about 10 or so. 2) If you have kids, pin trading is lots of fun; however it can get really expensive in the WDW stores. SOOOOOOO..... Go on ebay and buy a pack of 20 or so totally legit Disney starter pins for $15 and use those to start trading. The great thing about starter pins is that once you are in the parks, literally hundreds of the CMs MUST trade pins with you, regardless of the Disney pins you have. So, if you have an ugly, cheaper pin and see a CM with one you really like, ask them for a trade -- they ALWAYS say yes! It's a little something Disney does for guests.
3) In the Florida heat, many a guest has felt the dizzying effects of a long day. Heat stroke can take anybody out, so stay hydrated and cool as you can. This means lots and lots of water -- all quick service vendors have it for free. In AK, at the Yak and Yeti, they give HUGE cups of ice cold water upon request. Don't be afraid of looking cheap when asking for water and nothing else. They get it all the time, as do all the other quick service places. 4) Speaking of the heat, bring a fan. Not the fans you use at church, but a battery operated water spritzing fan. It can solve a lot of heat problems. You can put some of the ice from your water into the fan and blow cold water on yourself during the hot walk around AK. These fans often have straps that can be hung around your neck. Yeah, you'll look like a total goober, but hey, it's WDW. And besides, you aren't trying to impress anybody. 5) Try to limit what you carry to what you can put in your pockets or around your neck. You will forget stuff if you don't, I promise. Buy a lanyard for your KTTW and you can also put your pins on it -- a win-win. Don't stress about losing your card. If that happens (unlikely) a replacement takes no time at all and your old one will be canceled right away. 6) Try to be patient. It's hard sometimes, when people are all around you pushing and it's hot and you're sweaty and the lady next to you has B.O. But if you blow a fuse you will regret it later. That 10 second tirade can ruin a whole day of touring -- if not the trip. Be better than the people pushing your buttons. They can't help how they were raised. When you go home from WDW you will be happier for it.
7) WDW is HUUUUUGGGGGGE. Take breaks. There is a ton of stuff going on around you at all times. Take a few minutes every hour to look around you. Just stop for a second and realize that you are at WDW and take in the sights, sounds and smells all around you. I have found that just about anybody you speak to is on the same high as you are. It's just a great time to be in such a happy place. 8) You will want to come back. That's just going to happen, so accept it. Go into your first trip knowing full well it won't be your last. 9) Be open to the Magic. People talk about it for a reason -- that Magic, I mean. It swarms all over you in WDW. It's in the arms of Minnie when she hugs you for a picture. It's in the heart of the man who lets your little girl get in front of him for the parade. You feel it when you walk down Main Street and see the Castle for the first time. It's a great feeling. It's a connection with people and characters around you, knowing that they feel what you are feeling and they love it just as much as you do. Cool stuff.
10) Fast Pass. Learn it. Use it. Love it. Don't forget it. 11) The first time walking into WDW -- particularly MK is awesome. Try to remember that feeling because you only get it once and it has to last your whole lifetime. Well, that's 11 things for first-timers, so sue me.
