10 things most first-timers don't know

[PixiDust04]

Do you like the Lines app better?

I personally use the Undercover Tourist app (they have separate ones for WDW and Universal). It allows users to submit current wait times, and it has been mostly accurate for me the last couple times I used it! It also shows the park hours and EMH each day, and uses an easy-to-understand red, yellow, or green system to show wait times and crowds (red=long wait, yellow=medium, green=short wait).

 

[jebobak]

You are limited to how many FastPasses you can collect at a time!

All of the touring plans I read prior to going in May read something like:

1. Send someone to get FastPass for Ride X
2. Go on Ride Y, get FastPass to ride later.
3. Get FastPass for Ride Z, go on Ride X.
And on and on...

However, none of them mentioned that you can't just run around and collect FastPasses!

There's a limit to the number of FASTPASS tickets you may have at one time. On your ticket will be printed the time at which you can get your next one. Disney's FASTPASS Service machines won't issue another ticket until the time stated on your current one.

 

[dizzneebabe]

Make copies of the back of your paper tickets (if not on your KTTW) and bring it with you, in case they get wet, lost, etc.

 

[SeniorWoodchuck]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but if you want at any table service restaurants you need to make reservations 6 months in advance.

Not strictly true. According to a chart in the Unofficial Guide, there are a handful of TS restaurants that do book up at the 180-day mark, but there are many others where you can get a table with much less notice, including some where the bar on the chart is effectively at zero. I would agree that it pays to book in advance, but not necessarily 6 months in advance. It depends on the place. (Also, if you don't see availability at the place you want, keep checking back for cancellations. People change their plans all the time.)

 

[SeniorWoodchuck]

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)

Yes. I think there's something like a half-day lag, so this doesn't work on your departure day (or possibly the night before) -- but in general, when you buy something in a park you have the choice of carrying it with you, picking it up near the exit gate, or having it sent to your resort. If you're staying club level, it will be delivered to your room; otherwise you can collect it in the lobby.

 

[ZoZo]

If you want to get reservations at a "sit down" (i.e. table service) restaurant, it's a good idea to make reservations well in advance. I bet that most first-time visitors are very surprised that they can't just make same-day reservations (or walk up) for many of the TS restaurants.

Fast Pass - what it is, how it works, etc. I explained FP to a good friend who had never been to WDW - he had heard of FP because he was traveling with other people who were WDW veterans, but he thought you had to pay to use FP.

The weather in Florida can be brutal if you're not used to heat and humidity. People underestimate how the weather can affect them, and can get dehydrated before they realize it. When I see people walking around in jeans during the hotter months, I just shake my head.

First-timers often don't understand the many benefits of staying on-site.

People don't realize how much walking is involved during a typical day. It's important to wear the right shoes, bring moleskin/bodyglide to prevent blisters, bring more than one pair of shoes (in case they get wet), don't wear new shoes (a rookie mistake!). I'd also recommend getting used to walking at least a few miles at a time at home for a few months before the trip, to get used to all of the walking.

 

[andysomma1]

No flash photography means NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. Especially on dark rides or during dark shows. Nothing ruins the magic like several pops of light showing reflections off of mirrors or glass that you wouldn't know was there if not for the flash.

 

[siskaren]

Yes. I think there's something like a half-day lag, so this doesn't work on your departure day (or possibly the night before) -- but in general, when you buy something in a park you have the choice of carrying it with you, picking it up near the exit gate, or having it sent to your resort. If you're staying club level, it will be delivered to your room; otherwise you can collect it in the lobby.

Purchases get sent to your resort gift shop, not the lobby (unless of course things have changed since the last time I was there). And you can't take advantage of it the day of or the day before your departure because it won't get to your resort until the next day.

 

[SeniorWoodchuck]

1. You can order a kid's meal for yourself at any counter service place that has them. You don't have to show them a kid.

2. You can order just a kid's-meal-size drink (12 ounces, I believe) for something like $1.39, even though it's not listed on the menu. This, and whole fruit at about the same price, are two of the best deals at WDW.

3. Many counter service meal portions are HUGE. Two adults can easily split them, if they can agree on what they want to eat. This makes a $10 meal a much better value than you'd have guessed. Suggestion: look at other people's food as they pick it up, to get an idea of portion sizes before you order.

4. If you need ANY kind of information -- directions to a ride or restroom or First Aid, or where to find a particular food item or souvenir -- ask the nearest Cast Member (anyone wearing a white oval name badge). They are very well trained to be both knowledgeable and helpful. If they don't have the answer, they're likely to point you (or even escort you) to someone who does. This kind of service, more than anything, is what makes WDW worth the money to me.

 

[SeniorWoodchuck]

5. You are allowed to take your own food and drink into the parks. This is in sharp contrast to most other corporate theme parks. (Coolers must be 24x15x18 inches or less, and are not allowed in Animal Kingdom park. No glass containers or alcoholic beverages.)

6. You are allowed to take food and drink onto some rides but not others. Some allow water bottles only. Check the rules before you discard items; they may be OK.

 

[SeniorWoodchuck]

Purchases get sent to your resort gift shop, not the lobby (unless of course things have changed since the last time I was there).

You're right, it's the gift shop. I couldn't remember because I've never used that service, so I said "lobby" to cover all the bases. After all, the gift shop is usually in (or just off) the lobby.

 

[Darragh]

You're allowed to visit different resort hotels to eat at their restaurants or just to admire the decorating. Just don't try to swim in their pools!

If you see something that you like, don't wait to buy it because you might find something better later on! Buy it right then because chances are you'll never make it back to the store again.

 

[jrtoastyman]

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.

2. You will walk way more than you expect. Plan accordingly.

 

[Franziska]

If you see something that you like, don't wait to buy it because you might find something better later on! Buy it right then because chances are you'll never make it back to the store again.

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.

 

[cancersucks]

Disney is very family friendly (as expected)
IMO some of the "thrill Rides" although great, are not as "thrilling" as headliners at other theme parks, but the detail that go into the queues and storyline can not be beat. That being said, some of the "easy" rides could be a lot scarier than you anticipate for a little kid. My DS4 Loved TOT, but my Niece who is 5 was TERRIFIED of ITTBAB. (And many other kids I've seen leaving early crying.) Again, research goes a long way.

Also, many people plan their "once in a lifetime trip" but fail to ask the kids what they want to do.

Dont forget to plan breaks. Even if it it to swim, sleep, or just "unwind." Everyone will appreciate it!


Also, Take a pic of the back of your photopass cards so if you lose one you can still access your photos when you get home.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Planning our first trip to DW with kids ages 7 & 10.... any suggestions on what the kids should bring to carry? I don't want to be the only one who is carrying everything for the four of us. They have autograph books, hats, sunglasses, snacks, etc. Suggestions?

The disney stores have a cute string bag. We got one for my husband to carry. Much lighter and smaller than a backpack. It is just a drawstring top. I think it said Disney 2012. It seems like it was 20 bucks, but I can't remember for sure. We will for sure be using it again.

 

[CarolineB]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but if you want at any table service restaurants you need to make reservations 6 months in advance.

Unless you're flexible with the time that you'll eat. I made same day reservations yesterday for Boma for a 4:40 ADR (7:50 p.m. was also available for my group size.)

 

[TNMouseFan]

The parking lots are HUGE. When you park, take a picture of the row name and a picture of the section. At the end of the night everyone will be exhausted. Remembering where you parked the car will be much easier.


Posted from Disney Forums Reader for Android

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

At first glance all CS (counter service) places appear to be hamburgers, pizza and chicken nuggets. Do your research online before you go and you will find plenty of great places to eat that have a wide variety of food. You can seriously go an entire trip without eating a hamburger and just eating CS meals

In Epcot's World Showcase you can buy food in one country and take it to another country (again counter service) to eat if you're eating with someone who is purchasing from that country. So if DH wants Morocco, DD wants Japan and I want Mexico or China we can walk around, pick up food and all sit down to eat it together.

 

[POOHsie]

You don't need to order a combo at a CS restaurant. The menu board shows combos, but you can just get the protein, or just the side. This is a big money saver over the course of a week. Maybe your family can share 1-2 orders of fries instead of everyone getting them. The kids meals that come with a toy, you don't have to get the toy. Saves $1.50, I believe.

WDW is a little smaller than 2x Manhattan Island. Think of walking from the Battery to Harlem. Keep that in mind when you consider transportation times on the buses, boats and monorail. Also consider that when trying to understand how much you'll be walking, in the Florida high heat and humidity. Buy moleskin and Bodyglide. Bring Band-aids.

You don't need insect repellent...Really. Don't wander off sidewalks to explore the natural surroundings. There's lots of hidden wildlife of the unlikeable sort. Bring non-drowsy allergy medicine. Florida plants might kick up allergic reactions. Things like bread and pastries don't last very long unrefrigerated. Because of the robust natural jungle-like environment, don't wear perfume and cologne. It makes you seem like a big flower waiting to be landed on by a variety of bugs.

Keeping in mind how big WDW is, that explains why staying on-site is 1,000 times better than offsite, even considering the price difference. Remember Disney has free parking, free transportation, and the property is all beautifully landscaped and Disney themed. It's like being in a special world, some people say it's a "bubble." Off-site free shuttles are infrequent and usually only drop off at the TTC. Off-site is far away. If you're not driving, it's hard to get to off-site restaurants. If you're driving, you pay for Disney parking every day. When you try a Disney resort on later visits, you'll kick yourself for those times off-site.