Best tip for a magical vacation?

[gottagetback]

What is your best tip on preparing ahead of time to ensure your WDW vacation goes as smoothly as possible or some extra little bits of magic you like to plan for?
For instance, someone on another thread mentioNed having Mousekeeping envelopes ready to go ahead of time and someone else mentioned they enjoyed having a particular candle scent to remind them of Disney?

 

[grammimouse]

Plan plan plan !!! It is worth the extra effort Then you can sit back and ENJOY .

 

[heybravo626]

Plan to be early to the parks and stick to it.

 

[KorbensMomma]

Don't let some little problem blow out of proportion and ruin your trip.

Relax go with the flow, and be willing to change it up if you need to.

 

[3Gsandme]

Don't let some little problem blow out of proportion and ruin your trip.

Relax go with the flow, and be willing to change it up if you need to.

For me, it's this. We had a loose plan every day (with FP+ and ADRs, you have to) and then we just kind of went from there. Want to see Celebrate the Magic twice? Yup. Want to see Philharmagic three times in one day? No problem. I realized that I wanted more happiness per dollar spent than attractions crossed off. We let our little two lead and made sure we used our FP+ to keep our big one happy. It was a great trip.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Don't try to do everything. Go with the flow.

 

[over50visits]

Don't try to do everything. Go with the flow.

By far the best advice about enjoying a vacation in Disney World. Just as in life, do a few things well, not a lot of things poorly. Enjoy what you can do comfortably, look forward to more next time.

 

[Malibustyle23]

Don't have expectations. Expectations lead to disappointment. Even with all the planning Disney wants us to do with ADRS, fp+, etc, etc too many teeny tiny things can unexpectedly happen to wreck your day (if you allow it) that you have no control over at all. Just go with the flow, enjoy what you can, when you and have a nice vacation. Soak it all in while you can and don't allow yourself to rush through it all miss the little wonders because they add up to the entire large picture.

 

[jsf1975]

If you fail to plan the plan to fail! Make sure you schedule or plan the important things, but in general have fun! Make sure everyone in your party gets to do their one "must do" on vacation

 

[sanapp]

Slow down and enjoy the fact you are in a Disney. You have to plan like crazy, but don't plan every minute. Allow time to stop and smell the roses!!!

 

[eeyoresmom]

Make a plan but be flexible. We are dvc owners and have been over 50 times. Our best memories, the ones that make me say " that was worth the months of planning and thousands of dollars spent", usually take place outside of the planned attractions. My 27 yo DD just sent me a text saying every time she hears "let it go" it reminds her of the last girls only trip we took ( there was an adorable 3 yo on the bus back to our resort belting it out facial gestures and all). We have so many great and funny memories that happened because we stopped to "smell the roses" . My advice is to plan for 3 or 4 things you must see in each park but leave plenty of time to wander off and let the magic of Disney just happen. For my family, we do rope drop, get the 3 or 4 biggies done by late morning then just wing it the rest of the day.

 

[Luv2Run]

"Semper Gumby" - always be flexible. Our trip in February was my bf's first trip back to WDW in 20 years, and I wanted to so badly to cram as much in as possible so that he'd get to experience everything, but I realized that is just not possible. We missed out on a few things (Splash Mountain was under refurb, didn't get to ride BTMRR, missed Wishes due to a late dinner at BOG, didn't get to catch Fantasmic, skipped Expedition Everest, skipped Soarin', for example) but that just means we'll try to squeeze those things in this next trip!

I also tried to point out as many cute Disney touches as I could remember, and he seemed to really enjoy those. He also got chosen as the rebel spy on our first ride on Star Tours, and got chosen as Sully during Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. He got a real kick out of that.

 

[JZCubed]

Plan. Maybe get ideas about Best vs. Avoid Parks from planning sites such as EasyWDW.

Don't let aggravating things ruin your vacation. Stay calm.

Don't try to do everything.

Early arrival to Parks makes FP+ after 11am more successful.

If staying on-site, try to break-up day with some down time.

Little magic: Chocolate-filled slipper at Cinderella's Royal Table. Mickey Bar's before lunch. Pool-side Margarita's.

 

[ponyboy]

For me, it's this. We had a loose plan every day (with FP+ and ADRs, you have to) and then we just kind of went from there. Want to see Celebrate the Magic twice? Yup. Want to see Philharmagic three times in one day? No problem. I realized that I wanted more happiness per dollar spent than attractions crossed off. We let our little two lead and made sure we used our FP+ to keep our big one happy. It was a great trip.

That's exactly how we do it on a trip with 10 people. I make on ADR usually for the evening and the only thing really set in stone is that everybody needs to be at that park in time to make the reservation. Other than that, everybody can pretty much do whatever they want.

On the last trip my DD 14 had to leave two days early so that morning we got up early and hit 3 parks before lunch and before she had to leave, then I made it to dinner at the 4th park and I was back at Epcot after that for Illuminations. Another time I rode the people mover 10 times in a row with my youngest one. Never would have planned for either of those!

 

[eeyoresmom]

Semper Gumby

 

[terri33inne]

We also have a loose plan ADR's, which park, FP's etc. But are also willing to let those plans go out the window (well, except the ADR's). Our trip last week I think we wasted more FP's than we used. I also let my daughter set the tone (may be more challenging with more than one little one), but we go at her pace.

Take the pressure off that you'll do & see everything, and let go of the "This is a once in a lifetime trip that I'm paying thousands of dollars for, we have to DO everything, and we ALL have to have fun ALL the time" mindset.

Mid-day breaks are also great!

 

[sharonped]

-be kind to cast members, even if they're having a bad day or a bad experience with another guest

-we really enjoyed Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, the Agent P's World Showcase adventure; and the Pirate Treasure hunt at Magic Kingdom

-try and experience snacks or foods that you wouldn't normally try. We would get a snack and split it 4 ways -- if people loved it, we'd get another one; if not - into the trash without too much heartache

-get the latest Hidden Mickey book - so fun

-sounds like you're staying onsite- make sure to really explore your resort and take some time to do the fun stuff there. We've stayed all levels - and all have something special - pool, outdoor movies, arcades...etc. Enjoy the theming.

There's lots more, but I can't think now. I'll put more down later.

Cheers, Sharon

 

[Jennasis]

Pack your patience.

Be kind to others (guests, CMs etc).

 

[DisneyBum303]

Always remember - feet are friends!

I wear $5 t-shirts from Walmart and shorts from the clearance rack, but there is no limit to what I'll spend on good comfortable shoes for walking in the parks. Style and appearance do not matter to me; comfort does. If your feet aren't happy, NO ONE is happy. Blisters or bad arch support can ruin a vacation on the first day. Make sure everyone's footwear is comfy, broken in, and can be worn all day.

And I'm totally stealing 'Semper Gumby'

 

[Spoiledraf]

Talk to everyone who will talk to you. CMs, bus drivers, other guest, who ever. There are a lot of great people at the world and a lot of them have great stories!