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

[jcvalenti]

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

Bill From PA

True ! Though with the French Bakery being open at park open now, I'm presented with the interesting conundrum of whether a pre-Rose & Crown mimosa and a croissant is more critical than a rope-drop dash to Soarin'

 

[bellenbuzz]

Be prepared to veer off your schedule, stop and enjoy the details...
No One Ever can conquer it all in their 1st trip
Research the details, Hidden Mickeys, Technology, Landscaping and it makes it that much more magical

 

[soniam]

This is from my experience as an adult/parent; first went as a kid in the 80s (doesn't count now).

Things we did right:
- Undercover Tourist Tickets
- Mousesavers
- Unofficial Guide
- Touring Plans customized plans
- ADRs
- Fastpass
- This board

Things done right this trip:
- Above, except do FP+

Things done wrong:
- Make ADRs for on-site resort, unless QS
- Don't stay at resort doing massive construction, not minor refurb

 

[Stephaniesue]

We learned how important it is to have a general plan.

I also learned how much time it wastes to park hop. I know some love it, and that's ok. But for my family we wasted so much time going from one park to the other. Our kids were small at the time so I am sure that was half of it.

We have a plan in place (just waiting to book those FP) and we will not be buying hoppers this time.

 

[OB1]

Look everywhere - its easy to miss attractions. First trip was 1994. We missed a number of attractions, including 20,000 Leagues, because it was just not obvious where a ride entrance was located, and what was a ride. If you can get into a location, then it is open to foot traffic for a reason. Do not be afraid to look and explore.

 

[Annadesu]

On my first "adult" trip after many years, I learned...

1) You can have the stores send all your merchandise to your hotel room, instead of carrying it around all day like an idiot.

2) After the fireworks end, just let everyone stampede out of the park. You can sit and relax for a while, maybe check out a store. It's not worth it.

3) The hotel room is really not that important. When we go, we're barely in it. We sleep, shower, that's about it. Don't spend a fortune on it.

 

[mousefan73]

We made the mistake of focusing on the headliners.. and spending all our time maximizing those.. and stressing on making sure we do the attractions where the masses go, as those must be good. Granted we went in offseason so alot of attractions had no wait, but we ignored them. thinking we were missing out on the headliners/ rides with waits.

Wasnt until our 3rd trip, we discovered, for example Mickey's Philharmonic. there we no line and we actually did this when we found out it was indoor ( hench A/C).. so we went for a cool off. I was in no mood for some "lame" show..

Anyways, it was awesome and in 3D and with a huge WIDE screen..
My kids looooved it and did it 2x in a row the first time.

I would almost suggest people if they had time.. to allocate a MK day just for the smaller, side attractions... tell yourself, no mountains today and take the time to enjoy other rides...

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

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?

I wish I had used the lockers.

 

[Land Shark]

Exempting my first trip as a kid in '74.
First trip with my own kids in 2000 I wish I had taken more pictures and I dont mean those posed ones. Its the awe inspiring looks of a child the first time they experience Disney (or any other big event) that I wiish I had captured. I have a few (my favorite is my youngest just waking up as the parade was going by), but now they are 23 and 17 and the years just flew by!

 

[pta-mom]

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.

I totally agree!!

 

[texasroni75]

I wish I had known about the special offers (we paid rack rate for everything on our first trip - ugh!).

And, I wish we had researched the menus at all the restaurants ahead of time. We were all SO sick of chicken nuggets and fries from counter service by day 3, but didn't realize how much variety was out there.

 

[SydneyFalco]

I wish I'd known what those bell bottoms were going to look like in the photos.

 

[RedSox68]

How important it is to stay ON SITE. We didn't the first time and it was a lot of travelling. Of course, in 1984 they didn't have the road system or amount of partner hotels they have now either

 

[stky6]

That Universal was so close

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

That Universal was so close

So is the Universal forum :

 

[bjam12]

Another one I forgot to add in the original post. I never knew a Welcome Show existed on our first trip.

 

[OasterP]

This is a great thread! Our first trip (not including childhood one I can't remember) is in September! I knew a lot of these but ONLY because of this board! Keep the ideas coming!

 

[stky6]

So is the Universal forum :

 

[Land Shark]

Another...that young children will enjoy World Showcase. We almost didn't go and my youngest watched the trains in Germany for an hour as we relaxed. We had mistakenly thought there wasn't much for them to enjoy but we were definitely wrong. The multiple character interactions (this is also back when they drove some around in a double decker bus), the Tapestry of Nations Parade (alas, no more), the Mexico and Norway boat rides, running around the maze in the English Pavilian gardens and so much more. Could have spent more than our last afternoon there and defintley did on subsequent trips.

 

[abmitch01]

don't waste the extra money on hopper tickets, we've always been happy with 1 park, 1 day

try everything, you never know what you might love. DD was scared to death of TOT, now you can't get her off. Going on the stuff that even seems hokey, it's still fun