What is your #1 Touring Tip?

[Minnie Mi]

Wear running or walking sneakers and socks. The parks are too big to hobble around because of sore feet and blisters. And wear sunblock.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I wish I could convince my family to arrive early. I have to crack the whip in the mornings. And we spend half our days outside the parks.

For me, even more important than arrive early, is flexibility -- be prepared to stop and enjoy the magic moments when they pop up -- even going so far as to miss a PS! If you don't do that, you'll miss some of the best memories.

 

[ChuckGA]

My #1 tip is to know whether you and your kids are park commandos or not.

We have been on 4 trips to WDW over the last 3 years and we are definitely commandos. Our first trip taking the kids to WDW was Jan 2001 for three days and they we 17 months (DS) and 3.5 years (DD). We thought DD would need a nap back at the car (staying DTD) but when we went back she did not rest at all. She went open 9am to close 10pm. We did MK again opening to early evening (slept in stroller) and MGM opening to close. Dec 2001 for a week. Always was at the parks for opening (on-site), stayed at the same park all day and when we left we were done for the day. May 2003 we stayed YC CL and decided to slow down, do one park in the morning and one in evening with a rest back at the room. Nearly everyone on these boards say that is the best way to do WDW with small children Big mistake. We spent way too much time travelling, kids would sleep for 20 minutes on the bus ride and then not nap again that day. June 2003 we went with my sister's family staying Poly CL. We were commandos and they were not. Her son needed a nap / rest for most of the afternoon (3.5 yo) and would not sleep in the stroller.

If we get a chance to go again in the Fall 2004 we are going right back to our commando ways (At the park for opening, single park for the day and when we leave we are done for the day). This works best for our family. Our children have never been big nappers, being done with a nap every day since 2 yo. Both still occassionaly nap but rarely and they can sleep anywhere and at anytime if they are tired.

Chuck

 

[Teaching in NV]

Originally posted by ChuckGA
May 2003 we stayed YC CL and decided to slow down, do one park in the morning and one in evening with a rest back at the room. Nearly everyone on these boards say that is the best way to do WDW with small children Big mistake. We spent way too much time travelling, kids would sleep for 20 minutes on the bus ride and then not nap again that day. Chuck

That was true for us also - so we adapted by finding quiet little out of the way places in the parks for a short nap (the baby stations or baby concierge at the parks for infants - toddlers are wonderful!) For the older ones, we found shady places in all the parks to rest and even managed a nap or two!
We DO leave the parks when they get crowded and do whatever sounds good at the time (Disney Quest, back to the hotel for pool, WL for petting zoo, rent water toys, etc.) if we feel the need to "get away from the mouse" for awhile (hey .. it doesn't happen often ... but it has been known to happen)