Just back...tips

[andymattmom]

We just returned from a fantastic trip at the Poly. No lines at the parks.

Here are some tips/suggestions:

I did get the shoe organizer for the bathroom at the $ store and pitched it. Maybe it was the quality of mine but it wouldn't hold anything and didn't fit over the door or on the towel rod (fell off this). I just used the cubby under the sink and kept counter top clean.

The binder clip for the curtains...WONDERFUL! Kept the room dark.

I bought a white noise machine- really kept down on the noise from the hall. I also roll up a towel and place it at the base of the door since there is such a big gap. I put the machine on the dresser- sounds like a fan and blocked out the noise. Why people slam doors, run up and down the hall, shout down the hall late at night and in the early morning is something I don't understand. We were next to the elevator- couldn't hear the elevator but could occasionally hear the inconsiderate people talking loudly even though our privacy please sign was up.

Body Glide---didn't use or need even though I bought it.

Tube your Lash---Tarte 4 day lash stain--- I took both. I like both- the Tube your lash comes right off at the end of the day, I didn't use this at the waterparks. The Tarte- I know some people don't like this. I remove it at night and it was fantastic for the waterparks. I also wear Bare Minerals and it was great in the heat.

We tipped Mousekeeping daily- put $1/day per person in clearly marked envelope on mirror. Got towel animals daily- had a thank you note from mousekeeper on tip. We kept room picked up and it was spotlessly cleaned daily (Poly Fiji building).

We bought a $6 toaster at Walmart and ate in our room daily for breakfast- got supplies for breakfast and bottled water.

I carried a purse daily- not a fanny pack or back pack person. I could get a couple water bottles in my purse- camera, etc. Saw some people with big backpacks/fanny packs that must come prepared for everything! I went a few times with no purse and it was fantastic.

Refillable mugs at resort---a must for big drinkers. You can get hot chocolate/coffee in the mornings. We used several times daily.

Rental car-- will never do Disney again without. Best $108 I spent being able to eat offsite, get to and from the parks when we wanted to. Parking is free to resort guests...we also had the AAA Diamond parking pass which was great.

Things that were not good- 6+ year old kids in underwear playing in fountains at Epcot.

The signs for ride waits can be off---yesterday BTMRR showed 30 minutes---actually was walk on!

 

[jnykly]

We just returned from a fantastic trip at the Poly. No lines at the parks.

Here are some tips/suggestions:
we also had the AAA Diamond parking pass which was great.

Where are the AAA parking lots located for each park?

This is our first time booking through AAA. Last December, we decided to drive to Animal Kingdom from the Poly and parked in the regular lots. Luckily the crowds were low, but I'd love to know where the AAA lot is located just in case it was crowded.

 

[jmann]

Where are the AAA parking lots located for each park?

This is our first time booking through AAA. Last December, we decided to drive to Animal Kingdom from the Poly and parked in the regular lots. Luckily the crowds were low, but I'd love to know where the AAA lot is located just in case it was crowded.

The AAA lots are always near the front of the parking. We just got back and used the parking pass a couple of times and it was great. Especially coming out at night after a long day. After Fantasmic we were back at the CSR in 15 minutes, just walked out and jumped in the car while others were taking that shuttle train to their cars.

 

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

Glad you had a great time!!!

 

[mr.bungle]

some great info. thank you for sharing

 

[imthatgirl]

we used the AAA diamond pass this year too...wont go without it!!!!!

i hear you on the epcot water area. PEOPLE,ITS NOT A SHOWER!! seriously! i even saw one boy who had to be 5-6 take ALL of his clothes off to put on his speedo. hello!!!! theres bathroom maybe less than 20 feet from the fountain!

 

[imthatgirl]

Where are the AAA parking lots located for each park?

This is our first time booking through AAA. Last December, we decided to drive to Animal Kingdom from the Poly and parked in the regular lots. Luckily the crowds were low, but I'd love to know where the AAA lot is located just in case it was crowded.

in animal kingdon if you are looking at the park and the buses are to your left, the AAA will be to your right up at the front.
you just follow the green line and it takes you there.

 

[andymattmom]

we used the AAA diamond pass this year too...wont go without it!!!!!

i hear you on the epcot water area. PEOPLE,ITS NOT A SHOWER!! seriously! i even saw one boy who had to be 5-6 take ALL of his clothes off to put on his speedo. hello!!!! theres bathroom maybe less than 20 feet from the fountain!

That is terrible---I can't understand why people do this with the all the crazy people in the world. The girl we saw was way too old to be in her underwear, there was also a toddler in his diaper. Yes, it was hot but a spray bottle will help. I am not going to Disney to see kids in underwear running around and don't want to expose my kids to that either. I know it is not the worse thing to see but some people appear to lack common sense!

 

[brekin67]

We have never rented a car, but I think we may in the future. Standing in line for a bus was very tiring. Is it hard to get around Disney property to find the parks. Should we just follow a bus to the park the first time or are there plenty of signs? Thanks,

 

[nicki.momof3]

Parking is free to resort guests...we also had the AAA Diamond parking pass which was great.QUOTE]

?????? I need some clarification - "parking is free". We always ues the park shuttles to get to and from the parks - can be very crowded at POR and congested at night.

The "free" parking is it at the resorts or at the actual parks. A I totally mis understanding - I can stay on site at Disney, rent a car, and drive from my on site hotel to any theme park and park free and not have to wait for the shuttle???

We are going at Easter so I am antisicipating LONG shuttle lines.

Thanks

 

[vcgirl925]

Awesome tips! Thanks!

 

[figment85]

Yes, if you're staying onsite, parking is free at the theme parks and the resorts. They give you a pass to put in the windshield that shows your checkout date and the resort.

If your parking spot is a ways from the park entrance, they usually have a tram to take you to the gate.

We were at POP last trip and there was a map of WDW on the back of the POP map. We used that to get around, just kept it in the car. It was confusing at first, but we always found our destination.

 

[mamaglenn]

Those are helpful hints, especially for a mom who is planning her first family trip in November.

 

[becfehr]

Parking is free to resort guests...we also had the AAA Diamond parking pass which was great.QUOTE]

?????? I need some clarification - "parking is free". We always ues the park shuttles to get to and from the parks - can be very crowded at POR and congested at night.

The "free" parking is it at the resorts or at the actual parks. A I totally mis understanding - I can stay on site at Disney, rent a car, and drive from my on site hotel to any theme park and park free and not have to wait for the shuttle???

We are going at Easter so I am antisicipating LONG shuttle lines.

Thanks

We are going to try driving and parking to the parks this time. The buses just were not for us. Having a stroller and getting on was CRAZY... thank God for my DH that would stand in the bus and hold on to the stroller for dear life making sure it didn't fly down the aisle when turning and such.

Also, my DH is pretty impatient (shhh... don't tell him I said that). So, I think that if we drove and parked FOR FREE that he would be better and less stressed BEFORE we even got to the park... and ESPECIALLY leaving coming back late with 2 tired little ones.

We are getting AAA passes too for the first time also, hoping this will help us from having to wait for parking lot tram lines.