Any last minute tips for first family trip?

[riu girl]

We are leaving on Friday, first ever WDW/Daytona Beach family vacation.
Any last minute tips?

Suzy V.

 

[Scratch42]

Go with the Flow!

Even the best laid plans don't pan out!

ENJOY!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Scratch

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Don't get hung up on seeing everything as the minute you get there you'll want to go back.

Have a great trip!

 

[BLBCB]

Depending on the age of your kids, or how they are with very loud noises, my best tip would be bring ear plugs. We had some that were attached to a U-shaped head band thing, and the kids just kept them hanging around their necks until they needed them. They could then control when to put them in or not. Even the parades can get very noisy, and our kids haven't had any problems on any rides since they've had these ear plugs. Of course every picture we have, they are all wearing these bright orange things around their necks. LOL

 

[surfer_ed]

The absolute best tip you can use is get to the parks EARLY. Most people seem to arrive between 10-12. This is too late in most cases.

Getting there early can be hard to coordinate with a large family or small children but you can get more done before noon than most people can get done all day. Fantasyland in particular can be a zoo after lunch.

Are you staying on-site? If so go early (the first bus) and then go back to your room for a rest in the middle of the day. cdnmickeylover is right you can't see everything so marathon days just burn you out.

Good luck, wish I were going.

Surfer_ed

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I found pipe cleaners are great to play with when waiting in lines. You can pick up packages at the dollar store.

Use the mini M&M tubes to keep quarters and pennies for pressed pennies. Purchase a pressed penny book when you arrive to immediately put the pressed ones it. You can usually find the books near the cash register. My kids had a great time collecting them. You can use Canadian pennies, but need US quarters.

Use fastpasses!! Get one even if you aren't sure you'll use it. If you don't use it, just pass it on to someone who will (they'll love you for it!)

Give each child a disposable camera to record their view and moments of Disney. Gives a different perspective.

Purchase glow sticks from the Dollar Store before you leave. Bring them out when waiting for Fantasmic, light parades or fireworks. This way you won't have to purchase the very expensive Disney light up things, and the kids just love the $1 glow sticks.

Go to the left. Most people go to the right in lines.

If you get a Pal Mickey, purchase a water bottle holder (they have them at Epcot) to put around Mickey and then you can wear him around your neck or over your shoulder. This way you can hear him and he won't get misplaced.

Finally, as Scratch said, go with the flow! It'll be busy and crowded, and most people aren't as informed as us DISer's!! Take time to sit and relax and people watch.

Have a great time!

 

[SplashMom]

Take breaks! We researched everything before our first trip and agreed we would take breaks. Of course, once we got to the parks we didn't want to leave. By the end of the day, we were really exhausted (the parks were open late as well). By the last few days of our trip, we did take afternoon breaks and we noticed a huge difference in how much more we enjoyed everything. Even though it is tempting to stay at the park, take a little break after lunch and return later in the day. It is definitely worth it. Have a fabulous trip!!

 

[maryliz]

If you're staying onsite, take advantage of early entry ( I think the new changes don't take effect until Jan). And if you're not on site, go to a different park than the early entry one! And yes, get there early! You'll be amazed at how much you can see before the regular crowds show up.

Have a fabulous time! And a very Merry Christmas!

Mary-Liz