Hi Friends,
I wanted to post to this thread as this was one of the most helpful threads for my trip planning. Here are my post-trip thoughts / tips. In no particular order!
1. Use a touring plan, but be flexible. We'd use the plan each day but sometimes we had to move out of order due to a particular kid NEEDING to go to a particular ride or attraction. Every evening I'd review the TP of that day and see what we missed, in order to forward it to the next day at that park. I also made noted to myself on the TP of rides/attractions that could be skipped if we were getting "behind". We used the TPs from the Unofficial Guide.
2. When you start your planning, sign up for a few e-mail newsletters like mousesavers or others, and register on the official disney site disneyworld. disney.go - then you'll be more likely to get special offers and PIN codes.
3.
DDP: Snack credits: One snack = a single serving item (no matter the size) which is under 4$. If you're not sure, ask.
4. Disney Magical Express sends it's bright yellow luggage tags in a DME mailing, separate from the mailing from Disney with the WDW luggage tags.
5. Stickers: You can get them at the hotel desks, from cleaning people, all over! Just ask! They are fun to collect! (and free!)
6. Balloons: Also at the hotel desks! My kids went and stood on line once a day and asked for a balloon - it was always cheerfully supplied! The balloons are weighted with a plastic mickey mouse head and I saved them - I'm going to make a mobile with them!
7. The cleaning people in the parks (sweeping up, emptying garbage) are the best people to ask for directions. They know where everything is! And they are nice and usually have stickers, too.
8. We bought bagels and cream cheese at the store at our resort (ASMu) and toasted them at the food court, then had breakfast in our room.
9. Tried to have the kids use waist pouches - they usually passed them on to us by the middle of the morning. We still needed 2 backpacks.
10. Use online check in for airline reservations, for resort check in, and for photo pass!
11. If you want quiet, as for a room that faces away from the pool.
12. We had a trick for finding each other. We'd say "meet at the Fast Pass Machine for ____". There is only one FP area, but lots of exits and lots of stores that look alike.
13. You can be a guest conductor on the WDW Railroad - just get the very back seat near the conductor and tell him you're there! You'll get to say "All Aboard" and you'll get a little card.
14.Take a digital photo of your Photo Pass cards. Take a few pics. We lost 2 cards and didn't have the numbers recorded and it was a nightmare!
ENJOY!!! IT IS TRULY THE MOST MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH!
