Lessons learned to better your Vacation.

[Shiftgreen]

Each year I come down to Disney I learn something new or find a better way to do something that helps me out the next time I come down here so I can have a more enjoyable time and prevent stress or worries.

What are things you have done that you ended up learning the hard way, or didnt do but will take into account on your next trip?

For me, this past trip I learned that unless you have enough money saved up in your account, its better to pay your hotel with credit, rather than debit. Since they take out a 75 dollar a day holding feel, which really screwed us up for 2 days b/c I couldnt use 375 dollars. Not all hotels may be like this but mine sure was, and it was very stressful wondering if we were going to be in the negative while I was at IOA, it almost ruined my trip, thankfully I transfered money from my savings that following monday, but I had to go through the whole weekend worrying if we would have enough.
Other things I learned on this trip that will help me out next year or whenever I go back are.

1) directions to our fav. food places
2) knowing what attractions or fun-parks to see that are non-disney so we dont waste time looking for something to do.
3) recording every ride b/c when you get one ride on film you wish you got all the rides you rode. (ex, splash mountain, jurassic park,etc)
4) figureing out what days to go to what park, ex.) TL- monday was perfect b/c local kids are in school, IOA- sat was perfect b/c it closed later than TL, Magic K- wed was perfect b/c it was cooler than Monday, still sunny, and we got too see wishes.

These are things everyone figures out over time I guess, but there are ways to move about that can save time and money if its better planned.

 

[bab31]

Tl ?

 

[hoosll]

1. You can't do it ALL in one trip and you will run yourself ragged trying.
2. Give yourself lots of time for bus connections, etc.
3. Buy something when you see it ... you may forget where you saw it. Also, if you change your mind, you can return it with receipt to any disney store.
4. Plan some down time take a nap, sit by the pool or in the hot tub. It will refresh you.
5. Don't be afraid to offer to take someone else's picture OR ask a guest or CM to take your picture.

 

[mla2177]

Typoon lagoon I think?????

 

[jeepgirl30]

I took DD for a quick mother/daughter trip. I didn't give us near enough time. 3 nights is just not enough. But it was a 3 night or nothing so it was still better than nada.

I also figured since it was the 2 of us no way would she need a stroller, she is 6. Well second day i rented one. I would have been better to back the old umbrella stroller and pitch it or give it away when we left. With the stroller we were able to cover more ground and it was easier to get her to pass by the shops.

Overall we have awesome memories but maybe someone will gain from my lessons learned.

 

[Bill From PA]

We capture the first day by arranging our flight down so that we arrive late morning at worst and then go right to WS or stroll the BoardWalk by day and hit PI that night.

We capture the last day. We used to leave 'The World' around 4 pm on the last day and stay at the MCO Hyatt to catch an early flight out the next day. Now we spend our whole last day doing Disney stuff and trust Tiffany to get us to our flight on time. My wife talked me into this one.

Don't tolerate huge crowds. We hit a non-Epcot park every day at rope drop, tour until the stand-by lines get to the 30 - 45 min range, then we hop to Epcot which rarely seems crowded to us, even in March which is High Season, or whatever they call it.

Don't 'over hop'. Too much park hopping means too much time wasted in a bus.

Make a plan, but be flexible. If we're having fun but our schedule calls for us to move on, we scrap the schedule and stick with the fun at hand.

It's a vacation, a physically taxing one to be sure, but don't make it a job.

Bill From PA

 

[dbarker]

Don't listen to DH when he says we won't need those emergency rain ponchos. I will carry one w/ me anyways.
Change socks in the middle of the day (read that one hear). It works wonders on the feet.

 

[Syrreal]

My advice is that if you are not a morning person in your regular life, don't force yourself into being one on vacation.
I don't think I have ever been anywhere near a rope drop in my entire life. Me and early mornings just don't get along.

 

[djkeenan]

We've been to WDW many times, but it didn't become a "vacation" until we rented a pool home. Life is so much easier when you have the space and amenities to really relax. As a bonus, we save so much money that extras are not a concern.

 

[joshsmom]

I've learned to be flexible and go with the flow. I found that my "best laid plans" CAN be changed (and may NEED to be changed) due to change in crowd levels, weather, or whatever. I used to get SO uptight that I planned everything to the hilt and then had to change for some reason. Now, I make my plans, but I leave time for change and if I do need to change my plan, strategy, whatever, I can do it without being sick about it.

I've learned that my worst day at WDW is better than my best day in the real world.

I've learned that you're only as old as you feel (or act) and that a 37 year old woman CAN stand in line to see the MAIN MOUSE!!

I've learned that the time I spend with my family at WDW is PRICELESS and that I am blessed to be able to go.

I've learned to try not to sweat the small stuff.