What are some tips that have always stuck with you

[Babydreamz]

Package diapers and wipes separately in zip lock bags- for grab and go access. Basically put a diaper in a zip lock, then 3-4 wipes in another zip lock and put that in the bag with the diaper. Makes it BEST advice I ever got.
This way when in the parks instead of lugging around the diaper bag you can just grab one of these and run to the restroom.

Yes, THIS!! I also keep a change of clothes in the zip lock with the diaper. Sometimes you just never know if there's been a leak until diaper is open and there's poop or pee everywhere. Or you know when they decide its time to pee just as you open the diaper. Use the empty ziplock bag for the soiled clothes.

 

[Babydreamz]

Also, if your little ones still use diapers and sippy cups that needs to be cleaned at the end of the day. Instead of packing a bottle of dish soap, I cut a sponge in half and pour dish soap on them. Let it soak in, then pour some more. You get the idea. Then I pack these into zip lock bags and can even bring it in our carry on since it's not "liquid". 2 of these half sponges usually will last us all week as long as my husband doesn't leave them in running water.

 

[sk8jdgca]

Icy hot cream (the roll on one) to be applied to your feet at bed time and each morning before you put your socks on. It helps with aching feet. My kids did it too

 

[DaniMoon]

One I wish I would have been told:

EARPLUGS! The first trip with my kids, they were 5&6. My youngest was more freaked out by the loudness of things than scariness. From shows to rides (not just fireworks), things are LOUD. We just came back and he is now 7 -- he used the earplugs for most rides.


Rope Drop is the tip I follow the most. It works for how we do the park.

 

[epsmith921]

I read on here to get a sponge, pour dish soap on it, let it dry and then cut it up into little squares. I did this and loved it. I now also bring my squares on other trips for sippy cups so I can just bring one cup.

We also stay club level usually so we bring our own cups for in our room since they gave us bottled water but it was a huge glass bottle. We could pour it in our own cups, and then I could quickly wash the sippy cups and the adult cups with the little sponges.

I don't do the clothes in ziplocs but I do use packing cubes and then I just set everyone's clothes out at night (including my husband's!).

I do bring extra ziplocs though for snacks and such or dirty clothes as necessary.

But the sponges were the biggest "oddball" that I now love still.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We've only been to WDW twice but this is what has stuck with us the most after those trips:

1. Know what works for your family. Everyone does Disney differently and what defines a great trip for one family isn’t going to be the same for the next family.

2. Get to the parks before opening/rope drop (one exception for us is the day following a late night in the parks)

3. If possible, try to eat meals at off times when the restaurants aren’t as packed - lunch around 11:00am and dinner around 4:30pm

4. Bring your own: small first aid kit with band-aids, hand wipes, hand sanitizer, ibuprofen (for the grownups), children’s Tylenol, sunscreen, light up spinner type toys, packs of glow sticks/necklaces, and also bring a nightlight or two to have for the room.

5. Invest in good ponchos. Our first WDW trip was in late August and the thin disposable dollar store ponchos we bought did not hold up against the Florida afternoon downpours and were extremely frustrating to use. We ended up buying the Mickey ponchos one afternoon at Epcot and they are still in good condition four years later.

6. Remember it’s a vacation. In spite of all details involved with planning a Disney trip and all the money being spent, it’s ok to change plans if needed or to just take a break and enjoy the sights. One of our fondest memories from our second trip is when my DS13 (who has autism) really wanted to stay and enjoy the view from the balcony at the railroad station at MK. We spent fifteen minutes (may have been a little longer) just hanging out there together admiring the beauty of the castle and watching the activity along Main Street. It was in that moment that I was reminded of how fortunate we were to have the chance to get our family back to Disney for a second time and I was really just happy to be there and not as preoccupied with what we needed to get to next.

 

[Stacymarie1216]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but the very best piece of advice I ever got was to pick 3 things each day. Like someone else said, you aren't going to see it all and t will stress you out if you over think it. Our first trip was a surprise, so my husband and I sat down and picked just 3 things at each park that we knew our kids would love. Those were our priority, and once we did those things, it was so fun and freeing to just let the kids check out what they wanted. By picking 3 things you're making sure you'll get to see the favorites for your family, but also leaving your time open to explore! .

 

[cayennews]

Love all of the tips. Never thought of glow sticks as things to bring.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

A hanging shoe rack (got mine at IKEA). Great way to keep all the bathroom toiletries organized. I also take a couple dollar store plastic bins to slide in a couple of the slots with things like clothes pins and other loose items. The ziplock bag packing is so great. We dress our boys in matching shirts many days so I pack them together in one big bag. As a pp mentioned, hubby appreciates that if I ask him to get them dressed so he isn't searching for the matching shirt.

 

[superchime]

Travel like you'll be back again one day.

Don't try to see and do everything, just think that you'll be back sometime and you do the things you missed then. I try to think this way for all of our trips, not just Disney, even if I know it's not likely we'll return somewhere... you never know, and it takes the pressure off from feeling like we need to see and do everything.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

One I wish I would have been told:

EARPLUGS! The first trip with my kids, they were 5&6. My youngest was more freaked out by the loudness of things than scariness. From shows to rides (not just fireworks), things are LOUD. We just came back and he is now 7 -- he used the earplugs for most rides.

Yes!! Why is this? I've worked on flight lines (required to wearing protection) that are quieter than Disney rides/shows.

 

[Accident]

What your family doesn't want to do is more important that what they do want to do. (Make a don't do list when planning).

Many who swear by rope dropping haven't actually tried not rope dropping. I personally recommend you enjoy your vacation, if your an early riser for your daily life, sure get up the same time and get to the park for rope drop. If you don't normally wake up early, why rest less on vacation?

1 day per park is not enough.

Your children don't know the characters at the meal, stick to what they know and consider a trip without character meals to change it up.

If you have a significant other that isn't that into disney but comes to make you happy, find a day or more to make them happy and enjoy orlando/resorts.

 

[5stljayhawks]

When ours were little, it was about
1) gear carrying.... Stroller and backpack. We used a graco that had a nice size compartment below, so we were able to off load items. camera,backpack., packages.... Our kids still napped at that age, so it was critical to stay in the park all day.

2) Create a rough itinerary- I use an excel sheet and outline all the park hours, extra magic hours by park, sunrise/set, parades, special events, adr..... This provides with some idea of flow of days, but does not tie us into set plan. Like for EMH in the evenings, we almost always have a late start the next day. I also have my running prep list and reservations # on this sheet. I have even started listing ticket #, as well taking pics of teh # in case they get lost. not necessary with magic bands..

3) A supercalifragilisticexpialidocious dose of mouseatude. It really is ok to be silly with your kids, have fun and enjoy. Skip down main street, before the park open cause you got adr at the castle. Or eat all sorts of different foods at epcot. Trade pins with your kids and cast members. Ride the same ride 3 or 4 times in a row. (no dumbo for me). Give your kids the reigns and let them park tour for a few hours, leading you to what they really want to see. Never thought I would be asked to goto hall of presidents.

As a former cast member, it may sound odd, but there are way to many adults who dont really get what Disney means to a guests, aged 1-99. They come in with preconceived notions, are bent on not having a good time, cause it is disney or their neighbors went and it sucked,or maybe they had a bad trip, so it has to the same way for them now with their kids. NOT saying you are these people. Point being, if one is spending the money, why not make lemonade, lemon smoothies, lemon meringue pie and lemon filled doughnuts... That sounds sweet to me. Its all about the mouseatude.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Bring little snacks for when you are stuck in a long line or waiting for you TS to be ready

This is great advice, but the key word is "little". We learned the hard way that giving our two year old a giant baggie of pretzels or other snack was a recipe for a disaster. Taking it away to get on a ride was a guaranteed tantrum waiting to happen. Trying to take an unfinished snack from a toddler is about as much fun as petting a velociraptor. Keep the snacks small so you can be 100% sure they will finish them in time.

 

[dglilbit]

This is great advice, but the key word is "little". We learned the hard way that giving our two year old a giant baggie of pretzels or other snack was a recipe for a disaster. Taking it away to get on a ride was a guaranteed tantrum waiting to happen. Trying to take an unfinished snack from a toddler is about as much fun as petting a velociraptor. Keep the snacks small so you can be 100% sure they will finish them in time.

lol at "as much fun as petting a velociraptor". true but funny!

 

[squirrel]

I pack some snack and breakfast items in our luggage. It leaves us room for things we may purchase.

When the toothpaste is getting near the end I save it for my vacation and start a new one. Pack sample sizes of antiperspirant.

I also keep a few different sizes of ziplock bags in my backpack, they always come in handy. I also like to keep a carabineer clip on my backpack for my hat or refill mug.

 

[noahdove]

I usually carry a sweatshirt with me for those cooler shows...they have come in handy for meals as well.
I stuff them in the bottom of the carry bag and I use the bag to sit on when waiting for the parades..
Not much stuffing in it, but, it helps the fanny...

 

[kjw42]

Bringing quick breakfasts from home made getting to the parks in the a.m. much easier. The kids especially liked the individual cereal boxes and we just bought milk at the resort.

I can also vouch for pre-packing clothes in ziplocks. Thought it would be a waste of bags, but it was genius!

 

[TI double-GUH ER]

Already mentioned Tips we use every time:
The ziplocks, bathroom post-its, hand sanitizer, rope drop, Memory Maker.
To that I'd add - power strip to plug in all the rechargeable devices, (and have them in one place).

 

[noahdove]

I forgot to mention, I take peppermint cream for my feet. I rub it in just before I hop
into bed and the next morning, I feel like I have new feet...