What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[Beckypooh1972]

It sounds like a no brainer but a lot of people don't know you need to do this to secure dining reservations at character meals especially - I know there is no way we would have known to make ADR's for Chef Mickey's etc. without our podcast and Disboard buddies! Years ago the hubby and I used to just show up and go to guest relations for making ADR's the day of but now we know you need ADR's.

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

subscribing

 

[thebigkahuna]

Disney tip that I'm glad we listened to?? Buy "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World"! Man, that was so handy for the first few trips to Disney!

Really? I have been debating buying this. You found it very helpful? May I ask in what areas specifically? (dining, touring plans, hotels?)

Thanks!

 

[perfectparanoia]

Really? I have been debating buying this. You found it very helpful? May I ask in what areas specifically? (dining, touring plans, hotels?)

Thanks!

Touring plans. Best times to see attractions. Ratings of attractions by age group.

Their dining section is great also but I would rather read the menus and see the ratings online.

If you don't want the book, the website touringplans.com has all the same info and customized touring plans (and the info is more up to date).

 

[scarlet_ibis]

*The DDP does not distinguish between children and adults for counter service meals, so anybody can order either size meal. This was a lifesaver for us (1) because sometimes the kids wanted something on the adult menu (like the hot dog at the Backlot Express) and (2) because our 15 mo old DS didn't have his own dining plan and we could order, say, the adult portion of chicken nuggets and split it between him and his sister.

 

[thebigkahuna]

Touring plans. Best times to see attractions. Ratings of attractions by age group.

Their dining section is great also but I would rather read the menus and see the ratings online.

If you don't want the book, the website touringplans.com has all the same info and customized touring plans (and the info is more up to date).

Considering I'm trying to stick to a budget, I will check out touringplans.com for sure! Thanks for the tip!

 

[mousebymarriage]

Some of the best ideas come from the great people here on Dis.

I am so glad I listened to the following ideas from fellow Disers:

1) If driving pack a case or 2 of water (only about $4 for a case of 24-sometimes more in a case vs. $2.50-$3 for just 1 bottle in the parks or at the resort)

2)Power strip(because there are never enough convenient outlets for cell, camera, i-pod etc.)

3)Hanging shoe organizer for toiletries (from the dollar store) works great and keeps the vanity top from getting too cluttered

4)nightlight (great for bathroom trips during the night no stubbed toes. also great for little ones in unfamiliar surroundings)

5) collapsible laundry hamper(from the dollar store) I keep them in the"closet" area, I use 1 for darks and 1 for lights. Very convenient if you need to do wash just grab and go. These actually fold up very small and can fit in any suitcase no problem

6) clothes pins (from the dollar store) great for hanging wet bathing suits on that shower line. Also great for keeping the drapes closed (a little light always peeks through the center of the drapes, just 1 clothes pin stops that)

 

[mickeyfreak9]

You can get any size cup of ice water - anytime. at any counter service - but I do suggest bringing single serving packets of Crystal light or the like to mix in them!

Also - Making my own autograph books with pictures for the characters to sign - then I could scrap the picture itself - I punched a hole in the corner and used a ring to hold them all together - I then could attach the ring and the sharpie to my stroller in a baggie (that had a hole also) in case it got wet.

Finally - the fact that fastpasses can be used anytime - all day and you can get another set after your time from the first passes - we had 4 sets at one time!

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

Finally - the fact that fastpasses can be used anytime - all day and you can get another set after your time from the first passes - we had 4 sets at one time!

So if I have a fastpass for 1:00, I can come back at 6:00 and they'll still let me use it?

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Also - Making my own autograph books with pictures for the characters to sign - then I could scrap the picture itself - I punched a hole in the corner and used a ring to hold them all together - I then could attach the ring and the sharpie to my stroller in a baggie (that had a hole also) in case it got wet.

I love doing this. I mean, you can put as much work into it as you want (and it can consume your life) and you can get into spending a lot of money, BUT I find that the character interactions are SO wonderful when you have unique autograph books.

So if I have a fastpass for 1:00, I can come back at 6:00 and they'll still let me use it?

Oh yeah.

Also, if you have a non-rider baby, get a rider swap pass and you can take up to 3 people when you go back on that one pass. So, we get FPs and DH takes the kids on while I wait with the baby, and then the kids can ride AGAIN with me on the baby swap pass.

 

[yooperfamily]

Oh yeah.

Also, if you have a non-rider baby, get a rider swap pass and you can take up to 3 people when you go back on that one pass. So, we get FPs and DH takes the kids on while I wait with the baby, and then the kids can ride AGAIN with me on the baby swap pass.

seriously??? we are going in sept - me, dh, 8yo, 3yo, & 10 month old.... thanks for the tip!

 

[jusero]

seriously??? we are going in sept - me, dh, 8yo, 3yo, & 10 month old.... thanks for the tip!

Yes. This is a great option. I used it when visiting with my DB and his kids, one of which was too young for many rides.

 

[debsters41]

I don't know if this has been said, but I am really glad that I had found out about all the 'magic' photopass shots (like tinkerbell or simba in your hands, soarin', balloons, etc) and also that there is sometimes a photopass photographer upstairs at the Grand Floridian or Poly lobby. We got a couple nice family shots! Also, of course, the 'pre-arrival' purchase deal. Soooo worth it! I got all my info from the very informative Stitch Kingdom site.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Many of the Deluxe resorts have Photopass Photographer stands. You can view your PHotopass pictures, combine cards, and get prints there and not wait at the stores at the parks.

*** You can also purchase 45 minute photo sessions on the grounds with those photographers, with which you get a photo package (one of which is seven 5x7 prints) AND all of your pictures on a Photopass CD with a copyright release. The current going rate is about $99, and DVC members get a 20% discount. We just did the one at the Beach Club. The kids had pictures taken by the willow tree (gateway to Epcot area), a flower bed, and on the beach. We got 79 pictures on our disc.

 

[wets1210]

Subscribing

 

[wets1210]

This is great

 

[cwestbrook]

WOW, I actually just finished all 68 pages--not in one sitting. It took a few days! It's been immensely helpful. Thanks everyone for all your great ideas!

I don't read much about lockers. I won't have a stroller and I don't want to lug around all the things suggested. Is it a big hassle to go back to the lockers? Are they hard to get?

 

[scarlet_ibis]

WOW, I actually just finished all 68 pages--not in one sitting. It took a few days! It's been immensely helpful. Thanks everyone for all your great ideas!

I don't read much about lockers. I won't have a stroller and I don't want to lug around all the things suggested. Is it a big hassle to go back to the lockers? Are they hard to get?

Lockers are easy to get and not that expensive. You can even empty your locker, return your key, and get a slip to get a locker at another park if you're park hopping.

The only hassle is that the lockers are at the entrance to the parks, so you do have to go back there to get your stuff, but that's not too bad. We don't use them for the stuff that we need to access a lot (sunscreen, diapers, camera, etc.), but more for things like costumes (when the kids do princess dining or we go to MNSSHP in the evening), larger purchases if we're outside of the window to send them back to the room, photographs that we don't want to get bent or wet, etc.

 

[CathieArms]

Change your socks once a day to prevent PARK FEET!

ROFL! Okay...I'm pretty sure I must be taking this tip out of context. Do you mean to change your socks mid-day, or just make sure to change your socks EVERY day and not wear the same socks over and over again?

I'm HOPING it's the former. This made me actually laugh out loud.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

If you are on a ride and the CM tell you to stow your bags in the provided pouch or container on the ride DO IT! I made the mistake of thinking I could hold onto it tight enough. We this bag had all our things in it including our park passes. We were at AK in Dino land. We had to go back to the ride at the end of the day at when the park closed. This had to be when they shut down the ride for the day. I walked threw the place with the CM. They turned on the lights for this. We found it right at the foot of the stegasourus.

The next piece of great advice was to download a book called Open Mouse from passporter. It is like a bible to disabilies. Everything from Pregnancy to mobility, special diets and more. I have 2 special needs children of my own. This book has everything you wanted to know and even everything you didn't know you wanted info for buy definatley need to survive the trip.