What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[AimeeMichele]

You can use your fastpass anytime after the time that's stamped on it

Touring plans and the crowd calendar

Tour Guide Mike

Ridemax (yes I subscribe and use all three)

You must make the hard to get (absolutely must have ADRs) on your 180 mark

Rope drop

Mid-day breaks are a necessity when traveling with kids (at least for my family)

 

[Mkebound]

Thats crazy. I wonder how often they have to depend on this.

Never. Never ever.

There has never been a single case of someone attempting to kidnap a kid a Disney where the kidnapper tried to changed their clothes, or drug the child to make it look like they are sleeping. Not once.

People repost that sort of crap without any connection to the truth. Makes my blood boil. (almost as much as the crazy posters who assume every man must be a pedophile, just waiting to molest their kids)

 

[dizneechic]

I don't know if this is true but they say that you should know what shoes your kids have on. I hear that is the most importent part of finding a lost child.

That's because if they're snatched and the kidnappers want to change their clothes (so they won't be as easily recognized) they usually don't bother changing their shoes. Sad, but true.

I hear it was to dress your kids in brightly colored shoes (as well as knowing which ones they have one). Not for the reason the pp mentioned but because if your child happens to wander a little or if it's really crowded it's easier to see through a sea of legs to look for their shoes vs trying to see through bodies smooshed against each other. Similar to when an entire family wears matching shirts or all dress in bright colors, much easier to spot in a crowd.

 

[rackofelk]

WOW! I'm only half way through this, but WOW!!!!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed!

 

[Lisa S.]

.

 

[turtlegirl25]

Also, remember small bills if you plan on tipping your Magical Express driver or the baggage hold CM's. It's basically the only times you'll need cash at Disney.

Tipping at Table Service? Or is that included?

 

[ConnieB]

Tipping at Table Service? Or is that included?

Tipping at Table Service is NOT included in the dining plan (hasn't been for several years now)....but you can use your credit card or room key (if you have allowed charging on it) to pay this, so cash is not required. I think PP was speaking of things that you must have cash.....it would not be possible to tip the ME driver or mousekeeping with a credit card or room key.

Also realize that there are a few vendors around the park that also cannot take credit card or room keys.....but it's really only the smaller snack kiosks as well as the "street vendors" that are out during parades. Like ME and mousekeeping they don't have the credit card machine to be able to process the charge.

 

[cricketgirl]

Well, I have read it all. Must say there are some great tips in there.
We leave in 36 days and I am so excited. Will be shipping water from Costco, can't stand the water they sell at Disney World (sorry)

My tip: Which I use anytime I travel is take a couple flat rate priority boxes with you with the exact postage (not attached yet) they fold up flat in the botom of your suitcase. A roll of shipping tape and ship your goodies back to yourself. You can drop it off at the front dest and it should be taken care off. I do leave a post it attached that does say this pacakage does not contain ( post office uses an exact sentence) but basically no hazzardous materials, etc.. and a little have a magical day note for the post office worker.

There are probablly better ways but this works for me and hope it works for someone else.

So with that said: Have a magical day and may all your dreams be Disney Dreams!!!

 

[dsnyrn]

Cricket Girl Great idea for the boxes!! Never thought of it!!

 

[starlionblue]

This is a good one. I have a bunch of pictures of the kids next to the parking sign from all the parks I don't know if this is true but they say that you should know what shoes your kids have on. I hear that is the most importent part of finding a lost child.

Um, one thing to ponder: what if you can't recognize the sign/section of the parking lot from the photo? I've done that once at a huge shopping mall and still couldn't find the car!Apparently, the 100+ cars that were NOT there when the pic was taken now blocked out any familiar surroundings! Maybe next time, one should take a SERIES of photos walking from the car to the front gate... Just a thought.

Oh, and once my parents took a picture of the character sign and that didn't help! They were going "Where's the Goofy sign?" while hunting down the car!

 

[bankr63]

Um, one thing to ponder: what if you can't recognize the sign/section of the parking lot from the photo? I've done that once at a huge shopping mall and still couldn't find the car!Apparently, the 100+ cars that were NOT there when the pic was taken now blocked out any familiar surroundings! Maybe next time, one should take a SERIES of photos walking from the car to the front gate... Just a thought.

Oh, and once my parents took a picture of the character sign and that didn't help! They were going "Where's the Goofy sign?" while hunting down the car!

Actually, it is best to take a picture of the row marker (on the ground, end of each row) before you board the train. Unicorn 21, Goofy 46, E.T 22 (on the posts at Uni). Then you only have one row to walk down looking for your vehicle, DESPITE all the changes in vehicles.

If you empty your camera each night or use a fresh card, it will usually be pretty much the first photo of the day. We use this one every time and it works!

 

[jjsmom]

Parents, Disney is so exciting, that it's hard to believe accidents can happen in the park! When you get your park guide in the morning; make a mental note of the first aid stations. Here's what happened to us.

When DD was about 12, she took a really bad fall off her bike at home and really skinned her knee A few days later, we left for Disney. She was so excited to see a character in world showcase, she rans towards him (Tigger), and she fell on that same knee. The darn thing busted open like mad, blood gushing, gross, despite the bandage that was there. She was very upset, and I'm sorry to say, embarrassed, although we had so much help from people around us with napkins, baby wipes, etc. I don't know why but earlier that morning I'd noticed the location of the first aid station (in the old Odyssey bldg). We got her there right away for fresh dressing, a clean-out, and just to calm her down and not upset other children with the sight of blood. The nurse there was so wonderful and calming.
Epilogue: All was well after some new socks, Disney bandages, and some children's tylenol...

 

[Gma570]

Does anyone have any suggestions / tips on taking a 2 year old to Disney for the first time? I'll be taking my grandson for the first time in December and I'd love some ideas on how to make it more magical for him!

We are taking our 2 1/2 year old (along with siblings) at the end of this month. Here are a few tips I've gleaned from this board

1. Stick to "their" routine as much as possible. When its nap time, head to the hotel for naps.
2. Get a fan for their stroller (if going in hot months). I bought one on Amazon for $10.
3. Get a wrist strap so they can get out and walk. Being couped up in a stroller for hours will make them cranky.
4. There are little play areas in Disney. I read that one is over by Splash Mt, and they can play on Tom Sawyer island. Letting them get out and run a little will help. Also Hollywood Studios has one.
5. Pack little non-messy snacks. When they get hungry a little snack may help. I saw little packs of apples slices and grapes in WalMart for 99cents each (or buy the 5 pack for $3.48). I'm definitely taking this.

We plan on doing character meets but won't force it on him if he's scared. We also plan to do some of the shows and rides inside that are for smaller children. "Its a Small Word", things like that.

Our hotel has a nice pool and kiddie pool so we plan to enjoy that, along with the Monorail "ride" and "train ride" at MK.

Hope you enjoy your trip. I'm so excited, my grandkids have never been (2, 7, 9, 11). Their parents are also going.

 

[Gma570]

Put an address label on all electronic equipment (camera, phone, mp3 player...) Guests frequently leave small items behind, and CM's will turn them into GR. They check to see if you are a guest at their hotels, and if not, they will mail your gadget back to you, if they know where to send it! A friend of mine learned this the hard way.

This is a great tip. I also created a "contact" in my phone that says DISNEY followed by the Hotel Name, our name, and hotel phone number.

 

[starlionblue]

Can't believe I forgot this: if your cell phone runs the Android OS, there's a neat little car finder software in the Android Market. It's called Carr Matey and enables you to track your car down. I've used it once or twice. I did not own an Android phone when I last went to Disney so some of you may/may not have this already.

 

[Marblies]

Bring a strip plug for the resort. Then all your electronics are charging in one place. We also pack an extention cord for window decoration lights.

 

[jlcusiter]

The Dining plan is a must, the first year we went we stayed off property, had breakfast in our room, took in sandwiches and snacks and had dinner early enough where we got the lunch pricing. We spent more money that way than when the last 2 years we went we used the dining plan. Plus you get to expierence different places without the worry of the pricing of the menu. The snack a day was a livesaver too. I think the extra expense of staying on property with the benefit of the dining plan is the best value.

 

[jlcusiter]

Tipping at Table Service is NOT included in the dining plan (hasn't been for several years now)....but you can use your credit card or room key (if you have allowed charging on it) to pay this, so cash is not required. I think PP was speaking of things that you must have cash.....it would not be possible to tip the ME driver or mousekeeping with a credit card or room key.

Also realize that there are a few vendors around the park that also cannot take credit card or room keys.....but it's really only the smaller snack kiosks as well as the "street vendors" that are out during parades. Like ME and mousekeeping they don't have the credit card machine to be able to process the charge.

Does anyone know if on the dining plan can you opt to have an apetizer instead of the desert?

 

[Dan1]

The Dining plan is a must, the first year we went we stayed off property, had breakfast in our room, took in sandwiches and snacks and had dinner early enough where we got the lunch pricing. We spent more money that way than when the last 2 years we went we used the dining plan. Plus you get to expierence different places without the worry of the pricing of the menu. The snack a day was a livesaver too. I think the extra expense of staying on property with the benefit of the dining plan is the best value.

I think it depends on the family's eating habits.

When we last went (2010) we could not substitute a desert for an apitizer.

For us having breakfast most days in the room on costs us a few $$ and will let us go to the park openings if we want.

As well even with all the walking around we're not always in the mood for a fancy table service meal at the end of the day, what with all the snacking we do and the large portions some of the table service places offer.

It was suggested to me elsewhere here on DIS, which was a great idea, is to check out a few of the menues of the restaurants you are thinking you would like to eat at and compare the prices, etc.

We did do the DDP back in 2010 and this time we'll likely not.

Dan

 

[PrincessTiffany]

OMG! We love the Disney Dining Plan! I think it's the best think Disney has come up with in years. We have been doing the DDP since it was introduced in 2005 and can't imagine going back without it. We caught on to the Free Dining Discount in 2007 and now rotate all of our yearly trips around this promo. When paying for the DDP (basic, we find the deluxe to be a waste of time and money) we save about $300.00 vs. out-of-pocket. When getting a free dining discount is saves us about $1,200.00.