Top Tips!!!

[disneylemons]

Plan ahead.. my daughter and I probably go overboard but by the time we get there - we have a grid with EMH for the day, where our ADR is that day, where we plan to eat counter service for whatever park we are going to that day. We also plan time to veg at the resort by the pool or we like to go to the different gift shops at each resort also - I like to collect the charms and each resort has one that represents that resort.

[stephmtl]

The last 3 visits we used a small camelback bp instead of either. If you store things in the non water compartment its about the same size as an FP, plus if you fill it with ice in the morning and replenish the water during the day, it can keep 2 adults nicely hydrated!


just my 0.02

[WDW 3]

We go into serious training (walking) for a couple months before our trip. There is a lot of walking and I don't think people realize how huge the parks are!! Because of this we know which shoes are going to work and which to leave home.

Did the fanny pack thing and now DD and I use "swing packs" and DH wears cargo shorts. We travel light.

[Disneylover1302]

My tip:

• If you are going in the summer and don't have a hat bring sunscreen!! A relative found that out the hard way.

• TSMM is great to go to during fantasmic(if it is showing when you go) because everyone is at fantasmic. When we went we were walking there and all these people just started running right past us! It was a good 30 min wait and then hour once everyone else came.

[chenzo]

When we visit the parks we rent a double stroller for our two kids - ages 5 and 6 1/2. The stroller is great for one child to take a break or for both to squeeze in to move through the park at a quick pace. They always find a way for them both to fit comfortably for a short period of time. The stroller allows you a place to put items like backpack, blankets for night, and bags. You can bring your own (it is cheaper) but it can be a hassle to get them on and off the bus at the end of the night. If you do your own, PLEASE practice folding it up because at the end of the night there are alot of people waiting to get on the bus and it is very crowded. It is sometimes harder to carry the child, the stroller and the miscellaneous items. And others may not have the patience to wait for someone to figure out how to fold the stroller and can be rude. Basically, our two at their ages love having the stroller accessible to them throughout the day.

[unkadug]

Originally Posted by Disneylover1302

My tip:

• If you are going in the summer and don't have a hat bring sunscreen!! A relative found that out the hard way.

• TSMM is great to go to during fantasmic(if it is showing when you go) because everyone is at fantasmic. When we went we were walking there and all these people just started running right past us! It was a good 30 min wait and then hour once everyone else came.

Bring sunscreen even if you do have a hat!

[Helena123]

Remember your on holiday and have fun

[SonicRuin]

My suggestions (just got back yesterday):

Read through all of these suggestions before this one and decide which ones work best for you.

Fanny Packs and Backpacks:
Everybody in my family (4 of us) had fanny packs that we all carried something we wanted right on ourselves. Mine had my wallet and phone, plus a ziplock back to place the pack in on the wet rides. My wife and kids had their own for misc. things.
I carried the backpack the majority of the time. That had the ponchos for everybody, a couple of sweatshirts (if you do get wet and go into a cool building, you might need a sweatshirt, my wife gets cold easily), a towel, sunscreen. Plus in the backpack I would store the camera and mouse ears on the wet rides. On a couple of days we checked the backpack.
Are fanny packs "fashion faux paus" or whatever? Maybe, but I am at a theme park to have fun. It isn't a fashion show and I spent my 10 days wearing mouse ears on my head...if you want to make fun of a fanny pack you can't really see under my shirt, then you have a bigger problem than I do.

Sandles, tennis shoes, flip flops???
I wore sandles the majority of the time. They are the kind that are NOT exposing my toes. But it was dang near 100 degrees (if not more than that) and way too hot with normal shoes and socks on. Plus, there are few things in life more uncomfortable than wet tennis shoes and socks. I almost bought Crocs...but the price is sooooo high. But they seem like the ideal shoe for the theme park thing. From what I am told, they are really comfortable, they don't get wet, and they have ventilation. The only problem is that they are ugly as sin. But as for fashion, see my earlier entry.

LISTEN TO WHAT EVERYBODY SAYS ABOUT HEADING OUT AND RELAXING!!!
I didn't listen. I did fine. I also run 6 miles a day though. My wife and kids were beaten to heck with my continual "go, go, go" ways. They went along, bless 'em, but yesterday my son fell asleep at 1:30PM on our way home (after the plane flight) and didn't wake up until this morning at 7AM. The poor little guy was a beast on many of the days, and as it turns out it was all due to his just being exhausted.

Oh yeah, and adults, DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE HAVING FUN! I am amazed at how many adults I see there that are "too grown up" or whatever to just give in and be a kid again. Get some ears, put 'em on, and hug a character.

[spin0908]

If you have small children and are afraid of them getting lost, visit this site www.safetytat.com. They are temporary tatoos with your childs name and you can put your cell phone number on them. Our daughter wore them on the inside of her arm- near her armpit. This way it wasn't visable in pictures, but she knew it was there. She was 4yrs. old, and she was very well aware that this tatoo was on her. I do like the idea of the tag on the shoes (daughter wears crocs though) and the hospital bands as well. I was looking for something that wouldn't stick out. Luckily, she never had to use them to ask anyone to call us, but it was there if we needed it.

We did notice that they don't stay on too well while swimming....so plan to re-apply. Hope this helps someone out there

[tiaragirl]

If you've got extra room (personally, I suggest you MAKE room) bring a box or two of cereal. If you are not a big breakfast person, you will not fare well with morning options. Your best bet is to bring some cereal and buy milk in the morning. Insta-breakfast for much cheaper.