What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[Marblies]

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

No. You cannot trade a dessert for an appetizer.
Yes. You can pay for an appetizer and choose not to order a dessert.

 

[Sammy Cat]

I have to add the little travel sling bags we bought, one for me and one for hubby, were perfect for touring the parks. It was easy to just pull them around in front of us for rides/shows or tuck them by our feet. They were small and light enough to not even notice on our backs, but big enough to carry everything we needed, ie. sunglasses, water bottles, hats, park maps, money, tickets, spray fans - which were also a must in June!

Secondly, taking two comfortable pairs of shoes and switching them every other day was a great way to avoid pain. I only had flip flops and Hush puppies, but I found despite their lack of support, the flip flops were a welcome change regardless. Next time I will find two good pairs. My daughter wore crocs and she complained of pain by the end of the day so not very sure about those. Moleskins and bodyglide were boths 'must haves', I found. If I hadn't followed these tips from Dis, I can tell you that our trip would have been a lot more painful and less enjoyable.

 

[ZoZo]

Get to the park at opening time. Leave mid-day. Return early evening. You can get a lot done first thing before the heavy crowds build.

Unfortunately, this only works during the time of year the parks are open very late at night. When I go (usually in October), most of the parks close anywhere from 5:00 (AK) to 7:00 pm most weeknights unless they have an evening EMH. If I remember correctly, Epcot usually stays open the latest (the regular closing time was 9:00 unless they have an evening EMH).

So leaving mid-day and going back in the early evening doesn't work. If you leave mid-day and don't go back until dinnertime, you're missing out on prime touring time! I'd rather go to a park all day long, knowing that it will close in the early evening. Maximize those touring hours!

 

[GenGen22]

Buy a pin trading set from ebay for cheap just so you can trade for the pins you want at the Disney parks. I got a set of 5 brand new pins for $12 when they are $25-$35 in the park.

 

[disneydotlee]

The best advice I ever got was to relax and enjoy the vacation. It's not fun if everyone is yelling at each other or exhausted.

 

[gracer9977]

Subscribing, great ideas but I am only on page 14!!!

 

[nkereina]

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

No. You cannot trade a dessert for an appetizer.
Yes. You can pay for an appetizer and choose not to order a dessert.

You can also book DxDP which comes with an app and dessert. If you plan to order an app at every meal, this could be a better value anyhow, depending.

 

[jacksonsmom417]

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)

______________________________________________________________
What is Tour Guide Mike, Ridemax, hard to get ADR on 180 mark and Rope Drop??

 

[DCTooTall]

______________________________________________________________
What is Tour Guide Mike, Ridemax, hard to get ADR on 180 mark and Rope Drop??

Tour Guide Mike and Ridemax are resources that assist in planning your trip. I believe they also have (or are) smartphone apps that will give you current attraction wait times.

Rope Drop is park opening. Each park has it's own little opening ceremony after which they "drop the rope" and let you into the park.

ADR's are your Dining Reservations. You can make them at 180 days prior to the date of the reservation. (with some exceptions). For some of the more popular dining options within the property, Availability can go VERY quickly, especcially during busier times and during Free Dining dates. So for these "hard to get" reservations, you want to try and make them at 180days in order to ensure you can get what you want.

 

[tonums]

Rope drop. We did it for the first time this morning with emh. OMG, awesome!

 

[Bonniec]

Regarding ponchos, the ones they sell at Disney and Universal are a lot better than the dollar stores ones which are thinner. The thinner ones are like garbage bags and blow up really easy in any kind of wind. I did those for a while and finally got sick of trying to keep them down.

 

[snoobydi]

Tips I have listen to in the past are:

go on favorite rides during a parade or fireworks show.

bring an empty suitcase to bring things home in.

Never stay off property.

 

[snoobydi]

Things I will listen to on this trip:

bring zip loc bags

bring lots of snacks for my two year old daughter

bring some disney souveniers from home so I dont have to spend too much in the parks.

get the meal plan

bringing my own stroller and car.

I would like to try and not do disney on fast forward so she can experience it ..will be hard..used to doing disney with adults.

 

[Bonniec]

I hope they change that back some day. Riding up front was a real treat.

they don't??

 

[OhdahLolly]

After some rough disney days a few years ago, I did a google search for tips on how to better handle things. The following made the ending days of our vacation SO much better. I wish I would have found it sooner!

- Act like you got in for free.
This made us less inclined to try to get value out of package, and more time to just enjoy it!

- dont try to make your kids have "more" fun.
e.g. long character lines, rushing from ride to ride..etc

-indulging in everything they want while on vacation can actually back fire big time.
All I say about this for us.. is ice cream can come with a huge sugar crash, which is tragic when it happens in the middle of epcot, in the 90 degree heat, with a 20 minute wait time to take the boat.

- Take time out to rest. You don't miss out on the magic of disney, you'll only prolong it with well rested kids and adults.

 

[Bonniec]

My tips (though some are repeats):

1. Crocs are the best shoe ever.... Comfy and can get wet.

2. Ice water is free. My son brings kool aid packets, I just like the water.

3. Just snacking on foods all day can be cheaper than counter service meals if you are paying out of pocket (most bakeries have yummy sandwiches for around $6)

4. Research the foods at Disney. I live here and spent 40 years of my life never having a Dole Whip or Zebra Dome. All I ever had were burgers. There are some amazing treats out there.

5. Be nice to strangers. Say please and thank you, give them an unused fast pass, smile, let a family go first, etc.......people tend to be very rude in the parks, especially around parade times. I try to go out of my way to be polite and do at least one random nice thing for someone. It makes me feel better knowing that they'll leave knowing some people are just nice.

6. Pack ponchos and at least a bathing suit for little ones. Wet underwear sucks. Especially when it's not summer lol

 

[DCTooTall]

they don't??

After the Monorail accident in '09 they suspended allowing guests to ride in the front of the Monorail. It has not been reinstated and it's unlikely to return for various reasons.

 

[mhconley]

By far - booking ADRs at the 180 day mark.

This is the first time we're going to every restaurant we wanted and at the times we wanted. Dinner is at 6:30 PM every night of our trip except 5:00 PM prior to MNSSHP and 7:45 PM at California Grill for wishes at 9:00 PM. Also got early breakfasts at Chef Mickey's on our first day and Crystal Palace on our last.

Martin

 

[Bonniec]

After the Monorail accident in '09 they suspended allowing guests to ride in the front of the Monorail. It has not been reinstated and it's unlikely to return for various reasons.

Oh man.... I was just telling hubby how cool it was to do that

 

[*love*2*shop]

Great TIPS! everyone.....

Just wondering if we should pack Refillable water bottles (@8.00 each - so 16.00 for 2)

or should we order from garden Grocer and order Water- 32 pak for 9.00??
we will be there 5 days at end of october / on the dining plan.