your best Disney decision

[floydfamily4]

I love that the Dis is a great place to share advice so that others can have awesome Disney trips. So what is the best Disney decision you made that helped make your trip awesome? Here's one of mine: we trusted our gut and got a stroller for our 4 year-old twins on our last trip. After walking from the parking lot to Akershus in Epcot hubby turned to me and said "ok this just paid for itself!" That stroller definitely helped us tour the way we wanted. I have other things that were great decisions (and a few terrible decisions) but what are your great Disney decisions?

 

[mom2rtk]

That's easy.

We swapped from WDW to DLR.

 

[Dr Gunnie]

I think the first time we stayed on site was our best decision. For years we stayed in a time share off site, but we were able to sell the place and stayed on site last year. For us, it made the trip feel like we were getting the Disney experience 24/7 instead of just at the parks. We loved it.

 

[Ladyfish77]

Not sure yet, but I think switching from RO to FD will be my best decision. We never have done TS restaurants before, but I'm truly looking forward to trying them. We are also staying longer than ever before, so I don't think it will be hard to spend time enjoying food rather than trying to squeeze in one more ride!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Staying on site for the first time was our best decision. We stayed with family once in the Orlando area and then at Silver Lake resort once. Both times we had a great time and enjoyed ourselves.

XH used to go every year as a kid. Sometimes twice. But had never stayed onsite. Not having to drive, being driven around, no cooking, DDP, being in the Disney bubble. We were hooked.

 

[smiths02]

Using that morning Extra Magic Hour in the summer with young kids. Really wish we did more of them. The advice we saw said to avoid these parks, but with toddlers in 100 degree heat, we could only stay until 11:30 or so before things got dicey.

Driving to all the parks (except MK). This was so much better than taking the bus, especially with a stroller!

Staying at AoA in a suite. We didn't have to stay at AoA...we could have found cheaper options or even spent just a little more and stayed deluxe, but AoA was so great for a larger family and for toddlers. We didn't miss the "deluxe" amenities.

 

[scrhsa]

Making an off-hand comment to my sister that I would love to celebrate my 50th bday at Disney (really not expecting to go). We will be there in Sept!!!! Taking a sling bag instead of a backpack.

 

[Meriweather]

buying DVC! Wish we did it a long time ago.

 

[PSUGuy]

Nearly 10 years ago we started renting DVC points and staying at the Board Walk with them. First, by staying in a standard view studio we get a kitchenette and the cost is less than a Value for the same week and you can't beat any Epcot Area resort.

Bill From PA

 

[smiths02]

Trying not to go overboard with character meals, ESPCIALLY buffets with young children. I will even limit it more next time. We did Crystal Palace and 1900 PF. We also did Garden Grill and CRT. While the food was better at CP and 1900 PF...it was difficult. We really had the best character interaction at Epcot Character spot (used FP+), A&E (with a FP+), Jake and Sofia (waited in a short line).
Our next trip our oldest will be 10 and the others will be 3 years old. Those character meals will be expensive, so I'm thinking of limiting it to 2-3 (instead of 4).

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Trying not to go overboard with character meals, ESPCIALLY buffets with young children. I will even limit it more next time. We did Crystal Palace and 1900 PF. We also did Garden Grill and CRT. While the food was better at CP and 1900 PF...it was difficult. We really had the best character interaction at Epcot Character spot (used FP+), A&E (with a FP+), Jake and Sofia (waited in a short line).
Our next trip our oldest will be 10 and the others will be 3 years old. Those character meals will be expensive, so I'm thinking of limiting it to 2-3 (instead of 4).

Now that DS is an adult we will be doing two character breakfasts, Chef Mickey's (his only pick) and Cape May Cafe. Paying OOP for those buffets is outrageous!

I'm also doing CRT but it'll just be DD and myself.

 

[bball15fan]

I would have to say becoming a DVC member.

 

[TMJR]

Finally deciding to take our family of 5 offsite. We do long trips, so being in a cramped room with 5 of us was just too difficult. I do miss the Disney magic, but the space/washer/private pool/3 bathrooms and less headaches from my kids make up for it!

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Working hard to get my family to DHS on a Friday in May to see Symphony in the Stars. they were like "meh" for the most part but it was actually one of the best highlights of our trip, if not the best.

I almost gave it up a few times but just knew in my heart it would be so good. And it was. If you like Star Wars of course.

Same thing for Voices of America. Dragged them there too and they absolutely loved it.

Really, what would they do without me?

 

[Fizban]

Becoming an AP holder.

 

[phillymummer]

Going by ourselves as a family (just the 3 of us)..... no extended family.

 

[JenB1104]

That's easy.

We swapped from WDW to DLR.

What did you like better? We are going to DL in November for first time taking DD.

 

[BudgieMama]

Hmmm... Great question!

Leaving when we were done with things- on our last full day at WDW, we had a 7pm ADR at Cinderella's Royal Table. We'd planned to stay for Wishes, and had FP+ for the viewing area that evening. Our reservation ran late, and when we were done, we were both stuffed and tired. We'd had a packed week, and we just couldn't stay any longer. Rather than fight the tiredness, we decided to head back to the resort. We stopped a few times on the way down Main Street for photos (we had Memory Maker, which would be my other big tip!!) hoping to get a perfect shot from a least one of the togs (they didn't have queues!), and got several. As we were about to leave the MK, we saw Tink had a 5 minute posted wait time. We hadn't met her, so we popped in to meet her, and had the best meet and greet of the trip. There was no-one behind us in the line, so she chatted a lot and was just lovely. We then strolled out of the Theatre just as the parade was setting off, and headed out in peace and quiet- a nice calm, quiet bus, and a lovely calm evening. We both remember it as a magical, relaxed way to end that trip. I think if we'd have pushed on to see Wishes again, we'd be remembering a different evening now!

 

[Viteh]

Actually bothering to do ADRs. Table services are great experiences, it's even better when you get to visit a new resort.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Staying at Contemporary. You can not beat that 10 minute walk to the MK, also the midday break walk back would often lead to my son napping.

Honorable mention: Taking a last minute trip in December because we always wanted to see Disney at Christmastime. It truly was magical and the Osbourne Lights blew me away.