What I learned today!

[staceyatdisney]

We love, love, love to watch the fireworks in Fantasyland and then we take our time walking out. My DH gets a hot dog, we go to the candy store, shop in the stores and just take our time. Enjoy the night, don't rush - let everyone else do that.

 

[mom2rtk]

So where is the closest spot to the MK to catch a cab? Do you have to walk all the way to the Contemporary. I'm not sure I'll be up to that after the Halloween party!

 

[squirrel]

Yes the Contemporary.

 

[IndySam]

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.

Yeah, the Unoffical Guide says to avoid Downtown Disney as a transfer point.

 

[jamieguffey]

Now that we are under two months I next look forward to receiving our travel documents. When do we get that? 45 Days?

60 to go

Empty Water Bottles + Free Water + sports drink singles = a very cheap drink for your counter service meal.

Staying hydrated is crucial, especially the kids. They won't understand what is happening to them and they wont want to take time to slow down for a drink when the magic is flowing.

You could get a deal on water outside and take it in but a 20oz bottle of water weighs over 1.25lbs So if you carry 8 of those into the park that is over 10 extra pounds. Split that up over 10 hours and 4 people and you get each 4 ounces of water every hour. Not to mention plain water will not replace your electrolytes.

You could carry in a case of single serve drink packs for that weight and mix up several gallons. The dollar store sells these all the time.

If your are on the dining plan you get a drink with your counter service but I hear (veiled question) that you can replace the drink with a snack which could be a piece of fruit. Which then will make for a very good breakfast the next morning.

 

[Alesia]

Now that we are under two months I next look forward to receiving our travel documents. When do we get that? 45 Days?

60 to go

Empty Water Bottles + Free Water + sports drink singles = a very cheap drink for your counter service meal.

Staying hydrated is crucial, especially the kids. They won't understand what is happening to them and they wont want to take time to slow down for a drink when the magic is flowing.

You could get a deal on water outside and take it in but a 20oz bottle of water weighs over 1.25lbs So if you carry 8 of those into the park that is over 10 extra pounds. Split that up over 10 hours and 4 people and you get each 4 ounces of water every hour. Not to mention plain water will not replace your electrolytes.

You could carry in a case of single serve drink packs for that weight and mix up several gallons. The dollar store sells these all the time.

If your are on the dining plan you get a drink with your counter service but I hear (veiled question) that you can replace the drink with a snack which could be a piece of fruit. Which then will make for a very good breakfast the next morning.

Be careful about giving your kids sports drinks, they are very high in sodium and can actually cause dehydration in kids. Plain water is best.

 

[mdsmithers]

Your link on the first page to TIP 67 is off a little, check it please*****Your fix worked******
**
Tried to send you a PM instead of mucking up the posts for this, but I'm new and don't have enough posts yet. I can't post what it should be either for the same reason.

Thanks, keep the tips coming

 

[jamieguffey]

Your link on the first page to TIP 67 is off a little, check it please
**
Tried to send you a PM instead of mucking up the posts for this, but I'm new and don't have enough posts yet. I can't post what it should be either for the same reason.

Thanks, keep the tips coming

a real friend tells you when you got food in your teeth. thanks I think I got it.

 

[mrstomrice]

Hi, No need to bring in empty water bottles. Every CS restaurant will give you a medium soda cup size of ice water with a straw for free, no purchase necessary. The exception is AK where it is an open cup due to the no straws rule.

 

[Melora]

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?

This has been my take on disposable ponchos.. THEY WERE HORRIBLE! It was like putting on saran wrap. They ripped almost immediately and were very hard to deal with. While the concept sounds good, for us it was awful in practice.

Because they were so bad we splurged and bought Disney ponchos. (had to... we were there during Tropical Storm Faye and there were torrential downpours for half of our vacation). One tip that I learned here but they don't tell you at the park is that they will replace a poncho for free if it rips. We had to buy 7 ponchos and we replaced 4 of them over the course of the 4 days with rain. Mostly they ripped at the neck while taking them off). While it is a pain to deal with them we simply brought large plastic bags (like the Disney shopping bags) and stuffed them in them when we were done.

 

[claryche]

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?

As another poster stated, I believe, don't rush out after the big nightly events. Take your time and use that time to shop or just take it all in. One of my favorite moments at Disney was after Fantasmic when my DS was 1.5 and we stayed after the show to let the crowds leave. And my DS had a great time just dancing and playing on the bleachers. I have some great pictures and videos from that time spent sitting there. And the way I looked at it, I would rather be there waiting then waiting while I'm standing in line for a bus that will be packed. So just take your time.

On a side note. I love your tip about your co-worker saying that Disney is alot of money for the kids to not remember it. And I agree with you 100% and all the other posters. We hear that from my husband's family all the time and it bothered me at first and I felt like I had to rationalize us spending the money to them. But it's our money and so what if my DS doesn't remember everything, I do and my DH does. And those people who say those things, just don't get the true meaning of joy when you see your child's face at Disney. It's worth all the money that you spend on the trip. And like others said don't think they won't remember. We went in Nov and then the following March for my DS's 3rd bd. And at one point late into the trip, he said We haven't seen Silvermist. Which we hadn't and we had seen her in November. So they remember.

I know that you are going to have a great time and I send you tons of pixie dust and good thoughts.

 

[jamieguffey]

Less than 60 Now.

I have seen this one a couple of times. And will use it religiously.

Before you leave your resort, before you step out the door. Take a picture of your kids in the outfits they are going to be wearing for the day. That way if (God forbid) they get lost you will have a photo of them exactly as they were when they got lost. (back in the day I read somewhere that people would take a polaroid instant camera for this purpose alone.) Today digital cameras and camera phones make that a much simpler process, plus the file can be sent electronically all over the park if they want to.

I have an idea for disney, does anyone know who I should contact?

What I would like to see disney do is to place message boards similar to the artemis signs all over the park, only thess boards will support photos. That way if a child gets lost you can find a cast member give them your memory stick they can take the photo and upload it to the system. Then your childs picture can be broadcast everywhere for cast members throughout the park to be on the look out.

My kids are young so I expect they will make a huge scene if we get separated. When I was 12 we went to Disneyland and the only thing I really remember of the trip was the intense anger when my parents found me after I wondered off. While they were dying inside looking everywhere for me I was out playing on the Island (I think it was tom sawyers there too).

I never understood why they were so mad until the first time one of my little ones wandered off. We were at Kohls and Noah walked around the other side of the aisle to look at a toy. When I turn around he was gone. He was lost a total of 5 seconds. Lucky for me cause had it been 10 seconds I might have thrown up right there. It is a sickening feeling and with technology today it should be a much tighter process.

As an aside, You can also use this process to remember where you parked your car. It's not as big of a deal because at some point everyone will be gone and you will find your car by process of elimination but it could save you the time and trouble of wandering around the worlds largest parking lot looking for your sled.

IF ANYONE HAS ANY TRICKS OR TIPS ON KEEPING UP WITH YOUR KIDS, OTHER THAN THE LEASH THING, I AM ALL EARS!

One other thing. I made an "ID CARD" that will go in their back pack. It has their picture, my picture, my wifes picture, and both our cell phone numbers on it.

 

[Smile4Me]

Less than 60 Now.

I have seen this one a couple of times. And will use it religiously.

Before you leave your resort, before you step out the door. Take a picture of your kids in the outfits they are going to be wearing for the day. That way if (God forbid) they get lost you will have a photo of them exactly as they were when they got lost. (back in the day I read somewhere that people would take a polaroid instant camera for this purpose alone.) Today digital cameras and camera phones make that a much simpler process, plus the file can be sent electronically all over the park if they want to.

I have an idea for disney, does anyone know who I should contact?

What I would like to see disney do is to place message boards similar to the artemis signs all over the park, only thess boards will support photos. That way if a child gets lost you can find a cast member give them your memory stick they can take the photo and upload it to the system. Then your childs picture can be broadcast everywhere for cast members throughout the park to be on the look out.

My kids are young so I expect they will make a huge scene if we get separated. When I was 12 we went to Disneyland and the only thing I really remember of the trip was the intense anger when my parents found me after I wondered off. While they were dying inside looking everywhere for me I was out playing on the Island (I think it was tom sawyers there too).

I never understood why they were so mad until the first time one of my little ones wandered off. We were at Kohls and Noah walked around the other side of the aisle to look at a toy. When I turn around he was gone. He was lost a total of 5 seconds. Lucky for me cause had it been 10 seconds I might have thrown up right there. It is a sickening feeling and with technology today it should be a much tighter process.

As an aside, You can also use this process to remember where you parked your car. It's not as big of a deal because at some point everyone will be gone and you will find your car by process of elimination but it could save you the time and trouble of wandering around the worlds largest parking lot looking for your sled.

IF ANYONE HAS ANY TRICKS OR TIPS ON KEEPING UP WITH YOUR KIDS, OTHER THAN THE LEASH THING, I AM ALL EARS!

One other thing. I made an "ID CARD" that will go in their back pack. It has their picture, my picture, my wifes picture, and both our cell phone numbers on it.

Although I feel your heart is in the right place I do not feel like this is the best idea. Why? Because it is a huge liability. Because then everyone would know what your child looked like, and that they were missing. Both good people and the not so good people. Thats a free ticket for someone to walk away with your kid! Disney is not immune to the reality of the world.And predators would take advantage of a scared kid seperated from their parents in a heart beat. It is the same reason why department stores create codes to announce and some lock doors when children go missing. They do not announce it to the general public.
I don't have kids but we are taking our 10 year old nephew for the first time (obviously older than your children) but we are going to go through the regimen if we get seperated over and over. He is to find the closest cast member and stay exactly where he is. I'd rather me and his uncle be running all over looking for him than him running around looking for us.
Taking pictures every day is also a good practice.

 

[mrstomrice]

Great idea to photo your kids daily. I also suggest showing them what a CM looks like, they will be wearing a name tag. ANy CM will help them if they are lost and the baby care center in each park is where they will be taken to, at least that is what I have been told. I saw a lost boy brought to the one in the MK. Cm's were using walkie talkies to communicate the description and the parents were reconnected quickly. Also, train your child to know your first and last name in case they are lost. Some parents buy dog tags withthe child's info or have id info tied on their shoe laces I think.

 

[mrstomrice]

ANother good use of your camera, but much less important, would be to photograph the code on the back of your photopass. If the card is lost, you will still have the code, therefore access to your pictures that have already been taken.

 

[poohbear8]

Another idea I have seen is to take a sharpie marker and tape and write your cell phone number on them and stick them inside the child's clothes or shoes. That way if they get lost and are upset, they can show the CM the phone number. Walmart sells dog tags (as do pet stores around here) that you can make and either attach to a key chain, then their clothes or tie it into their shoes laces.

The hint about photographing your photopass card is right on! I had read this hint and thankfully had done it on our last trip. I had the card in the plastic case on my lanyard, but realized after some wild ride that the card was gone! I had it on my camera, so I was able to get those pictures back when I got home. This was day 3 of the trip, so that would have been 3 parks worth of photos gone.

 

[loritemp]

Another good idea for your kiddos is to get a Road ID. It is a tag that you can lace into your sneakers that has your info on it, name, phone num etc. Typically bikers and runners use them but might be a good idea in this case too!!

 

[Alesia]

I bought silicone bracelets engraved with our cell phone numbers from shanrene.com. I think it was $7 for 2 of them, including shipping. I like them better than other options because you don't have to worry about them falling out of a pocket and they last forever. My daughter hasn't taken hers off since we got back 3 months ago.

 

[claryche]

There is also tattoos that you can get with info on it. It's safetytat.com We got some for our trip last Nov, however, I found that they didn't even last the whole day, and it was hard to read. So I gave up on them.

Instead we did the dog tag thing, as mentioned. We got a small one, actually done at Disney and worked it into my DS's shoelaces. This works well, except when he would wear his crocs in the park.

We also invested in a child alarm, but never used it because our DS is not one to run off and also spent most of his time in the stroller.

As far as the taking a pic of your photopass, I do that every time. I think that is one of my fav tips. Especially when you have a DS who loves those cards, so you end up with several from your trip. And for this last trip, I found it easier to write down my numbers from the pictures I took rather than hunting down all the cards after our trip.

 

[jamieguffey]

Hey I just realized that I am a mousketeer now. When did I earn my ears?

The tip for today is you should never want for anything at Disney. I was on allears.net and a pooh sized woman said she couldn't fit in the seat at La Nouba so she asked if there was another seat available. They supplied a larger comfy chair in an aisle specifically designed for special seating.

Kosher Meals are available if you ask in advance. Food Allergy adjustments can be accomodated if you request in advance.

A lady said her older daughter when to BBB and could not get a costume. The people at BBB said that they can get any sized outfit as long as they know in advance.

As far as I have read there is almost no need disney can't fulfill as long as they know that it needs filled.

So if you need ANYTHING just ask a castmember. If you need osmething special. Call ahead and ask.