We just got back last night from a great trip to WDW. I learned a few things on this trip that I'd like to pass on. Most of these things have been mentioned before, but they all bear repeating.
Stay on-site. We got a great rate on a suite at Double Tree DTD so we took it thinking we would need the room for naps for my DSs (3&4 yo). The hotel was fine, but you get so used to extraordinary while you are in DisneyWorld, that anything less doesn't cut it. I never would have believed it unless I lived it.
Get the birthday button! (and an honored guest name tag) My youngest son turned 3 when we were down there and he wore the button. CMs really do notice these. Matt got so many "Happy birthdays!" that he didn't even know where to look a couple times. One of the highlights of my trip was when one of the members of Voices of Liberty noticed his button during the meet-and-greet after their show. She called over the other members and they sang "Happy Birthday" to him alone. He just stood there in awe at their beautiful voices!
Naps are a necessity for youngster (and some of us not so young!). I tried to skip naps the first day at the parks. By the time our 3:10 Ice Cream Social PS rolled around, the boys were crying "I don't want ice cream. I'm too tired! No more Mickey Mouse". We went back to the hotel to rest after that and didn't miss taking a break for the rest of the trip.
Brita Water Bottles will save your budget. But they don't work as well when your husband throws away the filters thinking they take up too much room in the bottle!
Vouchers are great if you use them wisely. We fed 2 adults and 2 children with 2 Q&C Vouchers plus an extra bun. We were charged for the bun once, but not at all the places. Don't be embarrassed to do that. They didn't even blink when I asked for it and told me that it is done a lot.
Don't try to do too many PS. They really take a chunk out of your day. We tried to do 2 per day and ended up cancelling several. Sometimes, it is just much easier to grab some fries or ice cream or turkey leg and watch a show!
Pin trading is a blast! But buy your pins to trade ahead of time on ebay! It is MUCH cheaper and you don't mind trading those. Even my husband who laughed at me when I ordered them enjoyed trading them.
You can't be too prepared, but you can plan too much. Unless you plan to spend a week at each park, you are never going to see it all. Know what you are doing, but enjoy it, too.
Last but not least....remember that you are there to have fun. Your attitude can make or break your trip. Be patient with your kids and other people in the park. I saw many people getting frustrated with their children when it was obvious that the kids were just done in. Things will go wrong. Just laugh at them when you can and let them roll off your back when you can't. It really can be the happiest place on earth!
I'll be posting a trip report after a few days of unpacking, but I wanted to share these thoughts while they were fresh.
Anna
Stay on-site. We got a great rate on a suite at Double Tree DTD so we took it thinking we would need the room for naps for my DSs (3&4 yo). The hotel was fine, but you get so used to extraordinary while you are in DisneyWorld, that anything less doesn't cut it. I never would have believed it unless I lived it.
Get the birthday button! (and an honored guest name tag) My youngest son turned 3 when we were down there and he wore the button. CMs really do notice these. Matt got so many "Happy birthdays!" that he didn't even know where to look a couple times. One of the highlights of my trip was when one of the members of Voices of Liberty noticed his button during the meet-and-greet after their show. She called over the other members and they sang "Happy Birthday" to him alone. He just stood there in awe at their beautiful voices!
Naps are a necessity for youngster (and some of us not so young!). I tried to skip naps the first day at the parks. By the time our 3:10 Ice Cream Social PS rolled around, the boys were crying "I don't want ice cream. I'm too tired! No more Mickey Mouse". We went back to the hotel to rest after that and didn't miss taking a break for the rest of the trip.
Brita Water Bottles will save your budget. But they don't work as well when your husband throws away the filters thinking they take up too much room in the bottle!
Vouchers are great if you use them wisely. We fed 2 adults and 2 children with 2 Q&C Vouchers plus an extra bun. We were charged for the bun once, but not at all the places. Don't be embarrassed to do that. They didn't even blink when I asked for it and told me that it is done a lot.
Don't try to do too many PS. They really take a chunk out of your day. We tried to do 2 per day and ended up cancelling several. Sometimes, it is just much easier to grab some fries or ice cream or turkey leg and watch a show!
Pin trading is a blast! But buy your pins to trade ahead of time on ebay! It is MUCH cheaper and you don't mind trading those. Even my husband who laughed at me when I ordered them enjoyed trading them.
You can't be too prepared, but you can plan too much. Unless you plan to spend a week at each park, you are never going to see it all. Know what you are doing, but enjoy it, too.
Last but not least....remember that you are there to have fun. Your attitude can make or break your trip. Be patient with your kids and other people in the park. I saw many people getting frustrated with their children when it was obvious that the kids were just done in. Things will go wrong. Just laugh at them when you can and let them roll off your back when you can't. It really can be the happiest place on earth!
I'll be posting a trip report after a few days of unpacking, but I wanted to share these thoughts while they were fresh.
Anna
