What would you do differently?

[wdwnut2]

I pulled out my old Passporter last night and was reading the notes I had made. I remember on our trip last time when I would get to the entry "what was the worst thing about today" I would cringe, not wanting to write anything bad about our trip.! Well, those entries are actually coming in handy now, helping me remember problems we encountered and how I would do things differently. So, in the theory "We learn from our mistakes", what would you do differently on your next trip?

I'll start. Last time I had made reservations at California Grill to coincide with the fireworks from MVMCP. I was so excited about this! Unfortunately it was our 2nd to last night, and by this time I was wiped out. When we came back to our room to shower and change for dinner I just couldn't get off the bed. We ended up canceling our PS. I'm still mad at myself about this!! So next time any dinners I really want to do I will plan for the beginning of our trip! I'm planning CG for our 2nd night!

 

[Dizz-knee-whirl]

I would get character autographs.

When my wife and I (mid 20's) went to WDW vacation before last, she wanted to get autograps. At the time i thought that was silly and that we aould feel awkward. We didn't and it was actually lots of fun. our last two trips however, we did not get character autographs...pictures, but no autographs. On each trip we'd say, "remember how much fun autographs were?" but still not buy the book.


Autographs are fun......that's what I'd change

 

[dmonroe]

I would not make so many ps's! Last trip I felt like we were always stopping something fun to make it time for a ps. Granted, we were traveling with a party of 9 and if we wanted to eat a sit-down meal we needed a ps. This time (only 4 of us!) I've only made 2 ps's so far!

 

[Darian]

I'd wear more sunscreen.

 

[GoofieRuthie]

I was a first timer so I had no idea about codes and discounts. I did go through DU and got it a tad cheaper, but not much. I now know I can get it much cheaper and don't need all the plusses.

I also had PSes scheduled late in the trip and ended up not going to any of them expect the Whispering Canyon Cafe. I wish now that we had gone to the Prime Time Cafe. I don't really mind that we missed the Ice Cream Social though.

I would like to make more time for the World Showcase at Epcot also. My next trip I plan to take it slow and enjoy the scenery and catch the Lion King show and Illuminations.

 

[Joyciemc]

Not too much, because we had a great time!!
But I would take things a little slower. We had plenty of time to hit all of our must do's. We went just a little too hard the first few days trying to see everything right away. And if we are doing an E-ride night, I will not start so early that morning. I almost fell asleep on Splash Mountain by Midnight, and I was so tired that even though it was our last night, I just wanted to get back to my bed.

Most importantly, I wouldn't leave Disney next time! Coming home just isn't as much fun as staying!

 

[mommystieg]

I am trying to slow down a little this time. I thought our first visit would be our last so we missed lots of little details Although I want to do everything we did last time and more, I am trying to be more realistic and remember that we will be back(we joined DVC!!)I am definitely spending more time in the countries of World Showcase and I promised my dd's that this time we would swim in the resort pool

 

[zcomic]

On our first trip to WDW in 1997 we'd do EE then go back to the hotel right after lunch and relax at the pool before heading out for the evening. We vowed to do that again on our 2000 & 2001 trips but always seemed to say "one more ride" and pretty soon we're rushing back to the hotel with just enough time to shower and head out to our PS's. Our DD was only 4 on that first trip and would get tired sooner. One the other trips she could go all day without getting tired.

On this year's trip we're vowing again to spend early afternoons at the hotel and quit feeling like we have to be doing something every moment of the day.

 

[dw123]

I'd only do character breakfasts the first or second day of the trip. After you've been at the parks a few days, it gets tough to get up early (especially the kids!), and you want the experience to be fun and not a chore.

We'd also stay longer. This was our first trip and it was for only 4 days in the parks. I had read on the boards that you need at least a week, and I thought that'd be too much for me. Wrong! 3 more days and could have covered everything we wanted too.

 

[Harambe]

Mine is similar to the OP, but the dinner we pooped out for and cancelled was BOMA! I'm still waiting to eat there!

Bottom line - don't over plan!

 

[Lovetherodent]

Research the discounts.

I probably paid rack rate for my first two trips. This time, I stumbled into a better deal (clicked the yellow "vacation savings" box on the website). Then the POFQ closed and I stumbled into an even better one. However, it was just dumb luck. Next time, I'm going to be a smarter consumer. I'm hoping that by saving money on getting rooms with "codes" and buying PHPs instead of getting the package that I can afford a longer stay.

That's my second regret--not staying longer. This time, we've only got 4 full days in the parks and I just wrote AK out of the schecule. No time, and it's my least favorite, so out it goes!

 

[jjarman]

Our next trip I am really going to try to do one of the touring plans. DH would not cooperate last time but this trip it is just me and DS and I can get him to do almost anything.

We are doing a water park this time. Last trip it rained the whole time which was fine but I just didn't want to get we intentionally.

We are planning on flying this trip instead of driving. That will give us almost a whole other day in the parks.

 

[JetMom]

Check my bag BEFORE leaving the room. We had a pre-opening PS for Donald's Breakfast and I left the park-hoppers in the room!
The whole family had to wait while I drove back to the Dolphin to get them!

 

[patsal]

When traveling with others I would give them a sketchy itinerary. That way there is no surprise that I want to be in the parks at 9am, that I was going to go to a water park for two hours in the afternoon, etc. They would know what I had planned and they could join me if they choose or do their own thing.

 

[kdibattista]

Great topic!!!!

Last year we stayed at AKL and travelled with another couple (they stayed at French Quarter). I would do 2 things differently:

1) spend more time just enjoying our savannah view. We would sit out there in the morning for a little bit and then when we got back to the room.... it just wasn't enough

2) definitely plan better when travelling with others. They wanted to spend all their time with us so we felt like we didn't get to enjoy any real alone time.

We plan on fixing both of those this December. We are stahing at AKL with my family (8 of us total) and we all have agreed to give each other our "personal time"

 

[donna in Oz]

We discovered that four grown women need more than one room and one bathroom!!!

 

[cashout]

Buy rain pochos before getting there.

 

[ImagineEar]

For our last trip I took advice I had read on these boards and purchased "Souveniers" before going.

Examples:

Glow in the dark necklaces bought at the party store for $1.50 each, took the place of similar ones sold during Illuminations for $$$. DD, age 5 was thrilled when I whipped them out of my bag (before she saw the vendors) and she wore them with pride all night!

Bring character stuff with you:
Disney Store Clearance sale (During 4th of July WKND) Provided character shirts for a family of 4 and trinkets for the kids - all for about what 1 Sweatshirt ($75ish) would cost at WDW!

 

[jeleebeene]

JUST THE 2 OF US!!!

The last two trips we have taken have been with other people. The first time there was a total of 13 of us - and we were always together - not good!!

Last year, DH and I went with my brother, which wasn't as bad, but we still missed that "just us" time.

This year, we are finally going by ourselves, and are SO looking forward to it. We have so many things planned that we had missed from the last two trips - including PS's we had planned.

 

[jeleebeene]

JUST THE 2 OF US!!!

The last two trips we have taken have been with other people. The first time there was a total of 13 of us - and we were always together - not good!!

Last year, DH and I went with my brother, which wasn't as bad, but we still missed that "just us" time.

This year, we are finally going by ourselves, and are SO looking forward to it. We have so many things planned that we had missed from the last two trips - including PS's we had planned.