Whats your best Disney Travel Secret

[Tinbadge69]

Ok people. Let the mouse out of the bag. What is your best Disney Travel Secret and why?
How did you find out about it? Did someone pass it down or did you do all the work on your own?

 

[sayhello]

Take it slow and don't be rushed. I injured my foot right before a trip to WDW, but really needed to get away, so I wrapped it up (with an OK from my doctor), headed to WDW, and just took things slowly. Walked slowly. Sat frequently & read, or talked to people. Found a nice spot to sit an hour before the fireworks, parked myself, and just waited patiently. It was really fun and really relaxing. I try to do it that way all the time now.

Sayhello

 

[HawkeyeThad]

I've always been told that the best kept Disney secret is DVC! ;-)

 

[WaltD4Me]

It's not really a secret, but always tell people not to get overwhelmed. I explain once they hit a Disney discussion board it's very very easy to get totally overwhelmed by all the information. If that happens walk away and think about what you really want to get out of your trip and remember there is NO WAY you are going to be able to do it all.

The other thing I always tell them is to use a town car service if they aren't renting a car.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

My VERY Best Disney World secret is to go SOLO.

Most people would never believe it until they try it for themselves.

 

[dmccarty]

Saw the thread title and thought of go slow, do not try to do everything, and DVC.

The trips that the DW and I took in the late 90's we just slowly toured the parks. If a ride had a long wait we went else where. When we got tired we sat. Just roaming the parks, looking at the details, and smelling the flowers was awesome.

We then had kids and waited until they could walk before going back to WDW. When we were planning the trip we started wondering about the floor we could not get onto at CR. So we started researching, found DVC, crunched the numbers and bought into AKV sight unseen.

We made the right decision.

Eating at CG on top of CR is not much of a secret anymore but it is something we do at least once a trip.

Later,
Dan

 

[DaParkers]

If you can, don't go during the busiest times (Summer, Christmas, Spring Break, etc.). If you notice WaltD4Me and dmccarty sigs, you'll notice that they also go during off peak times. We had a great time my first few trips, which were in August, but I didn't know what I was missing until I went in Dec 09. Wow! Totally different experience. The weather was great, the Christmas decorations, and lighting on the Castle were beautiful. It also was so much more relaxing. My family was able to do the same amount of attractions while spending less time in lines. That allows you to do what dmccarty suggested and slow down. We just went last month and enjoyed myself even more than before. We also plan on being there in early Nov. I don't know how much of a secret that is, but it could be the difference between a first timer going back or not.

 

[Justin Jett]

If I tell my secrets, they wont be secrets anymore.

 

[prattpak]

Bigest thing..DONT RUSH IT!! Take your time with your kids especially. Let them soak it all in. We also take them back to the resort for an hour break. Swim, nap, whatever just get out of the park and decompress a little.
Last time my wife and I went we went alone. When ever we entered a park we would go left, every little alley, side shop, whatever we went into it and looked around. There are spots in Epcot I had no idea were there. We always just ran past them looking to the next ride, meal, etc. Try it! It sounds wierd but you will get a better layout and feel for the parks. Plus you might find a hidden treasure or 2.

 

[sasquatch]

My VERY Best Disney World secret is to go SOLO.

Most people would never believe it until they try it for themselves.

Yeah, I have this strong desire to go to EPCOT solo.

 

[simonkodousek]

My first tip for anyone planning a trip to WDW is to stop and smell the roses. Don't rush from attraction to attraction, because then you will miss out on the magic that makes WDW what it is.

Secondly, I highly recommend leaving Epcot for lunch and heading over to the Big River Grille. My mom and I stumbled on it during our last family trip, and we had a fantastic meal with a great view of the Boardwalk. It started raining right as we sat down, so it was fun to watch the clouds pass and the sun come out while we were eating. Beaches and Cream is also a great place to stop for dessert on the way back to the park.

~Simon

 

[dmccarty]

.... We had a great time my first few trips, which were in August, but I didn't know what I was missing until I went in Dec 09. Wow! Totally different experience. The weather was great, the Christmas decorations, and lighting on the Castle were beautiful. It also was so much more relaxing. ...

We have gone twice during Spring Break. I WOULD NOT recommend that experience but it surely makes one appreciate non peak times.

The Park ratings for our Spring Break trips were 9 and 10 days. Buy going to morning EMH we avoided the crowds at the parks. Driving I95 was white knuckle stop and go all the way to WDW and back home. NOT fun.

I have been to WDW aka MK during Christmas, Thanksgiving and over the summer as a kid. I have been in line at Space Mountain all the way back at the entrance to the ride....

We are spoiling the kids in that we are letting them miss that life experience.

Later,
Dan

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Yeah, I have this strong desire to go to EPCOT solo.

Best way to start is the Segway tour!!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

8:05 character breakfasts. Eat VERY quickly and then enjoy the empty park until rope drop.

 

[DaParkers]

Another thing we do is split Epcot into 2 days. Future World one day and World Showcase the other. And I second everyone else's suggestion of taking it all in. So much of the Magic is in the details. One of my favorite things is walking around World Showcase at night.

 

[DizneyDreams]

I think that this has been mentioned before, but its worth mentioning twice.

On the day of arrival - take it easy. Don't feel like you have to rush off to a park. If staying on-site explore the resort or go eat dinner at Downtown Disney, go play mini golf etc. You'll need the arrival day to relax from your flight, to get ready for the parks the next day.

 

[DaParkers]

I think that this has been mentioned before, but its worth mentioning twice.

On the day of arrival - take it easy. Don't feel like you have to rush off to a park. If staying on-site explore the resort or go eat dinner at Downtown Disney, go play mini golf etc. You'll need the arrival day to relax from your flight, to get ready for the parks the next day.

Makes sense to me. I know everyone can't do this, but we always arrive one day before our resort check in. We always stay onsite and always check into Disney on a Sunday. But, we arrive in Orlando on Saturday and stay in a cheap offsite hotel. We use that day to travel and rest just in case there is a hiccup in our plans. We wake up the next day, check in, and then go to the parks. We take a break in the afternoon, unpack, relax, and then go back.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

At counter services, BOTH SIDES of the order lines are open. Can't tell you how many times I see a huge line up on one side, no one on the other.

Be prepared for some yells from the sheep lining up when you move to the empty line.

 

[T Morrows Child]

Break from the park touring at around 1pm and head out to a resort for lunch.

A monorail to the Kona Cafe is a favorite break in the day. Have a drink, a nice meal, and take some extra time to tour the resort and grounds.

Then, when you go back to the park you'll be refreshed and ready to go while so many may be zombified and overheated.

 

[gr8leg8]

Leave hubby at home

sad, but true.

He actually said "You don't want to go *Every* year do you?"

that's grounds for divorce, right?!

Now DD and I go without him. Funny, my smiles in our pictures got a lot bigger when I stopped stressing over making sure DH was having a good time.