What is the one thing you wish you knew about on your first trip?

[bjam12]

We are heading back to the World next month after making a trip last fall. I remember after returning last fall finding out about a bunch of things I didn't know when I was there. One example would be Characterpalooza. Another would be the Passports at the Kidcot Fun Center.

How about you? What is one thing you wish you knew about on your first trip?

 

[jcvalenti]

I wish I knew how much my wife and I would like it - then I wouldn't have gone, as it's cost me a FORTUNE over the next decade.

 

[bjam12]

Haha very true. That is why we are going back again.

 

[RobertK65]

I think the most important thing we took away from that first trip is how important it is to have a plan before you enter any park. Not suggesting you "commando" it down to the last detail but at least have an idea of what the attractions are like and which ones you want to see. Also, be familiar with the layout of the parks.

 

[PSUGuy]

The importance of being there at Rope Drop.

Bill From PA

 

[selina4disney]

I wish I'd known that skimming the Unofficial Guide on the three hour plane ride to Florida does not constitute planning. Seriously, we missed so much because we didn't know it was there...had no clue there was a show in the Tree of Life. Had no clue what a fast pass was. Honestly we had it in our heads it was like going to the local amusement park. Big wake up call. Second trip I PLANNED!

 

[Mickeygolf]

On our first trip I wish I would have known just how big it all is. After many trips now it's easy to navigate and plan for, but I really wished we would have known how big it is!!!

 

[jcvalenti]

The importance of being there at Rope Drop.

Bill From PA

From your signature photo, I would have thought it was the importance of going to Rose & Crown on a weekday, so that you can see Carl the Bartender.

 

[pinkvol7]

I wish we would not have done the DDP. It took us 3 trips to realize we could save $$ by not doing it!!

 

[nikki7680]

I wish we knew we could bring in water bottles! We spent a lot of money on water that year

 

[pigletgirl]

Knowing that you cannot accomplish everything you intend too.

It's ok to take a break. Theme parks can be exhausting.

 

[carlythecat]

I wish I knew how much my wife and I would like it - then I wouldn't have gone, as it's cost me a FORTUNE over the next decade.

My husband feels the same way!

 

[PSUGuy]

From your signature photo, I would have thought it was the importance of going to Rose & Crown on a weekday, so that you can see Carl the Bartender.

The Rose&Crown taps don't open until 11:30 so I suppose we do 2 Rope Drops a day!

Bill From PA

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I wish I had known that Disney would eventually eliminate the stand-by queue, so that I could have truly cherished them while I still could.

 

[Twojays017]

How to tie my shoes? (I was 5...in October 1971)

I have never rope-dropped in probably 100 visits.

I think staying on property and taking afternoon breaks (especially with little ones) are very good ideas.
You cannot expect to see everything even on a lengthy visit.

 

[abmitch01]

The importance of being there at Rope Drop.

Bill From PA

this

 

[jeffbear]

To be fair, my first trip was way back in the 70s and I'm not sure anybody had their park visits all that well planned out.

After that, two things that saved the most time and headaches when my kids were little that I learned on the fly:

1. Rope drop as mentioned.
Look, I know it's vacation and you want/need to relax, but if your kids are little I'll bet they're up at the crack of dawn anyway. Feed em, get them to the parks and take advantage of that soft time in the first couple of hours.

2. An afternoon break aka staying on property
Again, thinking about the family with small children. So, you rope drop with your 2.5 kids and get them through lunch but they're flagging ... because that's what kids do. Heck, you're probably flagging too unless you're one of those bloody marathon people. So hop the monorail or bus at about 1 or 2:00, head for the resort, prop your feet up, cool off with a nice snack, maybe take a dip in the pool or feed the ducks or whatever and then head back to a park for dinner and a couple of hours of early evening touring.

Honestly, after many visits my two favorite times to be in any of the WDW parks is the first couple of hours after rope drop and the time between dinner and park closing.

 

[SillySallySews]

I was three so I agree with the person who said how to tie their shoes. But on my first trip as an adult...I wish I had known you can send whatever you buy back to your resort instead of carrying it around with you all day. I wish I would've known you can't show up at the Xmas shop in MK on your last night in Disney and have an ornament personalized by the time you go home. I wish I had known about the paper FP hidden on Tom Sawyer's island, because my kids used to love that after we discovered it.

 

[lustergirl]

On our first trip I wish I would have known just how big it all is. After many trips now it's easy to navigate and plan for, but I really wished we would have known how big it is!!!

Exactly. On our first trip I had no idea about the sheer size of Disney.

 

[abmitch01]

when I was knew the Unofficial Guide and touring plans was so helpful, especially if you go at a crowded time of year. Also, if you don't want o break the bank, it's ok to stay off property. We did this many times and stayed in some beautiful homes or condos and really enjoyed them. We're onsite this time but I don't think you have to be to get the Disney Magic.