Secret Tips

[Mortimermouse]

The best super secret tip I can offer to make memories of a life time for you and your family, especially your kids, is to take advantage of that time waiting in the perverbial Disney lines to talk to your kids !!

Tell them how much you are enjoying your time with them...even waiting in line. Ask them what they think...about anything. Tell them about your best vacation when you were growing up. What would they suggest for the next new ride at Disney? Can they sing the alphabet song backwards? Can you? Be sure to spend one on one time with each child....not just riding a ride, but really doing something special.

So many families are so busy with their every day lives, two working parents, school activites, after school sports and planning the trip to Disney, we forget to stop the insanity and enjoy the moment. That memory of really seeing the smile on your child's face or the sound of their laughter at a corny DD joke will far outlast the pain in your feet from running around the park to get the "best" seat at every parade, the "first" ride of the day on one of the mountains.

My sons favorite seat for watching the parades was on my shoulders.....and even if I couldn't see a thing....I had the best seat in the park !!!

 

[danicaw]

To beat the desire to buy all the Disney stuff in every store on your trip, establish specific items you are looking for and/or set a budget.

Also, pack the stuff you bought on your last trip and anything Disney you picked up inbetween. I love to wear Disney sweatshirts, caps, etc. and already having them curbs my desire to run out and pick up all new ones each trip.

 

[leebee]

OK, Disneydad, here's my MGM tip. We've been to wdw at many different times of the year, and the waiting line into Fantasmic is always a nightmare. We buy "dinner" (sandwiches/chix nuggets for kids/burgers) and take it into Fantasmic with us. That way, we can get in line 60-90 mins prior to showtime, get good seats (so we spend our waiting time sitting rather than standing), and eat dinner while we wait for the show to start. Also, if it is the least bit chilly out (or downright freezing like Jan. 2000), do NOT sit in the front of Fantasmic. You WILL get wet/damp, and be very uncomfortable! Let's see, what else...save the Great Movie Ride for around 3 pm when everyone is tired and cranky. The movie clips you see while waiting take your mind off how tired you are, and the ride itself lasts about 20 mins and it is AIR CONDITIONED (we don't ALWAYS travel in Jan.!)!

At AK...I have heard(but haven't seen) that the buggy creatures do little vignettes outside of the entrance about 20 mins before opening. "THey say" it's quite cute! If you are squeamish, be forwarned that there are sometimes cm's just inside the gates of AK with cages of tarantulas! Remember that It's Tough to be a Bug can be rough on the younger set- my 8yo has seen it 5 times and has yet to make it through a full show without crying! Finally, when your poor tired feet cannot go one step further, go to the Dinosaur Dig playground area and go up to the sand pit. The sand here is really teeny tiny polished pebbles, very fine, that do a great job massaging your feet- a true pick-me-up (now if they only served margaritas!). If you can get to the head of the queue for the Tarzan show, have your kids sit along the ramp that comes out from the stage- Terk will shake hands during the performance. BTW, we have always had good luck going on the safari in the LATE afternoon- we've seen many animals, and there are usually no lines. PS- spray your feet with aerosol antiperspirant each morning, letting it dry before putting on your socks and shoes. Dry feet are happy feet!

 

[LoDivaLoca]

I don't know how "secret" this is or how much of a tip this is, but I found it to be a PLEASANT surprise!! So here's your AK tip!

Boyfriend & I arrived at AK the minute it opened & SURPISE! ALLLLL the characters were there! (We were so pleased!) It was a great way to start the day & the crowds were minimal & we got to take pitcures w/Mickey & everyone - so we were thrilled. It was the only opportunity we got to see the characters as all the other times we spotted them, they were being mauled by 30 kids each. (no offense of course - but I'm a big kid too!!! Lemme have a chance!!!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

 

[Hawk]

Ok here is a tip that works everytime. If you want to get autographs without having a large crowd in front of you, get an e-ticket and stay near the front of the castle after the first hour. The characters always - always come out front for autographs. This tip is true to form and works everytime.

Tim.

 

[Rafiki USA]

Aunt Polly's on Tom Sawyer Island is a great place to stop for a quick lunch. A pbj or ham and cheese sandwich and a lemonade can go a long way towards tiding you over 'till your dinner reservation rolls around. Plus, it's secluded enough that the wait, if there is one, is frequently short.

You've all probably read this before, but do ask the monorail attendant if you can sit in the front car. You may have to wait an extra trip or two, but, if you have the time, it's more than worth it. The drivers are a hoot and will answer all your questions (they're a veritable font of Monorail knowledge), and the some of the views are AMAZING!

FASTPASS! Does this still bear repeating? Are people actually not doing this? Do not fear the Fastpass... EMBRACE the fastpass...

This may fall under the heading of "advice" rather than "tips", but.. If you've never been to Epcot's Food and Wine festival, plan a trip (especially w/o young kids...). You can eat yourself silly, and the prices (while I've heard they've gone up) are pretty good.


Poly 73
Poly 79
ASM, PO, DL etc. since then, and counting. See you at OKW 11/23-12/1

 

[Rafiki USA]

Honeymoons, anniversaries: go to the MK first thing and run into the hat store on the right side of Main Street just as you walk in. Buy the bride and groom mouse ears, and wear them constantly! You will be treated like royalty (ushered onto rides, given early fastpasses, free fudge, free desserts, to name a few).

I think MGM has some of the best shopping in WDW (except for the Marketplace). Leave a little extra time. We did the dinner package at Mama Melrose with Fantasmic, and it was a great way to end a day.

At AK, bring some raw hamburger in your bag to throw to the tigers. Just kidding.
There are however, some beautiful, artfully tucked away spots to sit down for a quiet moment or a meal. On the way to KRR, follow a path that looks like it doesn't lead anywhere- you'll see what I mean.