Any MISTAKES made on past trips?

[cutecatintree]

dont wear white because white jeans or shorts will get dirty.

 

[ARAITHEL]

I thought of another one...We looked at our Photo Pass photos while at disney and thought we had a month from the start of our vacation to purchase. Time got away from us and when we finally got around to ordering our pics (within the 30d window of the first day of our trip) they were gone.

Make sure you order your pics within 30 days of the FIRST TIME YOU LOOKED AT YOUR PHOTOS ONLINE...not the first day of your vacation.

 

[Bob NC]

The biggest mistake we always used to make was planning too many ADR's.

You become a slave to them and every waking minute of every day is spent planning how and when you need to be at that next ADR.

When we stopped making ADR's we found we saved TONS of time and were more stress-free. And ya know what? We were able to eat pretty much where we wanted when we wanted.

Granted, during the busiest few weeks of the year you might want to have a few ADR's, but most of the time they are not as necessary as you might have been led to believe.

 

[momfeez]

not taking the rain ponchos...yes, they sell them in the park, but I hate buying what I already have. DH says it makes the backpack too heavy. Yeah, whatever, I am not leaving those suckers behind in the room again! Lesson learned

 

[Disney Commando]

We found that going back to to the resort for a afternoon swim was like swimming in lava, In August a warm pool is not that refreshing

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I thought of another one...We looked at our Photo Pass photos while at disney and thought we had a month from the start of our vacation to purchase. Time got away from us and when we finally got around to ordering our pics (within the 30d window of the first day of our trip) they were gone.

Make sure you order your pics within 30 days of the FIRST TIME YOU LOOKED AT YOUR PHOTOS ONLINE...not the first day of your vacation.

I had a similar situation, but I got lucky! We moved right after our trip and I lost our photopass. Well, I knew it was in one of the millions of boxes, so technically it wasn't lost. I just couldn't find it. About a month after we got back I found it thinking the pics would be gone. I got lucky that I had never looked at them before packing the pass. We were able to still buy what we needed!!! Sorry it went the opposite way for you!

We found that going back to to the resort for a afternoon swim was like swimming in lava, In August a warm pool is not that refreshing

dont wear white because white jeans or shorts will get dirty.

Yep. You also shouldn't wear white because inevitably you will get soaked on Splash mountain. Believe me, no one wants to see me in see through pants.

 

[dnsmills]

I wouldn't say it's a huge mistake but I wish I had reviewed our package closer on previous trips and realized we were paying for water park options, DisneyQuest options and park hoppers options that we never used and could've left off and saved some money. Lesson learned!

 

[ChristineOH]

Getting only one family photo in front of Cinderella's Castle. We went there on arrival day. I had coordinated our outfits so we were all wearing blues, which looked great in front of the castle. We all smiled nicely and were looking at the camera. But it bugs me that there's some big dude in a red shirt that I can't crop out of the side of the photo. I wish we had taken more shots, in several different spots, so I had some to choose from. (If I was handy with the photoshop I bet I could just turn that guy's shirt blue. ha!)

 

[xipetotec]

We like to consider ourselves experienced Disney goers. This was our 8th trip as adults and I've done SO much reading and learning over the years.

For SOME reason, this past trip, we threw out so many of our "rules" out the window and it hurt out trip.

We zig-zagged the parks, we went in late ( of course, this is a matter of tastes, but for us it's always been get there as early as possible ), ate lunch right at peak lunchtimes.... In essence, we lost a lot of valuable time... We were exausted and didn't end up really getting everything we usually do out of our Disney vacation.

Did we enjoy ourselves? Well of course! We still didn't do anything commando style or go-go-go... but we did feel completely run ragged and it's really our own fault cause we knew better...

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Next week we leave for our thrid trip so I realize we are getting better! Our first trip, we had no game plan at all. We went to the parks blind. No idea of what to ride, where to go or anything. We had two little ones and it was grueling. They were cranky by the afternoon and ready to leave the parks.

We never saw the fireworks or the parade.

Second trip I did much better because I found the boards!!! I made two ADR's, which was perfect for that time. I knew a lot more about what rides the kids were able to ride AND we saw the fireworks AND the parades!!

We also got to the parks early, left after lunch. Did some napping, swimming or shopping and returned to a different park for the evening. The only problem with our second trip is that we went at the end of June and it was extremely hot and uncomfy.

So...for our third trip, we know what we want to ride, see and EAT I am sure I made too many ADR's but I am willing to cancel some ressies once we see how we feel. We are going next week so although it will be warm, it shouldn't be 103 degrees everyday. I am only traveling with my dd7. She is my night owl as well as the most energetic (hyper) She can hang with the best of them!

I am anticipating a FANTASTIC TIME!

 

[lisajl]

I agree with a lot of the above..



buy something for yourself.

Slow down and enjoy it.... don't be in a rush 24 - 7..

Enjoy!

Amen!

 

[Bigpaw]

Next week we leave for our thrid trip so I realize we are getting better! Our first trip, we had no game plan at all. We went to the parks blind. No idea of what to ride, where to go or anything. We had two little ones and it was grueling. They were cranky by the afternoon and ready to leave the parks.

:

We are going with two little ones also, so I definitely appreciate your tips!

 

[Bigpaw]

Getting only one family photo in front of Cinderella's Castle. We went there on arrival day. I had coordinated our outfits so we were all wearing blues, which looked great in front of the castle. We all smiled nicely and were looking at the camera. But it bugs me that there's some big dude in a red shirt that I can't crop out of the side of the photo. I wish we had taken more shots, in several different spots, so I had some to choose from. (If I was handy with the photoshop I bet I could just turn that guy's shirt blue. ha!)

What a great idea color coordinating outfits. If we do it we'll definitely take several shots and look behind us before shooting.

 

[pammydw]

I am so glad to have come across this thread. I have a dear friend that lives in FL and wants to come up one night for dinner. Wants me to leave the resort (staying at Boardwalk) and we are surprising DD7 going on 8 for her birthday. I don't want to leave my family! And secondly, my brother in law wants to meet us there from AZ. Ahhhhhh! No thank you !
Both of these issues I have read are terrible things that happened to others! Thank you all. This is our first trip to WDW as a family. I haven't been since 1983 and DH hasn't been since 1989! First for our DD! Super excited to go and hoping to do it just the three of us!

 

[ARAITHEL]

I am so glad to have come across this thread. I have a dear friend that lives in FL and wants to come up one night for dinner. Wants me to leave the resort (staying at Boardwalk) and we are surprising DD7 going on 8 for her birthday. I don't want to leave my family! And secondly, my brother in law wants to meet us there from AZ. Ahhhhhh! No thank you !
Both of these issues I have read are terrible things that happened to others! Thank you all. This is our first trip to WDW as a family. I haven't been since 1983 and DH hasn't been since 1989! First for our DD! Super excited to go and hoping to do it just the three of us!

I'd make an excuse to both that you needed family time...and this was a special trip for your DD. If your friend wants to see you, fine. Have him meet you at Kousianna (sp) for dinner or someplace convenient for you! THIS IS YOUR VACATION. Do what you want and spend much needed time with your family!

Does DH want the brother to come?? Sometimes men can go and do "men" things which makes spending "girl" time with your DD VERY special!

Good luck and have a wonderful time! BTW: Yea, NE Ohio! I went my first year in college to Mount Union College and my folks live in Central Ohio!

 

[maganda]

When we took our kids for the first time three years ago they were 9 and 7. I didn't want to be the carrier of everybody's stuff so I got them each a tiny fanny pack and filled it with all the things I thought they might need. Tissue pack, hand sanitizer, lip balm, a battery operated fan (?!), one of those little penlight flashlights, a snack, a disposable poncho... Well, the fan and flashlight were fun the first day but by the third day no one wanted to bring their fanny pack. As it turns out they didn't need or miss any of those "essential" things I put so much time and effort into packing for them.

 

[GraceMonica]

Tru dat. Hated Coral Reef.

We tried that place last year. Worst. Decision. Ever. My family still makes jokes about how horrible Coral Reef was.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

We tried that place last year. Worst. Decision. Ever. My family still makes jokes about how horrible Coral Reef was.

My family didn't hate it, but I did. To be fair, I was sick and they were very nice. It was just that I hated my food, and I wanted to fall asleep b/c it was so dark and it took a long time for the food to come. They did give hubby and I champagne to celebrate our anniversary, so that was nice. I just won't eat there again. Everything but my dessert was gross. Kinda makes me feel sick thinking about it again. Even though my family didn't hate it, I don't think they enjoyed it either. It was not one that came up on anyone's list for where to go again this year!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

When we took our kids for the first time three years ago they were 9 and 7. I didn't want to be the carrier of everybody's stuff so I got them each a tiny fanny pack and filled it with all the things I thought they might need. Tissue pack, hand sanitizer, lip balm, a battery operated fan (?!), one of those little penlight flashlights, a snack, a disposable poncho... Well, the fan and flashlight were fun the first day but by the third day no one wanted to bring their fanny pack. As it turns out they didn't need or miss any of those "essential" things I put so much time and effort into packing for them.

We are doing something similar this year minus a couple things. I want everyone to divide up the bulk of what has to be carried b/c even though we are taking a stroller for my youngest to save her from getting too tired, it will be the last year we take one. They need to get used to it! Most of my kids are older, so it won't be a huge issue I think. I want them to carry around their own moleskin, sunscreen, poncho, tissues, meds, and such. That way I don't have to stop every 20 minutes for them to dig around in the stroller bag for it. They know they have it right in their bag. Hope ours works out better!!!

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

Our last trip we spent a day at AK. It was hot and the kids didn't enjoy the park as much as MK, Epcot or MGM. Next trip we might skip this one all together. I need to stop feeling like we have to visit every park on every trip we make

We had this same experience the first trip we made to WDW. DD was 3 and DS was 5 at the time. However, we gave it a second try on our next trip. DD was 5 and DS was 7. This time the kids absolutely loved AK this time around! We ended up staying until closing time and the kids raved about the experience even after coming home! Guess you never know when and where magic will strike at WDW!!