Please Help! I Need Your BEST WDW Tips!

[toystoryduo]

Hi everyone!

We are going to WDW in December with 10 WDW Rookies! For the last few months, I have sent out a weekly newsletter with WDW info, ride info, and trip info. Now that we are just about 30 days out, I will be sending out a WDW tip each day via e-mail to help our family get prepared for the trip. Please give us your best WDW tips from travel, to the parks, to dining, to those little things that you do to make the trip even more special. We need at least 30, but would love to hear even more! Thanks!!!

 

[KittyKitty]

What I've learned from these boards and my experience.

Go early. If you are staying at WDW, take advantage of the early morning hour.

Take at least 2 pairs of walking shoes that are broke in. You will walk about 6 miles a day.

Don't try to stay together. You'll waste a lot to time deciding what every one wants to do.

Make a priority seating for restaurants if you want to eat together.

The weather could be anything. So pack to be able to layer the clothes.

Take a break. WDW can be exhausting.

Look for hidden mickeys. They are everywhere.

Be sure to pick up the entertainment info when you arrive. There is lots, and you will love it.

You will not be able to do it all. As must as you want to. Just remember, you can see what you missed on your next trip!!!

I understand MVMCP is wonderful. So if you have the extra money, you might want to go to that.

You probably know most of this.

Have a wonderful time. I'll be looking for the large group to say hi to.

Susan

 

[filet1970]

Check out this AllEarsNet website, it's full of information on the attractions, the resorts, dining, etc
Here a link to check out the parks hidden attractions: http://allearsnet.com/tp/ola.htm

Have fun!

 

[lc1965]

& I disagree with KittyKitty about the early entry. I prefer to take my time getting my act together in the morning. And, I'm not into dashingt o attractions. It works for some people -- & some in yoru group may want to do it & some may not. That's good, though. Everyone's different.

Along that same line, if someone is into shows & someone is not, then the group should split & meet again later. Same w/ thrill rides.

One of the problems I have travelling with groups is that too much togetherness is smothering. Breaking up the group & meeting again gives you all lots to talk about later.

 

[bness]

Use fast passes. Wait until five minutes after your pastpass is available and go get another one somewhere else. Then you really cut down on your line time.

Eat at at least 1 character meal. They are lots of fun, even for adults.

 

[Disnutty]

The DISers can give you some great tips but we need some more info first. Where are you staying and what is the age breakdown of your ten Rookies? The tips will be better if we know that the majority are adults or kids or an even mix.

 

[toystoryduo]

We are staying offsite at Windsor Palms. Age breakdown looks like this:

age 2
age 4
age 6
age 8
age 13
age 14
age 17
age 23
age 29
age 31
age 33
age 35 (X 2)
age 54

Thanks!

 

[sarahsmom73]

GO EARLY! You will be amazed at how many rides you can do in Fantasyland if you arrive early...


Let the little ones take a nap.. It was a life saver for us as we would leave the parks at around noon, go back to our hotel, swim, eat lunch, nap and then return with a very happy and agreeable 2 1/2 year old!


If you bring a back pack, put everything in clear ziplock bags so you can just pull them out and security and check easier.. (One security guard told me he wished more people did that!!

Oh yeah... Photocopy the backs of your park passes. ( I did ont the advice of some very wise Dis'ers)

 

[Disnutty]

First of all WOW what a big group and you are all in for some great Disney Magic that will be talked about for years to come!! The parents of the two and four year olds will probably need to break out of the group for most of the day. The Disney young ones will not be able to go on some of the rides because of height restrictions. There is nothing worse that to line up for Space Mountain, get to the line and find out the kids can not go on, now someone must stay with the kids, who will that be and where do you meet up again? What do they do for the 20 or 30 minutes? Its best to avoid that situation up front by getting into groups that will be together and can ride the same attractions all day. So (The parents may also want to split the morning with Dad and the kids or Mom and the Kids or DD and DGM / DGF and Dkids). They will also need strollers (Recommend bringing their own, light weight stroller) because you will be parking at the Disney lots and walking to the entrances, it makes life easier to maneuver if the young ones are in a stroller, especially late at night) because the rest of the group will normally want to go all day and night. Strollers help the young ones get a nap and help the parents cope when its time to park hop or go to the PS or car. I recommend meeting for lunch one of the days and then at a designated spot to catch up on other days such as a parade or specific show like Fantasmic or Wishes or illuminations or for dinner. Do not try to stay together all day it will only cause delays and problems as you will be waiting for someone who gets lost or just had to see the attractions and will be 15 or 20 minutes late. Break out into smaller groups it will make touring easier and it will make for great conversations on the ride back to the hotel. Make sure there are touring plans for each group, The young Kids will need a different plan than the older folks. Because you are off site, Plan on going to the Parks that DO NOT have early entry because that Park will be full when you get there with early entry guests. Go to the non early entry Park so that if you do get there early or just after opening you will have a chance to get some of the rides with out a line (Like Dumbo for the 2 and 4 year old) while others enjoy a Major attraction and have one or two done before the Parks get full. Like others have said, make sure everyone knows how to use Fast Pass when ever there is a line. Break into smaller groups and arrange to meet up for Parades and shows so that if someone is late it will not cause problems. Have a Great time in Disney World.

 

[disney4me4ever]

Make sure to call for a wake up call, then put it on speakerphone when you get it the next morning. I usually ask for an "odd" time, like 6:03 am to be sure I get Mickey. Mickey gives a real cute greeting. There's nothing like waking up to the magic!

Have a great trip!
Nancy

 

[MELSMICE]

Because your group has quite a few different ages one of my suggestions would be to break up a few times. Those teens & 20 some year olds may not want to stick with the younger kids all the time, they may want to do their own thing.

--Use Fastpass
--Get to the parks early if possible (don't forget to figure in travel time).
--Switch off & have one person take a break with the small kids on different days while the others enjoy the parks.

Now - just some non-park tips

--get an over-the-door shoe holder to put all toilettries in so your bathroom counter stays clear & things don't get misplaced.
--Give each person a fanny pack for snacks & water bottle holder

Go & have a good time. Don't wear yourself out trying to see & do it all. You won't be able to, so enjoy what you do see.

 

[teachingmykids]

Use the back door.....
From Windsor Palms, you just head out to Hwy 192 and take a right on 192. When you turn onto 192 get in the left lane right away and turn left at the first set of traffic lights, which is Sherberth road. Sherberth is a little curvy, but at the first set of lights you hit, which is about a mile or so, take a right and the Animal Kindom is right up the road. You will now be on Disney property and can go wherever you want!

This is one of the best tips I've ever received. (Thanks Scott) Plus, you'll love Windsor, very quiet!

 

[crcormier]

Originally posted by bness
Use fast passes. Wait until five minutes after your pastpass is available and go get another one somewhere else. Then you really cut down on your line time.

Eat at at least 1 character meal. They are lots of fun, even for adults.

An additional note on fast passes is that even after your 'window' passes they will honor that fastpass. So you could collect them throughout the day and use them all later. Or even get one before going back to the hotel for a break and still be able to use it even if it has 'expired'. But policy apparently is to honor it as long as it is same day.

 

[DisneydaveCT]

Back in '99, I organized a large group (16) trip to WDW. We planned some activities in advance. We had a PS for dinner every night. Everybody was informed of our PS schedule, and was told that they could do whatever they wanted to during the day but we wanted everyone to meet for the dinner PS. That way we could do a family trip without limiting people to only rides that the younger set could do.

Speaking of the younger ones, I would check their heights against the height requirements for the rides that have restrictions. Preparing that list in advance of your trip will cut down on disappointed and frustration during the trip.

If there are any golfers in the trip, make sure they book their tee times in advance.

Finally, the times for parades and many shows are posted on this website. Check out those times and share them with your group before you leave. This also helps in your preplanning.

And above all, have a great time!!!!!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

WOW!

These are some great tips! Thank you!!!

teachingmykids~ Thank you for that tip!!!! Sounds like that shortcut could save us some time on the road.

I forgot to mention that DH, my kids, and I are all staying a few extra days at ASMo! It will be our first time on property!! Very excited!!!!

Please keep the tips coming! These are great!!!

 

[peacefulgirl]

extra days at ASMo! It will be our first time on property!!

I just got back from ASMO !!!! Great fun !!!

Here is what sticks out from my 1st experience at WDW... and I went with MIL,SIL,BIL their 2 kids (2 and 4) and my DD 11 !

First, we split up alot !!!! We shared MIL LOL !! Really it was a drag with the lil ones becuz one was always tired and one was scared of EVERY character ! We had to avoid them ... so I took off with DD and we had a blast !! We met back up at parade and fireworks.

I wouldn't go again with other people with such an age difference. It all worked out fine, but when on vacation, who wants to check in with other people all day ... and we always seemed to be at different ends of the parks, so we had to break up again because of that.

Also, get the mugs at ALMO ... or you'll pay out your brain for a simple drink ! Prices are kinda high in the food court, but it is a trip after all.

I liked the night time much better, no heat and it is so beautiful lit up. I suggest going for the am, and coming back to rest and change and go back around 4ish. Also keep in mind the closing time. Saturday MK is opening till 10, but closes early during the week ... I see some closing times as 6, 7, 8 and 10 and 11 for DEC check the schedule on the offical site!

Don't miss PhilHarMagic show !!!!!

Oh I could go on and on about what not to miss!!!

Buses from and to ALMO were great, some lines but worth it!

Do me a favor, every nite after coming back, right at midnight, we got a sundea at the hotel and I miss them, have on for me ok!

Oh I miss Disney !!!!!

have a blast !
Lisa

 

[precious pixie]

At the disney studios you can ask for a fantasmic dinner package. (I'm not sure of what they exactly call it but guest relations will know what you are talking about). How it works is you ask for that reservation package, you make dinner reservations at a restuaunt in MGM and you get a special ticket for Fantasmic. With this ticket you get to sit in a reserved section for the show which sure beats waiting in line for over an hour to get seats! I'm not sure if you can call and moke reservations before you leave but it is worth checking out I know they only save a select number of seats and you are with a big group. Happy planning!!

 

[tinkerbee]

1. Use Fast pass
2. Since you are staying off property for some of your trip don't go to the park that has EMH that day. Unless it's later in the day

3. Spend the first while together then split up you want to be together for awhile!!

4. Don't miss Fantasmic and get there early.

5. Don't try to do every thing it will never happen. Figure out the things you really don't want to miss and if you can fit in other things thats great.

6. Ride so rides while the parades are going on (if you don't mind missing some of the parades) the lines are always shorter.

7. We save time by shopping at DTD they have almost everything that you can buy in the parks there.

8. Have one nice meal at any of the parks .

9. Bring lots of film or memory sticks because it seems like you never have enough.

10. Have a GREAT time!!!

 

[Weluvdisny]

Don't forget to get an extra battery for the video camera and bring the charger! The extra battery has been a life saver for me. I always forget the camera is on and then by the time I realize it, the battery light is flashing.

 

[toystoryduo]

These are great! Thank you!