Most Valuable Tip???

[dgaston]

Go to one of the MNSSHP during your October stay. Let the kids trick or treat, get their faces painted and watch the special parade.

 

[Kimberly815]

My Tip would be. . .do all the planning you can while you are at home. Then once you leave for vacation, don't worry about it, and just go with the flow. You don't want to stress too much over following what you planned, and you will have a great time.

If possible, bring 2 pairs of good walking shoes and switch out every day. It will prevent that constant rubbing that the same pair of shoes will cause after a few days.

Above all else. HAVE A GREAT TIME!!

 

[pooh2001]

I can not stresss it more -

MAKE COPIES OF YOUR TICKETS - not the pretty picture, copy the back with the magnetic strip and #'s.

ZEROX machines do not hurt the magnetic strip.

Only a magnet can hurt the black strip on the back of the ticket.
So - keep it away from refrigerator magnets, the microwave, tv and computers. Place your tickets in an envelope in a cool, dry place (a drawer in your bedroom dresser).


IF you LOOSE your ticket (AP, MYP, Water, DQ, ....) - just show any ticket counter (at the park, your resort...) the COPY of the ticket lost, and your ticket will be re-issued (the old ticket will be cancelled)

 

[can'twait]

How do you make a copy of your ticket if you don't get it until you check in? Will the CM who gives it to you make a copy for you? Where is the best place to keep the copy? On you, or in the safe in your room?

 

[ms.ojo]

Lots of good tips!!!!

Some things we've learned by necessity:

Have strollers for children under 6!! It is a LOT of walking. And having the stroller gives you a place to stash a few things too.

At AK be SURE to eat at Flametree BBQ. When you face the restaurant go around it to the LEFT. You will be surprised to find a little path that leads you down into the most quiet and secluded dining area. You can see the river from many tables. It really revives our family to dine there mid day!

We too bring treats from home (lights sticks, small Disney themed toys) to give while waiting for parades, dinner or in the morning.

Return for an afternoon rest (doesn't have to mean nap) OR do not tour more than 2 days in a row w/out a rest day. It really is a LOT of walking, and is SO much more enjoyable when everyone is well rested...and well fed!!!!

On that note....Don't wait to long for meals! And have a few quick snacks/drinks w/ you just in case. Nothing is worse than hearing a family griping at each other b/c they are all starving/tired and no one can make a dec'n or agree upon anything. Please don't let this happen to you. It can so easily be avoided.

Have a great trip!!!!!!!! It's the most magical place on earth!

 

[44disney]

I totally agree with bringing a second pair of shoes, and that means for everybody!

My additional tip is to schedule a breakfast at Chef Mickey's at the latest possible time (usually 11:20 am) on a day when the MK has early entry. Eat a quick breakfast before arriving at the MK, enjoy the park for a few hours, and then take the monorail to the Contemporary for a nice break in the air conditioning. Obviously, the buffet at CM would be your lunch -- even though it is breakfast food there is plenty to eat, and all drinks are included in the price, so go ahead and order as much as you want.

And we always bring t-shirts for the characters to sign (along with a Sharpie marker), so then this becomes a nice souvenir for the kids. And if you buy the shirts ahead of time at the Disney Store you can save a lot of money (I was there yesterday and kids' shirts were 3 for $22, versus about $16 each at the parks). I also use the squeeze bottle fabric paint (from any craft store-costs about $1 per bottle) to put my kids' names on their shirts.

Have fun!!!

 

[dyna]

Afternoon breaks are a must and even my 13 yr old laid down and rested with a book to read or look at our last visit. Rule is lay down 1 hour no complaining 1 hour of pool time.

Make sure the kids all know how to identify a CM in the event that mom and dad gets lost

Color coded shirts cost a bit but if at least all the kids wears the same colored shirt it's easier to find them in the parks.

I agree goin to Epcot 1st and possibly AK before the MK and kids will enjoy them more. and will look forward to the day they go to MK the 1st time.

Fast pass all you can.

Do your homework before you leave home know what you want to do the most. The best times to do them. No sense in wasting time where no one in the family is not gonna enjoy it.

Don't tell the kids all the things they gonna do there it makes the magic more magical when it happens. And if something doesn't go as planned they not disappointed either.

 

[pearljim]

Never forget that you are on vacation - relax and enjoy!!

 

[Hopefully]

Moleskin for your feet. For the little ones, who may not complain early on, a foot "inspection" is a good idea. Cover any "Hot Spots" with Moleskin before a blister develops.
Have everyone decide on a few things that are "Must Do's" and then focus on experiencing these. It is not possible to experience everything Disney has to offer in a single trip, so know what you really want to do. There is always the next trip!
And finally, don't Over Plan (I did our first few trips, and everyone was miserable)
Relax, Enjoy and have Fun!

 

[Mickeygirl]

The most important thing is to relax and have fun You are making memories that you will never forget

 

[disneylizzy]

As someone who has to fight the commando urge - realize that there is no way you can see "everything". Besides, it's great to have new things to do every trip (and you will be back!).

Remember you are only as good as your tiredest child (or family member). If someone is losing it, pay attention.

Character meals are great!

Have a great trip!

 

[Hodder]

We had originally planned our first trip to WDW for October of '06 as a gift to our kids from my father who passed away recently. Well, he must be smiling down on us because our finances received an unexpected inflow and we're bumping up the trip to this October!

I am sorry about your father. Our trip was suppose to be last fall with my parents but my mother (who had cancer) just kept getting sicker . She passed away in December and my father gave us the trip. The only thing we had to pay for was our meals (lucked into free dining) and spending money.

I am planning on releasing a balloon with a message on it for her when we go to MK.

I say don't sweat the small stuff!!

 

[HaleyB]

I am sorry about your father, it is so hard to lose a parent.

My *** (if I limit myself to something that has not already been said) is ride the Monorail just because it is there and ask to see if you can sit in the front.

And I second the go to MNSSHP!!!

And ditto on all the tips so far, they are all good.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

My *** would be to RELAX and enjoy yourself!!! Since you are staying on site, DEFINITELY take a break during your day of touring the parks. Start out at one park in the morning (at opening, if you can get everyone together that early) and then go back to your resort for some R&R in the afternoon. The kids will enjoy the pool and you guys will enjoy some down time! Then get showered and ready for your night!

Here's a MONEY SAVING tip for ya, if you are being cost conscious this trip. Since you guys are staying in a villa and renting a car, why not stop at Super Walmart and get some grocieries for the villa? This way, you can make some meals there and have snacks to bring to the parks, and to have at night when the munchies attack!

Hope these help!

All of these tips are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dcrilly]

I'm sure your DW will love this (and yes, it will score a few brownie points )! But what I really meant was to take time to enjoy the little things like relaxing at your resort and seeing some of the other things that WDW has to offer besides rides and attractions. (See Overlooked Attractions). It makes for a more relaxing trip!

I knew what you meant. Just having some fun.

You bring up a very valid point though. Whenever DW and I talked about planning a trip, the point I always tried to make was that since this was our first trip and we had no idea when we could afford to go again, we should do it right the first time and put ourselves in a position to enjoy the trip as much as possible, which is why we're staying on property (immersed in the magic) for nine days, which is about four days more than we ever talked about.

With all the information I've gathered, it's easy to get lost in all the details and plan things to a point where we're not having fun because we're five minutes late to get to <whatever>. So other than reservations for dinner and a couple of character meals, we're not scheduling anything.

 

[dcrilly]

Have a great trip and relax. I put so much pressure on myself to make it perfect that I ended up kind of deflated halfway through

Thanks for the tips. I'm the type that would normally plan things out to the minute, but I've decided that it would be counter productive. I'd rather we experience the magic as it happens and not be slaves to schedules.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Don't wait in lines.

Most of the rides and shows with huge lines have the fastpass option. Learn what FP is and how to use it as soon as you get to WDW. Generally, you can get another FP once your first FP time comes. Get another FP before you go to your first FP ride. That way you'll be closer to the time for the second one when you come out.

For rides/shows that do not have FP option, if you see that the line is ridiculous, don't wait. Find something else to do and then go back to the first ride later. These things don't have FP for a reason. They are usually things that people only do once in a day, and usually things where the line dies down later in the day, or is very short early in the day.

 

[MickeyMantleMouse]

If you're looking for quick-service and cheap restaurants, you can't beat Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe (MK) and Earl of Sandwich (DTD). Both are cheap and very good.

The Chicken Caesar Salad at Starlight is huge. And of course, the sandwiches at the Earl are outstanding. For the cost conscious, these places can't be beat.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Agree about Cosmic Rays. I love that place. Plus you get the added entertainment of watching Cosmic Ray sing. If you go during the off peak food hours, the lines are usually non existant.

 

[Rachel78]

One way that my DS (6) and I have saved some money on food is that we share lunch and dinner. The portions are so large that often one cheesburger and fries can feed two people comfortably. Your family is larger and you may very much benefit from it.