do you have any small tips to share?

[apcall]

I am very interested in any small tips that people have that worked great when visiting WDW (or any Disney property)...I have 3 that stand out

1) When entering the MK in the morning go left instead of right...most people seem to go right...the crowds seem to be alot smaller to the left.

2) Some airlines (well, at least SW) allows 2 check bags per passenger...being a man I can do a whole 10 day trip with one bag (can't figure out why x-wife needs both of her bags, her husband's extra, and one of my daughters extra) so I fill the other completely with snacks; cookies, crackers, dried fruits, etc....this allows us to load our fanny bags/backpack each day....and by the end of the trip its empty and is available for all those sovenirs.

3) Bring individual packets of koolaid mix...takes up next to nothing in the fanny bag/back pack...we then just add it to the bottle of water we end up buying in the park orfill up from the fountain.

 

[ricktib]

1) When entering the MK in the morning go left instead of right...most people seem to go right...the crowds seem to be alot smaller to the left.

I overheard a CM telling some folks to always go to the left (CCW) at AK and World Showcase, because people usually tend to go clockwise.

 

[elastigirlfan]

Bring your own water bottles...It's a small thing but it saves you a ton!

Alyssa

 

[DanceRC28]

Bring your own snacks....it can save you tons throughout your trip. Plus there are some days where you just can't take another burger and fry combo!

Renee

 

[missypie]

On the snack front, make sure your kids have some kind of small snack - pretzels, goldfish, etc. - in their own fanny pack. I don't know that it actually saves us any money at the parks, but it can save time and stress when you're in a line or ready to get in a line and one child is "starving."

 

[dismom9761]

I just got back and there is one thing I will never go w/o.Someone suggested taking a small game(gameboy) for my kids. My DS9 and DS7 carried them in their fannypacks.It really helped with all the waiting(food lines,Etc.).We waited for over an hour for Fantasmic! and they did great.Also my DD6 kept crayons,pencils, small coloring book in hers.

 

[WaltD4Me]

If don't mind missing the parade, it's a great time to go on the rides.

My favorite, although maybe not small, is to use a towncar service from the airport. No waiting around for the shuttle, no stops at other hotels before yours and the grocery stop is awesome. It's worth every nickel.

One more....don't rush into Muppet Movie, Philharmagic, ect...let the pushy people go first, they will have to move to the end of the aisle and you will wind up in the middle!

 

[dani0622]

If don't mind missing the parade, it's a great time to go on the rides.

My favorite, although maybe not small, is to use a towncar service from the airport. No waiting around for the shuttle, no stops at other hotels before yours and the grocery stop is awesome. It's worth every nickel.

One more....don't rush into Muppet Movie, Philharmagic, ect...let the pushy people go first, they will have to move to the end of the aisle and you will wind up in the middle!

Love this last tip about Muppet Movie, etc.! Never thought of it that way!!! Thanks!

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Last year I purchased the Hidden Mickey's book. While we would stand in line we looked up to see what Hidden Mickey's we would find on the attraction. It made the time go fast while standing in line and the kids had a great time searching for Mickey...

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

1) For a unique ride, time it so that you are riding Dumbo during "Wishes" (not recommended for first-time "Wishes" viewing)

2) If Tomorrowland Speedway is a must for you, DO IT EARLY

3) Have Pooh-sized people in your party sit toward the back of the log on Splash Mountain if you don't want to get as wet.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Some airlines (well, at least SW) allows 2 check bags per passenger...[/QUOTE]

Just as an FYI, Southwest no longer permits this. You can have one carryon, and one small personal item (purse, laptop case, etc.). Anything else must be checked.

 

[kjs1976]

Some airlines (well, at least SW) allows 2 check bags per passenger...

Just as an FYI, Southwest no longer permits this. You can have one carryon, and one small personal item (purse, laptop case, etc.). Anything else must be checked.

I think he meant you can check two bags. We have thought of doing this this year. Last year DH had an extra suitcase with his rollerblade gear for the race. This year we might use an extra for snacks and then souvies!

Spend time looking for characters. They are always in airconditioned places or places with shade. This is a fun and COOL way to spend some time when the heat gets to you!

 

[weregoingtodw]

I think he meant you can check two bags.

Oh, DUH! LOL Sorry, I forget not everyone travels carryon only!

 

[Toni300z]

Good Tips!

 

[MECH8T7]

If you want to get to the TTC from MK after Wishes, use the resort monorail (no line-up) rather than the "express" monorail (long line-ups).

If you rent a stroller from the park, put your name card upside down in the holder to make your stoller easier to identify when you go to pick it up after you have put it in stroller parking.

When at MGM on a busy day, each time before you get in the standby line for a show, try to get a Fastpass for another show that has a return window that begins after you will get out of the first show.

 

[mjmcca]

When at MGM on a busy day, each time before you get in the standby line for a show, try to get a Fastpass for another show that has a return window that after you will get out of the first show.

I do this one all the time at MGM. I get FP for VOTLM and then go and wait in line for Playhouse Disney ( can you tell i ahve little kids). I ahve bee lucky every time in that i get into PD just before they close the doors on a show ( didnt stand in a long line) adn then on to the FP for Mermaid.

 

[duck_adoo]

Hi,
Bring your own bandaids/moleskin (?)/little scissors. The moleskin was great when my cousin got this huge blister on her foot. I'm not sure how strict the security is w/the scissors. I'm pretty sure you couldn't bring them on a flight..but we drive down. We use the scissors for the moleskin, all kinds of little things. For women..bring the 'personal hygine' items. I don't know what if it's the water, but never fails. AND they don't sell a wide variety of those items in the gift shops.
Those would be my tips!
Cheryl

 

[AlwaysAPrincess]

Without a doubt ride Test Track on the "single rider" lane. We do this all the time. Basically you will not sit right next to you spouse or child but behind them or the car right behind them. I would not recommend for small children but pre-teens & up. You will not have to wait long at all. We actually go on more than once!

I have this small backback(not like a school backpack)...I always carry wet-ones wipes, tissues, Advil, sunglasses, a small kit with band-aides, a small water bottle, film, chapstick, and in the summer a small fold up umbrella!

Next tip...when you get into a line for an attraction...it usually splits...always go left....the line moves quicker because most people go right. Same idea as when you go to MK. GO down Main Street & head left.

 

[Leota]

We always bring a ziploc bag into AK with us for when we ride Kali - I put wallets, cel phones, camera etc. in the bag to keep them dry. This year, bringing a 2.5 gallon bag & can cram the whole fannypack/daypack in it.

I also throw a sarong in my daypack if I'm in for a long day at the Parks - I use it as a wrap for chilly A/C, a blanket to sit on for Parades, it has doubled as a towel for particularly wet rides on Splash & even Kali....

Bring a cheap nightlight for the resort room bathroom. If we forget to pack it (which we usually do) we're only out a buck. It sure comes in handy for bathroom calls in the middle of the night!

 

[buzz2400]

Buy a cheap rain poncho before you go and carry it with you. It saves a lot of money.

Also make sure your credit card magnetic strip is not touching your disney tickets because it will demagnetize. Keep them separate.