Habits you've developed when you visit the parks

[RoadTrip]

# Always enter the MK from the right.
# First ride is the full circuit on the WDW Railroad.
# After getting off the train go down Main Street and ALWAYS go left to Adventureland. That is the way Walt wanted it.
# See the lands in clockwise order.
# Use the restrooms by the Fairytale Garden. They don't get used much and are very clean.
# Always have a Cream Cheese Pretzel at the Lunching Pad
# Ride Buzz Lightyear where my wife beats my score. ALWAYS.

 

[kalel8145]

1st day is always DTD.
We do MK and EPCOT twice every visit.
Eat at Garden Grill for dinner on 2nd EPCOT visit.
Last day is always MK and we lunch at Tony's.
One type of food from each country in WS. Makes for a very full belly by the end of it. The walking helps though.

 

[mergatroid]

We have had a long-running joke about that, but actually I do not drink at all. Can't even stand the smell of it. My wife and I even avoid the food and wine festival because I have a low tolerance for drunken, boorish behavior and we were seeing it way too often. I do mention it in my trip report from a couple of years ago. No harm though as I can take a joke.

To be honest my friend, neither my wife or I drink either. Have nothing against people drinking, but I find the taste of alcohol pretty disgusting myself. A funny story was about 5 years when we went to Vegas. One lunchtime I was sat at our hotel pool and I saw lots of people drinking 'slush puppies'. I gave Mrs Merg $10 and she went to buy me one. When she returned I asked her where the change was and she said there was only $1 change. I thought that was an expensive 'slush puppy' and when I tasted it, I realised it was an alcoholic drink (a strawberry daiquiri).

Anyhow it tasted nice so I drank it all up and had a lie down in the sun. After about half an hour I discovered that the ground was moving from side to side around me and when I sat up I found the world was spinning! Not wanting to admit I was drunk, when Mrs M went up to the room at 1pm, I told her I wanted to stay in the sun. I fell asleep with my sunglasses on and when I woke up later and decided that I was now capable of walking, I went up to the room (4-5 hours later). When I walked into the room and took my sunglasses off, I looked like a raccoon due to the sun burn marks on my face

I wore make up for the first time in my life when we went out for dinner that night and felt a right fool. Lesson learned, don't drink and sunbath folks!!!!!

 

[RoadTrip]

Wow mergatroid... alcohol packs a wallop in the hot sun for even an experienced drinker. That must have been SOME afternoon!!

 

[ShoalFox]

First day is always a full day at Epcot.
When at MK, first ride in Tomorrowland is always CoP
On rides with cameras, I always look at the camera and give a double peace sign
Before the drop on Splash Mountain and the high speed section on TT, I always put on my sunglasses and strap them
Spend as little time in DAK as possible

 

[mergatroid]

Wow mergatroid... alcohol packs a wallop in the hot sun for even an experienced drinker. That must have been SOME afternoon!!

You're telling me. At one point I was lying on the sun lounger holding on to it as I thought I was going to fall off it

 

[Po'Rich]

We slow down and take it easy. It used to be we rushed to try to do as much as possible, but one magical day many years ago it occurred to us a slower pace might be worth trying. It changed the way we visit WDW forever. We now enjoy it so much more. We enjoy the resort pool, the scenery, architecture, landscaping, hidden Mickeys, shows, street performers, boat rides, resort hopping, little out of the way places and so much more. Oh yeah, and Dole Whips.

I'm going this Christmas for our third visit. Taking it slower (even with the increased crowds) is our main goal.

 

[Gomer]

Its funny, the more I go to WDW the fewer habits I hold onto.

I used to always do first and last day MK. Lost first day MK a few years ago when I wanted to hit May the 4th at DHS on arrival day and have done two more trips since then where I started at Epcot. Going to lose Last day MK on my upcoming trip due to Night of Joy.

Used to always do pirates as the first ride, but dropped that when my kids got old enough to have favorites of their own that took priority. Going to Fantasyland instead of Adventureland first took a lot of getting used to.

Used to do Casey's on the bench seats for our first meal, but Disney did away with that one. Without the cartoons and baseball seating, hot dogs just don't seem so special anymore.

So, what do I have left?
- Always do Sci-Fi once a trip. Food may be mediocre, but you can't beat the theming.
- At least one Pineapple Margarita from Le Cava per trip (that's a new, but tasty tradition)
- Always try to hit a nice relaxing lunch in the second floor of Columbia Harbour House once per trip.
- Kringla for Lefse and School Bread our first night in Epcot.

Just realized that all my remaining traditions are food related. But I'm comfortable with that.

 

[Mike K]

Probably common amongst most people but, we always head to Magic Kingdom first when we arrive. In addition, I can't help but always starting the day off in Adventureland no matter what.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

We don't go anywhere the arrival day-just our resort and Publix.
First full Disney day is always MK, entered from the left, go straight to Space Mountain cutting a right at the Ice Cream Parlor.
Usually always eat San Angel Inn lunch. Last trip was the only time we didn't, and DH said it would ruin our trip and coincidentally we had a bad trip. Or was it fate...?!?

 

[disney4life2008]

I am obsessive with washing my hands. So every bathroom i pass i am washing my hands and face.

A last night routine has always been to close out splash mountain (one of the last boats) the head to caseys for my 2 hot dogs, hot cheese ans onions while watching a kiss Goodnight on the castle. No more hot chese, thank you parents who weren't watching your kids!

 

[zurgandfriend]

Magic Kingdom:
We always go there first
We always enter to the left
We always head to Liberty Square first
We always ride haunted Mansion first
Epcot:
We always do Spaceship earth First
We always stop at Mousegear
DHS:
We always head right to Star wars first
DAK;
We always head right to the safari

 

[copcarguyp71]

- First park - EPCOT
- At least one air hockey tournament with my daughter at the resort (I hope she never outgrows this)
- Crystal Palace breakfast
- MK rope drop
- Splash Mountain at night
- Climb to the top of Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse during EMH...seriously, great photo ops
- NEVER shy away from a little (or a lot of) rain
- Dinner at Rose and Crown patio for Reflections Earth
- First ride at AK is EE
- Try to make at least one kid having a bad day smile in a queue

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Some other things:
-Eat at Crystal Palace on out first full day
-Eat a Mickey Ice Cream sandwich at every park
-At MK, head right to Tomorrowland

 

[Punky]

Finding outlets to charge my phones.

 

[epcotisbest]

To be honest my friend, neither my wife or I drink either. Have nothing against people drinking, but I find the taste of alcohol pretty disgusting myself. A funny story was about 5 years when we went to Vegas. One lunchtime I was sat at our hotel pool and I saw lots of people drinking 'slush puppies'. I gave Mrs Merg $10 and she went to buy me one. When she returned I asked her where the change was and she said there was only $1 change. I thought that was an expensive 'slush puppy' and when I tasted it, I realised it was an alcoholic drink (a strawberry daiquiri).

Anyhow it tasted nice so I drank it all up and had a lie down in the sun. After about half an hour I discovered that the ground was moving from side to side around me and when I sat up I found the world was spinning! Not wanting to admit I was drunk, when Mrs M went up to the room at 1pm, I told her I wanted to stay in the sun. I fell asleep with my sunglasses on and when I woke up later and decided that I was now capable of walking, I went up to the room (4-5 hours later). When I walked into the room and took my sunglasses off, I looked like a raccoon due to the sun burn marks on my face

I wore make up for the first time in my life when we went out for dinner that night and felt a right fool. Lesson learned, don't drink and sunbath folks!!!!!

This is very funny. Thanks for sharing. Lesson learned indeed.

 

[epcotisbest]

You're telling me. At one point I was lying on the sun lounger holding on to it as I thought I was going to fall off it

So you went on a ride and never left the lounger?

 

[Figments Friend]

For WDW, in the past these have been traditional 'habits' i tend to do -

Magic Kingdom is always the first Park, on the first day.
Epcot is always approached by Monorail only when returning for the first time since arriving in town.
Shed a tear when seeing the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot in it's current state.
Always have a Dole Whip float when in Adventureland
View all Audio-Animatronic based Stage presentations.
Have your 'first breakfast' on Property at the Kona Cafe' at the Poly.
Always stay at the All Star Music Resort.
Use 'Disney Gift Cards' and keep re-loading them with funds to avoid carrying cash and loose change in the Parks.
Never bring any bags into the Parks.
Always bring a open mind.
Have a few Trading Pins in your pocket...just in case.
Always visit 'off season'.
Be thankful it's not too humid today in Florida....




For Disneyland, where i spend my time these days, here are my 'recent habits' -

Touch my hat brim or nod my head every time i pass by Tony Baxter's Main Street Window as a mark of appreciation and thanks.
Ride the rails of 'Big Thunder Mountain Railroad' multiple times. Repeat often, especially late at night, and always in Row #15
Always have a Dole Whip float while enjoying the Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland.
Ride 'Indiana Jones Adventure' multiple times, usually in two certain seats - drivers wheel, or back row - right.
Always stay 'off property'...and never stay on Harbor Blvd.
Use 'Disney Gift Cards' and keep re-loading them with funds to avoid carrying cash and loose change in the Parks.
Never bring any bags into the Parks.
Always bring a open mind.
Have a few Trading Pins in your pocket...just in case.
Be thankful for what experiences come your way.

 

[SleepyPuppy]

Ever since our visit to WDW on opening day the first thing to do was get our picture in front of the flower Mickey and then thru the left portal take in the castle view down Main St and then to the train around the Kingdom.

On successive visits after our son was old enough to travel with us he has accused me of having no plan or reason for my journeys through the park. My legs were still good back then and there were few who could keep up with me as I bounced around the Kingdom like a pinball game.

For my next every visit obsession: My son also has been unsympathetic about my for the Epcot night time show, Laser Phonic Fantasy, Illuminations or whatever it is themed now. I am whacky over lasers and have more videos of this event than any other one thing at WDW. I have some that are Smokey, some with poor viewing areas and others that are just OK. I always hoped for a good shot of the lasers but most come out off color. Maybe next trip I can get a great one. You should have seen the horror-struck look I got from my son when I suggested that he, his wife, my wife and I take up positions around World Show Place and get videos from four compass points. I could then edit them together for the best laser “whatever” show it is called now to be filmed for my collection. He soon noticed the twinkle in my eye and went along with additional suggestions to my preposterous idea. Who knows, some good ideas have come from some ludicrous inspirations.

 

[SleepyPuppy]

Noting wrong with being ridiculous. We drove three hours one way Saturday because we had a craving for fried apple pies from the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge. We packed a picnic, loaded up the dogs and hit the road. Made a full day out of it. The most ridiculous part is I can't even have them because of diabetes. I had a bite of a regular one and devoured the sugar free one I could eat. Now mind you it is nothing like the real thing, but edible anyway.

Man, I love the Apple Barn. Their apple fritters are awesome when consumed with the supplied apple butter as a condiment. I had made plans to stop there on our way home from WDW in April, 2016. We had reservations for free deluxe rooms at Harrah’s in Cherokee, NC. My son wanted to prolong our stay the last day at WDW and not leave until checkout from the Poly and eat one final meal there. That would mean getting to Cherokee very late and even though the casino is open 24/7 it didn’t seem feasible especially with our 5 year old granddaughter along for the journey. We can just fritter away our money at the happiest place on earth rather than a casino.