Random Tips Needed :)

[itsmeamanda]

A WDW newbie here with some random questions.

1. What is your fave lightweight backpack to take in the parks?

2. What's the deal with the penny-press machines? Are there a lot of them? Those are my FAVE souvenirs everwhere we go, and I was stoked to read that they have them at WDW.

3. What are your favorite type/style shoes to wear?

4. Do you prefer Disney transportation once you are checked in to your rsoet, or do you drive your car (rental or owned) to each park or destination each day?

Thank you for input!

 

[sharon_wv]

A WDW newbie here with some random questions.

1. What is your fave lightweight backpack to take in the parks?

My DH carried a backpack he has had for years. Don't know brand though. I Carried a bagallini Zip and go and loved it.

2. What's the deal with the penny-press machines? Are there a lot of them? Those are my FAVE souvenirs everwhere we go, and I was stoked to read that they have them at WDW.

They are everywhere. We collect them too. One thing we couldn't find was ones with a year on it. I was disappointed by that.

3. What are your favorite type/style shoes to wear?

I wore teva sandals with adjustable straps. They have criss cross fronts so they were a little less "crunchy" hiking style.

4. Do you prefer Disney transportation once you are checked in to your rsoet, or do you drive your car (rental or owned) to each park or destination each day?

For the first time ever, with the exception if we started at the magic kingdom, we drove our car to the parks. We did arrive for EMH every day we did that. We were parked really close to the gates (right next to bus stop). It was really nice not having to worry about a seat. And was also nice to only have to walk from the parking lot near our room instead of from the bus stop at POR. In the morning we were able to drink our coffee on the way without lugging the mugs all day in the park too. That was nice.

Thank you for input!

My answers are above near your questions.

 

[Hootch]

I am more interested in durability so I can't help here.

Pressed coins - check out this site which had=s designs and locations:

http://www.presscoins.com/search/?a...arch=&limit=&sort=&cointype=All&Submit=Search

I wear topsiders. It is what I normally wear for casual wear. The rest of my family wears tennis shoes. Just make sure what you wear is broken in.

We have always driven to Epcot, DHS and DAK unless we have a stop in MK planned. It is just easier and quicker to take the bus to the MK. I did learn to take the bus to DAK for AM EMH this past trip. The parking lot did not open until 7:30 that morning. The buses were entering and we had long lines ahead of us at the gates.

 

[callicourt]

A WDW newbie here with some random questions.

1. What is your fave lightweight backpack to take in the parks?

--My DH carries a very sturdy, waterproof North Face backpack. They are generally lightweight and have plenty of pockets.

2. What's the deal with the penny-press machines? Are there a lot of them? Those are my FAVE souvenirs everwhere we go, and I was stoked to read that they have them at WDW.

--There are LOADS of penny-press machines in lots of nooks & crannies at Disney World. My mother used to load up quarters and pennies in film canisters {good luck finding those!} or M&M Minis tubes.

3. What are your favorite type/style shoes to wear?

--I prefer my Chacos. They are lightweight, durable, and dry quickly if they happen to get wet. My DH has ankle and heel issues leftover from a high school sports injury, and he has been quite successful with his Merrell walking shoes.

4. Do you prefer Disney transportation once you are checked in to your rsoet, or do you drive your car (rental or owned) to each park or destination each day?

--Once we park our car, we don't see it again until it's time to leave! Disney transportation is reliable, safe, and you don't have to *think* or worry. We always eat breakfast on the ride to the parks!

Thank you for input!

--You're most welcome. Have an AWESOME trip!!!

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

A WDW newbie here with some random questions.

1. What is your fave lightweight backpack to take in the parks? I ended up ordering a Bagalini last trip, and we'll definitely use it again. It's one my DH doesn't mind carrying, which is helpful.

2. What's the deal with the penny-press machines? Are there a lot of them? Those are my FAVE souvenirs everwhere we go, and I was stoked to read that they have them at WDW. My kids love these, and talk about a cheap souvenir! There really are a lot of them. We've tried the tip I read here about using M&M mini tubes and loading them with two quarters, one penny, etc. It seems to be just as easy a way to carry them as any...it gets a little heavy to carry in the parks, though! I think I'll pack several smaller ones this time instead of two bigger ones.
3. What are your favorite type/style shoes to wear? We're tennis shoe fans. My feet can't really take much else. I do buy the moisture-wicking socks, though. I bring crocs/sandals for the pool.
4. Do you prefer Disney transportation once you are checked in to your rsoet, or do you drive your car (rental or owned) to each park or destination each day? We've only driven once as a family, on our last trip. We parked our car on Sunday, used it to run to WalMart that first night, and never got in it again until Saturday when we left for home! We enjoy Disney transportation, and would rather wait for a bus/monorail (monorails are attractions in and of themselves for us) than park in a parking lot where we needed to ride a tram to get to the gates! If we were just running to another resort for a meal or a look-around (kinda wish we had access to one on the next trip to get to Art of Animation), it might be worth it, but other than that we're fine with the buses. My kids loved the fact that they were car-seat free for the vacation when they were smaller!
Thank you for input!

Hope you have a good trip!!

 

[icesk8abc]

1. What is your fave lightweight backpack to take in the parks?

My favorite is an old Jansport bag with lots of pockets. The trick I use is to spray it with Scotch-Guard Waterproofing spray. It won't make it water tight, but at least water resistant

2. What's the deal with the penny-press machines? Are there a lot of them? Those are my FAVE souvenirs everwhere we go, and I was stoked to read that they have them at WDW.

There are tons of them. Go to this website http://www.presscoins.com/ to see the locations and designs available. We always do this for the 1 or 2 we really want and then just collect others as we find them. You can also ask a store cast member and they can tell you or find out a location if you are looking for a specific one. There are also pressed quarter machines. We also use M&M tubes. We stack - quarter, quarter, penny, but also bring an extra one for the pennies that are pressed.

3. What are your favorite type/style shoes to wear?

Whatever you have that is broken in. I usually wear tennis shoes during the day. If we go back to the hotel and then back to the park for the evening, I will sometimes wear sandals.

4. Do you prefer Disney transportation once you are checked in to your rsoet, or do you drive your car (rental or owned) to each park or destination each day?

When I have driven my own car, I usually drive it to the parks. It is not necessarily faster getting there, but is almost always faster if you are leaving after the fireworks. However, we flew in the last 3 trips and used the buses and were perfectly happy with them. That being said, we had no children under the age of 6 in tow. If you are traveling with very young kids, it may be worth it to have a car at the end of the day.

 

[Trinity524]

a wdw newbie here with some random questions.

1. What is your fave lightweight backpack to take in the parks?

I love my llbean backpacks... They are more expensive, but they have a true life time guarantee.

2. What's the deal with the penny-press machines? Are there a lot of them? Those are my fave souvenirs everwhere we go, and i was stoked to read that they have them at wdw.

Yes, they are at the resorts and the parks

3. What are your favorite type/style shoes to wear?

I wear crocs exclusively. Love them!

4. Do you prefer disney transportation once you are checked in to your rsoet, or do you drive your car (rental or owned) to each park or destination each day?


Disney transportation. No gas, no rental car, no worrying about driving.

thank you for input!

hth

 

[natfrac]

1. I use a messenger bag so I can leave it on while I'm on the rides.
2. As others have mentioned, penny presses are everywhere.
3. I wear tennis shoes, either Vans or Converse.
4. We always use Disney transportation. It feels more like a vacation when I don't have to drive.

 

[wdwmama19]

1. What is your fave lightweight backpack to take in the parks?

I use a Vera Bradley hipster and I love it. If you aren't going to carry a lot I would suggest going with the mini hipster.

2. What's the deal with the penny-press machines? Are there a lot of them? Those are my FAVE souvenirs everwhere we go, and I was stoked to read that they have them at WDW.

They are fun. Since it's your first time I would do one wherever you see one.

3. What are your favorite type/style shoes to wear?

I always wear Rainbow sandals or Toms. But I always make sure to bring tennis shoes and rain boots just in case. Florida weather is extremely unpredictable.

4. Do you prefer Disney transportation once you are checked in to your rsoet, or do you drive your car (rental or owned) to each park or destination each day?

Disney transportation is awesome if you want to get around without wasting your own gas and paying for parking. I believe it's over $10 a day to park. But if you are leaving the park after a show or fireworks, then you will be waiting for a bus. Just leave a little bit before the show/fireworks are over to avoid the crowds.