The best advice ever . . . .

[Barnhill9586]

I often notice people giving us the stink eye when we go through the FP queue -- I think there are a lot of people who really don't understand how they work / what they are etc.

So become an expert and you'll be set!

They should add a stink eye emoticon...it would be so useful!

 

[mrsr2ro]

They should add a stink eye emoticon...it would be so useful!

It sure would! Glad at least one person knew what I meant.

 

[Marionnette]

Don't be so absorbed by the big picture that you miss the little details.

The thing that sets Disney apart from amusement parks and other theme parks is the tiny details. Look for hidden mickeys. Check the wording on the 2nd story windows on Main Street. Watch the water leap from one pad to the next in front of Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Read the show posters in the It's Tough to Be a Bug waiting area. Look for DeVine. Watch the street performers in Hollywood Studios. Dance to the music at the Fountain of Nations in EPCOT. Pull the rope outside of the Indiana Jones theater. Get a drink in the fountain at the castle but look into the mirror before you stand up straight.

Little details but so very charming.

 

[jjatwdw]

My best piece of advice would be to print up sheets of paper before you leave home with your child's name, the name of the hotel you are staying at, and the cell phone numbers of all adults in your party. I just type the info into a little 2x3 square and make one sheet with several copies on it. Each day I just cut out the little square that has the info and slip in inside my DS's pocket. You could pin or tape the paper in too. If your child gets separated the info is right there for any cm to find. We have been doing this for years without any problem. Last year I almost skipped it, but at the last minute I threw a printed sheet in my carryon and used the sheets for my youngest. Midway through our trip we were at Epcot walking around World Showcase. One of my DDs wanted to use the restroom at Norway. I thought everyone had stopped but noticed a few minutes later that DS9 was not with us. A few of us went sprinting ahead trying to spot him. Luckily he was wearing a bright tie-dyed shirt that I had made, and I caught a glimpse of him near the bridge out of WS. He was hysterical. I'm really glad that he had our cell phone numbers in his pocket in case we hadn't found him. He was so upset I'm not sure he would have remembered the numbers. Needless to say, I think he held my hand for the last three days of the trip.

I guess good advice number two would be to dress your child in bright clothing!

 

[butterfly_hdk]

Lots of good info here!

Not to sound cheesy, but as a parent one of the biggest things for me was the first time I made a real point to do Disney through my child's eyes...I think he was three....and yes, I'll admit I can be a little type A (planner).

For me, this meant:

- If he wanted to play on the playground instead of riding a ride, that's fine.

- Making a point not to worry about how much something cost (within reason).

-not worrying about what I/DH wanted to ride and instead doing what I knew was important to my kids. If there was something DH or I really wanted to do, we got a fastpass for it and came back later (kind of "guarantees" you get to ride it anyway).

- We could ride the same ride two, three, even four times if that was what he wanted to do.

I found that making a real effort to do what my kids were excited about made me more excited...and I can honestly say that after countless trips, this one was the most memorable and changed the way we do Disney ever since.

 

[labdogs42]

my advice -- make sure that you see Wishes and the Electric Light Parade (or Spectro, whichever is showing then). They are classic Disney experiences not to be missed!

 

[katie111]

Put your kids in the same color shirts each day, i.e. red on Monday, yellow on Tues. It makes them so much easier to find in a crowd of people. Obviously if you have a boy & girl they do not have to be the same shirt, but it just helps to have an idea of what they are wearing when you are in a crowd. My two oldest were 7 & 8 on our last trip & they tended to wander away from me more now than they did when they were younger so it was great to be able to easily spot them. Obviously bright colors work best if your kids will wear them.

 

[glk2009]

I can't remember is someone already posted this...

1) Take a picture of your kid(s) each morning so that you know what they are wearing in case you get separated.

2) Take a picture of the back of your Photopass card so you can still retrieve your pictures even if you lose the card.

3) Enjoy a churro!

 

[Trinity524]

Remember that your children are going to be the same people there as they are at home:

If your kids won't sit at restaurants at home, they won't sit at Disney. If they take a nap at home, they will def. need one at Disney.

If your child doesn't eat fast food because you are that mother (that would be me ) who doesn't let their child eat fast food, be prepared for that. My son barely ate last year due to him not eating mac and cheese and chicken nuggets until we got him a kids meal at Rose and Crown which was grilled chicken and broccoli. Who knew my veggie's would come back to haunt me, lol.

Above all, remember that you are creating memories. Nothing less, than pure magic.

 

[Bitsmommy]

This may sound silly, but you already have some great ones. So, in an effort not to repeat....

Bring twice as many pairs of underwear as you number of days you will be there. Personally, I get so hot and sweaty that I enjoy taking a shower while my children nap. I'll change clothes and we go back out that evening. I am refreshed and ready for dinner. Then, I just wear the night outfit the next morning. But, not the undies. Now that I have embarassed myself.

Don't count on getting into ANY table service on the day of! Make ADRs. That has already been said in sort of.

DON'T BRING NEW SHOES!!! DON'T PUT YOUR KIDS IN NEW SHOES... JUST DON'T. BAD IDEA!!!

 

[WDWjen]

All the good ones seem to be taken, so ditto to all the above tips.. here are my favorite money-saving tips:

Buy t-shirts, light up spin toys etc before you go (at dollar stores, walmart) and pack in your suitcase - we put something new in my backpack every day and the kids love it.

Eat your big meal of the day at lunch instead of dinner. Most restaurants have the same exact meal choices for less money at lunch and it can even be easier to get a reservation.

Have breakfast in your room every morning. Pack some Cereal, oatmeal packets, granola bars and then purchase milk at the little store at each WDW resort. saves you time and money.

 

[mommy2mrb]

lots of great tips posted....

here's mine...if you have ADR's, tours, etc planned, jot down each Conf# on an index card for each day...

another tip for phone #, etc for kids....my DD has a name tag (looks like the CM's) I put my name and cell # on it when she was littler, I believe you can still get them in the parks...

bring a large ziplock bag to put your camera, phones dry on the wet rides....

people watching is our favorite break time activity, get a snack, cold drink and find a shady spot and watch the show!!!

 

[Arenita]

Let your kids take pictures. They have a completely different perspective.

 

[haPevraftr]

ADRs were mentioned, but this is important to note. I agree with PP about not getting a Park Hopper on your first trip. It's too much and not necessary. There is plenty to do without being overwhelmed by more than one park per day. Also, PP said hit rope drop and plan which park you are going into based on EMH or not and possible crowd levels.

On that note, though, it is really important that you have a plan as to which park you will go into on which day (consult calenders with park hours) before making ADRs. If not, you run the risk of having to choose your park destination based on where your lunch/dinner reservations are. You don't want to show up without an ADR in July. The wait times for eating would dampen your trip.

So, plan park days then make ADRs for restaurants in the park or resorts close to the park that you will be in that day.

 

[Famvaca]

Take advantage of the late nights.

 

[halikatak]

Lots of good advice already! This is just a small one, that I'm sure I got on here awhile back.

If you're staying in a room that doesn't have a kitchenette and have sippy cups, etc., this will come in handy. Buy a sponge at home and cut it into thirds. Pour some dish soap onto the sponge and let it dry. Bring them with and when you wet it the sponge soaps up nicely!