Disneyland Tips and Tricks thread?

[todzwife]

Is there one already? If not, Can we start one?

Some things to include:

shoes you wear, bags you bring, what's in that bag, how you save money, what rides you do first, etc.

 

[Flitterific]

HydroGuy actually has a bunch of tips here already: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

But I don't think it mentions anything about what to bring though. Maybe there is another thread out there?

 

[todzwife]

I've seen his (wonderful) tips. I have just been hanging out on the WDW boards a little more because there is more info over there. I thought it would be nice to have it all together for DisneyLAND in case someone was looking...

 

[DLR29]

Honestly, I don't think there is a need to do that because there already is a very thorough FAQ sticky, which has links to almost everything you would need to know. And if someone can't find something on those threads, every single question asked on these boards is answered very quickly and thoroughly.

It is a good idea in theory, but there is way too much information and opinions (best hotels, best shoes to wear, which rides to ride first) to have a designated thread. IMO.

 

[pinktink83]

I have some! I think this thread would be fun! Hydroguys tips are more "navigating the park" not the little details that can make or break your day!

We get those lil dog tags at PetSmart and put "If child is lost, call #123-4567" and we put both of our cell phone numbers on it. We clip it to their shoelaces or belt loop and tell them if they get lost to point it out to the CM. Its just a little thing, but for $5 its worth some piece of mind. It also works better than writing your phone # on their hands (washes off).

Bring your own water bottles and fill them up in the drinking fountains as you go. That saves you a LOT of money!!! We don't buy drinks unless we have to.

Bring a backpack, its easier to carry than a diaper bag/purse/etc. If you dont want to carry it around all day, rent a locker and keep your stuff in there. DL is manageable enough that its not the end of the world to hike back up to the lockers if you need something.

The First Aid Station is HEAVEN SENT! They are soooooo nice there. DS was sick with an earache the night before we got there (of course) and we had already given him his Rx but his ear still hurt, so we needed some Tylenol to supplement. I couldnt find any in the gift shops so I ran over there to buy some and the doctor just gave us some...for free! I just had to sign a list. And he was so helpful, "if DS needs to lay down, we have cots, just bring him back and he can rest a bit and we'll give him a heat pack for his ear" I was so pleasantly surprised! So when in need, go there!

Also if baby is getting fussy and you just need a break, the Mothers Lounge is a really nice room. They have diapers, etc. and you can just chill for awhile. So nice that you dont have to go back to the hotel.

 

[sarasmom97]

I have a few tips that have helped us out in the past.

We always wear tennis shoes at the parks. Bring an extra pair of socks with you, and change your socks halfway through the day. You will be surprised how refreshed your feet will feel just by changing your socks.

I print out a bunch of stickers with my cell phone number. I stick them to my camera, sunglass case, basically anything valuable. On the back of my cell phone I stuck the hotel's name and phone number. So far we haven't lost anything, but better safe than sorry.

Any of the food vendors that sell fountain drinks will give you a cup of ice water for free.

I'll keep thinking, I'm sure I have more........

 

[PinkBudgie]

We get those lil dog tags at PetSmart and put "If child is lost, call #123-4567" and we put both of our cell phone numbers on it. We clip it to their shoelaces or belt loop and tell them if they get lost to point it out to the CM. Its just a little thing, but for $5 its worth some piece of mind. It also works better than writing your phone # on their hands (washes off).

That is an amazing idea! Of course my boys are 16 now... Wish I had known about that when they were little.

My tip- always bring ziplock baggies. A few large and some small. We use them to keep phones and the camera in on wet rides. Or to hold left overs from a snack to save for later. Or to hold those candy bags you buy at the stores there that just spill all over after you open them.

 

[carebee21]

Here's some of our tips. I swear by crocs. They are the most comfortable thing to walk through the park with, and if they get wet it's not a big deal. Much better than wet sneakers for a couple of hours. I bring some socks in the evenings it's going to be cold and just put them on later in the evenings if our feet are getting cold.

I carry around a regular size backpack. I always make sure I keep sunscreen, sunglasses, tylenol, bandaids, chapstick, powder, an extra pack of batteries for the cameria, a couple ziploc baggies(for the reasons listed by pink budgie , a couple extra empty plastic bags (like target or grocery store ones) Then if my son spills on his tshirt I can put it in the bag and not get everything else sticky, or if we're going on a really wet ride or caught in a downpour I can put it over my backpack. If it's going to be hot, we bring a small squirt bottle. If it might rain we buy the 2 pack of ponchos from the dollar store and carry those in the bag. They're really compact and much cheaper than having to buy ponchos from Disneyland. I always make sure I have stickers and fruit snacks in my bag incase my son needs a distraction during a long ride line or long show wait. I also make sure I have a change of shirt for my son. He always manages to spill icecream or something sticky on the shirt. I know it sounds like a lot but really it's all small stuff, so I'm even able to add sweatshirts if need be. Plus the bag is squishable so I've always been able to squish it between my legs for rides and never had a problem getting it on or getting it to fit.

The other tip that we live by is buying most of the souveneirs in advance. I go to Disneystore and buy most of my stuff there and pack it ahead of time. A lot of times I get tshirts for only $5 compared to the $20+ they run in the park. My son doesn't know the difference because it's still new to him. I usually buy one new stuffed animal and pack it and leave it on the bed the first night and that avoids him asking for one in the park. He's still allowed to get a few things but we try to steer him more towards the unique things that he can only get while we're there like the potato head pieces, mickey mouse ears, etc.

 

[todzwife]

Thanks everyone!

I HIGHLY recommend bringing 2 different types of shoes you can walk around in. I have bad feet so I usually wear tennis shoes, but I got a blister on the bottom of my foot the FIRST day and was MISERABLE for the last few days. I just found fit flops brand shoes and LOVE them. They are the only non-tennis shoe I've been able to wear all day w/ no pain. I'll be bringing them next time. I can't do crocs.

Blister prevention is easier than treating a blister. Bring moleskin or blister pads.