Things I learned during this trip!

[MagicKisses2]

Some background on myself, DH and I have now been on 4 WDW trips since 2005. Every time we start planning I look on DIS to get ideas, tips, and advice on what we should do and or avoid.

We just got back from our Jan 7 -14 trip and I did a few things differently this time around.

1. I got a refillable mug at the resort. I loved it! I bought it day one, tried to talk hubby into getting one (no, he didn't "need" one, we were on the dinning plan...). I used it every day, several times a day. It totally paid for itself just with my morning teas. And now I have a great mug that will remind me of our wonderful trip.

2. I wore CROCS! Yes, I did just say I wore plastic goofy type shoes every day and NOT ONCE did my feet hurt. This was the best advice I've followed for any trip. Honestly, I have a desk job, I sit every day and do not walk/stand for any length of time. Now I'm not totally out of shape, but going from my normal routine of working in an office to walking for 10 hours a day is quite a change and normally my feet are burning by the end of day one. My legs ache and are so tired; I long go get off my feet and in the resort hot tub for a good soak. Then we start the process over again the next morning. Well, this was not the case during this trip. Crocs are a godsend. I will sing their praises daily and get a new pair before going on my next vacation. I will gladly wear the "oversized" goofy shoes because they are comfortable and I could have walked hours more.

3. I signed up for Early Bird Check in through Southwest. This saved us the frenzied "online check in hassle" at the 24 hour mark pre flight home. Yes it was an extra $10/each for the service, but the day of check out, waiting for Magical Express to pick us up, we had the front desk check us in and bingo, our flight boarding passes and we were group A!

4. We didn't rush from ride to ride. We really relaxed at the parks, taking everything in, slowly going through the various areas and just enjoying. And yes, we did take advantage of the 5 minute wait time and hop back on rides after we had just got off. So fun!!

This was such a relaxed, fun vacation (pain free too).

Thank you DIS for all your great advise.

 

[DisGirl23]

I'm a big believer in the refillable mug! Have gotten every time I've stayed on property. Took DBF for his first trip last September and he kept asking if he could really refill it as much as he wanted. Cracked me up! It is worth it for us. And we were also on the dining plan. But we're constantly thirsty.
Also a big fan of not frantically running around the parks. We always just enjoy ourselves. We didn't even mind standing in line. We did do fastpasses for TSMM and R&R but, that was it. There were some things we didn't see but, they were the minor things and mostly we just wanted to do Pirates or Big Thunder again! And we knew we'd be back soon.
I haven't tried Crocs yet. Maybe I'll get a pair for the summer and feel it out. They just seem like they'd make my feet all sweaty in there...
Happy to hear you had a great trip!!!

 

[angela1044]

I love Crocs too as well as the mugs.

What is taking advantage of the 5 minute wait time?

 

[tsa]

Can you only purchase a refillable mug if you stay on site??? Still trying to plan our Oct trip. Going back and forth on staying on site.

 

[DisGirl23]

Can you only purchase a refillable mug if you stay on site??? Still trying to plan our Oct trip. Going back and forth on staying on site.

The refillable mugs are available at the Disney resort hotels. They are only refillable at the resort hotels during the length of your stay. You would need to be staying at a resort onsite.
Lots of perks to staying onsite! You should definitely consider it!

 

[Lisha1979]

Can you only refill the mugs at the resorts or can u refill it throughout the park(s)?

 

[APB513]

Can you only refill the mugs at the resorts or can u refill it throughout the park(s)?

Mugs are only refillable at the resorts

 

[Lisha1979]

Mugs are only refillable at the resorts

Thanks so much APB513 I dunno why I thought u could use them in the parks. But it's still a great deal!! =)

 

[APB513]

Thanks so much APB513 I dunno why I thought u could use them in the parks. But it's still a great deal!! =)

You're welcome!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Do you buy the mugs in the gift shop? We are staying at WL.

 

[APB513]

Do you buy the mugs in the gift shop? We are staying at WL.

At Pop Century, I bought ours at Everything Pop which is Pop's food court. You should be able to buy them at Roaring Forks which is the WL food court.

 

[disneygal29]

Also, can you refill them at ANY resort, or just the resort you purchased it at??

 

[APB513]

Also, can you refill them at ANY resort, or just the resort you purchased it at??

I believe you can refill them at any resort. The mug designs used to be resort specific but now they all have the same design.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Do you remember how much they are? I was thinking they were a little on the pricey side, but then what isn't at Disney. Might be a nice souvenior to bring home.

Plus it would save from me having to pack some soda in my bag to have in our room. Maybe I'll just walk down and fill it up! Sure wish it would be diet pepsi. If I remember right, Disney is totally coke products.

 

[APB513]

Do you remember how much they are? I was thinking they were a little on the pricey side, but then what isn't at Disney. Might be a nice souvenior to bring home.

Plus it would save from me having to pack some soda in my bag to have in our room. Maybe I'll just walk down and fill it up! Sure wish it would be diet pepsi. If I remember right, Disney is totally coke products.

It think it was $12.99 + tax. I thought it was pricey too but I got my money's worth with my morning and evening hot tea.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Great! Thanks! Thanks for the idea...that will be a nice souvenior for me that I'll actually use again after the trip.

 

[rskbh00]

Someone had told me if you do the dining plan you get a mug for free is that true?

 

[dansyr2514]

If you do the deluxe plan or premium or platinum ....you get a refillable mug.

 

[tinkermom23]

I believe you only get the mug with the Quick Service or the Deluxe Dining plans. Not with the Regular dining plan. You can buy it but it's not free with the regular plan. But I could be wrong or they may have made changes so maybe check it out.

 

[woodkins]

If you do the deluxe plan or premium or platinum ....you get a refillable mug.

The refillable mug is only included with the quick service dining plan. If you are on the regular or deluxe dining plan you would need to purchase the mug separately.