Orlando Tips & advice

[Jordanblackpool]

I often get asked the question by friends and colleagues who are going to Orlando what tip sand advice I have for them. Its a question I struggle with because there are so many things I could tell them, but I was wondering what tips and advice you would give someone going to Orlando.

I see alot of questions like this over the boards, so would be good to get them all one in one place!

I shall set the ball rolling with...

1) Eat a good breakfast before going into the theme parks as food can get expensive. Places like Ihop, Perkins, Ponderosa all do breakfasts for cheap and they fill you up.

2)PLAN PLAN PLAN! Dont try and do Disney without any preperation. You will just end up falling out and not seeing everything.

 

[queendisney]

I actually don't agree with the Plan Plan Plan bit as I think you can overplan. So my advise would be different and that would be don't overplan your holiday as you really cannot fit it all in and shouldn't even try to. There are days when you have 'this and that' planned and you wake up and you know its just not gonna happen!!! Plan by all means just don't fill in every hour of every day. Look up and smell the roses!
I think my top tip is that you have some VERY comfortable walking shoes, that you have tried and tested. Don't go out and buy a new pair without really breaking them in first.

 

[Jordanblackpool]

I actually don't agree with the Plan Plan Plan bit as I think you can overplan. So my advise would be different and that would be don't overplan your holiday as you really cannot fit it all in and shouldn't even try to. There are days when you have 'this and that' planned and you wake up and you know its just not gonna happen!!! Plan by all means just don't fill in every hour of every day. Look up and smell the roses!
I think my top tip is that you have some VERY comfortable walking shoes, that you have tried and tested. Don't go out and buy a new pair without really breaking them in first.

Totally agree with you on the over planning! I know people who have been with a hourly plan including rides and you just dont enjoy it! I just meant have some sort of general idea as to what your doing, especially with the busier theme parks.

Footwear is a great bit of advice, nothing worse than new trainers rubbing or hurting your feet. Can ruing your holiday!

 

[Chilly]

Def good shoes!

Make use of fastpass.

Arrive early at the parks.

 

[DCLMan]

Relax and enjoy the details of the parks.

Drink lots if you are going in the summer.

Wear worn in shoes.

Do something new every visit.

Manage your expectations.

Sit down and people watch.

 

[Invisable89]

My family & I are forever giving friends or family advice when going to WDW, most seem to be quite shocked that there's so much to think about.

& Ofcourse the advice we give completely depends on their specific holiday - when they're going, how long they're going for, if they're staying on-site or off-site, if they're taking children, teenagers (or both) or if it's an adult only holiday etc.

However the basics are:
1) If you're going during peak season & staying on-site take full advantage of EMH or arrive when the Parks open - you can get so much done during the first few hours.
2) If you're going for 2-3 weeks think about spreading each Park over a few days as just doing 1 park per day is quite exhausting! Think about going to your Resort (or off-site villa) at lunch or after the afternoon parade.
3) Familarise yourself with the Park maps, hours, parade & firework times before you go, it'll make things so much easier.
4) If you want to eat at a Disney restaurant don't expect to able to walk right up to the restaurant & be seated quickly, make reservations & obviously make reservations if you're on the Disney Dining Plan (you won't believe how many people have no idea about having to make reservations, let alone know how too when on the DDP).
5) If you're staying off-site do a bit of research before you go - check where the nearest supermarket is (Publix, Walmart) & what restaurants are near-by that you want to try out.
6) Use Fastpass! & Bare in mind that you don't have to return during the return time window, CM's will accept your FP anytime after the stated time.

Not everyone likes to have a detailed or even a rough plan before they go, some people like to decide what they want to do on each day when they get there which is fair enough.

 

[jen_uk]

Don't plan too much, some people book tickets to every attraction over there and then feel overwhelmed. I would do a day by day plan with a rest (shopping, waterpark day, hotel etc) every 4 days or so. Get a free ice water from the food places in WDW, saves you fortune on buying drinks.

 

[DISWolves]

Join the DIS boards

 

[Linda67]

My biggest tip would be to always get to the parks for rope drop

You really can get so much done in the first couple of hours if you are prepared for an early start

I'm also a big fan of taking a break back at your hotel in the middle of the day

 

[Jordanblackpool]

I have a strange one....footwear related.

I also carry flip flops with me at Islands of Adventure. The water rides get your feet soaked, so before I go on I swap trainers for flip flops! Nothing worse than wet trainers and socks for the rest of the day!