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

[PrincessTigerLily]

Sunscreen! We buy 2 of the Coppertone Kids Spray-on Sunscreen in the highest SPF available (I think it's 40 or 50). It works just as well on adults and gets you out the door and into the parks in an absolute jiffy! It's light and easy to throw in your park bag too for midday touch-ups!

 

[sk8jdgca]

Go exploring at the other resorts. We loved our visit to AKL-The kids watched the animals , they had a great talk with Simo a cast member who had just arrived from South Africa. They did a craft, then used the night goggles to see the animals at night.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

So what do you do on the akward partial day at the beginning or end of your trip where you are not planning on going into the parks? Here's some suggestions:

1. Visit Downtown Disney. Great theming, Disney music piped in, and a playground and Lego Play area for the kiddos. Makes you almost feel as if you are in the parks!

2. Try a character meal at a resort. This does not require a park ticket, and really bring some magic to the day. I like to recommend Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. Good food and good character interaction.

3. After your meal, hop on the monorail for a ride! It's a free way to take a spin around the World, and if you time it right, you can watch the fireworks!

4. Resort hop. You can drive, take Disney buses (kinda long), or the monorail and explore different resorts. Like the previous poster mentioned, each resort has unique decor and activities. I like to watch the Wishes fireworks from the pool area or beach of the Polynesian. Even better when paired with dinner at Ohanas!

5. Go mini-golfing. Disney has two different themed mini-golf courses that are lots of fun.

6. Hit the outlets if you have your own transportation. I believe that Florida Mall and another mall have a Disney Outlet store where you can grab some souvenirs if you are on a serious budget.

7. The campfire, movie, and sing-a-long program at Fort Wilderness campground. This is a program free to ALL Disney resort guests (regardless of your home resort). Chip and Dale show up and lead a sing-a-long, meet and greet, and a Disney movie is showed on a big screen nightly, weather permitting. This begins at approximately 7pm, can change seasonally. Also, for a minimal fee, you can buy a hotdog or s'mores kit to use on the campfire. Each month a moderator on the camping boards here on the Dis posts the monthly movie schedule to share with all.

8. Relax and swim at the hotel. I know a lot of friends whose children remember pool time more than anything. All that $ spent on Disney, and they remember the pool...go figure!

9. If you don't mind laying down the $$, Hoop de Doo Revue at Fort Wildreness Campground is a great all-ages show and dinner combined. Even better, you are not worried about hurrying up and rushing out to the park so you can relax and enjoy. Also to try: Mickey's Backyard BBQ and the Polynesian Luau.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Don't want to lug baby equipment from home and back? There is a rental service called "A Baby's Best Friend" that rents cribs, strollers, fridges, and sacks of age-appropriate toys for a variety of ages. You can find them on the internet.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Take an index card and write your name, resort, address, or whatever contact info you prefer on it. Take a picture of this on your digital or other camera. Hopefully this and a little pixie dust will help your lost camera find its way back to you.

This goes for autograph books as well. I have read many a posts about fully completed autograph books being lost and a few weeks later they show up in the mail thanks to Disney, as long as an address is included on the inside cover.

 

[Stacied68]

Don't be afraid to ask any questions while you are there. If you want to sit up front on the monorail, ask. If you want to know something about a certain ride or parade, ask. If you need something, ask. Most things you want to know or want to do, you can usually find out or do. The worse thing that can happen is you are told no.

Also, be sure to listen to the "experts" on this board who have made numerous trips in the past.

Stacie

 

[SunnieRN]

Fantastic thread....thank you everyone...
This will be my first trip to disneyworld, but I noticed on the disney site that you can order customized maps for your trip.
I think I will order them and keep them as souviners, but in case you haven't noticed this it is outstanding!! You can mark only the attractions that you want to on each park map and viola, they show up in your mailbox!!
Also have always brought a chamois to any amusement park. I use this to wipe down wet ride seats, benches/chairs etc after a rain episode or spills.
Works like a charm and rings out really well...then I store it in a zip lock!

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

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!

My Husband was a Ranger in the Army (and Sapper, etc.) and they ALWAYS put it on the skin. Believe me, foot comfort was a BIG topic with them (and at our house). What they (he) did was to cut a square of the moleskin and then cut a circle out of the middle. The moleskin was applied directly to the foot with the hole over the blister. This prevented contact with the sock, shoe, whatever and provided comfort. He also did this in the "desert" while deployed and it worked in THAT heat so it should work in Disney.

I'm sure there are as many different ways to do things as there are people in this world so I know "our way" isn't the "only way." I just thought I'd tell what my Husband did since his career was about his feet for a while.

 

[brown eyed girl]

My advice would be to organize. You have to go to Disney with a plan or you will waste time. Also, this is a request more than advice, but please mind your children in restaurants. Children should not be running around in restaurants and touching food at the buffet. And don't interfer with anyone's charcter time...they will come to you. And everyone must take a break; as much as you might hate to leave the park - everyone especially the kids will be the better for it ...We usually eat a very light, quick breakfast (unless its a character one) and eat a better lunch. While its fun and exciting to plan all adr's and "get all your places"...sometimes it's just too much food. We usually eat two meals on vacation.

 

[NorweJenNY]

Sunscreen! We buy 2 of the Coppertone Kids Spray-on Sunscreen in the highest SPF available (I think it's 40 or 50). It works just as well on adults and gets you out the door and into the parks in an absolute jiffy! It's light and easy to throw in your park bag too for midday touch-ups!

Good advice.

However, it's one thing to pack it for your trip... the next step is remembering to bring it with you in the parks... and the following step is remembering to actually use it!
(We've gotten burns to prove how quickly time flies without reapplying sunscreen, so if you're prone to forgetfulness, remember to bring some Aloe Vera too... hmmm... you better write that down! And if you do get burned, believe me, you won't forget to use the Aloe Vera!)

 

[mommytoone]

This is a great thread and full of wonderful advice. I hope I remember just half. This is our second trip and I wish I had read this before we went before. I totally agree with not going all commado and just relaxing. I needed a vacation after this vacation last time.

 

[Leonsmom]

subbing




47

 

[Leonsmom]

)

We put our alloted money for each day in an envelope.(10 days =10 envelopes)At the end of the day,the unused money,gets put in the next days envelope.

I also agree with hand sanitizer.My last trip to DLR I came down with Fifth's disease.It started with a rash and ended with severe arthritis.

I am planning on doing the envelopes too. I will make one for each ADR as we are not doing DDP but the DDE instead, I also will have an envelope for each park for extras like snacks (mickey bars, popcorn, etc)to go with our packed lunch. DS will get one a day with $10 Disney Dollars and some DTD store specific ones too (ie $10 for Mickey's Mart where everything is $10 or less, $20 specifically for Mr. Potato Head). He will be using his B'day money for the store specific ones. here is an envelope I made for Mr PH:

Here is a tip I read on another thread for those who plan on doing the Mr. Potato Head in a box. Bring your own heads from home (if you don't already have one, check out garage sales. This way you can fill the box with 'more' accesories with the space you saved by not adding a head. Then back at the Hotel the kiddies can play during down time (you know, when they should be napping
Oh my Gosh I am so sorry you got sick, that sounds terrible!

Buy the rain ponchos at the Dollar Store 2/$1 beats $6 at the park for 1. Also a small umbrella. This can be for rain or sun!!Moleskin is a must and one other thing I learned last time An ace bandage !!

I have looked several times - my Dollar Tree does not have ponchos
I like the umbrella idea for the sun!!!!! Okay before I got married I was known as a Falling Fitzgerald, so i will take that Ace bandage advice - good one!!

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

i am planning to do this. It just so happens that 2 other families are traveling the same week we are. Although we don't plan to stay together as a group we are sharing a pre-paid photo pass to save dough. Does anyone know if each family wanted there own individual photo session at GF can that be done. I am the one with the reciept but can I make copies to give to the other two families to book there own session?

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.

I love the idea of getting into the park early!! However Ds is no longer into Pooh and friends.

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

I completely agree - they are also great for removing make-up

TRANSPORTATION TIME! We've made this mistake a few times! I have underestimated how long it takes to get to various parks and other resorts for dining reservations. When the nice lady at Disney Reservations says "I recommend that you alot yourself at least one hour for transportation before your dinner reservation" it would be a good idea to plan on it! We've made it in less time, but every time we figured it wouldn't take as long as they said, we ended up being late. It's better to be early rather than late!

Does anyone know if there is some place to look up the transportation schedule ahead of time or even just the routes (ie. I want to go from Pop to Hoop De Doo Revue). I am such an OCD planner that I would want to know the best bus route way ahead of time.

My best piece of advice that I haven't seen yet in perusing this thread:
the thing you need to bring to WDW most is.........your sense of FUN. You will enjoy WDW so much more if you let yourself be a kid at heart. Ride rides, meet characters, savour the experience! You've planned so long and paid so much, just enjoy it and don't sweat the small stuff. Too many people look for the negative, or they worry they'll look silly, or they think, "I don't like rides". I don't like rides but I found out that Soarin' is the coolest thing I'll ever do, and that Splash Mountain is the most fun 15 minutes I've ever spent in my life!

i see you've met my mother!

my DH and I dont have kids. Lat year he bought me a huge mickey balloon on our last day - I didnt fancy my chances of fitting it up my jumper to try and smuggle it on to the plane SO as we were leaving the park we decided to give the balloon to the first child we seen that didnt already have one and wasnt acting like a brat (!!!!!) We chose a little girl who was sitting with what appeared to be her mum & gran, the look on their faces when we walked up and gave them the balloon was fantastic - and it was a great way for us to share a bit of disney magic. both of us got pleasure out of the balloon and poor mickey didnt get abandoned in our hotel room & pinned by a maid on the day we left

I love this!! I am going to make it a point to get a balloon on our last day for DS to enjoy and then have the pleasure of paying it forward and spreading a little pixiedust. Just curious How much does a balloon cost??

Here's my best tip for the men out there who need to shave on vacation:
There is no such thing as cold water at the value or moderate resorts, or at least never when I've been there (May, Aug, Oct). If you're like me and like to splash some cold water on your face after shaving to cut down on iritation, you'll find yourself lacking anything suitable. Instead, as long as you have access to a fridge, take one of the face cloths and soak it in water and then put it in a ziplock bag in the fridge overnight or while at the parks. Then after shaving, you can lay down on the bed with a nice cold compress on your face to help you relax and give you that babies bottom smoothness.

LOVE this!

So what do you do on the akward partial day at the beginning or end of your trip where you are not planning on going into the parks? Here's some suggestions:

1. Visit Downtown Disney. Great theming, Disney music piped in, and a playground and Lego Play area for the kiddos. Makes you almost feel as if you are in the parks!

2. Try a character meal at a resort. This does not require a park ticket, and really bring some magic to the day. I like to recommend Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. Good food and good character interaction.

3. After your meal, hop on the monorail for a ride! It's a free way to take a spin around the World, and if you time it right, you can watch the fireworks!

4. Resort hop. You can drive, take Disney buses (kinda long), or the monorail and explore different resorts. Like the previous poster mentioned, each resort has unique decor and activities. I like to watch the Wishes fireworks from the pool area or beach of the Polynesian. Even better when paired with dinner at Ohanas!

5. Go mini-golfing. Disney has two different themed mini-golf courses that are lots of fun.

6. Hit the outlets if you have your own transportation. I believe that Florida Mall and another mall have a Disney Outlet store where you can grab some souvenirs if you are on a serious budget.

7. The campfire, movie, and sing-a-long program at Fort Wilderness campground. This is a program free to ALL Disney resort guests (regardless of your home resort). Chip and Dale show up and lead a sing-a-long, meet and greet, and a Disney movie is showed on a big screen nightly, weather permitting. This begins at approximately 7pm, can change seasonally. Also, for a minimal fee, you can buy a hotdog or s'mores kit to use on the campfire. Each month a moderator on the camping boards here on the Dis posts the monthly movie schedule to share with all.

8. Relax and swim at the hotel. I know a lot of friends whose children remember pool time more than anything. All that $ spent on Disney, and they remember the pool...go figure!

9. If you don't mind laying down the $$, Hoop de Doo Revue at Fort Wildreness Campground is a great all-ages show and dinner combined. Even better, you are not worried about hurrying up and rushing out to the park so you can relax and enjoy. Also to try: Mickey's Backyard BBQ and the Polynesian Luau.

Here's another one, I plan on booking for our departure day, send your child out on a pirate cruise while you get to explore the resort or shop.

do you have the link to the thread that posts the movies?

Take an index card and write your name, resort, address, or whatever contact info you prefer on it. Take a picture of this on your digital or other camera. Hopefully this and a little pixie dust will help your lost camera find its way back to you.

This goes for autograph books as well. I have read many a posts about fully completed autograph books being lost and a few weeks later they show up in the mail thanks to Disney, as long as an address is included on the inside cover.

thanks for that - it's a GREAT idea!

Good advice.

However, it's one thing to pack it for your trip... the next step is remembering to bring it with you in the parks... and the following step is remembering to actually use it!
(We've gotten burns to prove how quickly time flies without reapplying sunscreen, so if you're prone to forgetfulness, remember to bring some Aloe Vera too... hmmm... you better write that down! And if you do get burned, believe me, you won't forget to use the Aloe Vera!)

Guilty as charged. I plan on setting an alarm on dh's watch for every 4 hours. No more sun poision for me. DS and I are very fair.

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Leon's Mom I'm surprised your Dollar Tree doesn't have them we have 3 and all have them .Try Walmart maybe in the camping section there are cheap ones! I found some moleskin at a Dollar store too, also Walmart had some on clearance.This Feb my umbrella got used for rain too!! Another thing I picked up at Dollar Tree was a little sewing kit I chose the lime green one for us Dissers!!

 

[pooh'smate]

Just found this thread. I it. It has lots of tips for a first timer like me. Well a first timer as an adult, I was 7 the last time I went.

 

[gatorgirl2]

For anyone who has boys, we discovered "board shorts" on our trip last year. They have the same material as bathing suits, sans the lining and elastic waist. They have several pockets for cell phones, money and tickets. If they get wet on a water ride, they dry quickly. My boys wear them with flip flops--easy packing.

I'll wear a fannie pack for my blackberry, camera, sunglasses, lip gloss, credit card, ID for glass of wine at Epcot, and some cash. Makes commando park assault free and easy!!

 

[wintershawl]

I'm not a first timer to Disney, but I'm loving these boards. My DH and I will be going 4th of July week (yes, I know.. not the smartest), and all the tips I have learned from the board will be priceless. I think I am even not dreading the crowds that will be there because of all of the great advice!

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

wintershawl, enjoy your trip! While crowds can sometimes be a pain, every trip to Disney is magical in its own swelteringly sweaty way!! Don't underestimate the power of those mister fans they sell at the parks (I think somewhere in the $16 ish range) for adults as well as children. Those things hold a lot of water and blow a good amount of wind. This is one of those "well worth the moola" expenses!

 

[Shanel]

are the ticket/hotel room key cards the size of a credit card and plastic.. or paper and large like a plane ticket?

Also, where do you find lanyards with the plastic card holders other than at disney? I don't want to loose any when we get there.
(we are leaving this saturday for our family's first trip)

 

[englishrose47]

wintershawl, enjoy your trip! While crowds can sometimes be a pain, every trip to Disney is magical in its own swelteringly sweaty way!! Don't underestimate the power of those mister fans they sell at the parks (I think somewhere in the $16 ish range) for adults as well as children. Those things hold a lot of water and blow a good amount of wind. This is one of those "well worth the moola" expenses!

Sorry but those are 1 thing we will not use again!! Kids had water wars with them and we kept getting soaked!!