Share your favorite tip-PLEASE

[Livin'4Disney]

Use the Fast Passes

Get to the parks before Rope Drop in the morning.

Dollar Store and Disney Store Clearance light-up toys for night time fun

ziploc bags with each days clothes in them

pin trading (my kids LOVED this!)

Last night make ADR for the California Grill 30mins or 1 1/2 hours before the WISHES fireworks show to see the fireworks and listen to the music off the roof of the Contempory (way cool and the kids loved it and the food was awesome!)

Use the Dinner Packages when available for the reserved seating.

Don't miss the AK afternoon parade.

Bibbity, Bobbity, Boutique was priceless!

Get a Disney Visa for the perks!

Get cheapo rain ponchos before you go on your trip and take them when you go to MK and AK for Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids.

Just a few of my thoughts, I haven't done a trip report yet, but hope to soon!
This was our first trip this past December with me, DH, DS9, DD7, DS3

 

[MissyDVC]

When you go to the train station in the back at Toontown, go to the very last car and ask(or wait to be asked) if your child can help. The conductor asked my DS if he wanted to help run the train around the "World". My DS(who is a train nut) got to wear the conductor's hat, push the button and say "all aboard" at the stations! He even made an announcement that my DS was a guest conductor. It made for the most magical moment ever. He still talks about that ride to this day! Enjoy

 

[rzeta94]

interested in responses! THANKS!

 

[clydenora]

as others have stated...take advantage of EMH (or, if staying off-site, get there before opening time), take advantage of Fast-Pass, use the afternoon as a break time...have a basic plan...and be somewhat flexible with it. My husband and I both realize that a WDW vacation is not the same as a "relax at the beach" vacation. If you can live with that, you'll be fine.

Don't make my mistake...our first time there, I was so convinced we had to stick to the "schedule" that I chose to bypass an unexpected experience that would have allowed my kids to mingle with their (at that time) favorite movie characters we happened to run into at MGM.

In my opinion, most people who have a miserable first experience at Disney do so because of one of three reasons: they do not plan at all, they plan too much, or they just can't accept that it is not cheap, and you can't do everything in one day.

 

[Samantha/NC]

WE packed full outfits in ziplock bags for each day -shorts, shirt, undies and socks) this made our mornings much easier and packing was a breeze!

Go to the parks early-we did not stay on-site and we were at rope drop each morning-this gave us acouple of hours before it got crowded. When going to the MK go straight to Fantasyland-straight behind the castle most people go to TOmorrow land or Adventure land when going in. Both times we did this we rode everything we wanted to in FL with NO WAIT--and we went in JULY!

Ride Dumbo first in Fantasyland, it is a slowloading ride.

If your kids like Goofy--be at the ropedrop for Toon Town-then go right to his rollercoaster--Goofy is there to take the first ride of the day with you! He will even choose someone to ride up front with him, my son got to do this

Don't do commando, but have a plan. My sister and I knew what we wanted to ride, we knew which rides had fp's and which shows we wanted to see.
We had an awesome trip!!!!

Have Fun!!

 

[pta-mom]

We bought & brought a few dollar store ponchos with us & just carried them with us...it was REAL helpful when the unexpected rain came!! We also brought neon necklaces & bracelets with us that the kids loved wearing during all the evening parades & fireworks...plus, it helped us keep track of them in the dark!! Sit down dinners were a must in our family....time to de-compress & slow down! ADR's were a blessing! Best tip...read the disboards...OFTEN!!!

 

[eman365]

When staying at WDW resorts bring breakfast food for that early start and snacks to keep you going between meals! Shower the night before no matter how tired. It's refreshing and helps with early morning departures. Hit the parks with early access for WDW guests. Bus transporatation is good but sometimes busy so plan to arrive at little early. We usually leave the park @ lunch time when the temps get hot (in summer months), eat lunch and lounge around the pool til early evening when the sun goes down. Think about Fast pass before leaving midday so when you return to the park you may go directly to the ride and keep the momentum rolling. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!!!! we're talking miles of blacktop walking. If you think your shoes are comfortable double check!

Have a great time...we always do.

 

[missmun52]

If you bring a stroller bring a small rain cover for it. I saw a lot of wet babies and some who had ponchos that just could not with hold the winds and were flying off the strollers. I brought my rain cover with me each day and my son stayed dry for every shower, so did my stuff. We also packed ponchos from the dollar tree (2 for $1) and had it with us every day.

One day it rained non stop (because of the hurricane that was passing through Florida) and we were out in the parks all day because we could keep the baby dry.

 

[laura001]

There are some great tips here. My tip is easily said but not easily done. I would say take the time to "stop and smell the roses". Just take in the little things, like stars light up on the sidewalk at Epcot, water fountains, sitting on a bench and watching the world go by, flowers etc. etc. etc. Slow down and relax!

 

[Tink3Belle]

Great Tips, Thanks!

 

[summerlandjeff]

Here's another quick tip;
Before you go, say 2 weeks before, if you have a weather service program on your computer (mine is weather bug) change the location to zip code 34741 (Kissimmee, FL) This will give you current weather conditions and forecasts for the WDW area. The ten day forecast comes in handy for planning.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

The best tip I ever got here was to tie a scarf to our stroller handle. We usually rent a stroller, and it can be madness to find it in some of the stroller parking areas. I have a red scarf that is now dedicated to stroller ID for the parks! We find our stroller instantly now.

 

[mikymouse]

1.) Plan out your trip but once you get there go with the flow
2.) Go to the parks early especially EMH Parks, a less crowded park in much more fun
3.) Make a few Advanced Dinning Reservations that is in/close to the park you plan to visit that day
4.) Take it easy your first day... it's a lot to take in
5.) Plan an off-day at your resort in the middle of your trip to reenergize
6.) Take advantage of the DIS knowledge and ask lots of questions
7.) Have each member of your family pick their one must-do thing, get those on the list and don't worry about the rest

Have a great time planning and dreaming...it was one of our best family adventures. We call it an adventure not a vacation because this is definately one high energy place.

 

[mattoxtr]

I purchased a Mickey Mouse drawstring bag and it was great. You put everything you need it; camera, batteries, video camera, debit card, disney card, etc. It has a zip pocket inside. You can carry it or put it on your back then your hands are free to do whatever or hold on when riding.

 

[kimis]

I purchased a Mickey Mouse drawstring bag and it was great. You put everything you need it; camera, batteries, video camera, debit card, disney card, etc. It has a zip pocket inside. You can carry it or put it on your back then your hands are free to do whatever or hold on when riding.

Where did you buy it at? I am totally interested in getting one like it. THanks

 

[mattoxtr]

I got it in the gift shop of the hotel. I think it was around $20. It is black with Mickey on it.

 

[GoofyTraci]

WOW, great tips. My favorite that i heard on my last trip was if you wanted pressed pennies. to keep quarters and pennies in a small M&M container in the order that you would need them. Helps so you dont have to search around for change when you find a machine.

**also buy the refillable mugs at the resorts. it will save you money.
** plan,plan, plan but like others have said have fun while there.

 

[tink's girls]

What great tips! Thanks everybody! The only thing I can think of to add is make time for at least one character meal. I read my kids the menus and characters and they chose Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends for lunch and Chef Mickey for breakfast. Both were great experiences, and since I let them pick they were assured of seeing all of their favorite characters! Have a great trip!

 

[excitedtraveler]

A lot of great tips, thanks!

 

[Patches]

If you are using DME to get yourself and bags to your room- this might not be needed- but- I always tie a bright ribbon around our luggage handles to easily spot and grab our bags off the carousel.