Best Piece of Advice?

[tink20]

What is your best piece of advice for a WONDERFUL Disney Vacation?

 

[3jsmommy]

Don't overplan but do make ADR's & most importantly get lost in the Magic!!!!

 

[buffy0214]

Have a plan but use it more like a guideline--be willing to accept that you probably won't have time to do it all. If someone ends up wanting to ride Speedway 3 times in a row, go ahead. That's what memories are made of

 

[buffy0214]

I didn't mean for it to sound like I was contradicting 3jsmommy. I think we posted at the same time. Actually, I think our meaning was pretty much the same.

 

[nessz79]

Have a plan but use it more like a guideline--be willing to accept that you probably won't have time to do it all. If someone ends up wanting to ride Speedway 3 times in a row, go ahead. That's what memories are made of

Don't expect anything but to be immersed in Disney magic. Have a general plan and some ADR's but don't worry if you don't get to everything. Just be happy to be there and keep your expectations relatively low.

 

[PollyannaMom]

nutshell - "Research a lot, plan a little."

translation - I like to learn a lot before I go about what's available at the time, but I don't plan every second. I find out what's most important to each person in my group, and plan around those things, then kind of have "second tier" things (to avoid wasting time standing around asking "What do we do next?") - but it's more like a back-up plan; I'm willing to drop those in order to "follow the Disney moment." I make ADR's that are important to anyone, but I don't cram them in.


P.S. - added - I guess I'm long-winded today. - Several people said the same thing while I was typing! - Anyway, I didn't mean to steal yours!

 

[Elmo888]

Don't plan to see everything because it is impossible. Just take some time to just enjoy where you are, wherever it is. Whether you are in your resort room, eating a meal, or walking through a park, there is a lot to enjoy in the little things.

 

[jkCT]

Don't exhaust yourself the first day...pace yourself. We were at the airport at 4am, arrived at POP at 1pm, at the Magic Kingdom at 3pm, into bed at 10pm...tried to cram a whole day's worth of stuff into half a day, then we were exhausted and cranky the next day. If we had taken the first half-day to swim, relax, and soak in the Disney atmosphere at POP, we would not have been exhausted already on our first "real", full day.

Some more upbeat advice...get souvenirs! Even if they're little things, they let you bring the Disney magic home with you!

 

[Ariel8676]

Take your time and take it all in...if you don't see everything, you have an excuse to go back!!!

 

[Keara'sMom]

Go with the flow--you'll have more fun!

 

[daisyduck123]

1st.....Read the DISboards! Seriously.

2nd..Make sure your trip is a week-long, minimum!!

 

[dzneelvr]

Don't overestimate your expectations of seeing and doing everything you read about on these boards! Most of us are veterans of many, many trips and it's an accumulation of experiences, not ones we absorbed on one trip Stay very in tune to your family and the pace you prefer, what you like and dislike. Don't be afraid to repeat things you all love and skip things that don't really interest you at the time. Think of each trip as "family time", not a we-have-to-do-everything-we-see-because-we-are-in-Disney type of trip. the first trip our kids loved the resort pool...we had to drag them to the parks. Every trip just adds to the overall experience. For example, we have yet to tour the Boardwalk area;my DH doesn't get DTD; DD loves taking photos within AK; DS has to do MGM on a Star Wars weekend; I LOVE MK.....we do some--we don't do others and never feel deprived in any way!We're back in WDW in June and can't wait!!!!

 

[mantysk8coach]

Take an off day. Don't plan a single thing. Use your day to sleep in, have a late breakfast, or early lunch at the food court, explore the resort grounds, gift shop, spend some time at the pool.

We usually have one day off every trip, except this past December, and I REALLY missed it. Especially because I was 7 months pregnant!

 

[tink20]

Don't overestimate your expectations of seeing and doing everything you read about on these boards! Most of us are veterans of many, many trips and it's an accumulation of experiences, not ones we absorbed on one trip Stay very in tune to your family and the pace you prefer, what you like and dislike. Don't be afraid to repeat things you all love and skip things that don't really interest you at the time. Think of each trip as "family time", not a we-have-to-do-everything-we-see-because-we-are-in-Disney type of trip. the first trip our kids loved the resort pool...we had to drag them to the parks. Every trip just adds to the overall experience. For example, we have yet to tour the Boardwalk area;my DH doesn't get DTD; DD loves taking photos within AK; DS has to do MGM on a Star Wars weekend; I LOVE MK.....we do some--we don't do others and never feel deprived in any way!We're back in WDW in June and can't wait!!!!


Thanks to all, for the great advice.
We are going in June too! 16th-23rd. I am sooooo excited! Hope your trip is Great!

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

don't leave your favorites such as Fantasmic until the last day your there, just in case it rains!

We did this last year, we scheduled Fantasmic for our final night in the world and it got rained out so we missed it...boo..but, on the flip side, my DH did schedule a trip for this year because he wants to see it...

 

[juligrl]

Have a plan and go with the flow. Sounds like an oxymoron but it's a rule I live by.

 

[rt2dz]

My best piece of advice is be flexible. Have a guideline, but be willing to change on a dime if it isn't working. Listen to everything, try the things you think will be viable, but realize when something doesn't work for you. There is a lot of one-size-fits-all advice for WDW (like go back to the hotel for a mid-day break) that doesn't work for everyone.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Do not overplan any of the "extras" hat you may read about. There is so much magic to be found wondering the World. I really wanted to do Illuminations cruise, one of the kids clubs, etc ut I couldn't fit it all in to my "plan. Guess what, we had such an amazing trip anyway. As a PP said, a lot of people here go multiple times even inthe same year and may look for other things to do. the parks/hotels have so much to offer.

I would read everything you can to find out about cool things and then decide if that works fro your family. I think knowing your interests is key. Last year me and my 2DD we ups ad ndress and eating brakfast in the room while DH was taking a nice leisuly shower EVERY DAY! We really need to get ourselves on the same page and then we could enjoy our compromised plan together!!!

Have fun!!!!!

 

[disneynut14]

Don't let other people bum you out. There are very often rude and obnoxtious guests who will cut in line or act inappropriately. Just try and ignore them. Also don't set your expectations too high. Not saying that Disney won't meet them, some people just have entirely unrealistic expections.

Most important just have fun, no matter what!!!!

 

[mikymouse]

Go Early
Take a afternoon break
Plan a nothing day in the middle of your vacation to enjoy the pool
Make a few ADR's
Make a loose plan based on one or two Must do things otherwise just enjoy
Talk to the CM's - Most are very happy to help you

Enjoy