Insider Tips from the DIS board

[Jenny]

I've been reading these DIS boards on & off since 2000 & I'm still learning about WDW tips for the first time. If it wasn't for the DIS, how would you learn about these things as I don't see them on the official WDW website?? Anyway, I'm grateful & would like to make sure that I'm all set w/ insider tips before we go again in jan. 06.

Here's a few that interest our family - me, DH & 2 DDs, ages 1 & 3.

Find a paintbrush on Tom Sawyer's Island
Wake up Tinkerbell
Ride the Barnstormer coaster w/ Goofy at Toontown opening 10 a.m. daily (i just learned of that one today)

Any other DIS tips?

 

[kahluacream]

Here are a few on my kids' "to do" list:

Ride up front on the monorail

Sit in the back of the train at the MK and help the engineer say "All Aboard" to receive a conductor's license

Participate in the Sword and the Stone ceremony at MK

Get "Pixie Dusted" at the Barbershop on Main Street

 

[Eeyore2003]

We found lots of things for my niece to do at the Festival of the Masters Art Show a few weeks ago. She made a door sign, chain, postcard, do a chalk drawing on the sidewalk, and a certificate for learning how to draw Mickey Mouse amoung other things. I actuallly can't remember which pen company, I think "Bic" gave away different color magic markers throughout the couple days and she liked collecting those too.

For adults the professional chalk drawings are spectacular, my niece is 8 and she really enjoyed seeing them also, and we didn't even get to really look at the artist displays in the tents since my niece was getting hot and tired and needed a break. I am anxious to go back on that week-end again, just DH and myself, and do more.

They also gave her a driver's license at Sci Fi. All you have to do is have your child sit in the front seat and you sit in the back. It's cute.

A man came around when we were sitting at Pizzafari during night time EMH and asked her to name all the princesses and she got a Magical Moments certificate.

Also, the Disney Visa Meet and Greet at Epcot for the free picture for Disney Visa holders.

Little advertised children's activities like the Pirate Cruise, Albatross Treasure Cruise and the My Disney Girl Princess Tea. Also the cooking one at the Grand Floridian, can't remember the name off hand.

Ordering special desserts, cakes etc. like Cinderella's Slipper.

Just a little thing DH always does is stop in at Ghiradelli's and get the free candy they are usually passing out.

There's a "viewing" spot if you go out the back of AKL where they usually have a person answering questions and talking about the animals, this is nice to do before or after eating at Boma or Jiko.

 

[julielovestigger]

Just Subscribing!

 

[canwegosoon]

When you come out of the Jungle trek in AK there is usually a person doing a kids activity for Family Fun, and you usually get a little book.
Also the Masks at Epcot.

 

[canwegosoon]

Also there is a key under a mat ...I forget where. And you can look for the ring at haunted mansion.

 

[hallie615]

The key under the mat is at MGM. it is at the Muppets

 

[Jenny]

is the key under the mat a souvenir to keep or do you bring it to a CM for some reason? where is the mat? at the front entrance?

 

[lucincia]

Ages 1 and 3? My DD2 spent many moments in front of Tink's drawer just peering in and watching her appear and disappear. If I knew this is all she wants at WDW, heck, I can do it cheaper at home!

 

[airplane]

We found lots of things for my niece to do at the Festival of the Masters Art Show a few weeks ago. She made a door sign, chain, postcard, do a chalk drawing on the sidewalk, and a certificate for learning how to draw Mickey Mouse amoung other things. I actuallly can't remember which pen company, I think "Bic" gave away different color magic markers throughout the couple days and she liked collecting those too.

For adults the professional chalk drawings are spectacular, my niece is 8 and she really enjoyed seeing them also, and we didn't even get to really look at the artist displays in the tents since my niece was getting hot and tired and needed a break. I am anxious to go back on that week-end again, just DH and myself, and do more.

They also gave her a driver's license at Sci Fi. All you have to do is have your child sit in the front seat and you sit in the back. It's cute.

A man came around when we were sitting at Pizzafari during night time EMH and asked her to name all the princesses and she got a Magical Moments certificate.

Also, the Disney Visa Meet and Greet at Epcot for the free picture for Disney Visa holders.

Little advertised children's activities like the Pirate Cruise, Albatross Treasure Cruise and the My Disney Girl Princess Tea. Also the cooking one at the Grand Floridian, can't remember the name off hand.

Ordering special desserts, cakes etc. like Cinderella's Slipper.

Just a little thing DH always does is stop in at Ghiradelli's and get the free candy they are usually passing out.

There's a "viewing" spot if you go out the back of AKL where they usually have a person answering questions and talking about the animals, this is nice to do before or after eating at Boma or Jiko.

I received at Magical Moments Certificate at Pizzafarri too. I thought I was just special

 

[Eeyore2003]

I received at Magical Moments Certificate at Pizzafarri too. I thought I was just special

You WERE special and so was my neice!!! LOL They usually put "since the last" and "until the next" on some of their cute certificates. Like when my son was 6, (15 years of moons ago already!!!), he was chosen to go on stage at the Hoop Dee Doo, and was the "sherrif, who saved the day". He got the cutest certificate stating he was the best sheriff since the last, and will be until the next. It said it so cutely too and signed by the Hoop Dee Doo people etc.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

The best tip I got from the DIS is go left. It works really well and being left handed it is very natural for me anyway.

 

[hallie615]

When you walk into the muppets, and go to the right there is a box office window (I think) and there is a mat on the floor. If you lift up the mat, there is a key design made into the rug. i really do not know why its there, but I read about it here on the boards and looked for it last time I was there and found it.

 

[d4est]

The best tip I got from the DIS is go left. It works really well and being left handed it is very natural for me anyway.

Go left where? When? Why?

 

[OurDogCisco]

Go left where? When? Why?

Because most people are right-handed it is believed that when they enter the park they travel through the park starting to their right. Supposely you can beat the crowds by going in the opposite direction.

 

[julielovestigger]

Supposedly, going left is based on everyone else's natural tendency to always go to the right. Most folks will go to the right around the park, or will take the right hand lane when standing in line for a ride. Going Left around the park and taking the left lane supposedly provides you with less crowds and shorter waits. I say supposedly, because I have yet to try it myself!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

It works, trust me! We always go left when entering a park and rarely have to deal with the masses. Occasionally I will send DH to the right to grab fastpasses to rides like Buzz Lightyear then he will catch up to us. I don't know why but it just seems to work for us. We usually don't wait in to long of a line for rides going this way.

Edited to add: I always have to tell my oldest that we drive on the right in this country because he also naturally walks to the left.

 

[d4est]

Ok, thanks. I guess it does make sense. Will add it to my "tips list."

 

[Annette_VA]

There's a TON of tips & secrets here.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=311217

 

[Jenny]

can anyone tell me about the key under the mat at Muppets? where's the mat? thanks.