Best advice from DIS boards

[mla2177]

What was the best advice you got from the Dis boards, or information you didn't know about??

Mine was the DOLE WHIP , I would have never stopped and tried it if I didn't read it here!!!!!

 

[SusanDK]

So many things . . .

This one is really embarrassing, but I had no idea that there was the International Gateway entrance to Epcot and we could just walk into Epcot from the Boardwalk area. We'd been to WDW two or three times previously before I discovered that one from the DIS.

That you could ask to ride in front on the monorail. DH couldn't believe when I asked the first time and they just smiled and said sure, and opened up the door for us to sit with the driver (it was less than half an hour until closing on our way to MK to see Wishes, and there were no families with kids waiting for the chance so I felt it was ok to ask for just DH and me).

I read about Off Kilter here and timed it perfectly to steer DH in that direction for a show. It was the high point of that evening for us and we've seen them a number of times since.

I still haven't had a Dole Whip but plan to on our next trip in Dec/Jan! I'd read people mentioning them and assumed they were probably some sickeningly sweet thing that wouldn't appeal to us. Only a few days ago I saw someone post pictures and describe them. Sounds like something we'd like to try (that will also be a surprise for DH next time when I just happen to steer him in that direction and suggest we have one).

I read about the Dueling Pianos at Jellyrolls here and we finally had time to go in September -- loved them!

Susan

 

[sassyredhead]

-Over-the-door shoe rack
-ADR at Ohana during Wishes
-Character Connection in Epcot (since it's not outside, I may have walked right by had I not been forewarned!!)
-Off-Kilter

 

[makinorlando]

Prior to the DIS - even being local, I never really thought about making ADRs at the TS restaurants. We were learning Disney on our own!

Several times we would walk up and the waits were too long so we moved on to CS - once I started reading the DIS (very regularly last fall) I realized the "trick"! I don't know if I thought they were live Olive Garden etc, where they didn't take ressies.

Now it is an addiction. If i don't have several ADRs to look forward to I feel like something is missing. (Note to self - make an ADR for the beginnng of Nov.... Thanksgiving is too long to wait!)

I learned about the Fireworks Cruises (and joined in on one last December).

Many of the things that are resort related I never thought of until I started reading the DIS (and watching the Food Network Holidays at Disney special last year... which come to think of it - I probably heard about on the DIS too!) since we don't typically stay in resorts.

I am sure there are 100 other things that have enhanced our Disney Experiences! I love the DIS and all the friends I have made on line.

 

[alldiz]

ADR's......especially california grill at firework time

Getting to the park early, then going back to hotel to rest

Kerri

 

[martyshoney]

What an awesome post!! Keep them coming, I broke out a notebook to write all of these down in so I don't forget them for our upcoming trip in Jan.!!

 

[joycol]

I'm so grateful that someone said that all counter services offer water cups. We prefer water anyway but it seems silly to spend over $2 for a bottle!

 

[mom22boys]

How to maximize FASTPASS. I never knew you could get a second FASTPASS once you were within the time window printed on the bottom of your first FASTPASS.

Never to eat CS at MGM!

The Main Street Bakery shop sells cookie ice cream sandwhiches.

Earl of Sandwhich has the best sandwhiches on WDW property.

To ride in the front of the monorail.

To pack a poncho when riding Kali!

And so much more!!! Thank you DISboards!

 

[Spaceship Earthfan]

There's so many things, but probably the best piece of advice I learned from the boards was the advice about using expired Fastpasses. If we missed the closing time on a Fastpass (because we were eating, in line for another ride, etc) then we would just throw the Fastpass away or keep it for the scrapbook. But this last trip we used expired Fastpasses quite frequently and the CMs took them every time, without question. I still feel a little guilty when I do this (like I am breaking the rules), but evidently it's policy to accept them anytime past the starting time, and it's saved on so much waiting and running across the parks to make FP times

 

[mla2177]

Thought of another one..........................the sleigh ride at Wl.

 

[TaraPA]

I read on here years ago to do the parks in a counter-clockwise rotation - head to the right when entering. I read that people naturally tend to enter a park & head left (clockwise) - so it's less crowded to head in the opposite direction. I don't know if this is true or not, but we always go in & head right - and it seems to be working so far!

 

[doodlebugs]

Never knew about WL flag family until I read it on the Dis Boards! Great tip.

 

[kparc]

Two things previously mentioned: That you can get free water ( that is literally a life and money saver for us) and explanations of how to use the fast pass system before I went! We didn't waste valuable time trying to figure it all out after we got there.

Ohhh... and the DIS and links I found here to Allearsnet for letting me browse menus before we went. Another BIG time saver because I knew in advance which restaurants in each park would have food that we all would eat!!!

 

[Mickey1122]

There's so many things, but probably the best piece of advice I learned from the boards was the advice about using expired Fastpasses. If we missed the closing time on a Fastpass (because we were eating, in line for another ride, etc) then we would just throw the Fastpass away or keep it for the scrapbook. But this last trip we used expired Fastpasses quite frequently and the CMs took them every time, without question. I still feel a little guilty when I do this (like I am breaking the rules), but evidently it's policy to accept them anytime past the starting time, and it's saved on so much waiting and running across the parks to make FP times

Definitely not breaking the rules! We do this too. It's only wrong to try and use them after the day that they were obtained. Fastpasses make the parks so much more fun.

 

[Tikitoi]

I like to just be able to ask ANY question and get good reliable responses!

 

[WaltD4Me]

One of my favorites is to use a town car service that offers a free grocery stop on the way. -- First, I LOVE getting in the car and going right to the resort (not having to wait for other guests or having to stop at other resorts) and have saved tons with the grocery stop buying breakfast foods, snacks and bottled water. I would never have thought of a town car service if I hadn't seen them discussed here.

I've gotten TONS of incredible advice here, but this is one of my most favorite.

 

[BonnieA]

Many years ago I read the tip to photo copy (or copy down) the numbers on your park pass. This sure helped me when I left my pass at a fastpass machine. No problem at all getting a replacement with the copy.

 

[DeterminedOne]

Everything I've learned about the restaurants, places to eat. Thanks to Dis, we've dined at a variety of restaurants instead sticking with the same old places.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Ooh, boy-so many tips! The first one I learned here was about looking up in the stretching room at the Haunted Mansion. Honestly, I had no idea there was a guy hanging up there. Besides that, there's the Illuminations Cruise, the Kitchen Sink at B&C, the fact that PVH resturaunt has an upstairs, the Pocohontas Animal Training Show, how to look for the "helper" with the talking palm tree at AK, watching Illuminations from the beach in front of BCV if you don't want to pay to go into the park (not a great view, but for Mom, who'd never been to WDW, it was a nice way to start our trip), the No Way Jose Sundae at B&C, the Morocco walking tour (when they had it), so many. DH doesn't mind me spending so much time on the boards because of all the great tips he's benefitted from.

 

[eleanor]

Everything everyone has said. There is so much info.