WELCOME!!! I can think of a few tips although thr first 3 may not work now because, at least for the Dream they want you to pick an arrival time. Not sur eif the Magic is doing that too?? If not then these are good tips.
1.Early arrival gets an early boarding pass number at check in.
2.Terminal opens 10 a.m.
3.Boarding starts around 11:30 to noon.
4.Keep camera with you at ALL times, even in the terminal. characters will appear there for photos. ourdoor viewing area of the ship for photos.
5 check in at kids club table while waiting to board ship. saves you time on the ship. In the Terminal it is near the cafe in the front of the area.Chceck in on line is better yet spo you just pick up their bracelet at the kids check in table.
6. Take a few ones. some for room service tips some to tip porters who take your bags at the termnal. $1 per bag is customary.
7. Take small bills for the islands. many small shops dont have change.
8. If your going to use your credit card on the islands, call your CC company first and tell them or you will have to wait on a phone call to ok all your purchases. This is a big hassle and can take 30 minutes or more.
9. Most shops who take credit cards, require a $20 minimum purchase.
10 Take camera to dinner each night, surprizes happen all the time. You wont be alone. you will even see cam corders at dinner.
11. arrive at all shows 20 minutes early for good seats.
12. arrive at character meets 10 minutes early
13 Princess meets arrive 15 minutes early
14. On
Castaway cay if you want your photo taken with Captain Jack Sparrow, do NOT ride the tram to the beach area. It does NOT stop near him. You must walk in to the beach signs say 20 minute walk in it takes us 10 minutes. he will be along the way in the sand and photo has the flying Dutchman behind you, great photo! Check navigator for times he will be there.
15 There are characters along the way to the beach, ok to ride the tram for this. Lines are short and move quickly so it is a great opportunity to see characters without lines. check navigator for times and places.
16 Also characters appear at the gazebo near cookies BBQ on the island during the day.
17 Adult only beach has it's own area for lunch they often have steaks or lobster there as a special treat for the grown ups. But Cookies BBQ by family beach has more variety of other foods.
18 Dont miss the good bye late the last night in the atrium. Many of the characters and actors from the shows will line up on the stairs and will pose for photos for you. This farwell party is really nice and fun.
19 Check for photos everyday at shutters. buy a package deal and save $$ if you dont buy enough photos for the package deal they will refund you the difference at the end of your cruise .
or if you buy a photo and then decide the next day you see one you want more, just bring back the one you bought and the receipt and tell them you want to exchange it and they will be happy to do this for you.
Shortly they will be changing over to photo pass where you can order your photos on line after you go home. They may have photo kiosks working now, if so then its different to get photos.
20. You can order warm chocolate chip cookies or Mickey ice cream bars from room service even though it is not on the menu. The warm cookies are available in the
evenings only
21. Bring 2 white pillowcases or a matte style picture frame in a zip lock baggie with water proof markers and leave at guest services desk ask to be autographed and it will be returned to you the last night all signed by the characters. I also add a card with my name and room number on it just in case their card gets lost. I like to use dark colored markers, the light colors dont show up as well.
22. If you need to change dining times or make a Palos reservation go to Wave Bands club directly upon boarding to take care of this. The sooner you do it the better your chances of getting what you want .At check in you will be given a paper that will have an exact time to be at the club.
23. I f you have kids leave a wake up call and then let them answer the phone. It will surprize the because Mickey will be on the phone telling them it is time to get up. If they are youngkids, have a cam corder ready to catch the surpize on their face. It is great.
24 Afternoon matinees of the shows are great to see. They are the exact same show, they leave out nothing but it is less crowded and kids arnt as tired, plus it makes for a more leisurely evening. No need to rush to or from the shows due to your dinner time. They usually have them on sea days only.
25. Pop is free in all restaurants and at the drink station on deck 9. But if you order it from waiter or buy at a lounge or bar you will be charge for it plus a gratuity.
26. Stop by the drink station and grab a drink to take with you to the shows or movies instead of buying a can a pop there. If you want a snack stop and grab pizza or hot dogs or fruit on deck 9 to take with you. again save money over buying a bunch of snacks for the kids.
27.At dinner kids can order from both the kids or adult menu.
28. The BBQ at the adult beach often has a fewer choices than Cookies BBQ on the family side but they often will have steak or lobster for the adults only BBQ. That is a nice perk.
29. No need to book floats and bikes ahead of time for Castaway Cay. They have tons of them. wait until you get there to make sure your really going to need the floats or have time to ride the bikes before renting them. we always just walk up and do it at the beach.
30. If you want to do the banana boat ride or the ski do(eco tour) I would book ahead of time. They do often have last minute openings so dont be afraid to ask when you arrive if you didnt book it and decided you'd like to do it.
31. if you rent bikes there are 2 nice trails just off the runway. The first one will have an observation tour. It has a great view of the island and ship. Bring your camera for this!! while up in the tower be sure and look around the base area of the tower. There are some whimsical things to see there too.
32. all the trails have ice cold water in big yellow barrels in wooden framed stands, so no need to carry your own unless you want to.
33. They do NOT have microwaves on board but they will give you hot water to heat baby food if you need it. They will also purre' some foods for you for babies if you request it.
34. Many of the island have attendants in the public bathrooms and they want a tip for you to use the bathroom. So keep a few quarters handy. Some are very pushy about this. Mostly around th eshopping areas rather than restrooms on excursions.
35. Casinos bathrooms are free and cleaner on the average than public restrooms in the shopping areas.
36. Often by mid morning bathrooms run out of t. paper and paper towels and soap. ALWAYS take your own sample size in your bag of T.Paper, hand wipes, hand sanitizer and seat covers. You'll need them most places.
37. NO water fountains to be found , water is precious on the islands. So you must buy bottled water if youw ant a drink. There is always someone selling bottled water on the ship by where you exit the ship if you want it. It is cheaper than what you'll find on the islands.
Be ware of vendors walking around saying one dollar for a bottle of water. some have been found to be used bottles they have filled up themselves. They open the bottle as they hand it to you so you dont know it wasnt sealed. They sell ice cold water a syou exit the hsip or bring your own bottle and fill it before leaving the ship.
38. If you want to have your or your childs hair braided, DO IT ON THE SHIP !! Dont do it on the islands accept Castaway Cay.
They will braid your hiar, shove the comb in their pocket them use it on the next person and the next without sanitizing or even washing the comb!!!
Plus they have been known to give people a hard time about the price they owe them.
39. ALWAYS set a price before doing anything on the island and make them stick to it. Taxis or private tours are great, but always set the price before you get into the cab.
40. Some excursion you drive the vehicle. Make sure before you leave home that your insurance will cover you IF you have an accident. Most will NOT cover you outside the U.S. without you making arrangements ahead of time.
Just before you drive off for your excursion you will be asked to sign a waver saying YOU are responsible for that vehicle and if your insurance wont pay, you will !!. Also many times you will share the driving with another couple, but only one of you are required to sign the form, so if you sign and the other person wrecks the vehicles, YOU are responsible!!
41. An over the door shoe holder works great for holding toiletry items so they dont slide off the small bathroom shelves.
I know there are more great tips but this early in the morning my brain isnt working too good.
Kathy
My name is Danielle, and I will be traveling with my DH & DD, Bella, who will be 7 at the time. Thanks for all the tips! 
