Best tip for first-timers at WDW

[MeLaNie9]

I remember going to WDW as a kid, and my parents, who probably really couldn't afford the trips, were trying to get us to see/do/ride everything in our short time there. However, they now relay stories of how each afternoon, we simply would sit down on the ground in a park and say we couldn't go any further, we were too hot, and we just wanted to go to the resort pool, etc. In May, I will take my first trip to WDW as a parent (DS2, and pregnant again) and will definitely take the daily break that so many people recommend!

 

[momrek06]

On a trip to Epcot in ?97? I bought a bottle strap for $3 from one of the carts. Best $3 ever spent. I still use it for hiking, river tubing, or any other outdoor activity where I want my hands free. If you are not familiar with it, it is just a simple strap- almost like a thick ribbon- with two o-rings. One ring is regular bottle top size, the other is big mouth size for things like nestle milk bottles, gatorade, pepsi 1-liters, etc. You just fit the o-ring over the lip at the top of the bottle and throw the strap over your shoulder like a camera bag. Now your hands are free and you won't lose your beverage. Not sure if they still sell them in Disney. Anyone know?

YUP, they do! They sell them EVERYWHERE! I even bought one on the WONDER in FEB 2006 when we were cruising! They are awesome and I have one from every PARK and DCL!!!

GREAT IDEA!!!

 

[midwestdee]

You are off to a good start by coming to the DIS boards. go to the library and take out Birnbaums and the unoffical guide - you can buy them if you want - I love them both - if you buy them - sign up for local book stores email - you will get great coupons! You don't say how old the kids are - really pace yourself - kids fade fast and you want them to have happy memories - don't get too ambitious - if you need to follow a budget - do it - don't put the family under strain for a year - everything at WDW is expensive - don't forget a first aid kit, OTC medicines and SUNSCREEN! I would suggest always carrying some basic snacks and a water bottle - get the kids a fanny pack or small back pack - or you will feel likea camel all week. don't drive yourself too crazy taking pictures , that you don't enjoy the moment instead of recording it.have a great trip and as you think of things - bring it to the DIS boards and you will get great ideas.

 

[mommyrom]

French Toast Loaf at the Main Street Bakery at MK!!! (Go on your way into the park in the morning...)
Dole Whips!

Mickey Ice Cream Bars!!!

Can you tell what we love to do at Disney, besides have lots of fun?!?

 

[vermonter]

Thank-you for your tips. This trip is a long time coming, and I want it to be very special. My children (all boys) are 14, 13, and 7. We have ADR's, including two character dining, and the hoop-de-doo revue. I have the Fantasmic dinner package booked also (I learned all this from this site!). We are on the dining plan, so this helped with the cost of these things. Any more tips out there would be put to good use!

 

[Tosie]

Get yourselves some Body Glide!!!! You put it on your little tootsies (or anywhere else prone to chafing) before you go to the parks and you will never see hide nor hair of a blister! I found this gem of a product last year after spending every previous trip crippled with blisters. Last trip - NOTHING!

I got it in a local medical supply store but you can find store locations on their website. It looks just like deodorant.

 

[Danauk]

Also don't forget to get fast passes for the most popular rides. At busier times fast passes for Soarin, RnRC, ToT etc can get alocated very quickly. Make sure you read at the bottom of your fast pass slip the time you are able to get another one.

I'm glad we knew about the backstage tours and knew when to book them. We did the segway and backstage magic tours on our last trip and had great fun on them.

 

[JPN4265]

Hello, I will be going to Disney World for the first time in June with my three kids. Tell me something you wished you knew about but didn't on your first trip, or just something that you think would be helpful for us first timers! Thank-you!

Plan, Plan, and Plan again. Purchase the Disney Guide book from your local book store. Make your reservations for PS as soon as you can. And have a GREAT TIME!

 

[HoustonMouseketeer]

WDW is hot and sunny. You will be walking a lot. So be prepared.

Use sunscreen. Drink plenty of water. Rest when your kids need. The kids (and everyone else) will stay happier.

If any of your kids are 5 or under expect to rent a stroller. The parks are huge.

It will probably rain in the afternoon at least a few days of your trip. If your prepared you can have the most fun then. The park becomes much less crowded and for a few minutes it is cooler.

Shows and table service restaurants are great for cooling off and resting. Eat early or get ADRs if you want table service.

Use FASTPASS.

Have FUN!

P.S. Remember the goal is to have the best time with your family you can. Doing everything at WDW is secondary (also it is not possible).

 

[silverangel879]

I tried the Lunch/serve table, dinner/counter service in my last trip and was perfect. My DB and enjoyed the meal in less crouded restaurants and tried light dinners at counter service. For some people could be "hard" eating serve table meals and the had to walk. But for my boyfriend and me worked perfectly because both enjoy after-eating walks. So, you should try it!

The most Important tip: Remember, it is your vacation! You should have FUN. Have backup plans in case of any problem....I HAVE FUN....YOU ARE AT DISNEY WORLD

 

[TheGirlsMom]

Write everything you did during the day down that night. Everynight, before I went to bed I wrote the things we did. I printed out a daily log sheet from one of the Disney sites and kept track of funny things that happened, where we ate, what we bought and stuff like that. When I sat down to do my scrapbook I had all the info. I love going through each days notes and I always get a chuckle and find something I forgot, and it has only been a couple of months since we were there.

 

[JuneDisney]

What a great idea about keeping a journal. I'll have to remember to do this on my trip.

 

[Disney Family 5]

I must go with the vote for Birnbaums Guide--I have 4 or 5! I get one everyyear, & they have one for kids also. Another thing, make sure you get your kids-especially the little ones, an autograph book and pen when you get there.

That is one of our most fav. things to do!!! If you haven't heard, you get a book and when the characters come out, you line up and take turns getting autographs and pix with the *stars*!! I love watching their little faces light up when they see all their favorites up close. Also, at Toontown, at the county fair, there are lots of characters to see. Sometimes, the lines are long, but you get a good amount of time with each one--Well worth the wait!

 

[disneygal66]

Make sure you have a good camera for photos. We made the mistake of taking disposable cameras and half of our pictures didn't turn out. That was during our first trip and now we HAVE to go back twice this year to make up for it. We got a digital camera for these trips!
Also, just relax and take things at your own pace. No need to rush!

 

[mikymouse]

Research before and then go with the flow once you get there. I would highly recommend Park Hoppers for a first trip. I also would highly recommend a "Rest/Pool" on the 3rd day, this is for the adults as much as the kids.

 

[BuzzNutt]

I think I am repeating others but make sure to realize you can't do it all no matter how long your visit. Make lists of what everyone must see/do. And remember to take care of your feet. Blisters will destroy your entire trip. Use regular deodorant and roll it onto your feet, hit the toes too. Sounds funny but it could save the trip for you. It did for us.
Last - remember to have fun laughing at all the silly things that people do that would normally drive you insane. It's Disney Time!

 

[fabumouse]

1. You can buy body glide at any running/sports store. Use it anywhere that chafes!

2. Those fast passes give you a time "window": you can use them any time after the window begins, even much later than the time printed on the ticket (so, no you don't have to run across the park to make your FP's for Soarin'!)

3. Do not get stressed at theater line-ups when people fill in the gaps, even if it's in front of you. e.g., the Philharmagic. My FIL (even after repeated warnings from DH) got uptight with someone "There's a LINE here, buddy". No, dad, there really isn't, and besides we have a better chance of sitting in the middle of the theater if we're not the very first people stampeding in there!

4. If, for some reason, the ride is really empty, you can ask the CM to "ride through" and not even get off beforehand. Last year there was a torrential downpour during our AK day, and we took advantage of it to go around and around on the Kali River Rapids (hey, we were wet anyway!)

5. First Aid stations are wonderful! If you forgot pain killers or band-aids, make a pit stop. They're very friendly.

6. If you see something you really like, especially at Animal Kingdom, buy it then! There is some stuff that is only sold in one store and not repeated throughout the parks. Don't miss out on that Tigger, is that you? Mug assuming you'll pick it up later during your trip. You may never see that mug again.

7. I'm a big fan of the Unofficial Guide for reading and planning, and the Passporter Deluxe for carrying around my confirmation numbers and tickets for the week. You'll be a lot more organized before you leave home than you will be a few sweaty days into the park.

8. Lines are very deceptive. Many rides have multiple queuing areas that are not visible to each other.

9. If the CM at the beginning of the line hands you a lanyard and asks you to hand it over to a CM right before you get on the ride, they are testing to see how long it takes you to get from point A to point B, so they can update their estimated wait times (which will be posted at the entrance of each ride).

10. When you find yourself at the end of your rope from all the bickering, begging, and buying, it's time to head back to the hotel to swim.

Have a great time! Remember - Mickey bars are for breakfast.

 

[JrsyDebs]

I made ADRs for lunch for our WDW theme park days. "Late lunch" reservations (2:00 or 2:30pm) worked best for us, as we always ate a filling breakfast at "home" (our rented pool home) and also because we never managed to get to the parks as early as I would have liked...The mid-afternoon break to eat was perfect after a couple of hours in the lines and the heat. If you need to watch the budget, order appetizers for your lunch instead of a lunch entree or sandwich.

My other tip is to makes ADR for a character dinner your first night--Instead of going to a park, we spent our first day just getting used to our new "home" and the resort community. Went to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary resort for dinner that first night to get into the spirit of being at WDW. My DD was 14 and although she originally thought it would be way corny, she had a good time there.

Okay; a third tip: Pack lots of those gallon-sized ziplock freezer bags; you will find a variety of uses for them.

 

[Minnie_Moo]

fabumouse - Great tips! Thanks. I too have had very good experiences with visiting First Aid for pain relievers, band aids, and just a comforting place to rest in a cool dark room after a little too much sun.

Can't say I've ever had a Mickey bar for breakfast, though!!!

We always visit Downtown Disney our first night to get a "free" taste of the magic before visiting a park.