I need your BEST tips and strategies… if you could give ONE, what would it be?

[GBBTomorrow]

Quick service food places will give you cups of ice water for free- just ask. If it's really hot, we hate lugging around a backpack that is extra heavy due to full water bottles inside.

Keep in mind, this free water is FLORIDA WATER. I'm pretty sure the way they access it is by running a pipe directly up from Lake Okeechobee and attaching an old coffee filter to the end to sieve off any larger chunks of alligator poop and bottom muck. It tastes and smells like the swamp. People may tell you that water is "filtered" and "tastes fine." Those people are liars or not gifted with a sense of taste or smell.

If, like me, you are an unapologetic water snob, get some SmartWater delivered to your hotel and use that to fill up your water bottle, and then just buy water in the parks when you need it.

On the subject of the water, beware sodas at counter service restaurants. They will line up a couple dozen pre-filled cups of soda behind the counter and it just sits there with that Florida swamp ice melting into it, so by the time you get your soda, it now just tastes like prehistoric swamp dredge with an aftertaste of Coke.

 

[holden]

1. Wear comfortable shoes. Be prepared to walk over 20,000 steps a day.
2. Go bagless or use a small fanny pack.
3. Have a plan but be open to changing it.
4. Make reservations for a few lunches. You won't have to hunt for a table and you'll get a break from the heat.
5. Stay hydrated - Smartwater works well.
6. Hit the attractions you most want to do/see first. Save the others for later.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

My best tip comes from my mother-in-law, who took a family of six to WDW on the regular in the 70s and 80s. Mom made an amazing tote bag, lovingly known in the family as The Blue Bag.

Her philosophy was that there was no reason the mother should have to carry everything when the party consisted of six able-bodied individuals. Everybody in the family took turns carrying The Blue Bag at designated times, even kids, throughout each day. Share the love.

 

[Jack Kerouac]

Do: Drink water (free water from Pecos Bill (far left of the counter) and other QS restaurants). Don't: Forget to drink water, pass out, and then fall on your face and break your nose.
Do: Tom Sawyer Island. Don't: Forget to visit Tom Sawyer Island because next time you go, it'll be gone.
Do: Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse for Happily Ever After. Don't: Forget to buy Dole Whip before heading up the Treehouse for Happily Ever After.
Do: Keys to the Kingdom. Don't: Ask your Keys to the Kingdom guide if she was once Mickey Mouse on Main Street USA.
Do: Swim in the pools. Don't: Swim in water that's not a pool.
Do: Be patient. Don't: Lose your freaking mind.
Do: CM compliments via the app and in person. Don't: Yell at CMs regardless of what is occurring.

 

[Jack Kerouac]

Keep in mind, this free water is FLORIDA WATER. I'm pretty sure the way they access it is by running a pipe directly up from Lake Okeechobee and attaching an old coffee filter to the end to sieve off any larger chunks of alligator poop and bottom muck. It tastes and smells like the swamp. People may tell you that water is "filtered" and "tastes fine." Those people are liars or not gifted with a sense of taste or smell.

If, like me, you are an unapologetic water snob, get some SmartWater delivered to your hotel and use that to fill up your water bottle, and then just buy water in the parks when you need it.

On the subject of the water, beware sodas at counter service restaurants. They will line up a couple dozen pre-filled cups of soda behind the counter and it just sits there with that Florida swamp ice melting into it, so by the time you get your soda, it now just tastes like prehistoric swamp dredge with an aftertaste of Coke.

I don't actually mind the free water. But my palette is that of very unrefined sandpaper.

 

[brockash]

Our trip is quickly approaching and I want to know things you have found that work best for you…things you’ve discovered as you have taken trips, things to pack, things to be sure to do, tips in the parks….whatever you best tip is that you are happy you know!
Secret tips are even better! Things the majority won’t know!

For reference ( though I want to hear tips that work for any size group and ages!!), we are a family of 5, 2 parents and 2 older teens with one 10 yr old. Staying onsite, 1st week of September.

Edit to add: we actually have been to Disney several times BUT it’s been about 10 yrs so the youngest was only months old and the others were young. I hear Disney has changed a lot since we went. We used to go around September for the crowds but I guess even that has changed.
Thanks all!

With the teens I echo it's okay to split up and really what I mean is have them meet you at the park if you want to rope. I have a REALLY hard time not rope dropping just due to the benefits but when my kids were early teens it was kind of terrible getting them out the door in time. I finally just started telling them our plans and let them meet us there (usually around lunxh time) whenn they wanted to. It was so much more pleasant for everyone.

 

[Jack Kerouac]

With the teens I echo it's okay to split up and really what I mean is have them meet you at the park if you want to rope. I have a REALLY hard time not rope dropping just due to the benefits but when my kids were early teens it was kind of terrible getting them out the door in time. I finally just started telling them our plans and let them meet us there (usually around lunxh time) whenn they wanted to. It was so much more pleasant for everyone.

And this is going to be my favorite reason for staying on property in the future. My boys are too young to do this now, but one day, this will be reason number one when we tell people we stay on-site.

 

[CarolynFH]

And this is going to be my favorite reason for staying on property in the future. My boys are too young to do this now, but one day, this will be reason number one when we tell people we stay on-site.

Yes, we started giving our kids some freedom when they were 14, I think, since they were by that time quite familiar with all the parks. We gave precise instructions - you have to stay in this park, you must meet us at (specified location) at (specified time). It was lovely, especially on the trip when we brought our 15 year old daughter and her best friend. They could do their things, we could do ours!

 

[Mousetopia]

Our trip is quickly approaching and I want to know things you have found that work best for you…things you’ve discovered as you have taken trips, things to pack, things to be sure to do, tips in the parks….whatever you best tip is that you are happy you know!
Secret tips are even better! Things the majority won’t know!

For reference ( though I want to hear tips that work for any size group and ages!!), we are a family of 5, 2 parents and 2 older teens with one 10 yr old. Staying onsite, 1st week of September.

Edit to add: we actually have been to Disney several times BUT it’s been about 10 yrs so the youngest was only months old and the others were young. I hear Disney has changed a lot since we went. We used to go around September for the crowds but I guess even that has changed.
Thanks all!

Plan a non park day half way through to rest, relax, swim, enjoy your resort. Then if you are me you end the day off with Hoop Dee Doo!!!