What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[sunny_stace]

I forgot something huge! If you are coming to florida from a cooler climate (i.e. - me up here in Canada!), the humidity and climate change may play tricks on your sinuses. Both DBFF and I got head colds while there and though I managed to grab sudafed in the gift shop, when she went for more, they were sold out and she had to pay double to have it brought in! This year we will both bring along more than enough!

Also, band-aids!! I carried a little homemade first-aid kit (in a Aurora pencil case, fun band-aids, polysporin, asprin, moleskin, peptobismal) I gave band-aids to so many kids who happened to trip or something and then were distressed when mum or dad didn't have a band aid for their boo-boo!

 

[AlyssinWonderland]

This is a wonderful tip thread! Thanks to all who have contributed!!!

 

[Missish]

The best tip for us, on our first trip to WDW, was definitely that if a ride has 2 lines, the left one will usually be shorter. We've walked straight on to several rides that have had a large queue using that knowledge!

Also, we love going back to our (rented) villa in the mid afternoon, to have a break and a few hours of relaxing by the pool before going back to a theme park for the evening parade/show. It saves us from getting overtired or too exhausted.

 

[Mkrop]

A question about the rain ponchos people keep recommending to bring:

Do you recommend the long poncho type or are the rain jackets enough?. We have the ones that fold up into little packets.

Thank you to all that have given such great tips. This is priceless!

 

[Tinkfan52]

A question about the rain ponchos people keep recommending to bring:

Do you recommend the long poncho type or are the rain jackets enough?. We have the ones that fold up into little packets.

Thank you to all that have given such great tips. This is priceless!

I recommend the longer ones (ponch type with hood) because they keep your drier when walking and on the wet rides! You can find them in packages of two at the dollar store! They are disposable and I usually get at least two wearings out of them!! Have fun!

 

[dina7]

One thing I bring with me every trip are the Dawn Dish Wipes to wash out my refillable mug every night. These are the flat dry wipes that get full of suds when you wet them. Just bring one for each nt. of your stay & your mug will stay nice & clean!

 

[Martha7]

My favorite tip gleaned from these boards was to bring a power strip along. You plug it into the wall, and use it to charge your cell phones, iPods, etc. every night. There are never enough available wall sockets in the rooms!

 

[duffy]

I haven't seen my favorite tip for my favorite park, Epcot.

When going around the World Showcase, go counterclockwise. That way, you start with Canada and end with Mexico. If you end up at Canada, your feet will be so tired by then that you won't be able to enjoy standing for the movie.

In general, zig instead of zagging. If a big crowd comes out of a ride or show that just ended and they all stampede over to the next ride or show, go the opposite way.

 

[abeyst]

Deodorant for chafing didn't work well for me. I'll be buying the Bodyglide for the next trip.

Summer trips: Bring a hat and umbrella to keep the sun off your face & head, and a towel/washcloth in a ziploc bag to wet with cold water and wipe off sweat. It's a lifesaver!

MY TOP TIP, the 1 thing I NEVER forget to bring with me to WDW: Immodium Advanced!! We have needed it EVERY TRIP since 2000. The Advance is better than A-D, you stay much more comfortable through the day (Advance cuts the gassy, bloated feeling). OK, was that too much info?

 

[Martha7]

Deodorant for chafing didn't work well for me. I'll be buying the Bodyglide for the next trip.

Summer trips: Bring a hat and umbrella to keep the sun off your face & head, and a towel/washcloth in a ziploc bag to wet with cold water and wipe off sweat. It's a lifesaver!

MY TOP TIP, the 1 thing I NEVER forget to bring with me to WDW: Immodium Advanced!! We have needed it EVERY TRIP since 2000. The Advance is better than A-D, you stay much more comfortable through the day (Advance cuts the gassy, bloated feeling). OK, was that too much info?

Nope, I always appreciate any pharmaceutical tips from Disers!

 

[gottalluvmickey]

Getting my daughters hair cut at the Barber Shop. The lady who cut her hair did a great job! Can't wait to go back in August and get her hair cut again!

 

[gabriellewatson]

Greatest tip and money saver!!

My husband went to WDW for our first time last August. We each brought a suitcase with clothes and my hubby and I packed shoes in a medium-sized case. Then we brought a small suitcase filled with snacks, so we wouldn't go hog wild spending souvenir money on snacks. At the end of the trip, we'd emptied the snack suitcase and filled it with souvenirs, so everything had a place. We had some delicate souvenirs that were packed away, shirts, shoes, glasses, cups, etc. It was a great way to transport our souvenirs. I hope this helps anyone.

We also kept our own water bottles and refilled them every time we headed to a bathroom or a water station.

We also purchased ponchos 2 for a dollar at a dollar store before we left Denton. That saved us money too. We ended up splurging on a mickey umbrella though because one day it monsooned LOL.

 

[cedmonds]

Best tip- start walking before you go in your new sneakers!!! I go to the gym every day and was shocked how much walking we did on our last trip. I used a podometer and our average was 10 miles a day and one day we did 15 miles(EPCOT) The walking is great but make sure you will not get shin splints or blisters which as we all know can ruin your day.
Budget water money....especially in the summer. We do not carry a bag, love the no bag line, so we drank tons of water x 5 people so that was an additional expense.
Relax and enjoy each moment and do not try to stick to a plan-have one but be flexible. If we were having a great time and had an ADR we sometimes just skip and grab a counter service (I do try to call so someone else can get the spot)
If people are tired and cranky(grown up or kid) it is okay to go back to the room and relax, take a nap, or split up! We learned the hard way that we did not have to be attached at the hip every second.
I hope you have a wonderful time, each time we go we are just so thrilled, we are so addicted.
I just came back in March, going to dl in April and back to wdw in May on borrowed points from next year LOL!

 

[houseofprincesses]

Here are a few things I've learned:

1. During the parades at the MK is the perfet time to ride Dumbo, Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pans Magic Flight, It's a Small World, Space Mountain, etc. With everyone lined up watching the parade - there are no lines;

2. Ship a package to your hotel up to two weeks prior to your arrival with bottled water, snack packs, an extra "souvenir bag", diapers and wipes if needed - all things that will either save you money or room in your luggage

3. In addition to a regular fanny pack, try to purchase a camera fanny pack. They are wonderful - your camera/video camera is snug on your waist and out of the way on rides;

4. Be sure to purchase the refillable mugs at your resort;

5. If you have young children - bring a stroller with you - do not plan on renting one. If you don't have one with you, you will not only have to get kids from your room to the buses to the park entrance to the stoller rental inside the parks;

Hope these are helpful!

 

[Princess Bella Luna]

I always tackle the left line strategy as well - why it works, I guess it has to do with "right dominent hand".

Water bottle, always - along with own snacks.Bring your own poncho as well.

Bring a light zip up windbreaker type sweater - on some rides it can be cold, good for fall months too. Just tie it around your waist when not in use. Good for sitting on when on the curb for parades.

Game boy or something of the like for long lines when not using fast pass. Great place to chat on the phone too. One of my fave things is to make up funy stories about the people in line with you with the party you came with- you get some really funny outcomes when you put your heads together.

 

[Ms.Grumpy]

THE BEST $ SAVER FOR ME WAS SENDING DOWN OUR SNACKS

 

[mousiemom]

Disers have the best tips ever!! I've learned everything from here.

- arrive @ Epcot around 7:30, grab a table by the water @ El Cantinas, have a magarita and nachos, and watch Illuminations @ 9:00. Leisurely walk around Epcot afterwards, and let the crowds move out.

-Bring the cheap ponchos and each time you use one, throw away and get out another one. Flip Flops always for the water rides.

-We drive down, so we use a lot of space bags

-Go to dollar tree and stock up on: disney window clings for car and hotel window, glowsticks, and goodies for disney bags.

-extra coat hangers for closets

-I use the clothes hamper and I buy the liquid detergent and dryer sheets @ Target's .99Cents sections

-the sharpie marker for autographs

-buy at least 2 photos from the rides/go in halves and make copies when u get home.

-use the photopass/I buy at least 2 pictures when I get back

-put your luggage back in your car after unloading/more room in room

-we pop our own popcorn using the microwave at the food court and put it in baggies for the nightshows.

-I've already added a lot more tips on my list by reading this thread!!!
Have Fun!

 

[bridgek]

Wow thank you for sharing all your tips. I just went this month for a short trip (just in the parks 2 days) but dh was convinced and now planning for next winter/spring time. I am happy that we will be there for a week this time. I will definalty use these tips. Thanks again.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

1)

12) Lay out all the clothes you want to take with you. Then take half of them out of your suitcase and plan to do laundry mid-trip! It only takes about 1.5 hours to wash and dry a couple of loads (simultaneously), and gives you a chance to take a little break from the parks. [This is the most important thing I learned from my last trip - I brought so many clothes, and I wore only about 1/3 of them.]

I haven't read through everything, to see if this has been posted, but one of the best tips I got (from my mom who was used to traveling with three little girls) was to try to pack one common color for everyone. That way, she only had one or two loads of laundry when she took a break to do it. We almost always have a white/light load (I am not so stringent about color separation on vacation) with khakis and underwear, and a blue load with jeans shorts, shirts, etc. There's nothing worse than having two pink shirts, two blue shirts and two white shirts and needing everything washed!

The added bonus is that the pictures always look coordinated.

 

[ronirp]

Several of my tips:
- I bought the pocket size unofficial guide and was able to fit that in my fanny pack - no need to rely on memory or create long lists.
-if you are at a park more than one day, or if there are multiple parades, use the parade time to ride the rides - they are EMPTY!! (even during busy times)
- Have a stroller even if your kids are somewhat older. I argued with my DH, and we got a stroller for DS (then 5) - it was a life saver when he got tired (they can only walk so much). Also it allowed us to move faster when needed.
- use phones or walkie talkies - you can do different rides if needed, save a space for the parade while someone else is getting a snack or going to the bathroom.
- my newest one - we are going in Dec. - lots of time to plan. I already have a list started of tips, advice, and ideas. That way I will not forget what I read and will not have to look for it again.