What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[welovemike]

Free ice water is the best since we're going in the middle of July

 

[saylorbunch]

Free ice water is the best since we're going in the middle of July

I've read that a lot of people do this instead of carrying a water, but don't you have to wait in the CS line every time? Is that really worth it?

 

[debsters41]

Even the little stands that just sell sodas and snacks give out free ice water, at least that was the case in 2011. For example, there is one between adventure land and big thunder mountain, if memory serves. There is hardly ever a line at those. The ice water is a life saver, literally.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Even the little stands that just sell sodas and snacks give out free ice water, at least that was the case in 2011. For example, there is one between adventure land and big thunder mountain, if memory serves. There is hardly ever a line at those. The ice water is a life saver, literally.

I like the tip! But sorry to be fussy I am on a medication which leaves me with a compromised immune system so I cannot drink tap water only bottled water. Can I assume for safety this is probably tap water? Fair enough it's free! I just won't drink it. Might use it to cool down though!

 

[debsters41]

Yes, it is tap water. Also, ice is made with tap water so I would be careful of all fountain drinks.

 

[tracydeech]

Yes, it is tap water. Also, ice is made with tap water so I would be careful of all fountain drinks.

I thought I read somewhere on here that all the ice water they give out is filtered????

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Yes, it is tap water. Also, ice is made with tap water so I would be careful of all fountain drinks.

Yes I do try to remember to order my drinks without ice good point. In the UK it's not given generally as standard I think because our climate is cooler. I forget in Florida until my soda appears stacked full of ice! Doh!

 

[bookgirl]

I've read that a lot of people do this instead of carrying a water, but don't you have to wait in the CS line every time? Is that really worth it?

Even the little stands that just sell sodas and snacks give out free ice water, at least that was the case in 2011. For example, there is one between adventure land and big thunder mountain, if memory serves. There is hardly ever a line at those. The ice water is a life saver, literally.

I like the tip! But sorry to be fussy I am on a medication which leaves me with a compromised immune system so I cannot drink tap water only bottled water. Can I assume for safety this is probably tap water? Fair enough it's free! I just won't drink it. Might use it to cool down though!

Yes, it is tap water. Also, ice is made with tap water so I would be careful of all fountain drinks.

I thought I read somewhere on here that all the ice water they give out is filtered????

Yes I do try to remember to order my drinks without ice good point. In the UK it's not given generally as standard I think because our climate is cooler. I forget in Florida until my soda appears stacked full of ice! Doh!

Okay any place that sells soda from a fountain is using filtered water. Something about quality control being part of cokes agreement to sell its products. I had worse water at a few table services than just about any cs place. Check with them but honestly most American bottled water IS tap water that has just had an extra filtering step. I do drink bottled or Brita filtered water 90% of the time at home as I am not fond of tap water but I do drink ice water from CS places in the parks.

So the secret to free water and time in lines is that every time you pass a counter service especially those with short lines stop and get a drink. If you hydrate continually you won't get dehydrated, so it's easier to pass the CS with long lines. I get water even when I'm not thirsty to avoid getting to parched and in the Florida heat hydrating proactively can be the key to maximizing your energy and endurance at the parks.

 

[biged9973]

I haven't been to DW yet but I do have a tip. If you book thru WDW Travel via the website or over the phone, keep you eyes open for deals that may apply for the time you are booked. I noticed the up to 30% off deal on the website and called in and they applied it to my existing reservation. Saved me $1000.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Okay any place that sells soda from a fountain is using filtered water. Something about quality control being part of cokes agreement to sell its products. I had worse water at a few table services than just about any cs place. Check with them but honestly most American bottled water IS tap water that has just had an extra filtering step. I do drink bottled or Brita filtered water 90% of the time at home as I am not fond of tap water but I do drink ice water from CS places in the parks.

So the secret to free water and time in lines is that every time you pass a counter service especially those with short lines stop and get a drink. If you hydrate continually you won't get dehydrated, so it's easier to pass the CS with long lines. I get water even when I'm not thirsty to avoid getting to parched and in the Florida heat hydrating proactively can be the key to maximizing your energy and endurance at the parks.

That's very helpful thanks! I also have a brita tap installed at my home which I use to drink water. I buy evian bottled water from walmart when we are in Orlando but nice to know the free water in parks is filtered! Great tip! Thanks bookgirl!

 

[rachallyy]

Was at MK today, the 24 hr day, park opened at 6, we made it by 7 and rode mult rides just walking on, with FP we ride Buzz 5 times, our fav so far. My tip is get there early or RD. also if staying at AOA use the POP buses saved us a long wait today at MK. There were lines at AOA stop and none at POP, walk through lobby past pool and over bridge and you're at AOA!

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

Was at MK today, the 24 hr day, park opened at 6, we made it by 7 and rode mult rides just walking on, with FP we ride Buzz 5 times, our fav so far. My tip is get there early or RD. also if staying at AOA use the POP buses saved us a long wait today at MK. There were lines at AOA stop and none at POP, walk through lobby past pool and over bridge and you're at AOA!

Hi rachallyy, in October 2012 when we were in Downtown Disney, we found it was a much shorter wait to take the AOA bus back to the resort and walk across the bridge to Pop. Its a pleasant walk. Sounds like it would have been so much fun to ride Buzz more than twice and no lines.

 

[rachallyy]

The pop up hamper and over the door hangers really keep down the room mess!

Word of caution, I had a lightly reddish area at the bottom of my big toe, put the blister bandaid on overnight but this morning when I took it off, it took the skin off too! Ouch, really hurt. Maybe you're only suppose to use those with a fully formed blister? I wore moleskin today and after 8 hrs at the park, it's no worse at least and was tolerable. Lesson learned...

Used our Frog Toggs today and that was so refreshing as it was really warm. Used the DIS tip for free ice water at a CS, drank one and poured one over our Toggs

 

[cceandme]

The pop up hamper and over the door hangers really keep down the room mess!

Word of caution, I had a lightly reddish area at the bottom of my big toe, put the blister bandaid on overnight but this morning when I took it off, it took the skin off too! Ouch, really hurt. Maybe you're only suppose to use those with a fully formed blister? I wore moleskin today and after 8 hrs at the park, it's no worse at least and was tolerable. Lesson learned...

Used our Frog Toggs today and that was so refreshing as it was really warm. Used the DIS tip for free ice water at a CS, drank one and poured one over our Toggs

We love our frogg toggs. my ony complaint about them is when they are dry they are so stiff and hard to fold.

 

[lfortin16]

What are Frog Toggs??

 

[ryalluvdiz]

What are Frog Toggs??

They are "towels" made of a special material that when wet, uses evaporation to keep you cool. I have bought some for my june trip, but haven't used them yet. Heard they are really good!

 

[LisaTC]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Frogg-Toggs-Chilly-Pad-Cooling-Towel/23554912

 

[ZoZo]

I've read that a lot of people do this instead of carrying a water, but don't you have to wait in the CS line every time for a cup of ice water? Is that really worth it?

I was reading another thread today where several people said that the CMs at CS restaurant told them they didn't need to wait in the main line if only getting cups of water. Apparently you can go to the place where you pick up your food and ask for water, bypassing the main line. As long as you politely wait behind the people picking up their food, it's okay.

Since several different people said the CMs told them to do that, seems like it would be okay (not rude or "line jumping"!).

PS - I use cups ice ice water to fill my refillable, wide mouth water bottle. For me, this works better than carrying around a cup all day, especially since you can't bring beverage cups into shops and on rides.

 

[anorman]

On our first trip when my DDs were 6 and 7, we had the dining plan and made all of our ADRs for suppertime. That was a big mistake! By the time we took our afternoon break it was around 2 p.m., using the bus system we didn't get back to the resort until about 2:30 or 3. Our ADRs for supper were usually around 5:30 or 6 and they recommend you leave at least an hour before your reservation if you are using Disney transportation which meant we had to leave the resort by 4:30. This only gave us an hour or 90 min to spend at the resort and by the time you got ready for the pool and allowed for time to get ready for supper, you had only 15 to 30 min of pool time which wasn't really worth it! I am exhausted just thinking about our first trip!!!!

The next trip we made all of our ADRs for lunch for whichever park we were in, stayed until 2 or 3 p.m. and did counter service for supper. This way we had almost no running around and we got to spend a lot more time relaxing. If we wanted to go out later to the parks or to eat somewhere interesting, we did, but we didn't have to.

That's a tip I wish we had been given on our first trip!

 

[Princess Jemma]

Discount Codes! When I joined Dis last year, I had no idea that discount codes existed. Last June we were able to use a McDonald's code and paid $79.00 a night for POFQ. Then in October we used a room only code and got WL for $139.00 a night. This June we will be returning for our first DVC trip (another tip)!

There are so many useful tips that I learned from these boards, that I can't even begin to mention them all!

McDonalds code? What is that? I've booked POFQ for October, so I'd love to get in on a code... Thanks!