What I learned today!

[JCornell]

Thanks...this is a fun thread. Have you thought about adding (copying and pasting) your tip to the first post every day? It will be a great place to organize all of your info

Great idea. I like when people consolidate all info on front page.

 

[jamieguffey]

62 to go.

Don't forget your lips.

Being a red head I have a keen eye for protecting myself from the sun. After park tickets and money, sunscreen is the single most important thing on my day pack list. When I get done putting it on I feel like I am wearing a sweater. But the alternative is just awful.

I am sure there are a lot of you out there in the same boat. The one thing most of us forget to do is protect our lips. All the lip balm makers make it with some sort of sunscreen added. Don't forget your SPF Rated Chapstick.

As far as sunscreen itself is concerned I really like the spray on stuff for normal use. I will not however be using this while at Disney. The spray on stuff is usually much more expensive. It also can dry your skin out since the propellant has to evaporate while it is on your skin.

Here are some must haves.

Moisturizing Lotion - You are going to apply this at least 2 or 3 times per day.

SPF 30 - 30 Means as long as it is effectively on your skin it will protect you for up to 30 times longer that not having anything. SPF 70 is a waste of time and money. It will have sweated off by the time the 70 ever would be of any help.

Waterproof / Sweatproof I think this goes without saying

My favorite spray on is Coppertone Sport Spray, My favorite lotion is made by Nivea.

 

[jamieguffey]

Is the index working. When I click on one of them it isn't taking me to the right post?

 

[DianaLeslie]

Ds is a redhead. (Generally referred to by me as Albino Boy.)

And I can safely say that Banana Boat Sport 50 works just great for him.

(Course he's also good about it, and even on school field trips asked his teachers to tell him when 90 minutes had passed so he could reapply.)

I'll be taking both BB Sport 50 and the new Neutrogena 70 (also waterproof) with me. We'll see if the 70 can live up to it's number. (Probably not but I didn't pay any more for it than I've paid for the 50 in the past.)

And for lip protection I (personally) reccommend HL30 from Herpecian L. Yes it's a cold sore remedy, and lip balm and sunscreen all in one. The stuff is amazing.

 

[Vacation Lover]

Is the index working. When I click on one of them it isn't taking me to the right post?

It's not working for me. When I click, it just takes me back to the first post.

Enjoying this thread, though! Thanks for starting it.

 

[jamieguffey]

It's not working for me. When I click, it just takes me back to the first post.

Enjoying this thread, though! Thanks for starting it.

Its doing the same thing for me. When I get a minute I will try to correct. Sorry. Why didn't anyone say anything earlier. It's like I had food in my teeth and everyone let me go on.

 

[jamieguffey]

61 Days to go. TWO MONTHS WOOOOOHOOOOO

I was reading somethings last night and I figured out that we are in for some LOOONG nights.

Saturday we are going to FWR. To get back to ASMo. I think we have to go back to MK (Right at closing time) and then to ASMo. Sunday we will be leaving DHS right after Fantasmic. Monday Right after Illuminations. Tuesday Might be okay we are going to chef mickey. Wednesday will be a nice one. Thursday we will be at MK to see Wishes.

That means we are going to get caught up in the mass traffic jam that is closing time at the parks almost every night.

The tip here is not to do what we are doing. Since it is our first time we are going to be the complete noobies that we are. Getting as close as we can in the best spot we can. Which unfortunately will put us right at the back of the pack trying to leave.

The better option of course would be to view these events from a far so that we are close to the exits and at the front of the aforementioned pack.

So with in this tip as always are questions.

If getting home at the end of the day was not a factor for you where would you locate yourself for the various events?

What are the best spots to view the events with ease of egress at the top of the list?

 

[mom2rtk]

61 Days to go. TWO MONTHS WOOOOOHOOOOO

I was reading somethings last night and I figured out that we are in for some LOOONG nights.

Saturday we are going to FWR. To get back to ASMo. I think we have to go back to MK (Right at closing time) and then to ASMo. Sunday we will be leaving DHS right after Fantasmic. Monday Right after Illuminations. Tuesday Might be okay we are going to chef mickey. Wednesday will be a nice one. Thursday we will be at MK to see Wishes.

That means we are going to get caught up in the mass traffic jam that is closing time at the parks almost every night.

The tip here is not to do what we are doing. Since it is our first time we are going to be the complete noobies that we are. Getting as close as we can in the best spot we can. Which unfortunately will put us right at the back of the pack trying to leave.

The better option of course would be to view these events from a far so that we are close to the exits and at the front of the aforementioned pack.

So with in this tip as always are questions.

If getting home at the end of the day was not a factor for you where would you locate yourself for the various events?

What are the best spots to view the events with ease of egress at the top of the list?

You know, if you're new to this then you SHOULD see all those things. My tip is to KNOW that you're in for a long wait and just be patient. Sit and look at the castle as the crowd disperses. Sit in your seat at Illuminations and chat about the day. Stop in the shops on your way out so there's not as long a line at the bus when you leave.... Just go with it......... Sleep is overrated at Disney............... There will be plenty of time for that when you get home!

 

[TillyMarigold]

61 Days to go. TWO MONTHS WOOOOOHOOOOO

I was reading somethings last night and I figured out that we are in for some LOOONG nights.

Saturday we are going to FWR. To get back to ASMo. I think we have to go back to MK (Right at closing time) and then to ASMo. Sunday we will be leaving DHS right after Fantasmic. Monday Right after Illuminations. Tuesday Might be okay we are going to chef mickey.

Are you driving or relying on Disney buses? If you're using the buses, it might be worth taking the bus from Fort Wilderness to DownTown Disney instead, and from there to ASMo.

Likewise, it may be worth it after Illuminations to walk out the International Gateway to the Beach Club, take their bus to DTD, then from there to ASMo. DHS walk to BoardWalk and then bus to DTD and ASMo. Wishes, walk to the Contemporary and then bus to DTD/ASMo.

I don't know that I'd necessarily do *all* those things, but if you're relative night owls and want to go to DTD anyway (I beleive it's usually open until 11 pm on Su-Th and until midnight F & Sa), that could be a way to not get horribly crowded at least once or twice.

Another alternative is to relish being the last ones out of the park—people watch, shop, wait for things like the kiss goodnight (castle changing colors @ MK). Then exit as it's less crowded and catch the last bus to your resort. (Of course, that won't help with Fort Wilderness, so I'd definitely go FWR > DTD > ASMo for that one.)

 

[milmore104]

Actually it is a veiled excuse to ask more questions in a passive aggressive type way. I cover them as a tip and then let the vets tell me what I want to know.


70 To Go

Apparently, It rains just about everyday at some point in central florida. Every book, site, and forum I visit has a whole section on ponchos. The best advice I found was on the Disney Moms I think...Buy your ponchos before hand. Go to the dollar store or some sort of discount store. Get several disposable ones that are of a color not normally used.

Yellow, Clear, and Red "seem" to be the easiest to find. As a result, when it starts to rain no one has a head or a face anymore they are all the same color garbage bags running around.

This is especially a problem if you have a 3 and a 4 year old that are easily distracted. What just moments before was not a big deal for either of you is now a possible serious issue.

If however, they have a bright green poncho that stands out they may now actually be easier to find than the would have been otherwise.

Disposable for two reasons

1. Because who wants to deal with trying to maintain a wet garbage bag for a week straight. Although I am torn on this one. do I really just create trash for the sake of not having to hang up my poncho when I get back to the resort?
2. Space is a big issue and those things are like maps. Once you unfold them the first time they never go back the way they were and now you have to find a spot for it in your fanny pack?

We get our ponchos from Gander Mnt. They are about the same price as in WDW but much better than the ones from the dollar store (they rip very easily). That way they are a differnt color. Or if I forget to buy them before hand I will buy Disney ones upon arrival and make some kind of design on them to help spot my family.
As for drying them I know not everyone has a stroller but I lay them across the top of our stroller to dry out. If I can't do that I hang them in the room.
I also store them in the bottom of our stroller. If you dry them and lay them on your bed you can fold them up nice.

 

[jamieguffey]

It's not working for me. When I click, it just takes me back to the first post.

Enjoying this thread, though! Thanks for starting it.

I think I fixed it?

 

[jamieguffey]

Are you driving or relying on Disney buses? If you're using the buses, it might be worth taking the bus from Fort Wilderness to DownTown Disney instead, and from there to ASMo.

Likewise, it may be worth it after Illuminations to walk out the International Gateway to the Beach Club, take their bus to DTD, then from there to ASMo. DHS walk to BoardWalk and then bus to DTD and ASMo. Wishes, walk to the Contemporary and then bus to DTD/ASMo.

I don't know that I'd necessarily do *all* those things, but if you're relative night owls and want to go to DTD anyway (I beleive it's usually open until 11 pm on Su-Th and until midnight F & Sa), that could be a way to not get horribly crowded at least once or twice.

Another alternative is to relish being the last ones out of the park—people watch, shop, wait for things like the kiss goodnight (castle changing colors @ MK). Then exit as it's less crowded and catch the last bus to your resort. (Of course, that won't help with Fort Wilderness, so I'd definitely go FWR > DTD > ASMo for that one.)

Thank you for this tip. My ploy works again!

 

[Smile4Me]

61 Days to go. TWO MONTHS WOOOOOHOOOOO

I was reading somethings last night and I figured out that we are in for some LOOONG nights.

Saturday we are going to FWR. To get back to ASMo. I think we have to go back to MK (Right at closing time) and then to ASMo. Sunday we will be leaving DHS right after Fantasmic. Monday Right after Illuminations. Tuesday Might be okay we are going to chef mickey. Wednesday will be a nice one. Thursday we will be at MK to see Wishes.

That means we are going to get caught up in the mass traffic jam that is closing time at the parks almost every night.

The tip here is not to do what we are doing. Since it is our first time we are going to be the complete noobies that we are. Getting as close as we can in the best spot we can. Which unfortunately will put us right at the back of the pack trying to leave.

The better option of course would be to view these events from a far so that we are close to the exits and at the front of the aforementioned pack.

So with in this tip as always are questions.

If getting home at the end of the day was not a factor for you where would you locate yourself for the various events?

What are the best spots to view the events with ease of egress at the top of the list?

I would definitely make it a game time decision. Right now you're planning on doing these things, and it is great to plan. That said, at the end of a long hot day...finding a spot, sitting and waiting, during a still relatively warm night, next to other hot sweaty people....may not be the best decision at the time for you or your kids. Same thing with fighting masses to get out. I would definitely suggest trying to make it to all of these things, but don't be heart broken and let it ruin your trip if you don't! Just an excuse to come back for another trip! We enjoy grabbing an icecream and relaxing after the evening spectaculars, resting our feet a bit and talking about our day before wandering through some stores and on our way out.

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Do what you feel up to! But, as other posters have said, don't rush for the bus as soon as the show is over. Meander through the parks a little! My DH and I stopped to look at pins with the kids after Illuminations, and by the time we'd returned our stroller (the one time we coughed up the $$ to get one - it was to get us through to Illuminations with the kiddos) and gotten to the buses, we had only three people in front of us! We also didn't have to wait long for a bus. My SIL was just there, and they took a stroll around World Showcase after Illuminations, and my BIL got some great shots of WS at night. It's all in how you look at it! That being said, it's also all about how tired you are. Dragging a crabby child around WS when everything is closed won't be much fun, either. Do what feels right for you guys!

 

[iteach7th]

Just got back last night and wanted to share the worst tip I got from disboards. Someone said for a different perspective on Wishes, to view it from Fantasyland.

Just a matter of perspective - we love it in Fantasyland because it is all around you. But - we schedule several nights where we are in MK at the time for Wishes so that is not the only night we are watching them. You feel like you are in the middle of things because the fireworks are coming from all directions.

My family likes to catch it in Fantasyland one night and then another night on the bridge to Tomorrowland so we can see Tinkerbell fly over. We have read on another thread that on some nights if you look close enough - Tink looks rather masculine and Asian in features. From my viewpoint last time she was definately a petite female - will be looking in Oct though!

 

[MHSweb79]

The scariest crowd we ever got stuck in was just after Wishes several years ago. Our DD was around 4 years old and we almost lost her in the jostling madness, so we ducked into the nearest store on Main St. and walked through each store.
But in retrospect, what we should have done was parked ourselves at Casey's and waited for the crowd to disperse. Don't worry - the buses will run until everyone is safely gone. Plus, if you exit with the mob you'll only be in another mob at the bus stop, and it can get ugly if people don't think enough buses are showing up as fast as they think they should.
This same wisdom applies for leaving Fantasmic and IllumiNations.
I would not recommend using Downtown Disney as a hub- I've heard nightmare stories of people waiting for their resort bus for up to three hours (this was from a CM!) and even if your bus shows up soon, there are several bus stops at DD that you have to sit through.
If the crowd is just too scary, you should consider taking a cab. For 10 or 15 bucks, you can avoid all the craziness.

 

[DisneyNic]

You know, if you're new to this then you SHOULD see all those things. My tip is to KNOW that you're in for a long wait and just be patient. Sit and look at the castle as the crowd disperses. Sit in your seat at Illuminations and chat about the day. Stop in the shops on your way out so there's not as long a line at the bus when you leave.... Just go with it......... Sleep is overrated at Disney............... There will be plenty of time for that when you get home!

This is what I am planning on. We will have two strollers with us, so each kid can pass out in one (which actually, I think they will fare better than the adults). We will just park ourselves in a prime people watching spot and then slowly meander towards the front gates of whichever park we are in. This is our first WDW trip, so it might not go as planned, but that will be OK too.

 

[clajgray]

subbing.....

We're headed to wdw Aug 8, so this is good for me as well......

 

[DisneyDebbie]

I have to second the cab idea. Especially because you really want to experience the nighttime events, just walk over to the closest hotel or right outside the park entrance and get a cab. They have minivan type vehicles too. Well worth the $ for less stress and more sleep.

 

[jamieguffey]

I have to second the cab idea. Especially because you really want to experience the nighttime events, just walk over to the closest hotel or right outside the park entrance and get a cab. They have minivan type vehicles too. Well worth the $ for less stress and more sleep.

The only question about a cab is Child Safety seats. Do they need to be in one because it is a car or since it is public transportation it is not required?

With that said every cab driver I have ever used is crazy and I certainly wouldn't trust them to drive my kids around.