What's your #1 tip that you learned here on the DIS?

[PeterPanette]

I wish I could remember who posted the following tip, so that I could give them credit, because it's excellent.

Buy a clear / see-thru backpack to carry in the parks.

Having to make my poor pack mule...I mean husband...stop a zillion times a day, and do a half-squat so I can reach the backpack opening and blindly rummage around in it, pulling out every single item until I've found the Advil, or the hand sanitizer, or my lipstick, or whatever.....has made me realize what genius advice it is to carry a clear backpack so that you can quickly and easily spot whatever you need. Not to mention the added time saving bonus of the security people waving you through at bag check in the mornings.


Charlene

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

The best tip I got here is the info for getting CRT!!! I got it every time I tried for it.

The ziplock bag packing method is great too...!!

I love the DIS!!

 

[DisneyDotty]

The best tip I got from the DIS was to get the Guest of Honor badges with our names on them. We had such great interaction with CMs--will definitely do this again.

 

[sarahsmom3]

The best tip I got from the DIS was to get the Guest of Honor badges with our names on them. We had such great interaction with CMs--will definitely do this again.

Where can I find Guest of Honor badges????

 

[DisneyDotty]

Where can I find Guest of Honor badges????

Every park has a store that sells them, but we bought them at Downtown Disney's World of Disney and had them engraved at the Christmas store.

 

[dbogen]

The best tip I got from the DIS was to get the Guest of Honor badges with our names on them. We had such great interaction with CMs--will definitely do this again.

We have done this in the past, but now I have to wonder if I really want my children walking around with their names on. Am I just overthinking this?

Deanna

 

[amwhitaker]

I have read this tip and have given this tip: Take gloves, scarves and hats beginning in November. Watch the weather BEFORE you leave for Orlando! We have been to Disney in November and three years in a row we needed all these things. Glove had sold out and could not find them anywhere except for the gigantic Mickey gloves. We were cold!

 

[goodferry]

I'll start with a few, but I know I will think of more;
1. Concierge service rocks! Nothing like being able to run to the lounge for a drink and snack while the kids nap.
2. Get up early, take a break, go to bed early so you don't get wiped out.
3. All the wonderful dining opportunities in WDW, it's not all burgers and chicken strips.
4. CRT, found out about it and how to book it (then found out concierge will do it for me )
5. Get an over the door shoe organizer to keep all your hygene products neat and organized, simply brilliant, worked sooo well for us.
6. Drink lots of water and take time to stop and smell the roses, you can't and shouldn't do it all in one trip.

 

[melk]

The best tip we got was to fax our grocery list down to Albertson's (can be seen from the highway coming from the airport) the day before we leave. DH double parks, I run in and pay for the order, it is already bagged and ready to go. It takes about ten minutes max. We get a full grocery order because we stay in a condo for the week. It is such a time saver!!

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

Thanks for that great tip!! QUOTE=smfritz03]I learned this on the board --The Ding program--was able to get 5 adult roundtrip tickets (taxes and all) for $410!!!! Hadnt heard of it until I found this board--the first day I loaded it--I got this fare and havent seen it since!!!! (IN to MCO)

Another thing---FP. I hadnt heard of this and after it was explained--a few DIS'ers went out of the way to explain the ins and outs of it to make it more effective!!!

Ive learned so much here---this is the best place that I found to plan my First Disney vacation and will share everything the second I get back home!!! (since I dont know what works and what doesnt)[/QUOTE]

 

[PhotobearSam]

If it's your first trip, read the Unofficial Guide to WDW cover to cover with a highlighter.

There is so much to WDW that even if you been before, nothing will get you prepared for the size of the place if you just show up.

For tickets, check out the break even point for how many days you are going to be there and if you are staying off-site, this will pay for parking. At $8 a day for parking, the annual pass looks even better as well as the discounts at World of Disney.

GET THERE EARLY...Take your time...See it at a nice pace.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Here are my favorite tips - all gathered on this board!!!
1. Make a PS (now AR) at Rose & Crown for around 7:45pm and watch Illuminations from there - this was one of the most magical moments of our trip (we sat on the terrace - and even on June 15 last week it wasn't too hot to eat outside because it's shaded by that time of day - and had a front row viewing of Illuminations)!!!!
2. Remember that Disney will be there - don't try to do it all. We had 7 full days of parks - including hopping - and still didn't quite see it all. But the down time we had (not much of it!) was well worth missing a few attractions. Plus, if there's something you don't get to see then you have a perfect excuse for your next trip!!!
3. Take moleskin - it truly is wonderful stuff (last week was the first time I've ever used it - it was great!).
4. The dining plan (for us) is great!!! Using the TS for character dining 4 times saved us TONS of line-standing time to get autographs!!!
5. Enjoy yourself and be realistic - we were there last week and yes, it was hot but it's June in FL, I didn't expect any different. And I expected rain each afternoon - yes, we had rain but we had several days with no rain so I looked at that as a blessing! Also, go in with an open attitude - sometimes things are what you make them. I read reports of POR being bad - dirty rooms @ check-in, long bus waits, etc... but we had NO problems with POR - loved it just as much as the first time we stayed there!
6. Do the parks your way. Getting up early didn't work for us. We did it 3 mornings (2 because of breakfast PS's) and my kids just didn't handle it well. So we adjusted and did what worked for us - no sense being miserable or making everyone else in the family miserable!!
7. FP was great!!! Use it!!


We had an overall great trip. Yes, there were some cranky people - but you have to remember to let them ruin their OWN trip - NOT YOURS!!!!

I couldn't have put it better myself! I'd add, take time at the parks to people watch! Rest your feet, quench your thirst and soak it all up!

 

[disneyfan61]

I didn't think they took AR's at the Rose & Crown. I had asked this before & was told they did not take them. Do they or don't they?

 

[jenbren]

Before our last trip I read the boards tons (some might even say obsessively! ) and here are a few that were great that I haven't seen yet.

1) If you have small kids take along a tiny flashlight for the dark rides and soft earplugs. My youngest was just turning 5 and she was sensitive to loud noise. The little light was great for when things got pitch black like the beginning of POC. She shined her little light down at her feet and felt much better.

2) In the summer carry misting fans - a true lifesaver! I don't think I would have survived a week in FL in June without them (I probably would but I'd have been a lot crankier!

3) Have kids carry little mini fanny packs with fruit snacks, mini fans, handheld games (for standing in line).

4) Buy disposable rain ponchos and carry them with you - you'll need them in the summer at some point! I just bought several at Target for $1 a piece and they are see-through yellow so they are different than the WDW ones (clear now I think)

It's easier to relax and enjoy if you are well prepared!

 

[MomofKatie]

I didn't think they took AR's at the Rose & Crown. I had asked this before & was told they did not take them. Do they or don't they?

Yes, for the Dining room part- not the pub part- they do take ARs. They can't guarantee you an outside table, though.

 

[staylor]

One of the best tips I ever received was:
One our first trip to WDW w/ children, take our children to EPCOT first, they don't know what to expect yet and will enjoy it. Now our two DS are 5 & 9. They have each been to WDW numerous times and EPCOT remains one of the their favorite parks. They don't view it as educational and boring. They love making the masks back in the World Showcase and we stop and look at the different toys and trinkets from each country.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

The best tips from here that we have used are:
Get to the park EARLY!!!! This especially true for the MK where we found Frontierland & Fantasyland are really quiet for the first couple of hours (although Tomorrowland is not). We actually got to see Mickeys Philharmagic with about six other people on a recent Thursday morning.
The other tip is if the train is in the station at Main Street take it to Frontierland. You will always beat the people walking up Main Street.

 

[Juligan]

I'm new to this.... what's a CRT? Details, please, I need details.

 

[DawnCt1]

I pack an army duffle bag. I folds up small but it holds at least a week's worth of laundry. I hang it on the back of the bathroom door and when its time to leave, I close it up and send it as luggage.

 

[MomofKatie]

I'm new to this.... what's a CRT? Details, please, I need details.

CRT= Cinderella's Royal Table, i.e., the restaurant inside the Castle at MK, i.e., the hardest restaurant to get into at Disney. Most people want to book breakfast or lunch there- they are Character meals with Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother, and others. Anyone with little girls would LOVE to get it, and many others, too- if for no other reason than getting to dine inside the Castle!