What would you do differently next time?

[toni1227]

I had a great trip but wanted to list a few things I learned or would do differently next time.

I would have extended my trip from 2.5 days to at least 4-5 days so I would not be rushed since DD got sick 1 day and we were unable to do anything.

I would have done my character meal ASAP on the trip and we planned it the last night and since DD was sick could not go. She was sad, but she had a fever and did not want to infect others obviously.

Did do MM first thing luckily!

Give at least 2 full days to 2.5 days to DL itself and do half and half at a slower pace.

Took lots MORE pictures and video.

Made a list of souveniers I needed to get. I forgot the darn magnet (we get magnets everywhere we go).

Try a tigger tail. Totally forgot!!! We did eat the corn dogs and mickey pretzels though.

Other than that things were good. We got PS at Carnation cafe and it was great. I got vacation planning to bring a fruit, cheese, wine basket and treats to our room and that was great! Fast Passes were wonderful.

I have no regrets because we did have a wonderful vacation but I did learn a few things to do differently next time!

 

[Brady's Mom]

There are always things I learn/would do differently the next time I go.

Bring a night light for the bathroom at the hotel - those bathrooms are DARK!

Go see more shows. My fam totally loved the Muppet show in DCA and we didn't see it until last Dec. - our 3rd trip to DLR.

Use photopass more often. DH and I went to DLR for my 40th birthday and we don't have any pics of us together, since we didn't know about photopass then!

 

[rszdtrvl]

We are getting our Dole Floats this time, and going to the Tiki Room. We are also going to Toontown and going to make sure we go on all the rides we want to go on - regardless of the lines.

We are going to try to see Aladdin (the show) on Sunday - fingers crossed.

And we are also experiencing some new restaurants (Blue Bayou & Carnation Cafe).

When it got busy last year, during Spring Break (we are going this year during Spring Break again) we kind of melted down and went back to the hotel due to the crazy crowds.

This time we have plans on how to cope when it gets too crowded : pin trading, hunting down pennies needed for our penny press book, and DTD. And the old standby of the hotel pool & rest.

If we want to try something such as a giant pickle or a mega pineapple slice, we will do so immediately. No waiting and saying that we will get back to it. (we said that we would get back to stuff like that last time and we never did)

And we are going to do ALL Disney and nothing else (last time we did Knotts & Universal) so we will get a true experience. I think we can do most everything in 3 1/2 days.

Oh, and this year my doctor gave me the motion sickness patch (worn behind the ear) so I should have WAY more fun!!

 

[RuthieT]

This will be our 3rd trip together as a family. This time we are going in October the past two times we went in December. We will be staying at HOJO's for the second time. The weather should hopefully be warm enough that our daughter who is 5 can enjoy the in pool area.

Take advantage of the pools at the hotel

Try different places to eat ( I love the food pictures, gives me good ideas where to go and try)

See more Shows

Make it to Morning Madness

More pictures with photopass

 

[mechurchlady]

I go often but have my regrets like not bringing the right clothes on one trip to DLR and not knowing about the AAA special seating.

 

[Sherwin]

Stay as long as you can in the parks.

My past regret has always been leaving too early, and sitting in the hotel room wondering what the heck I'm doing there.

 

[Jennifer03]

The only regret I've ever had is not looking around in stores more. I'm always too busy going on rides.

 

[toni1227]

Haha! I agree with wondering what I am doing in the hotel room. I felt like I was missing out when I was in my room. Although with small kids we had to take a break the first day and the kids swam and never made it back to the park and then the next day my kid got sick.

We never did the matterhorn, jungle cruise or tiki room. So I would get those in. I would skip the corn dogs b/c that was just pure giant greasiness and we ordered 4 when we could have split just 2 and saved a lot of money.

I forgot about the dole whip too! Next time I would try out blue bayou for lunch to try the monte cristo just to do it.

Also, I needed to do the store shopping more too. I felt rushed everytime we were in a store and I did not really buy hardly any souveniers for myself or others (besides my kids).

Actually, next time I think we are trying out WDW to see how that goes for 7 nights. I seriously need to chill but I already started looking at packages...LOL. I cannot even imagine figuring out PS for all those days. Craziness.

 

[northshoremama]

Actually, next time I think we are trying out WDW to see how that goes for 7 nights. I seriously need to chill but I already started looking at packages...LOL. I cannot even imagine figuring out PS for all those days. Craziness.

ah...the good ole disney snowball effect...you start planning a trip shortly after coming back from one OR even before your next trip...kinda like me. we have our may trip coming up...but i'm already looking at booking another trip for september!

 

[1sttime]

definitely our next trip will be longer ... we did 3 days (plus the Sunday evening prior) and would do at least 5 days or more in order to allow for an 'off' day from the parks after a couple days as by day 3 the kids were starting to 'melt down'!!

 

[toni1227]

ah...the good ole disney snowball effect...you start planning a trip shortly after coming back from one OR even before your next trip...kinda like me. we have our may trip coming up...but i'm already looking at booking another trip for september!

Yep! I am just worried my DH is not so on board as I am. I think I scared him with my crazy planning last week.

Well maybe i am wrong..I just emailed him (he is out of town) with my plans to maybe do WDW during Thanksgiving or Spring Break next year and I was scared to get his reply. He said "cool keep me updated" so YAY to that! My planning is ON! HAHA!

 

[toni1227]

definitely our next trip will be longer ... we did 3 days (plus the Sunday evening prior) and would do at least 5 days or more in order to allow for an 'off' day from the parks after a couple days as by day 3 the kids were starting to 'melt down'!!

Yes, great idea. My kids were tired too. We left after 3 nights and headed to San Diego and it was just overkill with changing hotels, doing different parks etc...

 

[Escape2Disney]

On our next trip, I will:

- Be willing to take more breaks and SLEEP when tired (hard to do because I don't want to miss anything)
- See ELP if it is playing
- Go to pirate island
- Ride Lilly Bell (if available)
- Tour GCH (first time staying on property)
- Take more pictures of the flowers
- View the castle walk-through
- See Pixie Hollow
- Spend some time exploring the park alone

These are just the things I have never done! I'm glad we'll be there 6 1/2 days - maybe I'll have time!

 

[BecBennett]

Next trip I'm planning on going to more restaurants, I know it will take up a lot of time, but I think it's worth it...

 

[SnowWhite09]

This time i'm going with someone i'm in love with!



Mr SnowWhite09

 

[Snow Orange]

What a great thread idea.....I just changed a few things for our first family trip to DLR....seems the biggest thing to do is just enjoy everything even what on the outside appears to be the little things.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Last time I got a neat new camera for the trip that also takes videos but I completely forgot to take any. I got a new 8GB Ultra II card on sale for $20! So I'm going to take videos this trip!

We are also going on all the small things we always skip to get to the big rides. Like the train, the paddleboat, ect. I also want to see Aladdin if it is still there by summer.

 

[RuthieT]

oh yeah the castle walk through would be fun

Riding the horse and buggy through main street

Walk through Downtown Disney