general tips and info i've found in my wdw expierience

[goofy4disney91]

 

[goofy4disney91]

pretty obvious but first timers may want to no that this: anytime a park has an early entry, everyone says lets go there. However, they usually don't make the earlier times so they all come late creating overcrowding in the early entries parks on the early entry. This crowding will begin just before noon. My advice is make ur trip to the early entry park when it's actually early. Then around lunch go to another park. Epcot and Animal Kingdom are never too too crowded but it's always crowded in magic kingdom and mgm. You may want to keep this in mind

 

[goofy4disney91]

feel free to post any other tips such as the one above. Or if u have a cool disney fact, i'm sure i speak correctly for everyone when i say we wuld love to hear it!!!!!!

 

[tinkerbell13]

We are staying off site and will only go on non EE days. I have a little sheet with all the hours listed and EE days, so if we need to hop we will hop correctly

 

[goofy4disney91]

I know you have probably heard this a thousand times so here comes 1001. Use your fast passes especially in mk and mgm. Never don't have one. Always have a fast pass so that you arent' wasting time. Get knew ones the second they become available. It helps soo much.

 

[cindyfan]

Here's one we learned after a few times missing shows, etc...

The night before visiting a park....get a show schedule. Then make a plan for "MUST see's" and "not necessary". Then PLAN the times out along with what you feel you need to get fast passes for.

This is critical at parks like MGM and AK. Especially taken into consideration the length of the shows.
We missed out on seeing Beauty and the Beast and Indy Jones because we were on the Backlot tour which takes 40 minutes!
And if we had looked....we could have done the Backlot tour at a different time.

This thread is a great idea....even for a veteran of the boards!!

 

[goofy4disney91]

thanks cindyfan!!!!!!! Great information we will certainly try this on our next trip to the most magical place on earth!!

 

[Blueberry]

For those staying offsite..avoid EE parks and go the next day, you will find the parks much less crowded. As people get into the EE parks and do stay for the day, it tends to keep them more crowded all day.

Eliminate what you do not need to carry into a park, as backpacks, purses and even fanny packs get heavier during the day. If you want to bring dry clothes, leave them in a locker at the front of the parks and do not carry them around all day. One member of your party can fetch the bag with the clothes in them. Only real essentials should go in a bag you carry around.

Remember WDW is a public place and keep your valuables on you or in a purse. I suggest in a pocket as they are not safe in a bag which might get laid down somewhere..pick pockets do visit WDW and other Orlando parks!!

Dress for comfort, do not try and dress overly stylish for a day in the parks, or wear non comfortable shoes..it will ruin the day for you. Dress in loose comfortable clothing with very comfortable well broken in sneakers or sandals, do not try and break in new shoes or sandals at WDW.

 

[goofy4disney91]

regarding Iniana Jones Show: This plays alot less frequently than some other shows such as the Voyage of the Little Mermaid (which is a great show, even for the all-boy-eight-year in the family), and the Muppet 3-D. So plan around it more than those shows. Indiana Jones is a must see.

 

[goofy4disney91]

i firmly agree with blueberry. Boots-not good expierence. Tennis shoes-far better.

 

[goofy4disney91]

continue posting i'll be back later!! Dreaming about disney in my spare time. Ha

 

[Disneysnel]

I think all of your tips have been great so far, thank you!

Here are some of mine:
The first time I went to WDW I had NO idea how huge it is. We are DLR veterans and everything there is very close and that is how I thought WDW is - NOT! LOL - We were on our honeymoon and I had PS's all over the place! We were falling asleep on the buses we were so tired - so try to do things in a close vicinty, such as Epcot resorts when you are at Epcot, etc.
The most magical thing we have done is to have dinner at O'Hanas the night before you go to MK. Seeing the fireworks (music piped in) and the castle kissing you goodnight just makes it all the more special the next day - You will barely be able to sleep! LOL
Start walking NOW with good shoes! It is a shame to spend all that money and want to see everything but your feet just won't let you.
Lastly, look up! I had been going to DLR for 35 years before I realized there are little shops right above the counters in the emporium on Main Street and I have been in that store hundreds of times - (even met Annette Funicello there once - I almost fainted) Disney is all about the details.
Keep 'em coming!

 

[dbail2]

Bring an umbrella ultra light weight or ponchos. It rains alot.Plan ahead and know which day you are going to which park. The park hours and show times. Use fast pass. EE either be there when the park opens or go to a different park that day. Plan character dinners or breakfasts 90 days before you go and make priority seating. Buy tickets before you go. Bring a second pair of sneakers or sandles that are comfortable. When it rains your sneakers get very wet. Leave time for the hotel pools because the kids love the pool. Keep checking for discounts even after your reservations are made. A great site is www.mousesavers.com Reserve car before you go and make sure the rental compant is in the airport. We use Dollar every year.. Prices have been the best for a minivan .

 

[goofy4disney91]

yes when they say "it's a small world" they are lieing (i think thats is how to spell it). The world is enormous. My advice is to catch the bus at your hotel. This should be direct transport to any place in the world of disney. If there are no direct routes then you can always get to the dis transportation center. This is the fastest way to get anywhere you would like. Even if you have a car!! Parking at mk is notoriously horrendous. Absolutely ride the bus (or monorail which is slower but more fun). We heard parking was ok at mgm. The people informing us must have been comparing it to mk's parking and not to the bus. With my dear mother being in a wheelchair while at disney (she can walk but not for long periods of time) getting in and out is not as easy as getting out of a bus infront of the park. As for the aforementioned monorail- unless you plan to stay in a resort with a monorail station then it is by far slower. Those with kids often still choose to ride it as it not as cramped since it has more seats and the monotone robot voice which gives a brief description of what you are passing, is quite entertaining. The biggest advantage of the monorail is that for kids of all ages, you can ride with the driver. I myself got a kick out of this as everyone recieves and "honorary monorail driver" card. The driver will be very open to any questions you may have about the world or the monorail. All drivers I have ever ridden with were extremely friendly as is all disney personel. They let you ride in the "cockpit" at no cost as long as you ask the cast at the station and are first in line for the "cockpit" ride. Finally the slowest but most peaceful and realxing mode of transportation at the world. The boats. The boats are small ferrys of different themes. All are inclosed and have maps and again friendly cast members. The transportation center, Port Orleans, MGM, SSR, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, and I believe MK all have boat routes. This is pleasurably as long as you don't have sea sickness problems. In all likely hood you wont on this ride as it is smooth sailing and relatively short rides. This is all the tranportation information between parks i can think of. In park however MK has several transportation mechanisms. The first is the "color line" or "TTA" in tomorrowland, which won't actually take you anywhere and is more of a ride. The blue line is the most prominant but on the blue line you will observe the red and green lines also exsist. One is Space Mountain and the other something else. The blue line is the one that you may see traveling along a rail above you. It consists of several open train cars, more like mine cars. Plus padded seats will be provided as the train goes around tomorrowland. You will have a great view of the inside of space mountain, buzz lightyear (yet another great ride; a must ride), and the mickey star traders store (I believe this is actually being renovated to something else). You will also pass by several thing of the future such as Walt Disneys "city of tomorrow", a futuristic hair dresser, and the display of the red and green lines as I mentioned earlier. A narrator will follow you throughout this ride(who's Tom Morrow anyway? Hahahah) This ride will go in a circle so tranportation is not actually provided. The great train ride really does though. It will take you to Toon Town, Frontierland, and the front gate. On the way you will pass by many of disney's unseen parts as you will travel through some "back country" between frontierland and toon town USA. A narrator yet again will tell you some facts and some tall tales as you venture around MK. Look into the water near the plastic alligator because sometimes and actual Florida gator can be found lurking in the green waters. Whew sorry to seem long winded but I feel transportation is one of the keys at wdw. Anyone with anything to add to this novel of mine, please post.

 

[goofy4disney91]

come to think of it. Post even if you have nothing to add to that. All tips are greatly apprciated

 

[goofy4disney91]

by the way i don't reccomend walking between parks, not even as a workout.

 

[fun & fancy free]

Here is my tip. If you have very young children don't spend extra $ on tickets with pluses. We did that and our kids preferred the hotel pool to the water parks and we spent so much time a the main parks little time for DTD, DQ or PI. Leaves you more money for those special character meals. Ooooh so magical.

 

[goofy4disney91]

waterparks can be done at home disney is something more special than that

 

[tarheelmjfan]

When going at busier times of year, it is often just as fast, sometimes faster and much more relaxing, to make a PS at a full- service restaurant. The lines for counter-service can be very long, and very hot. Also, when it is very hot out, it can be very refreshing to sit at a restaurant for a couple hours to relax and refresh.

 

[anne60]

If you are the only one in your group that did the planning, those around you may not realize the importance of it until it is too late. I remember one trip when my family did NOT want to get to MK at opening....the hour they slept in was tripled by the time we spent in line and they knew it. After that, everyone followed the plan.

Having said that, don't try to over-plan either. We basically picked which park which day and a few PSs.

Lastly, remember to Have FUN!!! No matter how crowded the parks are, there are still many wonderful things to enjoy.