MelodyMack
Mommy - are you on the WIZ boards again?
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 384
Sorry just getting back on the boards....busy few months with the new house, finals, and of course our AMAZING trip to WDW in March!
Whole family had a blast, and thanks again DISers because the info I learned on these boards made me feel very confident when I walked into the parks. The following are the tips that helped me out the most:
1. Bring disposable ponchos. You'll find a use for them SOMEHOW. Our ponchos were used as stroller covers, placed on wet chairs and used as seat covers, laid on the ground and used as a picnic blankets, and of course served us well during the rain.
2. Blow off at least SOME of the parades. Some people think the parades make the WDW experience. My family did stake out spots and enjoyed several of them (blah blah blah) however, we ditched a couple and found the park EMPTY while the parade was going on! We skipped several parades at the MK and got to hang out with Ariel all by ourselves in the grotto for 10 minutes because NO ONE was there. We walked onto all the FantasyLand rides, and did several twice before the parade let out. Definitely worth it!
3. FastPASS....genius! Just do it.
4. Eat lunch before 11:30 or be prepared for LONNNNNNGGGGGG lines.
5. Go to Downtown Disney First - some may disagree but we (just by a scheduling accident) wound up in Downtown Disney our first night. We didn't buy anything, just walked around and noticed what they had available. Good for getting the kids excited etc. Anyway...almost EVERYTHING that you see in the parks can be purchased in Downtown Disney. This took a lot of shopping pressure off of us during our visit, because anything we saw in the shops at the end of the rides we knew we could get later. We did all four parks and right before we left on the last morning we went back to Downtown Disney and each picked out one souvenir. Great blackmail for the kids, too.
6. Glow sticks - bring your own. Cheaper, and safer in my opinion then those spinners (You'll poke your eye out!). Parents kept approaching us asking where our DD4 got her glow sticks. Ebay 50 for $5.00 (we gave a lot away, which also made my DD feel so proud and happy).
7. Pin Trading - again...genius! I got all my DD pins on line BEFORE our trip (cheaper). The most I paid for any one pin was $2.00. Anyway...she traded the whole time we were there and it only cost me my original $12.00 investment. We had LOADS of fun with this.
8. Stroller- how can anyone operate without one of these?
We could not have survived the week without it, and my DD (THANK YOU LORD) took naps in hers almost every day. If you are debating mentally whether or not to bring one..I say bring it.
9. Body Glide - used it on my feet everyday. Happy to report no blisters or other foot problems. Would recommend it.
10. Ride the boat NOT the crowded MONORAIL at least once - I can't remember its cute name but you have your choice of getting to MK on the monorail or on the ferry. We decided to go with the ferry instead on our last night. Was a beautiful thing to see the MK dissapear slowly around the corner and we all threw pennies in the water and made wishes. Not crowded on the upper decks. It's a beautiful ride...beautiful view...and a great way to end a great vacation.
Hope these help somebody else as much as they helped us. We are planning a return trip for the end of August. I know it will be longer lines, worse weather, and all that, but we just got to get our fix!
Mel
Whole family had a blast, and thanks again DISers because the info I learned on these boards made me feel very confident when I walked into the parks. The following are the tips that helped me out the most:
1. Bring disposable ponchos. You'll find a use for them SOMEHOW. Our ponchos were used as stroller covers, placed on wet chairs and used as seat covers, laid on the ground and used as a picnic blankets, and of course served us well during the rain.
2. Blow off at least SOME of the parades. Some people think the parades make the WDW experience. My family did stake out spots and enjoyed several of them (blah blah blah) however, we ditched a couple and found the park EMPTY while the parade was going on! We skipped several parades at the MK and got to hang out with Ariel all by ourselves in the grotto for 10 minutes because NO ONE was there. We walked onto all the FantasyLand rides, and did several twice before the parade let out. Definitely worth it!
3. FastPASS....genius! Just do it.
4. Eat lunch before 11:30 or be prepared for LONNNNNNGGGGGG lines.
5. Go to Downtown Disney First - some may disagree but we (just by a scheduling accident) wound up in Downtown Disney our first night. We didn't buy anything, just walked around and noticed what they had available. Good for getting the kids excited etc. Anyway...almost EVERYTHING that you see in the parks can be purchased in Downtown Disney. This took a lot of shopping pressure off of us during our visit, because anything we saw in the shops at the end of the rides we knew we could get later. We did all four parks and right before we left on the last morning we went back to Downtown Disney and each picked out one souvenir. Great blackmail for the kids, too.
6. Glow sticks - bring your own. Cheaper, and safer in my opinion then those spinners (You'll poke your eye out!). Parents kept approaching us asking where our DD4 got her glow sticks. Ebay 50 for $5.00 (we gave a lot away, which also made my DD feel so proud and happy).
7. Pin Trading - again...genius! I got all my DD pins on line BEFORE our trip (cheaper). The most I paid for any one pin was $2.00. Anyway...she traded the whole time we were there and it only cost me my original $12.00 investment. We had LOADS of fun with this.
8. Stroller- how can anyone operate without one of these?
We could not have survived the week without it, and my DD (THANK YOU LORD) took naps in hers almost every day. If you are debating mentally whether or not to bring one..I say bring it. 9. Body Glide - used it on my feet everyday. Happy to report no blisters or other foot problems. Would recommend it.
10. Ride the boat NOT the crowded MONORAIL at least once - I can't remember its cute name but you have your choice of getting to MK on the monorail or on the ferry. We decided to go with the ferry instead on our last night. Was a beautiful thing to see the MK dissapear slowly around the corner and we all threw pennies in the water and made wishes. Not crowded on the upper decks. It's a beautiful ride...beautiful view...and a great way to end a great vacation.
Hope these help somebody else as much as they helped us. We are planning a return trip for the end of August. I know it will be longer lines, worse weather, and all that, but we just got to get our fix!
Mel
!
