What is the 1 thing you wish you knew before your 1st trip?

[beautyqueen]

How to eat solid food and how to crawl.

I believe my parents took me on my first trip when I was a couple months old!

We are planning our first trip also, so no tips just glad to read the answers!

 

[mkacar24]

Haven't read the thread yet, so someone else may have already said it but one thing came to mind instantly.

We wish we had known that no matter how much we planned, no matter how many ADR's we changed and no matter how commando our touring was that just slowing down and taking it all in would be the most magical thing we could do.

We had the greatest time but we never slowed down. There was always somewhere else to be. All of the sudden the week was over and we were home. We rode all the rides we wanted to mostly without waits. We ate like kings and queens on the deluxe dining plan. It wasn't till we got home and the Disney blues set in that we realized we should have had at least a day somewhere of chilling out. Not that we got tired or worn out, it was just that even our breaks were planned.

We are going again in April and we have big plans. Just this time we are going to try to soak it all in a little more. If that makes sense.

 

[iwrbnd]

I wish I had realized that it is impossible to go to WDW once without immediately making plans to go back!

I think my husband wishes he had known this! He has to keep taking me back!

 

[CleoPahd]

As an adult, the thing I wish I knew before our first trip as a family was that you're never going to see everything in just one trip, so relax and enjoy what you are able to take in while you are there....you'll catch some more on the next trip.

 

[DSLTX]

This immediately came to mind...If you're using Disney's Magical Express, make sure you know how it works, how they can handle your luggage, ect. On our last trip, I felt so bad for the family in front of us. They were dragging around their luggage not realizing they didn't have to. The mom said she wished someone had told her about that and questioned what other things she wasn't told about. It was a shame to see their trip starting off with such frustration. So, keep reading these forums, ask questions and enjoy the process - it will all pay off with a magical vacation!!!

 

[gigicnm]

I wish I let my kids have more time at the pool. We had a great trip, and they were able to take a quick dip in the pool most days. What they really would have liked was to have an afternoon at the pool, so that is what we have planned for this trip. Plus we plan to go back to AKL several afternoons then return to the parks at dinner time.

You can't fit it all in in one trip. Take breaks, go back to the hotel, nap/swim, soak in your surroundings.

 

[Lindy Loo]

My advice... video and take pictures, my dd was 4 and cant remember that much, however I have wonderful memories...


Relax and enjoy.... stop and smell the roses.

Buy glow sticks for the evening parade, at the $ shop, before you go. spread the magic and let your little girl make friends, by giving her extras to give out to other kids.

Take a photopass card and get loads of family pics... you dont have to decide to take the pics,but its good to have the choice!

Take some breaks, enjoy and rest at a character meal. My DD loved chef mickeys... great napkin dance !


read the DIS !

 

[JennyMP03]

I wish I had known that without getting to Hollywood Studios at opening to ride/get a FastPass for Toy Story Mania, I'd end up missing it both times I tried and never riding it. The lines were crazy long and the FPs were out by the time we got to it on both days we made the attempt.

If you want to ride TSM, GO TO ROPE DROP!

 

[JennyMP03]

----double post---

 

[foxyroxy40]

I wish I would of carried our ponchos with me every day for the un-expected showers and no matter your plans stop and just enjoy the fact your at disney world and at any quick service counter you can get a free cup of ice water

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

I *WISH* I knew that Disney does offer special rates/deals/promos and didn't have to pay full price for my package.. .

Believe it or not, I never knew this one either!!!! How oh how did I NOT know!?!?

 

[dawgsgirl]

I wished I had known how overwhelming WDW can be, especially for kids. I also wished we had slowed down some. We were so tired after a week at WDW that my neice did not even want to go back!!! I stupidly thought that that first trip was a once in a lifetime trip!!! So, just make up your mind that you will be going back and just RELAX!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

How addicting Walt Disney World is! If I hadn't started, I'd be thousands - no, tens of thousands - of dollars richer now!