What don't I know that I NEED to.

[DebMcDonald]

We're doing the five day dance...... and I feel after spening almost a year on this board very prepared, but not yet prepared. I'm thinking I'm in panic mode. What don't I know that I need to.

Arrive early....take a break mid day. We're traveling with three kids.

 

[briarberry]

Relax and enjoy yourselves. Don't forget to stop and notice the small things like all the detail in the landscaping etc.
I felt the same way this time last year and overplanned. We leave again in 12 days and I plan to just enjoy it! Who cares if you miss an attraction, it just means you have to plan another trip!

 

[kilee]

Just make sure you have all essentials packed-- like tickets. Then go have FUN! That is the #1 thing!!

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

i TOTALLY agree....i plan to just sit while my DD3 and DH ride, and "take it all in"....while putting up my PUFFY FEET!

 

[Pop Daddy]

apply for another credit card

 

[WaltD4Me]

apply for another credit card...

Good one!

Remember to have everyone drink lots of water!!!!!!! Keep an eye on the kid's to make sure they aren't getting overheated (the adults too!) Remember any stand or concession that has ice, water and a cup will give you ice water if you ask!

Remember that you don't have to get the combo meals at the counter service places! All the menus show the sandwhiches with fries or another side item, but if you ask, you can just get the sandwhich alone and save about $2.00 per meal. (which can add up when there are five of you!) Get one sandwhich with fries and split them.

I also keep a list a MUST DO's -- it's not a long list, but just the things I want to REALLY be sure to do or see. It's easy to get a little overwhelmed and miss something you were dying to see or do.

Have a general idea/plan, but don't worry if you have to abandon the plan and HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!

 

[JennaTX]

Make copies of your tickets/passes, especially the back side. That way if you loose them, it is no problem to replace them. On our trip DH handled all of the tickets, except for one time at the AK when I took the kids to get FP for Dinosaur while DH went to wait in line at the Festival of the Lion King, of course I lost DD's ticket. I just went to member services when we were leaving and showed them our copy and got a new one, all within 5 minutes.

Hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[pennst8r]

Go to a store like Walmart and grab a few of the $1 rain ponchos that are folded into tiny packages and fit easily into backpack/fannypack/etc. Otherwise you will pay $5/each at WDW--and it usually rains for a few minutes each day in the summer.

I also love the little bottles of hand sanitizer to clean off dirty little hands before snacks.

Have a great time! Can't wait til I can post I'm leaving in a few days!

ps
My favorite place to watch Illuminations at Epcot is from the balcony of the restaurant in Japan. Not much of a secret anymore--but still a great place.

 

[Brian Noble]

Arrive early....take a break mid day. We're traveling with three kids.

You've got two of my three Golden Rules. The third is "leave for the night before you think you have to."

 

[MNmom]

Go to your suitcase....take out half of all your clothes and bring twice as much money!!!!

 

[DebMcDonald]

Go to your suitcase....take out half of all your clothes and bring twice as much money!!!!

Thanks - I love this one!!!

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

The three most important things which helped us on our trip last week were:
1. Arrive early
2. Arrive early
3. ARRIVE EARLY!!!!

I am not a morning person (that's a big part of where the "Grumpy" in my user name comes from), but after dragging myself out of bed the first morning and getting to the park before opening, I was sold on arriving early. I believe that if you arrive before the park opening you can do more during the first 3 hours than people who arrive 2 hours later can do in 8 hours. The best part is you can leave the park and head back to your resort as the crowds (and heat) really start to get unbearable.

Oh, and one other thing: use FastPasses like there's no tomorrow!

Have fun on your trip!

 

[missypie]

1. Always look for the shortest line. With a family of 5, it should be easy enough to get in one line, then send one adult to see if there is a shorter line. At the entrance to Epcot, there were people standing in lines that were at least 4 times longer than the one we were in; the long lines were the ones you could see as soon as you walked up.

2. Always have a fast pass going.

3. Think seriously about what each member of your family will want to be wearing in case of heavy and/or prolonged rain. On our 10 day trip in late May/early June, it rained for part of 4 days and all of 2 days that we were there. The little $1 ponchos are no fun in a major downpour. The heavier ponchos are better. Remember that when you're wet, you can get pretty cold when you go into an air conditioned ride or store or restaurant. Plan accordingly. I hate to wear hoods and would have prefered to have been wearing a light weight rain coat and a ball cap. Everyone really needs two pair of shoes. We got caught in one downpour that left everyone's shoes soaked for two days. Hopefully you won't have rain, but prepare for it and it won't ruin your day if it does happen.

 

[poohbear2]

Go to your suitcase....take out half of all your clothes and bring twice as much money!!!!

SO true!!

ALSO no matter how ugly, bring your best walking shoes!!

If you see something you want, buy it. Because you will regret it later.

 

[ADAMSMOM]

We just got back from spending 7-30 to 8-6 at "THE WORLD" ...and what a trip... it was so much fun...my tip would be to 1. get to the park early and use the fast passes...My DS (age 12) said the first time we used a fast pass..."Mom, this isn't right...all those people are waiting and we get to go in front of them"...once I explained that anyone could use the fast pass, if they wanted to he felt alittle better about it before the end of the trip he was like ....it's time...we can get another one...Use them...they are great. 2. Plan on an afternoon break...a swim, a nap, etc....Everyone feels better afterwards (espically with the heat they are having down there now), and will be recharged and ready to hit the parks again in the early eve.