Let's make a "Firsts-Timers" Master Tip Sheet!

[arkansas mom]

Me too1

me three

 

[arkansas mom]

Take some Advil before you go to bed to help relax your muscles after a long day in the parks, and you won't be sore in the morning!

 

[ChrisMouse]

Just have to post about the moleskin thing...

I'm so embarrassed that I did not know this...I actually stuck it on the part of my foot below my toes...wore it all day with my crocs, and at the end of the day when I tried to remove it, I removed the SKIN! It was SO AWFUL.

It really makes so much more sense (ok, let's face it I have no common sense) to STICK IT TO THE SHOE.

It's like lightbulbs are going off all over my house!

 

[Hunny]

Just have to post about the moleskin thing...

I'm so embarrassed that I did not know this...I actually stuck it on the part of my foot below my toes...wore it all day with my crocs, and at the end of the day when I tried to remove it, I removed the SKIN! It was SO AWFUL.

It really makes so much more sense (ok, let's face it I have no common sense) to STICK IT TO THE SHOE.

It's like lightbulbs are going off all over my house!

Now that song is in my head...Every light in the house is on....

Another tip, don't know if this was mentioned or not, sorry if it was!
They do check your bags/purses before you get into the park. After the first time of holding up the line cuz we didn't realize it till we got up there, when we got off the bus my husband opened the bag (backpack) and held it to his side so when we walked up it was already opened and we zipped through! And this backpack has A LOT of compartments too! Help security (and yourself) out, have everything ready!

 

[mavslab]

I'm pretty sure first timers can still get pins that say it's there first visit to the park. Also if you celebrate a birthday while you are there, you can get a Birthday pin at each park as well as a birthday phone call from Goofy.

 

[Millie12591]

We use Garden Grocer for each of our trips, and have been very pleased. They allow you to choose a three-hour window for delivery. That being said, last trip they came even before the windo. As I turned on my cellphone from stepping off the plane, I received their mesage that my groceries (perishable, milk, etc.) were stored with bell services. Bell services has a fridge to accomodate these issues. I called bell services, and they brought up our groceries to our room. Everything was cold and fresh. I know that the moderate and deluxe resorts have fridges and bell services, not so sure about the values. Anyone know?

We stayed at the Pop last May, I called and talked with someone from GG and asked how they wanted to deliver since we we wouldn't be in until pretty late the night we got there. I knew they would have a pretty hectic day with deliveries and didn't want to add to the confusion at any point nor did I want to have them come all the way out there if our groceries were the only one's being delivered.
They assured me it wasn't a problem no matter what time they delivered because front desk would make sure they were put into a cold fridge for just such an occasion and that they would be there when we got there. I just said to deliver to their convenience, the gentleman that I was talking to said he would have the last delivery bring out our food. It worked out great!

Oh btw, when you get to your resort, especially if it's the Pop, be patient when they go to retrieve what ever it is your asking for behind the desk, it seems like there is something back there that holds them for a very long time before getting back to you. LOL I don't know what it is but I've heard a lot of people say this, and then when you experience it your just shaking your head and laughing remembering how many posts you've heard people make fun of this. Also when your asking for your groceries at the place where they store them, (they send you over here from front desk to where you get the carts for your luggage) they will tell you they can't find it, without doubt, they do this with almost everyone especially for those looking for their fridge for the fridge swaps, but they always find it in the end, so don't worry if they tell you it's not there, trust me people it's almost always there and they always find it.

 

[1sttimewdwfamily5]

I sent a big box last year I think it was about$7 by US mail!!

Wow, It is more reasonable than I expected. I thought it would be more than$20 something. Well even if the cost is more than yours, I can handle that.

Thanks

 

[englishrose47]

Wow, It is more reasonable than I expected. I thought it would be more than$20 something. Well even if the cost is more than yours, I can handle that.

Thanks

I had mainly snax init so bulky but not heavy, also large bottle of sunsreen aqnd my window decoraqtions !!

 

[Tink901]

Silly question - what number do we call to book the photo shoot? My 30 days is coming up on Saturday

GF photoshoot - 407-824-1700 it is $25 when you prebuy the photopass just remember to bring your receipt with you.

 

[hearts8701]

When Traveling With Teenagers Bring A Cheap Shower Curtain From A Dollar Store That You Can't See Thru And Some Stick Pins To Hang Between Room & Bathrom For Changing
Copy Your Tickets Back If Purchased In Advance If Lost You Have A Record To Get New Ones

 

[jkCT]

I always thought that you put the moleskin on you skin! No wonder it didn't work

Actually, it is for putting on your skin...but not for putting directly on blisters or broken skin. I'm sure putting it on the shoe would cushion a saw spot, but medically moleskin is for people who have impending skin damage/sore spots. Have used it with clients who are immobile and rub the same place over and over.

 

[dvc at last !]

subscribing

 

[NorweJenNY]

They do check your bags/purses before you get into the park. After the first time of holding up the line cuz we didn't realize it till we got up there, when we got off the bus my husband opened the bag (backpack) and held it to his side so when we walked up it was already opened and we zipped through! And this backpack has A LOT of compartments too! Help security (and yourself) out, have everything ready!

This is handy to be ready, but I've also noticed that security hasn't always checked all the compartments in our bags, does this worry anyone else?

 

[NorweJenNY]

Tips for 1st Time Guests:

1 - Timing is everything

Go during a slower season and enjoy lower price accommodations, as well as fewer crowds. (I wish I took my own advice more often!) If you're going during 4th of July week, Spring break, or Christmas... don't be surprised if it's busy and crowded - expect long waits.

And when you're at the parks, first thing in the morning - hit a couple of your must-do rides immediately... grab a fast pass for one, go to another that's nearby, and return for your fast pass ride. Also, take advantage of extra magic hours if you're staying on property because you can go to certain parks on certain days before the parks open to the public or stay later than the general public can stay.

2 - Be prepared

Pack various OTC medicines, cleaning wipes, extra empty grocery bags for dirty laundry in your suitcases, ziplock bags for a billion uses, etc.

For each day in the park, check weather reports for temperature - pack a jacket/sweater if it may get chilly by evening, a small towel in a ziplock for dampening to keep yourself cool if it gets too hot, and ALWAYS have a poncho for each family member with you because rain is just a part of FL... afternoon showers are common, even if they are brief.

3 - Review Disney maps & vacation planning DVD's, website, etc.

Get a feel for what you & your group would like to do... don't worry about trying to do everything in a day or two - not going to happen. Get a feel for where everything is and how to get from one place to another.

4 - Save money on food

Bring granola bars, cereal, fruit, etc. into your room. Use it for breakfast or for putting in your backpack for snacks (especially if you have young children... a 10 min wait can seem like eternity for a hungry child's parents).

The healthiest option anyway is water, so just drink water when you're out. All the counter service restaurants will give you free ice water. (Or bring drink mixes if you must have some flavor.)

Don't feel like you have to order every individual in your family a full meal when you're in the parks - sometimes you can order just a sandwich/main entree without the sides to save money and unnecessary calories. Double burgers are great because they're only a little more than the cost of a single and can be easily shared for a filling meal. Or share another type of meal!

Consider having ice cream for lunch. WHAT? Come on, who wouldn't love that meal? (Besides low-carbers like myself.) It's cheap, yummy, and bound to excite your family!

When you do go to a table service meal, go at lunch time for cheaper prices and in the late afternoon or late morning for less crowds... Though if you have Disney Dining Plan, I believe one table service credit is the same either for lunch or dinner, so you might be better off just going at dinner time (sometimes bigger portions).

5 - Kids have needs

If you go with children, give them a chance to take a break. They're feet can get tired of walking, they may need more frequent bathroom trips (you may want to keep a pull-up on recently potty-trained children), they may need snacks if they're going through a growth spurt, etc. Some children need naps (or they'll get cranky in the middle of dinner time making everyone's lives miserable). Let them take naps in a stroller or take them back to the room mid-day for a nap (that's the busiest & hottest part of the day anyway). Go back to the parks refreshed and enjoy the nighttime shows without kids who are trying to fall asleep while sitting on Daddy's shoulders.

Listen to your children and don't forget Disney was made for the whole family to have fun. Do things they'd like too... perhaps to them it's worth it to wait in line 30 min. to meet Mickey or Cinderella.

I could go on and on, but this is at least a start!

 

[Millie12591]

GF photoshoot - 407-824-1700 it is $25 when you prebuy the photopass just remember to bring your receipt with you.

I was curious what this photo shoot at the GF is all about? I keep seeing it on different threads and thought I would finally ask. What is it and how do you go about doing it? Cost and all of the in and outs would be nice too.
Thank you.

 

[dananbethany]

RELAX! Years ago I read the best advice I have ever heard: No matter what, if you forget something, you can always buy it again. I always said as long as I had my prescription medicine, I'd be fine and then I realized: There were drugstores down there! So, while I am careful not to forget anything, if I do, I don't stress.

Besides, it's your vacation. Don't you have something better to do than to worry?

 

[JackJenson]

One of my favorite tips from my first trip to the world after children was to check out the character breakfast at the Crystal Palace very early in the morning. You get to go into the park way early, walk almost alone up Main Street to a wonderful breakfast, and then you are already in the park and all the way to the hub before the park even opens.

You can be first on whatever ride you like best, or wake up Tinkerbell. Now, I wouldn't incur the cost of the character breakfast just to get into the park early, but if you want to try it anyway, working the timing like this is a really fun thing to do.

 

[jeffnpa]

Being a first timer this post and Board has helped out so much. We began packing yesterday, we have included the zip lock bags, laynards, and a ID card for my DD. I think the most important thing to remember is to have FUN!! life is too short to worry about lines and crowds.

 

[foxyroxy40]

my number one tip is take baby-wipes even if you dont have a baby i dont know how many times i've wiped off a table with them or bench they also work to cool you down but better it's like taking a sponge-bath it cleans off the yuck.and they also help remove stains but usually i bring shout wipes because if their's dirt to be had any where in the parks my girl will find it

 

[PlanningDisney]

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