Things Disney doesn't tell you

[UK Deb]

The internet access question posted on the Accommodation forum has given me a great idea for a tips thread. Well, I think it's great - humour me, if you will! I'm sure we can come up with all sorts between us - I've got loads of ideas without giving it too much thought. I'll start off with the one which spawned the idea.

The charge for internet access at all Disney resorts is $9.95 per contiguous 24 hours and will be charged to your room. You don't have to sign up for the length of your stay so, for example, you could choose to have it from 5pm one day to 5pm the next and then not at all for several days. You just plug in the ethernet cable provided, open your browser and a web page will appear.

At long last, the promised free access for DVC owners is reality (but only whilst staying at DVC resorts on points).

[UK Deb]

FASTPASSes are good for any time after your return time. You can't use them before the return window, but you can use them any time afterwards on the same day. It's not unusual to find yourself in an entirely different part of the park during your "window". You'd be forgiven for thinking you have to choose between hot-footing it across to your FASTPASS attraction, or just sticking with what you're doing. I know there's been more than one occasion when we've decided that eating needed to take priority and we've ended up forfeiting the FASTPASS privilege. Since we discovered this "secret" we've taken advantage many times. :happy-thumb

[Susan Veness]

Great thread! But where to start? :eek:

Ok, here's an easy one:

The Fantasmic Dinner Package saves time waiting in the queue, but even with your voucher you must arrive 30 minutes prior to show time or risk losing your place. It's a great boon in peak period, maybe not such a great boon in off-peak. Then again, it's free.

The voucher entitles you to special seating, which is to the far right of the theater. It is not, as many think, front and center (though some of it is 'front').

Also, calling it a Dinner Package is a bit deceptive in that the times available are generally not what most would call 'dinner hours'. Typically, you'll be given a time between 3-5pm.

[Susan Veness]

Ok, here's another one. It's not really a secret but it's not necessarily well known either and it does cause some unhappiness when it's misunderstood.

Just because you're staying onsite at a Disney resort doesn't mean you get to use any other Disney resort's pool. If your resort has a 'sister resort' (or two, in the case of All Stars), you may use their pool. However, you cannot use any other pool, other than your own resort or sister resorts.

Need an emergency nappy or baby food? Some gift shops have a stash behind the counter, though they won't advertise it. Just ask, or ask where the nearest location is.

[Simon Veness]

Things Disney Doesn't Tell You:

1) Their website doesn't tell you anything useful.
2) They change their minds over Extra Magic Hours on a regular basis, even with only a few weeks' notice.
3) Their cast members are sometimes woefully ill-informed of what's going on.
4) Their cast members are sometimes much better informed than their PR office.
5) They think the 4th element of Toy Story Mania is funny.

And more things when I'm not feeling quite so annoyed.........!!

[sex kitten]

Hi Simon, any reason for feeling so annoyed........
Or just annoyed with the little irritating points that shouldn't be there re Dis:confused:ney

[UK Deb]

You can receive a 20% discount on the PhotoPass CD by pre-ordering. You won't find a link to this page via the PhotoPass site, but I can confirm that it works, because I've just ordered. :happy-thumb

Pre-order Disney's PhotoCD (http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitcdplan.aspx).

When you pre-order, you'll receive a code for later use. Once you return from your trip with your fully-loaded PhotoPass card(s), you simply log on to the site to retrieve your photos. You can then edit them, add fun Disney borders and even upload your own photos. Once you're happy with everything, you simply use your code to have the CD delivered to you. And there's no postage charge, even for international shipping. The cost to pre-order is $99.95, as opposed to the normal price of $124.95.

In the past, we've probably only had a maximum of 10 PhotoPass photos taken in any one trip. Having pre-ordered, we're going to have to make sure that we get them done at every possible opportunity in order to get value. I'm looking forward to doing that, though. It's just dh and me next trip and it will be great to have lots of photos of both of us together for a change.

Check out this site (http://stitchkingdom.com/disneysphotopass/) for a detailed explanation of how it all works.

[katie666]

I've been going for ten years and didn't know that you could use the Fastpasses after the time staed on the ticket. That is really useful info.

Katie :)

[nutsaboutorlando]

if you need a stroller or wheelchair hang around the rental area and wait till you see somebody returning one and give them their deposit money back an you get to use the stroller and get the money back at the end of the day this works well if you go to a park later in the day.i have seen loads of people do this you just hand the ticket they attatch to the stroller to cm and thay give you the deposit back.

[Mickey Mouse]

If you park hop you dont need to pay parking twice, Wasnt sure how well advertised this wwas.

[raider56]

most of the gift shops keep some medicines such as painkillers behind the counter also, just need to ask at the cash desk - which was a god send when i developed an infection in a tooth at epcot!:thumbsdow

[ADRIAN C]

If you stay in a Disney hotel make sure the irst thing you do is to purchase a refillable mug for $12.99 it saves you so much money on drinks over your holiday.

[Susan Veness]

I second the motion about refillable mugs at the resorts, which can be used for refills on soda, iced tea, coffee, hot cocoa (at some resorts) and (I think) milk (but I'm not sure). :happy-thumb Just to clarify though, they CANNOT be used in the parks, or (in theory) at any resort other than the resort where you purchased the mug. Also (in theory) they are only valid for the year you purchased them, as the colour or design will change, indicating a 'new' year.

You can also get refillable mugs at the water parks. They're good for the duration of your stay IF you purchase a bar code after the original date of purchase.