Just finished umpteenth trip: Tip for new planners.

[Stitch850]

1. It will never go as planned. It will rain. You'll get stuck on a ride & it will through off your schedule. You or someone in your party will get sick. You will underestimate how exhausted your group will get. The more I go, the less I plan more than a general plan, because something always happens that wasn't "planned". The trick is to stay flexible.

2. Know you can't do everything. I never have nor ever will do everything I wanted to do. The parks are designed to keep you wanting to come back.

3. Read the warning signs before getting on a ride. Learned this the hard way.

4. Get any stroller other than a Disney stroller. I do not know why parents submit their children to those torture chairs.

5. There are a lot of other people in the parks than your party. I have told SO many people, "Disney world is like going to a big party." If you can think of it that way, or like it is a concert. I think that's the best mindset.

6. Finally, know what each ride entails and make a list of must-do's. This trip I met so many new timers who didn't have a clue what they were walking onto. I swear I always think people must be getting more savvy about wdw, but then I meet people who stand in a 60 minute line for Enchanted w/ Belle & ask why the line for the "ride" moves so slow. I was only in that long of a line to see Belle's house - & I will NEVER wait that long ever again. Not worth it - get a fastpass.

7. Look for the details. Always makes my trip worth it.

8. Wear work out clothes. It's a workout. Amazes me to see what people wear to the parks.

Have a magical day I think I've had my Disney fill for a while.

 

[amandahein3]

Thanks for the tips. What do you mean by look for the details?

Sorry first timer here

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Thanks for the tips. What do you mean by look for the details?

Sorry first timer here

When I read that point, I thought of all the things to see while waiting for rides. There are hidden mickeys everywhere.

Oh and don't apologize for being a newbie. Everyone was there once. Welcome!

 

[SeanWM48]

very good post. i learned on my last trip that you really can't let the weather hurt your vacation. it's completely out of your control; go with it and work around it and stay positive.

good points about not getting to every destination in one trip. hit your key rides/attractions and anything else is gravy. example - my first trip to epcot my girlfriend and i wore ourselves out entirely because we tried to see EVERYTHING in one afternoon. made for a very long day and by the end it felt less fun than it should've been. i want to give epcot another chance and wander around in the countries and appreciate it instead of rushing to see every piece like some kind of chore.

anyway, good advice

 

[kmb584]

Thanks for the tips. What do you mean by look for the details?

Sorry first timer here

Hidden Mickey's are plentiful, look up when in Sir Mickey's, the Singin' in the Rain umbrella on the Streets of America, etc. Disney is packed full of the little details.

 

[klmall]

Excellent points....I totally agree with them and hopefully, even though I am worried about how the FastPass+ and MDE changes will affect our December trip, I am trying to keep everything in perspective.

For me, it's the details as well as the big picture and recapturing that amazing feeling if I let myself.....despite the craziness of change.

Even if we don't get the FP+ we want or the a meal at BOG I can still enjoy the trip. I have to remember that WDW is what YOU make of it. Letting negative threads on the DIS and worry about changes to come is giving control of MY trip enjoyment away.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Excellent post,OP. I agree, you have to be prepared for anything, and be able to adjust accordingly. And yes, workout clothes are very appropriate for the parks. I wore a pedometer for some of my park days and easily clocked 6 miles. That wasn't our Epcot day either.

I think an awareness that you are in a park with thousands of other people is key as well.

 

[prudence64]

Agree with everything except the stroller. Last thing we wanted to do was lug a stroller on the buses. Very convenient to get a stroller in the park and then leave it behind. They were nice and roomy to. My daughter liked it.

 

[brielise]

I agree with everything on this list!... Except #8. I'd amend it to say 'Wear what's comfortable for you.' My favorite outfit for any long, hot day is a dress or skirt and sandals. It doesn't work for everyone, but it is by far the most comfortable for me! And I have to make sure to rotate my sandals (I usually bring 3 pairs) so that my feet don't hurt. For some reason whenever I wear any pair of shoes too consistently my feet get really sore. My worst trip I listened to DH's family and brought a pair of tennis shoes. I was miserable the whole time.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Thanks for the tips. What do you mean by look for the details?

Sorry first timer here

Don't apologize! WDW isn't like Kings Island or other typical amusement parks, pretty much everything is themed to the area it is in. The little details are what makes it different. Read the tombstones outside the Haunted Mansion. Look closely at the props in all of the queues, there are so many little things eveywhere--a box in Big Thunder's queue marked "Lite 'em and Hyde" is supposed to be explosives, stuff like that. The theming in the Everest area at AK is another favorite, it looks like you are really there.

Don't just rush from attraction to attraction, look around you! Look down sometimes, even the concrete has details in some areas. Look up!

Have a great trip!

 

[tjmj9801]

Love this! Great advice.

Edit to add: About the strollers, it amazes me to see what large strollers people bring with them. We have 3 girls, only 1 needs a stroller, so we have a small umbrella stroller. It's not a problem at all to fold up and it's certainly not "lugging" it around. Even if you have 2 small ones that need a stroller, certainly 2 umbrellas would be easier than these massive side by side things people insist on bringing.

 

[danijake]

8. Wear work out clothes. It's a workout. Amazes me to see what people wear to the parks.

Definitely agree! I was planning on wearing jean capris for my August trip, and the more and more I read about it, I said, "what am I thinking??" Instead I picked up some activewear tanks and shorts at Old Navy.

 

[PaulaVonSchweetz]

Definitely agree! I was planning on wearing jean capris for my August trip, and the more and more I read about it, I said, "what am I thinking??" Instead I picked up some activewear tanks and shorts at Old Navy.

I third this!!! I always wear my most comfortable sneakers, cotton Tanks or t shirts and cotton shorts..... no heat rash for this girl!!! No thanks.

 

[Stitch850]

I agree with everything on this list!... Except #8. I'd amend it to say 'Wear what's comfortable for you.' My favorite outfit for any long, hot day is a dress or skirt and sandals. It doesn't work for everyone, but it is by far the most comfortable for me! And I have to make sure to rotate my sandals (I usually bring 3 pairs) so that my feet don't hurt. For some reason whenever I wear any pair of shoes too consistently my feet get really sore. My worst trip I listened to DH's family and brought a pair of tennis shoes. I was miserable the whole time.

I agree to a certain point. If your absolutely sure you'll be comfortable in the heat, the humidity, the rain, & the miles of walking, then go for it. I wear sandals, although I usually wouldn't recommend it.

I prefer the yoga pants from Costco with a Sassybax bra tank & a tee shirt. I wear yellowbox sandals. I wouldn't recommend plastic sandals. Also some ppl seem to tolerate shorts, but the chaffing bothers me.

 

[Stitch850]

Agree with everything except the stroller. Last thing we wanted to do was lug a stroller on the buses. Very convenient to get a stroller in the park and then leave it behind. They were nice and roomy to. My daughter liked it.

This is the main reason most ppl choose a Disney stroller. However, I would challenge that you try a lightweight stroller from home or Orlando stroller rentals. I've convinced a few family members to try them & they all said the "lugging" really wasn't an issue. Orlando stroller rentals has strollers than folds very quickly & easily & if you have a long walk from the bus stop to your room (as some do) you don't have to "lug" your sleeping kids & all the souvenirs in your arms after an exhausting day.

 

[Jennasis]

The more I go, the better I get at planning through "not-planning".

 

[BaxterSaysMeoww]

I agree with everything on this list!... Except #8. I'd amend it to say 'Wear what's comfortable for you.' My favorite outfit for any long, hot day is a dress or skirt and sandals. It doesn't work for everyone, but it is by far the most comfortable for me! And I have to make sure to rotate my sandals (I usually bring 3 pairs) so that my feet don't hurt. For some reason whenever I wear any pair of shoes too consistently my feet get really sore. My worst trip I listened to DH's family and brought a pair of tennis shoes. I was miserable the whole time.

This about multiple pairs of shoes for sure! I always wear flip flops and last year on the 3rd day of my trip I put my flip flops on to go out and I could barely walk my feet hurt soooo bad.. I luckily packed an extra pair that had a little more cushion to them and it felt like I had a new pair of feet once I started walking in those. Always bring back up shoes, I don't know what I would've done if I hadn't.

 

[tjmj9801]

This about multiple pairs of shoes for sure! I always wear flip flops and last year on the 3rd day of my trip I put my flip flops on to go out and I could barely walk my feet hurt soooo bad.. I luckily packed an extra pair that had a little more cushion to them and it felt like I had a new pair of feet once I started walking in those. Always bring back up shoes, I don't know what I would've done if I hadn't.

Good point! Also, if athletic shoes are all you wear, bring an extra pair. Mid-afternoon downpours will soak shoes and they won't dry out completely for days.

 

[aaturner]

I am on of those people that loves to wear flip flops too and would be miserable in tennis shoes all day. I found a pair of Reef flip flops with a cushioned sole, much like a tennis shoe. My trip isn't until June, but I have tested them doing 2 5K walks.....very comfortable!

 

[BaxterSaysMeoww]

I am on of those people that loves to wear flip flops too and would be miserable in tennis shoes all day. I found a pair of Reef flip flops with a cushioned sole, much like a tennis shoe. My trip isn't until June, but I have tested them doing 2 5K walks.....very comfortable!

I've never heard of those before, where did you get them? After the experience I had last year and the fact I'm going again on the 16th it really sticks out in my mind and worries me, even though the second pair helped last time what if it doesn't this time.. I'd be interested in checking those out..