Quick...need to know stuff now!!!

[LucyM]

We are heading off to our first trip to Disney World on Saturday. We are staying on site at POR. I can't hardly wait for the magic!!

I have been surfing the boards for a while, and found out some good stuff. But if you had to give just one good tip or trick, what would it be?

Thanks in advance....

 

[Karnak]

If I were making my first trip to Walt Disney World, I'd get to the nearest book store, post haste, and spend about $20.00 for the 2006 version of THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO WALT DISNEY WORLD by Bob Sehlinger. It will answer almost any question y'all are likely to have about The World.

Enjoy.

 

[paladin]

Use Fast passes!

 

[wilma-bride]

Arrive at opening time

 

[jenndisney]

Read as much of these boards as you can. So many tips.

My tips are:
Do not overpack. You can do laundry on site.
Take an extra suitcase for souvies.
Moleskin!
Don't overplan so much that you miss the magic that just happens!
If you can not stand Cig smoke take a few dryer sheets to put in your room just in case you get a room that has been smoked in. (put them under pillows and on the AC to freshen the room.
USE FASTPASSES! (it will amaze you the number of people who don't at all)
Enjoy the queue lines and all the extra theming that went into most of them.
Keep an eye out for a Hidden Mickey!

Have a great trip!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Your urge will be to go to the MK on sunday. Don't do it. Hit Epcot instead.

 

[disney junky]

If I were making my first trip to Walt Disney World, I'd get to the nearest book store, post haste, and spend about $20.00 for the 2006 version of THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO WALT DISNEY WORLD by Bob Schlinger. It will answer almost any question y'all are likely to have about The World.

Enjoy.

Absolutely this and all the other advice too. You don't say how long you are staying or how many in your party with ages. So much advice is based on that.

 

[cdpa4d]

If you plan on going to see Fantasmic at MGM arrive at the theatre one hour before the show starts to get a seat. The theatre is big, but not big enough to accommodate everyone.

If you are renting a stroller make sure to get a multi day stroller ticket the first time in line. It will save you from waiting in the pay line each time you need a stroller. Just show your ticket to the person handing out the strollers and they will stamp your ticket and give you a stroller It will aslo save you 10%.

Hit the parks in the morning. Go back to your resort for an afternoon break. Go back to the parks for the evening.

Make all your ADRs. If you think you might want to eat at a particular table service restaurant make the ADR. You can always cancel it.

Use single rider lines when possible.

Never go to the park having evening EMH during the day. It will be more crowded. People with non park hopping passes will be there because they can't park hop. There are more people that have this type of pass than you think. Go to another park and come back for the Evening EMH at night.

Have a great trip!

 

[LucyM]

We are 4, DH, DD - 13 and DS - 12 and me. We have the Unofficial Guide-- glad to see it is highly recommended. We are staying for 6 nights.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

There are 1001 uses for the ziploc bag! Bring along a variety of sizes. Fold a 2 gallon ziploc up and carry it with you. When you are ready to go on water rides, pull out the jumbo ziploc and stuff the things you are carrying with you in the ziploc. Put your cell phone and other electronics into sandwich sized ziplocs for extra protection. Carry a wash cloth with you--don't forget to bring it back to your hotel!

Carry a small notebook with you. I have one that is about 6"x4". Jot things down as you go. I like to make a list of potential souveniers and on my shopping day I review what is on my list and compare it with my budget. this helps me avoid a lot of impulse purchases while in the parks. I also use my notebook to make notes about my trip in case I want to do a trip report when I return. Jot down places you might want to return to eat, etc, etc, etc.

Carry a few band-aids, tylenol, and purell with you.

 

[helenm29]

I'd get BOTH the Unofficial Guide and The Passporter..they both contain a lot of information that will get you around quite well. Also, I believe it's already been mentioned but Don't overpack! there are usually laundry facilities wherever you go and I always find some time when the family is resting or swimming to do a couple of loads. You can get quarters anywhere. Take advantage of Single Rider lines at some of the big rides like Expedition Everest, Mission Space, Soaring etc. if you can..it's a lot quicker.

 

[disneyaggie]

If I were making my first trip to Walt Disney World, I'd get to the nearest book store, post haste, and spend about $20.00 for the 2006 version of THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO WALT DISNEY WORLD by Bob Schlinger. It will answer almost any question y'all are likely to have about The World.

Enjoy.

I totally agree!

This book is awesome! It has so much information -- even park plans to follow. I used the park plans last time and it worked like a charm.

Also -- after I "search out" what I want to buy, I shop at the larger stores (MK's Emporium, EPCOT's MouseGear) and ship the items home. It is tax free and you get a nice box or two a couple of weeks with your cool Disney things.

Have a magical time!

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

If you want to see Fantasmic, do the dinner package!!! Great Food and Great seats! Plus you get to go in the back way and avoid the crowd, which is enormous!!!! We booked ours the day before at MGM right to the left after you go through the entrance. We ate at Mamma Melrose and it was absolutely delicious!!!

Three words, FAST PASS, FAST PASS, FAST PASS!!!!!!!

Take advantage of the photo pass! All your family pics put on one card that you can look at on line after you get home. You can even crop and add graphics like they do at the park and order them from home!!!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Have everyone in your group carry their own fannypack(yes....these are acceptable in Disney) or a small backpack with their essentials in them. Everyone should carry their own water bottle and park card and little things like band-aids,sunsreen,$$ store rain poncho etc, You don't want to forget the little things back in the room. Also, I wrote down all our ADR on an index card and always carried that too !!! Don't forget your camera and cell phones ,too. By the way the large Ziplock bags come in very handy to protect your camera & cell phone on the wetter rides ( Splash Mtn and Kali Rapid River Ride)....Have fun planning

 

[icecrystahl]

1. Try to get to the parks at opening or real early, especially at AK, so you can ride EE!
2. FAST PASSES ARE AWESOME!
3. Stop and enjoy the Disney Dining experience! Nothing like Disney food!
4.Be prepared to get wet on KAli River Rapids!
5.If your planning on seeing a show (Fantasmic, Cinderellabration, Wishes,Etc. Etc.) Try and get a seat/spot atleast 30 minutes before the show.
6.Get a pineapple Dole Whip float from Alohaisle!!!! MMM!
7. HAVE OODLES OF FUN!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

If I were making my first trip to Walt Disney World, I'd get to the nearest book store, post haste, and spend about $20.00 for the 2006 version of THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO WALT DISNEY WORLD by Bob Schlinger. It will answer almost any question y'all are likely to have about The World.

Enjoy.

Sehlinger...Bob Sehlinger is the name of the author of the UG. Not trying to be picky; just clarifying in case someone wants to look it up using the author's name. Plus, he's kind of like Moses to some of us Disney Dorks.

At this time of year, I'd avoid the EMH parks, but I'd get to whatever park I want to be in early.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Macca1111]

I'm going to be there at the same time! Visiting my sister who is a Cast Member. I'm so excited. I'm going to wear my DIS button so that others can spot me. It's got a lime green mickey head (courtsey of Home Depot) That was a tip I got a long time ago on these boards, and I saw a fellow DISer in the French parks because of it. Have an amazing time!

 

[MAGGIED]

I have teenagers also..my DS is 13 - he loves to do the pressed pennies...I use the mini- M&M tubes and places in 2 quarters then a penny, two quarters then a penny... that way he has the change for the machine... My kids still love to trade pins also... we also plan some activities like my DS and my DH always do a fishing excursion - just the two of them and then my DD age 16 and I do a spa day or something fun like that - this year we are doing the Segway and the Keys to the Kingdom tours..

 

[WDWLinda]

...I use the mini- M&M tubes and places in 2 quarters then a penny, two quarters then a penny... that way he has the change for the machine...

Thanks Maggied - I'm always fishing around for change when my son wants to do this. Now I can use all the spare change at home, and have a good place to store it!

Thanks!
Linda