Mistake you will not repeat next time...

[Disney_Princess83]

Lol! But I think we can all agree that my mistake was a mistake no matter what: we missed our airplane on the way to WDW If it weren't for the associated meltdowns, I'd say it all worked out, we got another flight 3 hours later. But, never again!! (in my defense, we got to the airport 2 hours early, but the security lines were so crazy long that we missed the flight).

This happened to us on a flight to Las Vegas. we were there with plenty of time to spare but security kept us sooooooooooooooooooo long we missed our plane, had to wait 3 hours for the next one...

 

[::danielle::]

Our family will never ride Stitch again

I wish DIS would add a "like" button so I could like your post! Stitch is awful and stinky.

 

[fairestoneofall]

I almost always go with my DH, DKs, DM, one or both of my DGMs and even with my DFIL. I would not say we ever have a problem that would prevent us from doing it again (granted everyone is pretty easy-going). IMHO watching my children make those memories with their grandparents and great-grandparents is priceless. I realize this isn't for everyone but it works for some.

we almost always have some extended family their during (at least part of) our trips. our last trip was us, my sister, my parents and the in-laws. we had a GREAT time!

an added bonus was our having connecting rooms with my parents and sister. my parents usually turned in early. i could put my DS (then six months) down for the night and go back into the parks. we'd leave the door open between the rooms and they could hear him if he woke (which he never did).

we were able to do one trip where we had four days there before my family got there. i really did enjoy having that time with just our little family unit. but going with extended family has never been an issue for us. everyone behaves and gets along pretty well.

for me, i say every time that i'm going to go into MK by myself one morning to take pictures. i've yet to actually do it.

NEVER again: Stitch's Great Espape. DH and i went on an anniversary weekend trip years ago. i let him talk me into it. i knew what was coming. i chose not to warn him as i held my nose for the chili dog burp. but really, those are precious minutes of my life that i will NEVER get back.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Plan a trip with another family and plan to stay together all the time. It was terrible. We had 5 people including ds8 and dd5. They had 6 people including children 2, 4, 5 and 8. We are up and out early people, they are not. Cousin's dh wanted to spend ALL of the time at the MK (9 days?). Halfway through the trip, my adult dd went off on my cousin's husband in front of hundreds of people at the bus stop at the MK. After that, we separated and met for dinner only and we had a much better trip (although my cousin's family missed a lot of stuff because it was their first trip and they had done no research).

Stay off site. I hate it. I hated the 16+ hour trip there, the drive back and forth, parking and trams - we always use Disney buses. I did love the villa and the extra space came in handy when 3 people got the stomach bug the same night. Although it was a direct route to the main entrance, I still got lost several times.

Plan an ADR the first night for 8 pm when we've been up since 3:00 am. Dd ended breaking a glass and spilling soda all over Mickey at Chef Mickeys. Not a good start to the trip.

Surprising the kids. Last trip was a surprise. Ds10 had the reaction we expected. Dd8 did not. She cried for 3 days - thought we were lying (didn't tell then until we arrived at the airport), didn't get to tell her friends and teacher goodbye, missed her Halloween party at school...it went on and on. Now they will know as soon as we do.

I'm sure there's more...these are the ones that came to mind first.

 

[Aidensmommy22]

Plan a trip with another family and plan to stay together all the time. It was terrible. We had 5 people including ds8 and dd5. They had 6 people including children 2, 4, 5 and 8. We are up and out early people, they are not. Cousin's dh wanted to spend ALL of the time at the MK (9 days?). Halfway through the trip, my adult dd went off on my cousin's husband in front of hundreds of people at the bus stop at the MK. After that, we separated and met for dinner only and we had a much better trip (although my cousin's family missed a lot of stuff because it was their first trip and they had done no research).

Stay off site. I hate it. I hated the 16+ hour trip there, the drive back and forth, parking and trams - we always use Disney buses. I did love the villa and the extra space came in handy when 3 people got the stomach bug the same night. Although it was a direct route to the main entrance, I still got lost several times.

Plan an ADR the first night for 8 pm when we've been up since 3:00 am. Dd ended breaking a glass and spilling soda all over Mickey at Chef Mickeys. Not a good start to the trip.

Surprising the kids. Last trip was a surprise. Ds10 had the reaction we expected. Dd8 did not. She cried for 3 days - thought we were lying (didn't tell then until we arrived at the airport), didn't get to tell her friends and teacher goodbye, missed her Halloween party at school...it went on and on. Now they will know as soon as we do.

I'm sure there's more...these are the ones that came to mind first.

This is hilarious to me because my kindergartener who hasn't missed a day of school yet was worried about missing his 100th day of school. Thankfully I planned the trip just right & his 100th day is the day before we leave!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I will never again carry around a plastic disney shopping bag in the summer heat. The colors on the bag melted against my skin and shorts and I still can't get the stain off of my clothes. Next time I will bring a cloth bag or send my stuff back to the hotel.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Gotta agree with the friends and family thing.. BIG TIME.

My rule now on Disney trips is "less is more" -- less people, less planning, less worrying.. all of it.

If I thought I could get away with it, I'd leave my S/O at home.. ! LOL (kidding... mostly)...

 

[travelbug24]

If I thought I could get away with it, I'd leave my S/O at home.. ! LOL (kidding... mostly)...

And, I am surprised more people haven't stated leaving s/o or in my case dh at home! I brought him twice and WE both agree that was about one too many times. After two hours he was done, he says it is a waste of time and money. He just does not like to travel. I have since been to Disney 25+ times and 6 Disney Cruises without him and WE don't regret it at all. BTW, have gone with friends, relatives and co-workers and had more fun than with my dh. Every trip though I come home with a souvenir for him.....anything Grumpy!

 

[karly05]

Mistake I will not repeat next time: NOT raising my hand in Animation Academy when I know the answer to the artist's trivia question. That's still my one real regret from this year's trip; NOBODY knew the answer, and I really should have been brave and raised my hand.

Mistake from my first trip I will never ever repeat: Going to MK on a Saturday night.

Mistake from my second trip I will not repeat: Stitch! (ha ha)

Things I've meant to do and haven't and am determined to do next trip: See Jammin' Jungle parade at AK and eat at Tangierine Cafe at Epcot.

 

[disneyxperts]

When we went to Disney World earlier this month we were super prepared and had the best time of our lives.

One of the things I wanted to do was try a Dole Whip the first day we were at MK. Didn't happen. Second time there... Didn't happen. Third time at MK... Didn't happen. On the last day (4th time at MK) I told my wife that trying a Dole Whip was a priority and it was going to happen.

Well I did get that Dole Whip. I had a taste, my two boys had a taste, my wife had a taste. That Dole Whip was devoured like we were cave people eating a turkey leg!!!! It was Awesome!!!

I wish we would have tried one on day 1!!!!! If we had I can guarantee that the snack credits would have been used up way before our last day at the parks. So next time we go and have the opportunity to try something new earlier in the week we will!

First thing on the agenda next December when we go back is hitting up the Dole Whip stand!

For a shorter line you can also get Dole Whip at the Polynesian Resort in Captain Cook's. It's a quick service restaurant in the Great Ceremonial house. They've had it in a self-service soft serve machine the last 3 times we have visited.

 

[disneydreamkate]

Hm. Mistakes from previous trips that will NOT be repeated include:

Stitch

Staying in the Cabins at Fort Wilderness

Missing the parade at AK. It's on my "To Do' list every single year and for some reason we keep missing it.

Making ADRs for Raglan Road on a weekend. Way too crowded.

 

[dawnhaze]

My bid mistake: Missing parades! I've never seen a WDW parade except for Boo To You at MNSSHP, and my view was horrible.

I'm going to see all of them on my next trip!

 

[CanadianGuy]

And, I am surprised more people haven't stated leaving s/o or in my case dh at home! I brought him twice and WE both agree that was about one too many times. After two hours he was done, he says it is a waste of time and money. He just does not like to travel. I have since been to Disney 25+ times and 6 Disney Cruises without him and WE don't regret it at all. BTW, have gone with friends, relatives and co-workers and had more fun than with my dh. Every trip though I come home with a souvenir for him.....anything Grumpy!

Ha! That last line made me laugh!!

Mine's pretty good all things considered but there comes a point in every trip when its "time" for me to go off on my own while he returns to the room to watch football or hockey or whatever ... and I'm FINE with that.. LOL

 

[CalSea12]

And, I am surprised more people haven't stated leaving s/o or in my case dh at home! I brought him twice and WE both agree that was about one too many times. After two hours he was done, he says it is a waste of time and money. He just does not like to travel. I have since been to Disney 25+ times and 6 Disney Cruises without him and WE don't regret it at all. BTW, have gone with friends, relatives and co-workers and had more fun than with my dh. Every trip though I come home with a souvenir for him.....anything Grumpy!

Wow that is awesome! I would love to do this, but my DH is as much as a fan as I am and will not allow me to go on my own lol. I even tried just a me and DD trip, he was so not having it!

I love the Grumpy, he is my favorite dwarf!

 

[BeauTea]

I strongly advise not going during Spring Break times- the crowds are really unbearable.
-get off to an early start if you can, i feel you really get more out of your trip. For years we arrived at every park at like 10 am but now try to get in earlier. Low lines for popular attractions + I think your visit is more relaxed since you have more time.
-Make dinner your biggest meal/ eat a smaller lunch (much easier walking around a park)
-ALWAYS bring your phone to the parks fully charged! (Though that one probably does go without saying)

 

[wdw4rfam]

OK, after 15+ trips the list is so long, but from the most recent trip......

1. Not getting a preferred room at POR

2. Sitting in front of the castle for wishes- then not being able to get out. Gridlock on main street for at least 45 min. If I cant get a spot by the exit, not going to stay.

3. The new cant sit untill you have your food thing at CS locations in MK.....NOT HAPPENING. Going to go back to resort for lunch if this is the new thing. I refuse to stand in line forever to get food- then stand in line for a CM to then attempt (unsuccessfully) to find a table for 5 of us- so that our food is cold by the time we finally sit. We ended up eating most of it before we had a table!!!HORRIBLE

 

[2012bella13]

I am enjoying & learning from this thread!!

I am getting ready to pay final payment on package, Insurance or not??

 

[letsgoreds]

Not buying a Candlelight Procession package...when NPH is the star. It's crazy...but I can't come up with anything else! I am sure I will regret not bringing my 2.5yo park loving (we live by Kings Island) DS this January. We are doing an abbreviated trip with my mom, sister, brother and older cousins (DS7 and DN5). The two little guys are staying back with the dads. It is good for DS2 to have 1 on 1 time with DH, but I am going to miss him! We are headed back in Dec 13 so that will be his first official trip.

I guess I'm lucky about extended family in-law trips. I have enjoyed bringing my mom (3x, fourth in Jan), occasional blow-up and all...and inlaws (1x-second in Dec 13). Helps that they all love Disney and are flexible. Only requirement from the inlaws is a deluxe resort...which I am a big fan of now (hard to go back).

For those with large groups, definitely break up...and meet for meals. Twice as kids, my grandmother took us and my aunt/uncle/cousins). Once on site (contemp), once offsite...and both trips were some of the most fun I had ever had. We always broke up into a 'fast group' and a 'slow group' and it worked beautifully.

 

[BeerMe]

I agree with plan less. We stopped planning except for meals a long time ago.

 

[KapBoy77]

I agree with plan less. We stopped planning except for meals a long time ago.

I agree with this also. The only thing I plan are which parks to go to and a slight touring plan of what we want to get done the first two three hours at the park. After that it's smooth sailing all day!!