What I learned today!

[TinkHappy]

Loving it...count me in!

 

[jamieguffey]

Okay so I may not find one everyday but i will still get my 70+ days worth of tips.

Get a list of important WDW phone numbers. Copy the info. Cut the stuff you know you won't need and shrink it down to the point it would fit on a credit card sized placard. Then print and laminate it. I thought about programming them all into my phone but for one week out of a year (hopefully going forward) it would just clog up my phone book.
Here are a couple of locations I have found that list a lot of numbers on one page:

http://www.guide2wdw.com/important_phone_numbers.htm
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Walt-Disney-World-Phone-Numbers.htm

 

[jamieguffey]

T-41

Apparently, the smoke at Illuminations can be a big problem. As a result it is important to consider this when choosing a spot from which to view the show. I have seen references to the smoke in several locations but wdwmagic.com goes a bit further.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/IllumiNations-Smoke-Direction-Forecast.htm

Maybe some of the vets will confirm this, but I know this will be something that I will probably discover for myself. I know my wife and kids and I will be choking to death on Monday night 8/24 and I will be saying to myself...They told me so.

 

[jamieguffey]

As I have found during my daily tip search there are literally 100's (maybe 1000's) of sites claiming to be WDW Tip Guru's! Unfortunately, a lot of these sites contain tips that are completely outdated. Also a lot of the good tip sites, the ones that update their info regularly, contain information that since it was posted has become outdated.

allears.net has a disclaimer at the top of its tip page:
"Welcome to our tip page. All of these tips have been submitted by readers of the All Ears® Newsletter and the Allears.net® web site and were accurate when they were originally published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip."
Make sure that you confirm your info. My wife was all geeked when she read about the Jr. Chef Program at Epcot. Unfortunately, as best I can tell this was discontinued. Just about every site I have found has outdated info on it. I guess you can't really blame the sites? Allears has thousands of tidbits of information, it would take someone weeks to verify all of it. Unfortunately, this means you have to verify just about everything.

This is one of the main reasons I started my little "tip thread". It is one way I can confirm my info. Tips like the one about the transportation wizard were quickly met with "beware some of the routes don't exist" replies. So make sure you don't take my word for it (or any other persons) follow up to make sure you are on top of it.

Note: I just found wdwmagic.com and there are some decent items on there but there are also references to attractions that haven't existed for many years. So far it looks as though they reference just about any attraction that has ever been there and as far as I can see they tell you it is closed but I haven't spent much time on there so beware.

 

[Alesia]

My wife was all geeked when she read about the Jr. Chef Program at Epcot. Unfortunately, as best I can tell this was discontinued.

I can confirm that it has been discontinued.

 

[HerdOHuds]

GET YOUR GLOW STUFF BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

I did this but I was overeager and bought the stuff waaaaaay too early. By the time we arrived, our glow bracelets were not able to glow. I guess that stuff has a shelf life.

So, if you can, wait until right before you leave. Also, dropping the glow box can break the tube inside the bracelet or wand. Handle them carefully so that when you break them out in the park, your kids aren't looking at you and saying, "These don't glow, Momma. Lame!" And you end up buying the expensive, breaks in 2 hours, loud, annoying, twirlly crap anyway...not that I did that or anything.

 

[Sandy321]

I completely disagree with people who say Epcot is not for kids.

My 8 year old daughter loved it! We spent over 2 hours in China alone! We had 2 full days there, but I wish we could have added a third.

My DD also LOVES Epcot! The Kidcot stations are wonderful -

(do you know about making your own autograph/Passport?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2197717
picture in post 15!)


Photoshares are not illegal unless you try and profit off the photos included in your CD! Also you can extend your 30 days - if you have more than one card - its 30 days from the last entry - I think it would be hard to do it with "strangers" but if you build a trust with "virtual" friends, I think you can enjoy a photopass share - but like stated in previous post - they are banned on the Dis for the abuse of money changing hands... and not getting anything in return...

Glow Stuff:
I always go in the Fall, but purchase the glow stuff on sale after the 4th of July - I've not had problems, so I appreciate those that have had problems posting their experiences!

I was given a bag of 100 glow sticks - the old fashioned tubes that you break and have to put on a string - I brought them to a DIS meet in '08 Marathon Weekend - I didnt even think about it not being allowed in carry on! OHare airport made me take off my coat, but didnt have a problem with the carry on glow sticks - they were in their original container, still sealed tho - not sure if it makes a difference - I was prepared to toss them tho!

 

[Alesia]

I did this but I was overeager and bought the stuff waaaaaay too early. By the time we arrived, our glow bracelets were not able to glow. I guess that stuff has a shelf life.

So, if you can, wait until right before you leave. Also, dropping the glow box can break the tube inside the bracelet or wand. Handle them carefully so that when you break them out in the park, your kids aren't looking at you and saying, "These don't glow, Momma. Lame!" And you end up buying the expensive, breaks in 2 hours, loud, annoying, twirlly crap anyway...not that I did that or anything.

That's really odd. I have glow bracelets that I bought 2 or 3 years ago that work fine.

 

[DianaLeslie]

I did this but I was overeager and bought the stuff waaaaaay too early. By the time we arrived, our glow bracelets were not able to glow. I guess that stuff has a shelf life.

FYI if you store glow stuff in the fridge it keeps better longer and actually glows longer.

I don't know how and I don't know why but we tested the theory one time with one cold stick and one room temperature one and the cold one lasted almost twice as long.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I did this but I was overeager and bought the stuff waaaaaay too early. By the time we arrived, our glow bracelets were not able to glow. I guess that stuff has a shelf life.

So, if you can, wait until right before you leave. Also, dropping the glow box can break the tube inside the bracelet or wand. Handle them carefully so that when you break them out in the park, your kids aren't looking at you and saying, "These don't glow, Momma. Lame!" And you end up buying the expensive, breaks in 2 hours, loud, annoying, twirlly crap anyway...not that I did that or anything.

I have to tell you I love your avatar...soooo sweet!

We have gone in Dec. the past few trips. I stock up on glow stuff right after the 4th of July when the fireworks stands have them on clearance, and it has been fine in Dec. The kids LOVE to pass out glowsticks and "spread their own PixieDust". It makes the waits for night time events go faster, and teaches them how it feels good to make somebody happy.

Op...thanks for starting this thread...great tips for newbies and vets alike.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

FYI if you store glow stuff in the fridge it keeps better longer and actually glows longer.

I don't know how and I don't know why but we tested the theory one time with one cold stick and one room temperature one and the cold one lasted almost twice as long.

Really? That's why my Grandma always did that? On Halloween, we'd always go to Grandma's first...She'd give us our plastic pumpkins and glowsticks...out of the fridge...I never knew why till now. All these years, I just thought they lasted longer cause they were made better then. Or cause they were from Grandma!

 

[HerdOHuds]

Okay then, maybe it wasn't the timing, but the storage space. I shouldn't have left them on top of the dryer for 4 months......yeah, that makes sense. I was buying them at the Dollar Tree, I thought they must just be second-run or something. Now I know. Keep 'em in the fridge!

 

[poohbear8]

I would try to buy several brands or types of glow sticks along with extra packages. That way you hopefully will have some that work if one pack is a dude.

Here's my "earned from experience TWICE" hint: They only work if you take them with you! We brought a bunch of them on one of our trips with both kids were little. They were too old for naps, so we spent the day in the parks. We got up, ate breakfast and the left the room. Evening parades and glow necklaces did not hit us until right about the time the CM's appeared selling theirs! It was "then" we realized we left them in the room. Sadly, this happened 2 nights in a row. By night 3, we had them in the backpack we kept in the stroller for DD.

 

[HerdOHuds]

I would try to buy several brands or types of glow sticks along with extra packages. That way you hopefully will have some that work if one pack is a dude.:

Bolding is mine. Just brought a smile to my face!

 

[DianaLeslie]

Really? That's why my Grandma always did that? On Halloween, we'd always go to Grandma's first...She'd give us our plastic pumpkins and glowsticks...out of the fridge...I never knew why till now. All these years, I just thought they lasted longer cause they were made better then. Or cause they were from Grandma!

Well no, your's lasted that long cause they were from Grandma and that made them special.


**
I honestly don't remember where the fridge thing came from, I just remember testing it out with a friend and it really did make a huge difference and we've done it ever since.

(I prefer to use the glow sticks in my Halloween pumpkins rather than candles. My front step isn't very big and kids with drapey costumes always worry me.)

 

[jamieguffey]

We are going during free dining so the decision on whether to get the meal plan of course a no brainer. With that said there is a very finite window to the free dining promotion so for most people you actually have to weigh the pros and cons of the deal.

To help you make that decision check out touring plans guide to the Disney Dining Plan.

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=94

The one thing this page does is help guide you to getting the most value out of your purchase. What it did for me is to make me thank my lucky stars that we did not pay for the plan.

We are doing two character breakfasts which under a paid plan would be a complete waste of money. And we are doing a couple of more restaraunts that would be cheaper paying out of pocket than using the credit. (Trails End for one).

If I had paid for the plan, I might have made some different choices.

To maximize the value you could go to all ears and check out the menus for the restaraunts. Then find the single credit restaraunts that have the most expensive entrees and do it that way. Heck the Filet at Le Cellier is $35 by itself.

By the way my boss just got back from a 3 day tour. He said he spent almost $200 per day on food. From what I hear that is probably on the low side of what you could spend on 4 adults.

You can check out the menus are here: http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

 

[squirrel]

We have put the glow necklaces/bracelets in the freezer when finished with them for the night and then you can pull them out another night and they still work.

 

[jamieguffey]

We have put the glow necklaces/bracelets in the freezer when finished with them for the night and then you can pull them out another night and they still work.

I agree I had never heard of doing this with unactivated necklaces once you crack them though throwing them in the freezer did preserve them.

 

[HerdOHuds]

We are going during free dining so the decision on whether to get the meal plan of course a no brainer. With that said there is a very finite window to the free dining promotion so for most people you actually have to weigh the pros and cons of the deal.

To help you make that decision check out touring plans guide to the Disney Dining Plan.

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=94

The one thing this page does is help guide you to getting the most value out of your purchase. What it did for me is to make me thank my lucky stars that we did not pay for the plan.

We are doing two character breakfasts which under a paid plan would be a complete waste of money. And we are doing a couple of more restaraunts that would be cheaper paying out of pocket than using the credit. (Trails End for one).

If I had paid for the plan, I might have made some different choices.

To maximize the value you could go to all ears and check out the menus for the restaraunts. Then find the single credit restaraunts that have the most expensive entrees and do it that way. Heck the Filet at Le Cellier is $35 by itself.

By the way my boss just got back from a 3 day tour. He said he spent almost $200 per day on food. From what I hear that is probably on the low side of what you could spend on 4 adults.

You can check out the menus are here: http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

When planning our last trip, we not only paid for our dining plan, we upped it to Deluxe. I looked at the menus of the places we planned to eat. Figured the cost of what I thought we might order-and never chose appetizers or dessert-then compared it to the DDP cost. It was close enough in cost for me that, when I considered the benefits (the mugs, the extra courses, and the flexibility of choices, not to mention not paying OOP in the moment for food, but beforehand) it was a great deal for us to go dining plan.

We included in our plans 3 characters meals. One being breakfast in the castle. My children still talk about those meals and who they met. Maybe financially character meals aren't wise, but in the grand scheme of things, I have some pretty spectacular memories of DS1 jumping with Tigger, Eeyore wiggling his hiney at me, DD having a princess only conversation with Snow White, and Pluto playing hide and seek with DS3's glow toy. Priceless....

OP, I know what you meant when you said character meals made no sense on the dining plan, but even paying for dining plan they can be a smart choice for your family.

 

[MamaCrush]

AWESOME IDEA. Just ordered mine.

Me to. We've also always reminded our kids that if they get separated from us (they freak at the phrase "get lost"), they are to go to the nearest CM (and they know to look for the name tag) and that they will take them to Guest Services and we will know where to find them. Thankfully we've never had to test the plan, but the kids seem relieved to know that there is a plan.