What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[SweetSally]

Our last trip, I packed a pair of slippers. Just plain old fuzzy slippers. They didn't take up much room in our suitcase and they were heaven to put on every time we got back to the room.

As soon as I read this I thought - "Ooooh that's sounds nice"

Great tip

 

[disneyscotland]

Planning my second trip to WDW. The first was when I was kid so didn't have to stress about planning. But now that I do, this thread will make it so much easier. Thanks everyone for the great tips!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I love all the tips on here!

Our last trip, I packed a pair of slippers. Just plain old fuzzy slippers. They didn't take up much room in our suitcase and they were heaven to put on every time we got back to the room.

It gave my feet a much needed rest after walking for miles and miles at the parks!

I surprised our kids with Disney character slippers on the first night in our hotel room. They were a hit!

 

[PittypatBR]

Just back, and these were the best.
1. Skirt hangers (the plastic free ones from stores with two clothespin type clips) which I used to hang bathing suits to dry. The suits dried very quickly and they were easy to move away from the shower curtain rod and hang on the hooks on the back of the door while someone was bathing.
2. The two for a dollar ponchos from Dollar Tree. There were 6 of us and I had bought 18 ponchos. I used 9 of them and brought the others back. We used 6 for a sudden rainstorm, (and then to sit on over wet bleachers at Fantasmic), and 3 to keep us dry for our second ride on Splash Mountain, which has been changed so you get SOAKED on the first turn when you go by the plunging log. You sit there while their plume covers you. When we got off, we just passed them on to other riders.
3. A pack of drip-dry metal hangers from Dollar Tree. It was so nice to have enough hangers, and I could have thrown them away if I wanted.
4. I had the shoe holders but didn't use them much. We had a small ledge above the sink (in Pop) and our toilet articles fit there nicely.
5. Small fans from Big Lots for the kids, and a mist fan from Wal Mart - those things really cool you off. If you go in the summer, be SURE to have one.
6. Use either Unofficial Guide or Tour Guide Mike to find out which parks to visit when, and which rides to visit when. It does make a difference.
7. A carabiner water bottle clip from Wal-Mart. It hooked on to my small park pack and held a regular size water bottle, which wouldn't have fit in my pack. Great to have a sip any time I wanted one.
8. Travel packs of Wet One antibacterial hand wipes to carry everywhere.

 

[Grand2me]

Just back and I must say I had a great time!! The weather was beautiful.

I am SO GLAD that I heard about moleskin through this site. My feet have never blistered in the past and I have no idea why they would start now. After the first day of walking in Epcot and the extra hours at AK, my feet were raw. Moleskin SAVED MY TRIP. I will never leave home again without them. I am also getting some better walking shoes.

I also can not stress DRAMAMINE(the less drowsy version) and getting the souvenir mugs. Unfortunately the day before we were supposed to leave, DH lost the mug in MK. We were able to share drinks and bring ice into the parks which was priceless. It was a good thing to have.

ALSO, If you are staying on site and do not have the DDP, shoot yourself in the foot now and save yourself the trouble. the DDP pays for itself in almost one meal. You cannot justify paying $110 for dinner any other way.

As I think of others, I'll post more.

 

[Millie12591]

.
6. Use either Unofficial Guide or Tour Guide Mike to find out which parks to visit when, and which rides to visit when. It does make a difference.

All the tips are very helpful, would you mind elaborating on this one? I'm curious because I've never been and I've spent a great deal of time trying to figure out how to man TourGuide Mike's site and writing down all the info. and I'm for certain that I will follow his advice. How accurate was he? Or did you follow his tours to a T? And if you don't mind, would you tell us what things you thought were good advice from the UGuide, what to follow and what was a total dud, on both parts if you don't mind. Thank you.

 

[toledo13]

I love rides (plane rides, car rides, boat rides, Space Mountain, you get the idea) but I get motion sick . I read so many reviews comparing Dramamine and Bonine. When I was a kid, I would take Dramamine before plane rides and car trips, but it would make me so tired and CrAnKy. So, before our last WDW trip, I bought Bonine (I could only find it at Giant Eagle, but I'm sure lots of drugstores have it). IT WAS WONDERFUL . I was able to ride Space Mountain and then get off and go eat dinner! AmAzInG . Mind you, that's a big deal for me! The taste wasn't the best (chewable berry flavored) but one kept me 'calm' for 24 hours, and it didn't make me drowsy or cranky in the least! I don't really endorse many things, but I recommend Bonine to EvErYoNe!!!

 

[Kimmumum]

I keep a shoebox in my closet that I keep my Disney stuff in. It has detergent, penny books, lanyards w/pins, mini mist fans, and other items that we use over and over again on every trip. I add to the box throughout the year. I put our reservations and ADR's in the box too because I know they won't get lost.

We always bring 2 swimsuits so that no one has to put on a wet/damp suit (yuck)!!

We don't over plan. We had friends that went once (and only once). They made ADR's for every lunch and dinner. I think they didn't really enjoy their trip because they were too busy running from one restaurant to another. I believe in planning but not to that extent.

Use the fastpass system so it works to your advantage.

Go to DTD. You'd be amazed at how many people go to WDW every year and have never been to DTD.

We pack a lot of medicine "just in case". We are not a sick family however you just never know what will happen away from home. We pack cough medicine, immodium, benedryl, pseudofed, bandaids, sunscreen, after sun lotion etc. It is better to have it on hand then need it immediately and have to find it and then pay a fortune for it.

I know there are more but these are the important ones for us.

ETA: we always make laminated business size cards with a picture of my kids on it with a message on it. We give these out to CM's who we catch doing something magical. Our way of saying thank you.

 

[brandijo5]

Just given to me by a good friend, go to your local library and check out all the guidebooks they have to offer. Choose which one you think will help you most then buy that one and make notes from the others that aren't mentioned in the one you bought!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I love rides (plane rides, car rides, boat rides, Space Mountain, you get the idea) but I get motion sick . I read so many reviews comparing Dramamine and Bonine. When I was a kid, I would take Dramamine before plane rides and car trips, but it would make me so tired and CrAnKy. So, before our last WDW trip, I bought Bonine (I could only find it at Giant Eagle, but I'm sure lots of drugstores have it). IT WAS WONDERFUL . I was able to ride Space Mountain and then get off and go eat dinner! AmAzInG . Mind you, that's a big deal for me! The taste wasn't the best (chewable berry flavored) but one kept me 'calm' for 24 hours, and it didn't make me drowsy or cranky in the least! I don't really endorse many things, but I recommend Bonine to EvErYoNe!!!

We were able to purchase Bonine at our local Wal-Mart. Yes, it does work! We used it on our Disney cruise too.
Jennifer

 

[PittypatBR]

All the tips are very helpful, would you mind elaborating on this one? I'm curious because I've never been and I've spent a great deal of time trying to figure out how to man TourGuide Mike's site and writing down all the info. and I'm for certain that I will follow his advice. How accurate was he? Or did you follow his tours to a T? And if you don't mind, would you tell us what things you thought were good advice from the UGuide, what to follow and what was a total dud, on both parts if you don't mind. Thank you.

Hi, Millie. I really can't tell you much about TCM because I use UG, both the website and the book. I included TCM because I know a lot of people swear by him, and I think his advice about where to go when must be similar to UG. I have used UG for my last three trips, and it was incredible. I disagree only on minor points, like ratings for some of the restaurants, and that is an individual thing. It is very useful for deciding which rides and shows are your must-sees, and when to ride or see them, and are wonderful for planning itineraries. Since I had the 2005 book, this time I just subscribed to the website. Next time I go I will get a new book to include updates. Before I left I printed out the touring plans from the website that I had chosen to fit our needs. (If you wait until shortly before the trip to print them it is personalized with the dates and even includes the weather forecast!) When going for the first time, UG is great because you will not waste the time figuring out how things work. The learning curve is pretty acute if you have no knowledge base to draw on!
The DIS boards are a great resource too, of course! If you haven't gone over and read trip reports yet, there is a lot of helpful information there as well. Have a wonderful time on your trip! ixiedust:

 

[rwrocksme]

Ohh! Ohh! I've got one! My turn! My turn! MY TUUUURRRRNNNN!!!

Number 1: Ride Tommorrowland Transit Authority during the fireworks. No noise, great view, and they will let you ride as many times as you want without getting off.

Number 2: RIDE IN THE FRONT OF THE MONORAIL!!! That is the best thing ever. Plus, the "Honorary Monorail Driver" cards they give you are great (and free!) souvinears.

Here is another thing, although it's not a tip, per say. If (knock on wood) you need to take an ambulance while you are at a Disney park or resort, they will take you to Florida Hospital in Celebration. Thanks to profits from park tickets, the ride is free.

 

[Stitches glitch]

As my DD got a little older, I started giving her in-park quests. I would find tidbits of information (on here of course) and each item she completed, I would give her a Disney Dollar. There are also in-park quests that you can get from the VMK store at MK on Main Street. I liked making my own; one of the items was to take a picture of her dad (Grumpy) with Mickey ears! Needless to say my DH bought the giant sombrero with mickey ears!!

This is the greatest idea!! Thank you fellow Disney-lovers! Never been to DisneyWorld (except in my day-dreams) but I am planning to go at the end of 08. I am already planning- I guess it's my OCD! We did go to DL last year and had a great time. We did go to DL last year and had a great time. The only thing is, my son will be close to 14 by the time we'll be able to go to WDW, and I don't know if he will really "feel the magic" anymore. Any more suggestions for older kids?

 

[2nsmom]

I have a confession....I am so NOT a disney fan. We are taking our children there this summer and I am SO grateful to have found this site as well as this thread. I have already made a list of things to pack and buy. I really like the suggestion to ship food to yourself. We are only goin to be at the parks for 3 days, but it sounds well worth it. We are then heading to the ship for a disney cruise. ) Thanks for all the ideas!
p.s. I'm actually beginning to look forward to out trip. SHH...don't tell

 

[KKB]

I have a confession....I am so NOT a disney fan. We are taking our children there this summer and I am SO grateful to have found this site as well as this thread. I have already made a list of things to pack and buy. I really like the suggestion to ship food to yourself. We are only goin to be at the parks for 3 days, but it sounds well worth it. We are then heading to the ship for a disney cruise. ) Thanks for all the ideas!
p.s. I'm actually beginning to look forward to out trip. SHH...don't tell

We really enjoyed our DCL cruise...very much NOT in your face Disney. In fact, we found little difference from it to our Princess cruises!
When we asked the kids if they wanted to do WDW (they've never been) or a cruise again...it was a resounding CRUISE! BUT Mom & Dad trumped that...WE wanna go to WDW, with the kids! (and my mom, too!)

Many say that MK is a 2 day park...doubt it for us. Really, just the 'big" rides only. Being 2 teachers, guessing we can easily spend 2 days at EPCOT. Have been to MGM...could be only a half day there, though maybe all day if we have to work around show times. AK everyone says one day...we have an animal FREAK at our house...hoping 1 day is enough!

You will have a wonderful time!!!

PS I'm not always sure which is more fun...the planning/researching or the actual trip!!! I'm not happy if I don't have at least ONE trip to plan!

 

[theparsons]

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!

Oh my gosh.....I'm new to this board so I haven't seen this recommended before, but I just smiled big when I saw this.....we have always carried a power strip with us on any travel (even to grandma's house since she's not techy like we are, lol)....between bringing the laptop (and sometimes both his and mine), the ipod for audio books on the car ride; the camera(s) batteries, two cell phones minimum (we get a third for things like amusement parks when we may let the girls head off together without us), my PDA (though hopefully my next cell will have it).....well, without a strip along, we'd max out every plug in a hotel room and that includes unplugging lamps and still not have enough. I just keep a small strip in my laptop bag at all times.

It's so nice to hear others are like us, lol. My inlaws think we're nuts....and my best friend says "I know you are". Hmpf....gotta have my techies.

 

[piglet50]

it's great! i used it on my feet and on my shoes. it sticks good and really kept me from getting hot spots and blisters on my feet. i used the regular sized - not the extra padded really thick kind. they sell it in the resorts but it's cheaper at wal-mart, etc.

 

[queenarmadillo]

My favourite tip I followed: Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

My personal tip: Lockable pin backs for your favourites that you wont want to trade. The rubber ones get knocked off so easily.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Hi, Millie. I really can't tell you much about TCM because I use UG, both the website and the book. I included TCM because I know a lot of people swear by him, and I think his advice about where to go when must be similar to UG.

Who or what is TCM??

 

[planetcaravan19f]

The same people who make swimmie diapers now make a little fish shaped sticker that you can stick to your skin and it will change to bright orange when you need more sunscreen.

I can't seem to find information on those sunscreen stickers on the web. Anyone know where to find them?

please and thankyou!!!