Tips/Tricks for 1st timers - bonuses/freebies

mom2two2

Mouseketeer
Joined
Sep 12, 2008
Messages
193
Ok we have been twice but not in years but my sister, her DH and DS will be going early July for their first time ever! DS is peanut allergy and T1. What I am looking for are suggestions - all those fun little tricks/freebies/bonuses to pass on. I worry I may have forgotten the best stuff, or it may have changed - buttons for his first visit? Do they still do the fun cut at the barber shop on Main Street for a great price?

Any help you can give me to make their trip that much more special is really appreciated.

TIA and I will post in Disneyy Tips section too
 
They can definitely get a button for his first visit.

And yes, the Main Street barber shop still does cuts for a really good price.

Aside from that, there are so many tips, I'm not sure what to even start suggesting! (Mostly because I don't know what you've already told them!) :)

Generally speaking, let's see... going in July = HOT HOT HOT! Tell them to be sure to dress real light, maybe take a middle-of-the-day siesta back at their hotel room to avoid the hottest part of the day in the parks, and that ice water is free for the asking at any counter-service restaurant. They should plan on drinking a lot of water to beat the heat! A lot of people recommend bringing one of those cooling towels (like Frogg Toggs brand) to help you cool off on hot days. It's also likely to rain, likely a few times, while they're there. They can bring fold-up ponchos from home for cheap (sporting goods/outdoorsy stores have them, so does Target/Walmart/etc) or buy the Disney ones, which are obviously more expensive.

I don't know that I can be more specific unless I know a bit more. For example, how old is your nephew? What does he like?

My son had a blast making pressed pennies (he calls 'em "squished pennies") on our last visit. You need to bring a bunch of quarters and pennies with you into the parks - one easy way to carry these is to use a mini M&Ms container (after you've enjoyed the M&Ms!). Just fill 'em up with 2 quarters, then a penny, then 2 quarters, then a penny, repeat, repeat, repeat... and you're ready for penny pressing all over the parks and even the resorts. Inexpensive souvenirs! :)

Some kids love pin-trading... others just love collecting pins... others get into the search for hidden Mickeys...

There is so much to do, and so many ways to have fun. I hope they really enjoy their trip! :)
 
I believe it was mouseforless.com I found little printables on freebies in each park.
We too loved the pressed pennies, when it comes to souvenirs they are very inexpensive and the kids love them.

In Magic Kingdom it is nice to do the Soccerers of Magic Kingdom even if you don't play the game. The kids loved collecting the cards as well as playing the game and it is free :)
 
WDW is very good with food allergies. They can note it on any ADRs or just tell the chief when they arrive. DS has a PA and we feel really good eating at the world.
How old is you DN? What is T1?
 

Thank you everyone for your input so far....Loving the ideas.

I should have been more specific. What I am looking for are those little tricks to get some freebies or bonuses more than the hot weather tips etc. How they can take advantage of the low cost items that will make the trip extra special. I am sure they will do the souveniers and all that too (you HAVE TO!) but any little add ons would be greatly appreciated.

DN is 6 yrs old (7 by then) and T1 = Type 1 Diabetic.
 
Thank you everyone for your input so far....Loving the ideas. I should have been more specific. What I am looking for are those little tricks to get some freebies or bonuses more than the hot weather tips etc. How they can take advantage of the low cost items that will make the trip extra special. I am sure they will do the souveniers and all that too (you HAVE TO!) but any little add ons would be greatly appreciated. DN is 6 yrs old (7 by then) and T1 = Type 1 Diabetic.
Eh, Disney does not do freebies......

Sorcerers of the magic kingdom gives you a free pack of trading cards for each guest each day......
Thats the only free thing....

Searching for Hidden Mickeys is free......-and fun!!
 
Eh, Disney does not do freebies......

Sorcerers of the magic kingdom gives you a free pack of trading cards for each guest each day......
Thats the only free thing....

Searching for Hidden Mickeys is free......-and fun!!

Recent change to the distribution of cards - you have to play at least one kiosk to get cards the following day.

Other than that yes ...the number of "perks and freebies" is minimal theses days!
 
The only freebie that comes to mind is the Cool Club at Epcot. We missed this on our first visit but found it on the second and spent about 15 minutes there drinking as much as we could. The kids still talk about the South Africa Coke when we're getting take out, it was pretty good. Also as a warning, the Italian Coke well deserves the reputation it has :crazy2:
 
It's been 5 years for us and maybe somebody whose been more recent can confirm or debunk some of the past things my kids did on our last trip that would be considered "freebies" or at least out of the norm stuff....
- ride in the back of the Disneyworld - if your lucky (or your could ask the CM there) my son got to stand on the very back & announce ALL ABOARD over the microphone to the whole train. He also got a "guest conductor" business card to keep (in the scrapbook now).

- ride up front with the monorail conductor - whole family got to ride up front with the driver - really cool for adults too! Kids also got a "monorail driver" business card as well.

- pins at guest services - birthday, anniversary, first trip, not sure of all the different types of celebration pins they have.

- List 1st trip on the whole reservation - we celebrated our anniversary in WDW... there was Mickey head glitter on many of our tables - no actual celebration but it was nice to see the recognition once in awhile.

- not free but you could do a Disney gift bag for him to have in the room when they check in or at least maybe set out for his 1st morning: towel for the pool, autograph book & sharpie marker, reusable water bottle to bring to the parks, coins for pressed pennies, lanyard & pins for trading, etc. Could do 1 gift bag or set something new out each night as a morning treat. May help keep the "can I haves" at bay as well.

I will have to find my list from our last trip and see what else there was.
 
It's been 5 years for us and maybe somebody whose been more recent can confirm or debunk some of the past things my kids did on our last trip that would be considered "freebies" or at least out of the norm stuff....
- ride in the back of the Disneyworld - if your lucky (or your could ask the CM there) my son got to stand on the very back & announce ALL ABOARD over the microphone to the whole train. He also got a "guest conductor" business card to keep (in the scrapbook now).

- ride up front with the monorail conductor - whole family got to ride up front with the driver - really cool for adults too! Kids also got a "monorail driver" business card as well.

- pins at guest services - birthday, anniversary, first trip, not sure of all the different types of celebration pins they have.

- List 1st trip on the whole reservation - we celebrated our anniversary in WDW... there was Mickey head glitter on many of our tables - no actual celebration but it was nice to see the recognition once in awhile.

- not free but you could do a Disney gift bag for him to have in the room when they check in or at least maybe set out for his 1st morning: towel for the pool, autograph book & sharpie marker, reusable water bottle to bring to the parks, coins for pressed pennies, lanyard & pins for trading, etc. Could do 1 gift bag or set something new out each night as a morning treat. May help keep the "can I haves" at bay as well.

I will have to find my list from our last trip and see what else there was.

No longer allowed since pink backed into purple in '09 killing purple's driver.
 
Go to main st barber shop when it is not crazy busy and ask for pixie dust...hairspray and big chunky glitter, fun and free. :)
 
Thank you so much everyone! Just want to pass on some fun little tips to my sister to make it that much more special
 
We went on our first trip last October. My kids were 7 & 9. They really loved collecting the transportation cards! Every time we got on a monorail, bus, or boat, my kids would ask the driver/CM if they had any transportation cards. Most of the time, they would hand both kids several cards each! I forget how many total are in the whole collection, but it's a lot! They have fun Disney facts on them & are really cute. We're going back in December & my kids are already looking forward to continuing their card collections!

My kids also LOVED the Phineas & Ferb missions in Epcot. You go to the little station & get a map & a special cell phone. Then, you go on missions all around the park & very, very crazy special things happen! There are many different missions, so you can play several times. It was probably one of the coolest things my husband & I have ever seen! How Disney makes some of that stuff happen is pure magic!!! I can't wait to do more missions when we go back!!!

We also love the Sorcerers of Magic Kingdom game, too.

Best thing....all of the above is totally free!
 
We went on our first trip last October. My kids were 7 & 9. They really loved collecting the transportation cards! Every time we got on a monorail, bus, or boat, my kids would ask the driver/CM if they had any transportation cards. Most of the time, they would hand both kids several cards each! I forget how many total are in the whole collection, but it's a lot! They have fun Disney facts on them & are really cute. We're going back in December & my kids are already looking forward to continuing their card collections!

My kids also LOVED the Phineas & Ferb missions in Epcot. You go to the little station & get a map & a special cell phone. Then, you go on missions all around the park & very, very crazy special things happen! There are many different missions, so you can play several times. It was probably one of the coolest things my husband & I have ever seen! How Disney makes some of that stuff happen is pure magic!!! I can't wait to do more missions when we go back!!!

We also love the Sorcerers of Magic Kingdom game, too.

Best thing....all of the above is totally free!
 





Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE



New Posts







DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom