Lessons Learned

[Lolsmum]

I grew up in Orange County and went to Disneyland a scary number of times. I learned a whole lot there, including picking up cute boys and where you could get away with a kiss.

I did learn some things that are likely more useful to visitors though.

If you eat at the Plaza Inn at the right time and sit outside by the railings, you get a great view of the parade with a seat thrown in.

It gets cold in the evenings even in the summer. If you plan to buy a sweatshirt, you can avoid bringing a sweater or jacket and having to carry it around or go back to the car for it.

If you have a small child, take a nap in the middle of the day.

Buy a dole whip when there's a bit of a wait for the Tiki Room. Eat it while you wait then go sit in a nice, comfy room and listen to the birds.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Actually, your DH later went in and cancelled your reservation and didn't tell you, just to see if this very thing might happen. He's so money.


Just kidding. But I would think this strategy would pay off more often that not. Although it's obviously illegal.

What strategy is illegal? She pulled up her email and was able to prove that they did have a registration at the hotel. So, even though the hotel didn't have it in their system anymore, they saw that that transaction did happen.

I've done this in the past. I always take my printed confirmations with me because of this lesson learned.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I did learn some things that are likely more useful to visitors though.

If you eat at the Plaza Inn at the right time and sit outside by the railings, you get a great view of the parade with a seat thrown in.

This used to be a great strategy, but they put a hedge around the outdoor patio now so you no longer have a view of the street. It makes the patio private for their birthday party celebrations.

 

[ValpoCory]

What strategy is illegal? She pulled up her email and was able to prove that they did have a registration at the hotel. So, even though the hotel didn't have it in their system anymore, they saw that that transaction did happen.

I've done this in the past. I always take my printed confirmations with me because of this lesson learned.

I'm talking about making reservations, printing them out, then cancelling the reservations, then going to the hotel with your printout, demanding your room. Hotel manager appeases you with a room, saying, ""I don't understand why you aren't in our computer, we don't have that room available anymore, we are full. OK, I'm going to upgrade you to a 2 bedroom suite for the same price"

Obviously this is not what she did.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

So I now know that I should take a picture of my tickets...but why? Does it prove I had them or are they able to read the barcode on my smartphone pic?

 

[ValpoCory]

So I now know that I should take a picture of my tickets...but why? Does it prove I had them or are they able to read the barcode on my smartphone pic?

With that barcode/ticket number, and your ID, they can re-issue your ticket. At WDW, one time we lost one of our tickets. We took the rest of the tickets to a window, they pulled up the order, and printed off another copy of the missing ticket.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Sweeeet! Thanks

 

[pixiewings71]

Actually, your DH later went in and cancelled your reservation and didn't tell you, just to see if this very thing might happen. He's so money.


Just kidding. But I would think this strategy would pay off more often that not. Although it's obviously illegal.

Illegal?? No, we did nothing illegal. And it wouldn't even occur to me to do something like that. When we checked out the same manager was there, he had called corporate and apparently they had our reservation (we booked via the website to get that price, it was also a NON-refundable reservation) but hadn't sent it to the hotel. To compensate us they gave us some of their "points" but we haven't stayed there again so we never used them.

Again, it wouldn't have mattered had we cancelled and then tried to stay there anyway. Our stay was non-refundable and we had already paid to get that price, it was a web only, non-refundable, pre-pay deal.

What strategy is illegal? She pulled up her email and was able to prove that they did have a registration at the hotel. So, even though the hotel didn't have it in their system anymore, they saw that that transaction did happen.

I've done this in the past. I always take my printed confirmations with me because of this lesson learned.

And now I do too! LOL

I grew up in Orange County and went to Disneyland a scary number of times. I learned a whole lot there, including picking up cute boys and where you could get away with a kiss.

I did learn some things that are likely more useful to visitors though.

If you eat at the Plaza Inn at the right time and sit outside by the railings, you get a great view of the parade with a seat thrown in.

It gets cold in the evenings even in the summer. If you plan to buy a sweatshirt, you can avoid bringing a sweater or jacket and having to carry it around or go back to the car for it.

If you have a small child, take a nap in the middle of the day.

Buy a dole whip when there's a bit of a wait for the Tiki Room. Eat it while you wait then go sit in a nice, comfy room and listen to the birds.

Actually you remind me of a great tip.......eat dinner at the PI and time it right to get a decent view of the fireworks. Oh and DBF and I don't need to find a place to kiss, we just kiss in the middle of the road. LOL

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Illegal?? No, we did nothing illegal. And it wouldn't even occur to me to do something like that. When we checked out the same manager was there, he had called corporate and apparently they had our reservation (we booked via the website to get that price, it was also a NON-refundable reservation) but hadn't sent it to the hotel. To compensate us they gave us some of their "points" but we haven't stayed there again so we never used them.

Again, it wouldn't have mattered had we cancelled and then tried to stay there anyway. Our stay was non-refundable and we had already paid to get that price, it was a web only, non-refundable, pre-pay deal.



And now I do too! LOL



Actually you remind me of a great tip.......eat dinner at the PI and time it right to get a decent view of the fireworks. Oh and DBF and I don't need to find a place to kiss, we just kiss in the middle of the road. LOL

I think she was talking about suck-face-hicky-kisses I kiss my hubby in the great wide open too

 

[mommamonster]

I'm talking about making reservations, printing them out, then cancelling the reservations, then going to the hotel with your printout, demanding your room. Hotel manager appeases you with a room, saying, ""I don't understand why you aren't in our computer, we don't have that room available anymore, we are full. OK, I'm going to upgrade you to a 2 bedroom suite for the same price"

Obviously this is not what she did.

I just wanted to note that the hotel I worked for for several years would have a cancellation on file, and we always made note of who the caller (name on res, travel agent, 3rd party booking website, etc..) was that cancelled, so we were not scammed easily! Just an FYI for anyone who might be reading and thinking they can get away with that, hehe Occasionally the internet would burp and we just wouldn't get the email from the 3rd party booking or one of the staff would just forget to save the reservation screen (rare but it happens, yikes). In the event it was truly our fault and there were none of the reserved room types available we would either upgrade for no extra cost, or "walk" the guests to a nearby hotel for a comped room, and sometimes offer other complimentary things to make up for the mistake.

I always call the hotel directly to confirm my reservations at least a few days to a week in advance, as well as bring my confirmation with me. I have been on both sides of a lost reservation situation and it has rarely been pleasant.

 

[ValpoCory]

Illegal?? No, we did nothing illegal.

I know. I wasn't saying you did, either. Sorry for the confusion. I was just referencing a scam that's out there. A scam so prevalent, hotels have now incorporated policies to prevent it, as the previous poster mentioned.

 

[ValpoCory]

One of my lessons learned was burning the candle at both ends with young children ... staying up super late before getting up early. While DW and I handled it just fine, my DD quickly deteriorated. Obviously each of you know what your child or children can handle and what they can't, but if this is your first Disney trip, especially if it includes an airplane flight, then I suggest to lean on the side of taking it easy on the arrival night, getting a good night's sleep at the hotel, and then set off to the parks early. We've done that on each successive trip after that first one, and things have gone much better.

 

[todzwife]

I'm one of the crazies who actually appreciated shortened park hours for several days of our trip. We went Tuesday night, Wed. and Thurs. were 10-8 so we were able to stay the whole time (even with our 2 year old who was an ANGEL). Friday and Saturday were 8-12 and while we got there early, took a break for a nap etc...I still had to leave by 8 with both my 2 and 6 year olds because they were just wiped out.

Bring a stroller for a child who tires easily, even if they are 6 or 7 years old. You may not need it for the first couple of days, but carrying a 2 year old back while pushing a sleeping 6 year old is NOT FUN.


ALWAYS bring a change of clothes (or 2) for children under the age of 4. Disney=diaper blowouts and potty accidents and kids clothes there are not cheap.

 

[kazbar]

Make sure your camera and phone have your contact info on them in some way (we take a photo of our name and address details) so that if it is lost, an honest person can get it back to you

 

[ValpoCory]

I'm one of the crazies who actually appreciated shortened park hours for several days of our trip. We went Tuesday night, Wed. and Thurs. were 10-8 so we were able to stay the whole time (even with our 2 year old who was an ANGEL). Friday and Saturday were 8-12 and while we got there early, took a break for a nap etc...I still had to leave by 8 with both my 2 and 6 year olds because they were just wiped out.

Bring a stroller for a child who tires easily, even if they are 6 or 7 years old. You may not need it for the first couple of days, but carrying a 2 year old back while pushing a sleeping 6 year old is NOT FUN.

I completely agree! We usually go in the offseason, and we like the shorter hours. With young kids and those hours, we get them to bed at a "reasonable at Disney" time and don't feel like we are missing anything. And I also agree on the mid-day nap/break. Essential, IMO.

And I definitely concur on the stroller for an older child tip. We like to have a double stroller so our youngest and our 6-7 year old can ride too. Any energy savings for kids that age is a plus, and makes everyone happier.

 

[pixiewings71]

I think she was talking about suck-face-hicky-kisses I kiss my hubby in the great wide open too

LOL ya probably........

Make sure your camera and phone have your contact info on them in some way (we take a photo of our name and address details) so that if it is lost, an honest person can get it back to you

Oh very good tip!!!!!

 

[ValpoCory]

Make sure your camera and phone have your contact info on them in some way (we take a photo of our name and address details) so that if it is lost, an honest person can get it back to you

A common solution for the phone situation is program an emergency contact number, like a significant other's cell phone number, into your phone under the name ICE, which stands for In Case of Emergency. Paramedics know to look for an ICE number, as do many others.

If your phone has a lock on it that would prevent others from searching your contact list, or even if it doesn't, it is a good idea to put your name and contact information on a small piece of paper and put it in the phone's battery compartment. I keep an emergency $20 bill in my phone's battery compartment too.

 

[steves1bear]

todzwife - "ALWAYS bring a change of clothes (or 2) for children under the age of 4. Disney=diaper blowouts and potty accidents and kids clothes there are not cheap."

I completely agree with this and will add make sure to bring more wipes and diapers than you think you'll need! Let's just say we have a very special memory with our then 6 month old at Pooh Corner of all places. Of course, I forgot extra clothes. Luckily my DSister had some since she was there with her 5 month old.

We did end up having to buy the baby a jacket since the clothes I did bring were not warm enough.

If a child says they don't want to go on something, don't try to convince them otherwise. You may just end up on IASW more times than you can count!

 

[pixiewings71]

A common solution for the phone situation is program an emergency contact number, like a significant other's cell phone number, into your phone under the name ICE, which stands for In Case of Emergency. Paramedics know to look for an ICE number, as do many others.

If your phone has a lock on it that would prevent others from searching your contact list, or even if it doesn't, it is a good idea to put your name and contact information on a small piece of paper and put it in the phone's battery compartment. I keep an emergency $20 bill in my phone's battery compartment too.

My ICE contacts are actually a short cut on my locked screen, you just have to tap the "In Case of Emergency" shortcut on my home screen to access them. No need to unlock my phone at all.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

A common solution for the phone situation is program an emergency contact number, like a significant other's cell phone number, into your phone under the name ICE, which stands for In Case of Emergency. Paramedics know to look for an ICE number, as do many others.

If your phone has a lock on it that would prevent others from searching your contact list, or even if it doesn't, it is a good idea to put your name and contact information on a small piece of paper and put it in the phone's battery compartment. I keep an emergency $20 bill in my phone's battery compartment too.

My phone(s) ICE's are in red, the phones have have that option in the contacts section.

Also, who ever said about bringing the stroller for older kids speaks the truth!!! My DS4 walks everywhere, hates being but in the store shopping carts. Because I'm not in the habit of brining the stroller anymore, one time I forgot it. We rented strollers at the park after 5pm, but when we were done in the parks, I had to carry 40lbs of sleeping monkey back to our hotel along with my park bag. Not a fun experiance, but I did get a good 15min workout each night.