What would you do differently?

[Skroops]

It's easy to get stressed at WDW trying to see "everything"! I would have consciously tried to take a deep breath and enjoy the small things too. I will take it a lot slower, not worry if we over sleep (and not make it for opening )and try to eat healthier. It was too easy to grab "junk" food and after a couple of days I was a little tired from going going going and felt a little icky from food court food.

 

[dpic]

Remember you can always ask another WDW visitor to take a picture of all of you! And then "pay it forward".

Some of our best shots have been taken that way. And they are always a pleasant surprise as we review our pictures!

We do this, too. At MK, we go right to the front of the castle first thing in the morning before the park begins to fill. A few other people will be there, and we take each other's photos. The best photo from our last trip was taken this way.

Another thing I'd suggest is more R&R time. That was mentioned above, but it's important. I get a little upset at the amount of very tired parents I see in the parks treating their even more tired children poorly. Folks it's the happiest place on Earth. Well rested families have a much better time than tired, grumpy families.

 

[bntlyclg89]

A couple of things I wished we had done differently:

1. Brought stuff to take care of our poor, tired, blistered feet.

2. Taken a cab when we were dining at one of the other resorts for dinner!

We had a great time!!

 

[pumpkinfish]

A lot of the things DH and I have thought to do differently, we have already changed on previous trips. Some of these things have been: plan less, take more water, pack less food (we never seem to eat even 1/4 of it), and buy less "cheap" souvies and stick with quality (like our vintage Haunted Mansion poster of the Hitchhiking Ghosts we picked up @ MGM - my FAVE discovery). One thing we are going to do "new" this time is just relax a lot more. We have stated to each other several times already that this trip is about relaxing more and not really "doing the parks". Even though we all know it will turn into us taking on the parks---especially with the late night EMH!!!

 

[vettechick99]

Next time we eat at Cape May we will drive to the Y/B Club instead of taking the monorail to Epcot and trekking through there. Is there parking at the Board Walk for other resort guests who want to eat at the Board Walk restaurants or hang out late into the night at Jellyrolls?

If you are eating at the resort/walking the BW, you should be able to self park at either BW or BC. They'll probably recommend you valet, but that's really up to you.

 

[jenr812]

Remember you can always ask another WDW visitor to take a picture of all of you! And then "pay it forward".

Some of our best shots have been taken that way. And they are always a pleasant surprise as we review our pictures!

I agree! Actually, I love to offer to take a picture for other people, too. Usually people seem shy about asking and I tend to pick up on that. So if I see people taking turns taking pics of each other in front of something, I will casually offer to take over so they can get in the shot together. It's a nice feeling to see their happy, surprised faces!


I don't have anything else to add to this thread, as our first WDW trip is still 131 days away! But I'm enjoying reading

 

[PrinceJohn]

I can hire a professional camera man to follow us around cheaper than buying 10-20 pics from Disney.

 

[jenr812]

I would have gotten myself in better shape. You do so much walking in WDW, I am going to start a walking exercise regiment to get myself to walk 4 miles a day comfortably, about 2 months before our next trip.

Great tip!!! The kids complain when we take our mile long walk around the block I really should try to build their tolerance up more... (and mine!)

 

[vettechick99]

I mentioned this is my restaurant review post (link below), but after going back to WDW after a 3-year hiatus, I had forgotten how much I liked the concierge lounge. I'm a very picky eater and if I can't find anything that suits me, I won't eat. So there I am stomping the parks going on no calories which in turn makes me cranky. Having the concierge lounge food always there takes away the thinking behind finding food.

So I guess my tip is suggesting Concierge for the food offerings, not just the staff.

Of course wanting concierge and being able to afford it is another story. Last time I stayed Poly Concierge was in '01 for $229...I don't think I can find that $$ anytime soon! Or can I???

 

[Disneykim]

we are staying off site the first day, since were arriving late (4:00 pm). The idea was to save a few $$ since were not going to be there the whole day to enjoy it, but now that I read some of your posts, I might just change my mind!!

 

[DWorldObsessed]

This is our first family trip. We did it before just us two. These are the things I will do differently. Go when it is warm. January was empty but cold. I like it hot. Pack water bottles and a few snacks for the unexpected munchies. Bring our own dollar store ponchos. Have one back pack for all our park needs. Go to only the attractions we like not try to see everything. Skip parades and ride our favorites. Take an afternoon break or swim. TAKE MORE PICTURES OF US. Not so many pictures of stuff without us in them.

 

[sweetinmaine]

Change???

I wouldn't change a thing!! I love Disney
Well maybe I'd splurge for a king bed, the doubles were kind of small. Most people have at least a queen at home. No worries from us though, this trip we are doing KING.

 

[diznee25]

If I could change one thing about our last trip.......

it would be to have picked a different resort. We split our stay between CBR and WL. Didn't have an enjoyable stay at CBR, and while we wouldn't stay there in the future, it didn't damper our trip! I love DisneyWorld to much to actually let anything come in the way of my fun.

Diznee25

 

[BurkeTribe]

Count all my ticket cards every time BEFORE I walk away from the FastPass machines...
MK Town Hall folks were fantastic and fast (with just the right amount of "you'll be careful next time, won't you") at replacing card/cancelling charge priv. on the one I left in a FastPass machine for 20-30 seconds (during which time it went to the Twilight Zone-- not the ride, the mystical plane). I think I set a new MK record running from Splash Mountain to City Hall, visions of insane charge$ for gilded Tinkerbells dancing in my head.

On that note, I'd also wear shoes that are a bit more comfortable.