Just back. My Quick Tips

[TAKitty]

It seemed more crowded last July than this July. We had a great time and I can't wait to plan our Spring Break trip.

Things I learned this time. . .
If you have seen wishes a lot watch it from the seats past Peter Pan and It's a Small World. You get to sit, and we could even lay our head down and watch them shoot off to the left. The show is not the same as being in the front of the castle, but it is still a good fireworks show and it seems much closer.

If you want to ride Splash and you have arrived late to the Magic Kingdom, ride the ride during the first SpectroMagic parade. We walked right on the ride and when the parade ended the line was back up to over 50 minutes.

One night I changed my ADRs to a different restaurant. They only had a 8:30 p.m. available. This is just too late for my two boys. We had time to spare so I showed up an hour early and we were seated in 15 minutes (a table for 5!). I know that this may not work everytime, but it is worth a try.

We never made it to park opening and we still only had a max of a 30 minute wait. Send someone to get those fast passes while the rest of the party rides a ride you don't want to see. For those who want to see everything, this will not work and you will have to arrive at opening.


Thing I will do next time with the kids. . .

Bring a printout of the pressed penny locations
Use the 97 cent mini fan for kids instead of water fan
Get the kids a fanny pack
Not be in such a hurry to take the picture when the kids are with the characters.
Not bring the rain jackets—We stayed for 12 days and always missed the rain
Make sure I get more pictures of the “stuff” at Disney and not just the kids

What went well. . .
Buying water beforehand
Lost Card—I printed out a lost card and laminated it. The kids didn’t need it but felt safe with it.
Going to Chef Mickey’s—the character interaction was great
Using water bottle straps instead of bottle holders
Gave the kids gift cards with spending money on it
Matching shirts for kids
Water shoes for around the pool and masks
Shipping stuff to the resort
Doing laundry in our villa—I only had to pack half the stuff we needed
Renting movies at night—if you are staying someplace where this is allowed it is a great option. Disney TV doesn’t have that much on at night.
Turn the TV off in the morning to get the kids dressed and fed
Laying out the kids cloths the night before

 

[Michele]

One question....what is the difference between bottle straps and bottle holders?

 

[brock]

Where can I get a Penny Location Map?

Great tips, I'm printing off your thread

 

[Mickey-4-Me]

Where can I get a Penny Location Map?

Great tips, I'm printing off your thread

Here is a pdf version - so you must have Adobe Acrobat.
It tells where the pressed penny machines are located and what is available to press onto the penny. Very helpful if you want a specific character. I've seen photos of those machines. I think they would be easy to accidentally pass.

http://www.presscoins.com/Listings/WDWMaster.pdf

 

[raspberrysharpei]

Thanks for the tips. Love the link to the pressed coins.

 

[KTSMOM]

Why would you choose the mini fans over the water mister fan?? Just curious since I bought my DD a mister fan for our upcoming trip.

 

[Dislifer]

Not bring the rain jackets—We stayed for 12 days and always missed the rain


Aghh...but don't you know??? If you bring the rain gear=it won't rain.
If you don't bring the rain gear=it's a sure thing for rain!!!

 

[brock]

Mickey 4 Me,
Thanks for cool website. I only saw resorts, any for parks?

 

[TAKitty]

One question....what is the difference between bottle straps and bottle holders?

I liked the bottle straps much better. The just hold the bottle on a strap and are sold at WDW. I brought bottle holders with a case around the bottle that has a strap. They were too bulky and the kids ended up drinking the water so fast that it didn't get warm. With just the strap, I can easily store it when they are finished or until another water is needed.

 

[TAKitty]

Why would you choose the mini fans over the water mister fan?? Just curious since I bought my DD a mister fan for our upcoming trip.

The mini fans are small and fit in a pocket. They turn faster so there is more breeze. The mini fans work extra great around air conditioning (inside buildings waiting for rides, the bus, walking by stores.). I didn't want the kids misting themselves inside of buildings or on the bus or in close contact with other guests. The water fans can get heavy to carry, even though they are on a strap. Both my boys only carried the water fan for one day and asked for the mini fans the rest of the trip. I just went out to Walmart yesterday to get two more for our upcoming trip!

 

[TAKitty]

Mickey 4 Me,
Thanks for cool website. I only saw resorts, any for parks?

I have used this one http://www.presscoins.com/

 

[Michele]

Are the bottle straps only available in the parks? Can I buy them anywhere before we go?

 

[TAKitty]

Are the bottle straps only available in the parks? Can I buy them anywhere before we go?

The bottle straps are sold almost anywhere where water is sold in the parks. I have a Magic Kingdom strap and the boys have Animal Kingdom straps.

I believe water straps can be purchased at home, I just am not sure who would sell them. In the parks they are about 3.75 each.

 

[TENNTigger]

I was wondering about the gift cards for the kids. Sounds like a good idea for my grandsons on our trip in Nov. Where do you purchase them and can you add more funds to them?

 

[Mickey-4-Me]

Mickey 4 Me,
Thanks for cool website. I only saw resorts, any for parks?

They are in there. They are in alphabetical order, so it is easy to skip through and not see them because they are mixed in with the resorts.

 

[tink98]

What went well. . .
Buying water beforehand
Lost Card—I printed out a lost card and laminated it. The kids didn’t need it but felt safe with it.
Going to Chef Mickey’s—the character interaction was great
Using water bottle straps instead of bottle holders
Gave the kids gift cards with spending money on it
Matching shirts for kids
Water shoes for around the pool and masks
Shipping stuff to the resort
Doing laundry in our villa—I only had to pack half the stuff we needed
Renting movies at night—if you are staying someplace where this is allowed it is a great option. Disney TV doesn’t have that much on at night.
Turn the TV off in the morning to get the kids dressed and fed
Laying out the kids cloths the night before

Thanks for lots of practical advice!

We too are planning to ship things to the resort and purchase water. What kinds of things did you send ahead (if you don't mind me asking ?

 

[TAKitty]

Thanks for lots of practical advice!

We too are planning to ship things to the resort and purchase water. What kinds of things did you send ahead (if you don't mind me asking ?

I sent masks, water shoes, glow necklaces, water bottle holders, coffee, drink mixes, gifts for the gift bags I made up, an aero bed, water bottle fans. I think that was about it.

 

[TAKitty]

I was wondering about the gift cards for the kids. Sounds like a good idea for my grandsons on our trip in Nov. Where do you purchase them and can you add more funds to them?

You can get the gift cards at any Disney store or online with Disney. We gave each boy 30.00 and the cards could be added to. You can also buy them at any WDW giftshop.