10 things I wish id known before going to Disney for the first time.

[CP_1808]

10 things I wish id known before going to Disney for the first time.

1. Make lots of ADRs (Advanced Dinner Reservations) a long time before you travel. We found it nearly impossible to walk into any table service restaurants in the parks without them.

2. Buy Crocs to wear round the parks no matter how silly they look. They are great for the water rides and for when it rains. (They are cheaper in America than the UK)

3. There is no bus from the Parks to Downtown Disney and vice versa, you need to go via your resort.

4. Staying onsite doesnt necessarily mean you will be able to get a sit down table service meal without an ADR. e.g. When we asked for dinner at Boma at AKL the earliest time they could give us was 3 hours away even though we were guests.

5. If it rains go to the parks anyway. Most of the rides still operate in the rain and they lines are much smaller than when it's sunny.

6. The boardwalk is a good alternative desintation for evening entertainment, its near Epcot World Show Case (Still not sure how best to get there without a car though - perhaps someone call tell me)

7. There is a bus service from Transportation Centre to Internatinal Drive. (We spent a fortune on taxis from disney to i-drive)

8. Understand and use the fastpass system, especially when travelling at peak times. e.g. You can get a fastpass 2 hours after your first one is issued, or 1 minute after the start time of the one you currently have even though you havent used it yet.

9. If you've made plan & itineris its highly unlikely that you will be able to stick to them exactly so make sure they are fluid enough to allow for change.

10. Come on this site often, and read the brits guide before yo travel. They give you so much information to help plan your trip, and planning is half the fun.

[Simon Veness]

Great suggestions, CP (I especially like No 10 :D ), and a very good idea.

To get to the Boardwalk in your situation (from I-Drive), you can get the Lynx bus to Downtown Disney, then hop on a Disney bus to The Boardwalk. It obviously takes much longer than a cab, but the bus service is pretty reliable.

dmrevis is our Lynx bus king, so I'm sure he'll be along soon with some more transport suggestions! :)

[Susan Veness]

1) The place is huge. Don't expect to do it all in 2-3 weeks.

2) Factor 'travel time' into your plans if you are supposed to show up for an in-park event or dining reservation. It can take an hour or more to get from one park to another in peak season.

3) Yeah, yeah, I know, you want to tour the parks from open until close because this is the 'trip of a lifetime' and you'll never have the chance to come back. First, you NEED breaks here and there. Take them. You'll have far more stamina if you do. Second, you'll be back. Trust me on this one.

4) Some kids don't like the characters. You may be over the moon about having bagged a reservation at Chef Mickey for your first morning, but your toddler may freak when they see the size of the character they've only seen in books or on tv (meaning, tiny). Book character dining for later in the holiday and take the kiddies to the park FIRST to see how they react. If they don't like the characters, you can cancel your reservation or give them time to adjust.

5) That Goofy hat with the big ears that looks so cute in the store? You'll never wear it again once you get home.

6) Disney Cast Memebers ACT like they're your slave, but they're really not. Be nice to them, especially when things are going wrong. They're great people, they'll do their very best for you, but they're still human beings with real feelings and limitations.

7) Orlando theme parks are some of the best family destinations in the world, but your kids will keep saying, 'When can we go back to the pool?'. Don't let it set fire to your last nerve. They all do it (or most of them, anyway). That doesn't mean they're not having fun, but it's your cue to take a break.

8) Ages 1-6 are legally bound to have a crying jag at some point during your stay, ideally daily, at or around 3pm. This rule is so universal we have named 3pm the Meltdown Hour. Don't let it get to you. It's normal and it's natural and it means it's time to take a break.

9) Ages 20-50 are legally bound to have a crying jag at some point during your stay, ideally at 4pm. This may or may not be due to Tip # 8, but one way or another, you're probably going to argue with your spouse and/or child at some point. It's normal, it's natural and again, it means (say it with me!) it's time to take a break.

10) You're in for the most magical holiday ever! Remember it's a holiday, not a combat mission, so slow down enough to allow the magic to catch up with you! :)

BONUS TIP # 11! Water. Drink it. Lots of it. Even in winter. Beer is not flavoured water, and neither is wine. Water is water. Drink it. You'll need it.

[Catlady]

Can 50+ people have crying jags too?:happy-smi:happy-smi
Our arguments normally revolve around the fact that as soon as I get into the villa I start to unpack whereas Hubby wants to get the food and drink shopping out the way first and then go get something to eat.:eek:
Thought of doing that before we get to the villa but normally not enough room in the car!

[CP_1808]

1

5) That Goofy hat with the big ears that looks so cute in the store? You'll never wear it again once you get home.




This is my favourite. How many people do you see walking around with those? They aint cheap either!

[Col Dude]

BONUS TIP # 11! Water. Drink it. Lots of it. Even in winter. Beer is not flavoured water, and neither is wine. Water is water. Drink it. You'll need it.

That'd be my No.1, I spent the first 3 days getting headaches around midday because i didn't drink enough water :(

BONUS TIP # 12! If your like me and can't see a thing with out glasses, buy a safety cord to hold your glasses on while your on the big rides so you can actually see where your going. Definately more fun :laughing:

[LeonieM]

13. If you're wearing a baseball cap and you want to go on a fast-moving ride (such as roller coaster or Men in Black - either turn it round so the peak is at the back and isn't blown off, or take it off. Otherwise you WILL lose it!

[Col Dude]

13. If you're wearing a baseball cap and you want to go on a fast-moving ride (such as roller coaster or Men in Black - either turn it round so the peak is at the back and isn't blown off, or take it off. Otherwise you WILL lose it!

I'll put my hand up and say I lost one on Dudley Do Right :( I forgot :laughing:

[Tiggers Friend]

13. If you're wearing a baseball cap and you want to go on a fast-moving ride (such as roller coaster or Men in Black - either turn it round so the peak is at the back and isn't blown off, or take it off. Otherwise you WILL lose it!

See my trip report including the rides on Splash Mountain :o

You'd have thought I'd have learnt after 17 years.

[Honey Monster]

5) That Goofy hat with the big ears that looks so cute in the store? You'll never wear it again once you get home.

Don't I know it!!!

My hubby insisted on buying one, along with 2 sets of Mickey hands (both the white ones and the sourcerer ones) and a Mickey Sourcerer hat. They have never been out the bag since :rolling-eyes:

[Susan Veness]

14) Bright red looks terrific on an apple or a beet, but not on tourists. Use a high-factor sun cream and be sure to do the tops of your ears and the tops of your feet if you wear sandals.

15) Certain pop-culture icons and/or logos are not appropriate for a family-oriented park (ditto bikini tops) and we all know it, really, don't we? Just because they're not the 'real' word doesn't mean we don't all know what they look like when people read them. Don't wear them. If you MUST wear them, don't get upset when a Cast Member asks you to turn your shirt inside-out. You've been warned, so don't bother pleading ignorance. :D

[UK Deb]

The only tip you'll ever need: Beer. Drink it. Lots of it. Even in winter. Water is not flavoured beer, and neither is soda. Beer is beer. Drink it. You'll need it.
:rolling-laugh::rolling-laugh::rolling-laugh:

[Simon Veness]

:tut-tut: She won't be happy, you know................ :D

[UK Deb]

Sorry, Susan - couldn't resist. :o

[UK Deb]

I should maybe point out that I was making fun of my beer habit and NOT Susan's very sensible tip. Do you hear that, people? Drink the water! :D Still can't help cracking up at my own joke, though. :laughing: (I am a very sad person with no life beyond these boards! :cheers:)

[Susan Veness]

*Sharp intake of breath!!* :eek:

16) Drink Around the World only SOUNDS like a good idea, a myth which is reinforced by the beer itself. Remember: Beer + Heat = Pain and Suffering.

17) If you somehow fail to remember that beer plus heat equals pain and also suffering, remember that you can get:
-Dos Equis in Mexico
-Carlsburg in Norway (even if they do have to steal it from Denmark)
-Tsing Tao in China
-Becks in Germany
-Peroni in Italy
-Sam Adams in the US
-Kirin in Japan
- Casa(as in, blanca) in Morocco
-Kronenburg in France
-Guinness in UK
-Labattes in Canada

[Susan Veness]

Not that I'd know.............. :D

[UK Deb]

17) If you somehow fail to remember that beer plus heat equals pain and also suffering, remember that you can get:
-Dos Equis in Mexico
-Carlsburg in Norway (even if they do have to steal it from Denmark)
-Tsing Tao in China
-Becks in Germany
-Peroni in Italy
-Sam Adams in the US
-Kirin in Japan
- Casa(as in, blanca) in Morocco
-Kronenburg in France
-Guinness in UK
-Labattes in Canada
:rolling-laugh:

[GrannySue]

Surely beer has water in it, so in a way it must almost be better for you, as you're getting the water with a nicer taste..........:happy-smi

Well, I can only try!!

Sue

[Tiggers Friend]

18) Be prepared to say "This will be the trip of a lifetime" and then keep saying that every year after once WDW, Orlando and Florida gets under your skin!

19) Quietly accept that you will become an 'expert' and contribute to the ATD forum .... daily ;)

[Rhianna]

7) Orlando theme parks are some of the best family destinations in the world, but your kids will keep saying, 'When can we go back to the pool?'. Don't let it set fire to your last nerve. They all do it (or most of them, anyway). That doesn't mean they're not having fun, but it's your cue to take a break.


Susan -You are are SOOOOO right.:happy-smi


My DDs swimming has come on in great leaps and bounds though.

Rhi

[marg21]

well here goes and it 1 off my main 1s

dont take yr teenage daughter shopping as she dont ever stop lol

she is a nightmare

[jenmon]

such a simple one - double check your luggage allowance, I was under the impression I was allowed 23kg, imagine the excitement when I realised it was 2x 23kg, all that extra shopping:happy-smi, I had read it wrong and didnt think it was too bad as its around the norm for uk/ european flights (simple but hey thats me:laughing:)

[mortus]

5) That Goofy hat with the big ears that looks so cute in the store? You'll never wear it again once you get home.





This is my favourite. How many people do you see walking around with those? They aint cheap either!



not quite a goofy hat, but it's close enough......

my daughter
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w82/mortus72/Florida/danielleinsillyhat.jpg


mortus:happy-thumb

[jenmon]

nice picture mortus, your little one looks like she is having a wonderful time:happy-thumb

[Susan Veness]

Too cute, mortus! Ok, maybe the younger members of the family will keep wearing theirs, but Dad will only pull it out at Halloween. ;)

[Seth1970]

Fantastic hat!

[ELAINE]

Your daughter is beautiful mortus; has she worn it much since you got back?

[mortus]

thanks for the kind comments. as for the hat i think it's in the loft somewhere.......

now where did i put it?????????

only kidding


mortus:happy-thumb