What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[distherapy]

How does this work exactly? And are you still allowed to bring bottled water into the parks?

Yes - we took water and snacks every day. (We ordered our water from Costco.com for about $7 a case including shipping)

My favorite tip was doing an early (pre-park opening) breakfast in the MK. We were first in line for the first ride on Dumbo and enjoyed a blissful, almost private park experience!


My trip report - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1712496

 

[disneyfan2]

I got my Spacebags at a local Bed, Bath & Beyond. When I was looking at the selection I noticed they had "travel" space bags, where you don't need a vacuum cleaner to suck the air out. Once you have packed the clothes in the bag you seal it and then roll it towards the bottom of the bag where there's a valve to release the air and it stays decompressed.

posted a question already but i picked these up today! i tried them and am not albe to squeeze all the air out, any suggestons?

 

[eventamy]

I wasn't able to get absolutely all of it out either, but I noticed that when I released it it still looked really compressed. So I packed them in the suitcase like that. I've noticed that the air has still not gone back into the package even 2 weeks+ later as I've been adding more stuff to the suitcase. So I think it's ok like that even if you can't get absolutely all of it out. I'll check again later and let you know!

 

[luvpiglet]

Get to the parks EARLY!
We were there during a busy time (1st week of January) and because we did the healine attractions first thing in the morning and used the fastpass system, we didn't wait long on rides.

Using a over the door shoe hanger to organize our things

 

[disdarlin]

HIDDEN MICKEYS!!

Not a lot of people know about them but they're a blast to look for. When I was a little kid my mom would start a competition between my sister and I on who could find the most hidden mickeys while on the trip. It was a great way to keep us occupied (and quiet) while we waited in the long lines. Whoever found the most got a treat at the end of the trip. I went with my boyfriend last year and he was all into trying to find more than me.

There is also a hidden mickey book that tells you where most of the hidden mickeys are located so you can look them up while you walk around the park.

 

[collcass]

HIDDEN MICKEYS!!

There is also a hidden mickey book that tells you where most of the hidden mickeys are located so you can look them up while you walk around the park.

We picked up that book but removed the actual hint portion. It's broken into clues and hints and then gives scavenger hunts. My oldest son can't wait to look for them.

 

[hmerritt]

If your little one needs a nap, ride around on the Tommorrow Transit Authority. You can usually stay on it, since there isn't a line. We rode it for about 30 min one time.

DEFINITELY!! I used to do that with Sydney when she was smaller. Alex would go ride Space Mountain while she napped on the transit!!

Very nice time out for the day....

Heather

 

[PiratesRock]

My girls were 6 & 7 when we went last, I dressed them in *bright* matching colors. It was easy to see them when they weren't right with me (like in the little play areas). Less stressful for me, and they like being "twins".

 

[Sarubo]

I don't know if this has been posted before, but I think it's a great idea for people with kids.

There is this website call safekidshaven.com. They sell temporary ID bracelets (like the one you get for EMH), you write your contact info on the inside of them, so if your child gets lost they'll be found that much sooner. They also sell temporary tattoos which basically do the same thing. I think items are also available for kids with autism and nut allergies. I'm sure other places sell similar items, may be a good idea if you have a "happy wanderer" in the family.

I've also seen people with "leashes" on their kids, which is also a terrific idea. It's like a little animal backpack and the tail of the animal is the "leash" the parent holds on to. Which gives the kid a chance to feel independant without the parent going nuts trying to keep an eagle eye on them.

 

[Cree629]

1. Ship a box of diapers, wipes, snacks, ponchos, etc. down ahead of time.

2. Have a case of water shipped to the hotel by Cosco

3. get to MK for ropedrop at least once

4. ride in the front of the monorail

5. pick your own pearl at Japan in Epcot

 

[nikkimc]

somewhere amongst these 30 pages of wonderful tips, there was something about flying with kids. Someone suggested giving children a decongestant or something like that. Anyone remember specifically what that post said? I just don't have the time to go through all of them again to find it...

 

[disneyfan2]

somewhere amongst these 30 pages of wonderful tips, there was something about flying with kids. Someone suggested giving children a decongestant or something like that. Anyone remember specifically what that post said? I just don't have the time to go through all of them again to find it...

not sure if the post, but if you do plan this, i would try it at home first to see how your child reacts to it, as it may give the opposite effect i heard.

 

[Tricia1103]

I always take a dose of sudafed before I fly. It has helped me (and my ears) IMMENSELY. I'll give my kids a decongestant before they go on their first flight this September.

 

[ang]

sudafed is the best because its none drowsy, If you buy it behind the counter it is better. This really help releive the pressure out of the ears.

The best advice I have gotten
1. Downy wickle free spray...this worked perfect.
2. Also, shoe hangers selves, to put odds and ends in.
3. Hard candy.
4. I bought at the dollar tree collapsible baskets...to put things in

Thanks everyone for your help and tips!

 

[BeHappyInDisney]

If you are there for 9 or 10 days

Spend a day touring all the Disney Resorts
Take the monorail around and see the each monorail resort
Take the boat from MGM to Epcot stopping at all those resorts
Take the boat to the wilderness lodge see that resort
Take the bus to Animal Kingdom then get on the Animal Kingdom Lodge
bus and see that Resort

You will not be unhappy spending one day visiting all these Resorts
Enjoy

 

[taitai]

Remember, if you are going to give your kids benadryl or sudafed before a flight, to do a test run at home first. For some kids, it just makes them hyper. NOT what you want in an enclosed metal tube. Also, for some kids that don't fly a lot, it just makes them drowsy. That, coupled with the stimulation of the new experience, can make them really cranky. Know your kid.

taitai

 

[futurecastmember]

-Bringing your own fan
-Bringing in crystal light packets for water, instead of buying at WDW
-ziplock bags for EVERYTHING
-Making index cards for each day for places you want to get to, it makes things VERY organized
-rain poncoes at the dollar store
-going to "Character Warehouse" (an outlet 5 min. away from disney that sells WDW purchendise almost HALF off!)

 

[disneyfan2]

where is the closest character warehouse? I was told it would be about 20minute drive to get to closest location

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Hello,

Not only do I make index cards, I laminate them so they won't get wet.

I hate wet paper.

 

[EastonCat]

One of my favorite tips was to use a town car service instead of Mears. We had a super great driver, the grocery stop was awesome and we didn't have to make 5 other stops before getting to our hotel! I will never use Mears again!

I want to echo this advice. I always book town car service going to WDW and here's why...

The first time we traveled to Disney with a child, we brought our 18 month old daughter. Our flight was 50 minutes late. Exiting the plane, our daughter had a "blowout" (all parents know what I'm talking about here) and we had to stop and deal with that, which made us quite tardy coming down the escalator to meet our driver. We had left our house at 4:30am and it was now on toward 11am, so you can imagine that our nerves were frayed.

Our driver greeted us kindly, sincerely asked if we were okay, and asked if we needed to take a moment to get a bite or anything. Understand, this driver is standing in front of us losing his next fare due to our lateness, and is asking if we need to take a little extra time.

We then discovered that our bags were left back in Philadelphia. Our driver took us to the appropriate little room for our airline and walked us through the paperwork. He then gave us a bunch of advice and asked if we'd need to stop to get anything before going to our hotel. We didn't, but if we did, the option would have been critical.

When we got into the car, our vacation began immediately. Hopping on a bus or getting into a crowded van would have just added more discomfort to our challenging day. When we arrived at our hotel, we were in vacation mode, instead of frazzled mode. It was well worth the expense and the additional gratuity I added on.