10 things most first-timers don't know

[Pmctn]

Before the turnstiles open at HS. If you are not 1st in line, get in the leftmost line. There will be a turnstile open for breakfast ADR's to your left with a sign. Watch that turnstile, just before they open all the turnstiles, the ADR turnstile will be available for all guests. If you are watching and are quick, you can move to that turnstile and be ahead of many other people.

 

[zoom8942]

my parent went with a high school group once and the kids walked around all day and did nothing because they didnt have any money to ride any of the rides. So sad!!!
1. go before park opening on emh day. You may wait in line 20 min before the park opens, but we can get in most the park in before some people even get there.
2. Child swap!!!! has given my older kids double the rides for years( too bad my youngest is 5 now. He will ride most everything lol)
3. check for any special events in the park that day( one time it was gay day at MK and my teen boys wore red, which happened to be the color that day, so that explained the wierd looks)
4. if at all possible, go with a family that are disney veterans. Or at least get their advice.
5. rooms at the value resorts are small
6. chip and dale sing along at ft wilderness, free enertainment followed by water pageant on beach.

 

[reginaastralis]

1. Turn off data on your phone if you don't need the be able to get emails -- and if you do, keep it off most of the time and switch it on every so often to manually check. The data networks at Disney are overloaded, and the constant searching your phone does for a decent data signal will kill the battery in nothing flat.
.

This is one of the best tips I've read, because it's something you might not expect. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't keep my phone charged for a full day at Disney, and I take most of my pictures on my phone. This past trip, I turned off my wifi, except when I wanted to check certain things, and I only lost 20% of my battery life during the whole day. It's seems so obvious now that I've figured it out ... lol

 

[tlovesdis]

Subscribing so I don't miss anything!

Planning my very first trip for next year!!

 

[mad madam mim78]

Strangly even the most comfortable shoes sometimes rub blisters when you walk soooo much. Bring band-aids. Don't forget sunscreen. Even though you're not in a bathing suit you're still in the sun alot. We forgot ours and paid like 15 bucks at MK to get some.

Have fun. Yes you should have a "plan" but some people plan sooo much. It's a vacation. Relax...try not to go solely by reservations. I just pick which direction I want to go in and fly by the seat of my pants. It's fun.

 

[Emma1987]

Great thread! So many new tips!

 

[tralin]

This fellow southerner agrees with you 100%. In fact, I responded about this very post earlier in the thread. The "sweet tea" in Disney World is just awful.

lol! That depends on where you are from. In Canada that's the Iced Tea we drink. Can't stand "real" tea. I want the fake stuff!!!

 

[tralin]

If you are traveling with younger children (preschoolers for example) be sure to "let them be your guide." (Thanks Shannon). You will NOT get everything done on one trip, especially the first, so take your time, don't stress about what you are getting to see. Follow your child's lead. They will bring the magical moments to you.

 

[nan1217]

Have fun. Yes you should have a "plan" but some people plan sooo much. It's a vacation. Relax...try not to go solely by reservations. I just pick which direction I want to go in and fly by the seat of my pants. It's fun.

You can be spontaneous just about anywhere else, but doing that at WDW will probably lead to disappointment. At least the first hour or two of park touring should be planned, plus most table service reservations.

 

[deesthings]

But once you get your map, move off to the side to study it! Or, better yet, use one of dozens of sites to see a map ahead of time and make a plan of attack! I get so disgusted with a group of adults, all hovering around a map saying "Waht do you want to do?" "I dont know, what do YOU want to do"? Disney is so freaking expensive that you are wasting valuable time!!!!!

OMG! This drives us crazy...lol
Lastyear, my MIL did this several times. I had maps etc. printed out months in advance, but she "didn't need to look at those". DH finally ripped the map from her hand and started walking. She didn't understand that she was in the way of other people or that she was wasting time..UG!

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

She used to so I told my kids she would (and we were all disappointed too). Now she donates them somewhere like a children's hospital or something like that.

Thank you for sharing this tip.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

Staying on property doesn't mean you are actually in a park. You still need to take some kind of transportation. (I worked with someone who thought since she was staying on property, she would wake up and walk right out into the middle of the magic kingdom).

Guest services at any location can print out your flight vouchers reducing hassle at the airport.

Fast pass IS included in the price of your admission to the parks.

 

[SgtsWifeandmommyof4]

Really? Hmm, very interesting. I planned on getting a military park hopper ticket but, its only a 4 day ticket. Instead of buying additional 2 day tickets, I can add days on to it for $10 per person/per ticket instead??

 

[SgtsWifeandmommyof4]

No, it's exactly the opposite. After the fourth day, it only costs $10 a day to add extra days, while the park hopper option costs $57 regardless of how many days are on your ticket (well, unless it's just a one day ticket, in which case it costs $35). People want to buy extra days instead of the park hopper in order to save money.

Really? Hmm, very interesting. I planned on getting a military park hopper ticket but, its only a 4 day ticket. Instead of buying additional 2 day tickets, I can add days on to it for $10 per person/per ticket instead??


Sorry for the multi-post. Its been a super long day with my baby boy teething.

 

[Phatoomch]

Remember, if you are a Disney Resort Guest and have merchandise sent back to your room it will not arrive until the next day.

If coffee in the morning is important to you, take your own. So glad I did. Packed a small 8-cup coffee maker and zip-loc each of my coffee & creamer

 

[Random Ninja]

Buses usually arrive every 20 minutes or so and most buses make multiple stops. The longest bus ride on property is from DTD to YC/BC. That trip takes forever.

I actually fell asleep on that bus ride. I was supposed to get off at the first stop but I put my head against the window and was out a few minutes later. It was almost 45 minutes later when the bus pulled up to the last stop before going back to DTD. Thankfully someone tapped my shoulder and asked if it was my stop. Who knows how long I would have been on that bus otherwise.

 

[POOHsie]

Really? Hmm, very interesting. I planned on getting a military park hopper ticket but, its only a 4 day ticket. Instead of buying additional 2 day tickets, I can add days on to it for $10 per person/per ticket instead??


Sorry for the multi-post. Its been a super long day with my baby boy teething.

Your ticker indicates you are visiting WDW in 6 months? The 4-day Military Salute tickets are only good through September 30th. Disney might extend the offer, but it's unknown at this time. If your vacation is six months from now, hold off on getting the military tickets because they might be expired before you use them. If the offer is extended, there is likely to be blackout dates around Xmas and New Year's.

Plan A. The 4-day Military Salute tickets are not upgradable, like Magic Your Way tickets are. You couldn't add days for $10 each. You could purchase 2 sets of Salute tickets for each person. Again, this all depends on the continuation of the Salute ticket after Sept. 30th, and if you would be allowed to purchase enough Salute tickets to give everyone 2 tickets each. If you did buy 2 tickets, $138x2, you would have 8 days plus Park Hopper for $276.

Plan B. You really want a total of six days. Your idea is to use the 4-day Military Salute ticket, plus purchase a Disney MYW 2-day base ticket. We still don't know about the continuation of the Military Salute tickets after Sept. 30th. Disney ticket prices are greatest in the first 3 days. Let's compute the costs for this idea. 4-day Military Salute PH, $138, plus 2-day MYW base ticket, $176. Total Cost $314 (not including 6.5% tax, based on where you purchase the tickets).

Plan C. If the Military Salute program is not extended, you may have to purchase a Disney MYW ticket for six days, $278, plus Park Hopper, $57. Total cost $335. To save money, you don't have to buy Park Hopper. Then your total for a 6-day MYW Base Ticket would be $278. That is just about the same as using two 4-day Salute tickets (except for no PH).

Let's hope the Military Salute program is extended beyond September 30, 2012. For great ticketing info, refer to the Ticket Sticky, "Everything About WDW Tickets." Post #17 is about the Military Salute Tickets. Post #18 is current Disney ticket pricing. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1452684

 

[starrysky]

This is true some of the time but we did find a lot of overlap in the merchandise from store to store and park to park. My husband wanted a specific size in a certain style shirt and we must have been to at least 10 shops in the World that had the same shirt but were out of his size.

We had the same issue however when we asked at the cash desk the CM called around and even did a check on the computer to see if she could locate the item we were looking for.

On a side not you CAN walk between DHS and EPCOT and there is a boat between the two as well.

Not sure about all times of the year but there are buses from park to park available.

Also may have been covered is you can't park at DTD and get a bus from there to a park. This is done to stop people from not paying for parking at DTD and blocking all the spaces for those who want to visit DTD.

There are a number of transport options available depending on which park/resort you want to get to.

 

[disneychic2]

This is a great thread and I have learned a couple of things I didn't know. Love the tip about blocking the data on your phone!

When we took our 5 year old DGD for her first trip to Disney World in april, we purchased what are called "safety tats". They can be ordered online and printed with a cell number on them. They are designed to stay on 2 or 3 days, but hers lasted (through baths and swimming) for 5 days! We told her if she became separated from us to just show her tat to someone with the white name tags and they would call us. Fortunately we didn't need it, but it was peace of mind.

Also, I take extra empty zip locks with me and I take a wash cloth from the room to the park. I wet it and use it to wipe my face and the back of my neck when I get too hot. Rewetting it makes it nice and cold and is so refreshing. I also take a hand held (very small) misting fan which helps a lot too.

I know someone on here said you don't need to study a book before going, but to use the maps you get at the park. I believe studying the layout of each park beforehand is essential to a great visit. Besides, all that reading about Disney builds the anticipation. I recommend the Unofficial Guide and Passporters.

I make a couple of copies of all our ADRs and the confirmation #s. DH keeps a copy in his wallet in case we forget a time or there's a problem with the ressie

Your child can get a first haircut at the barbershop in MK. They get Mickey ears to commemorate the occasion too!

 

[CityGirlLost]

Did someone mention taking a photo of your photopass card and KTTW, just in case it gets lost?

I also take a photo of my name, cell number and resort data with my camera in case I lose the camera, it can be identified.