How To Avoid Disappointments In Planning Your WDW Vacation.

[real mad hatter]

Well that last thread was so interesting about " Planning Your Disappointment " ...Here's my question to all you Disney professional planning people..For those who are going for the first time to WDW, what advice would you give to avoid any disappointments.??..Now apart from the obvious..Booking your ADRS ( If req ) and other stuff..What have you came across that you'll make sure it doesn't happen again.?.Heres my wee tip..On our first visit in 2004, we had a great viewing spot for Spectro Magic..So there I was, camcorder in hand..Lights..Camera..Action......Plop..No I didn't drop it..About 2 mins into filming, my battery died on me....Where's my spare battery???...In my resort room.....Never again....The spare cam battery goes with us in Mrs Hatters bag..So to you all...Hit me with your best shot..( Sorry Pat )

 

[jkl2000]

Plan a rest day with nothing (much) scheduled about mid-trip. Use it to catch up on laundry, bit of shopping for anything you may need, take stock on existing plans and rejig if necessary...then head off to a park afterwards, perhaps an easy day followed by some pool time or visit some resorts.

Our "resort day" is gradually falling prey to "scope creep." First it was just a day at the resort. Then, I figured since we would be sleeping in, why not breakfast at Kona Cafe? Then California Grill reopened, and I figured that night was the best night to go. Then of course, before seeing Wishes from the roof, we can probably catch the Electrical Water Pageant... LOL! Better get the laundry in there somewhere!

 

[Graham9]

Try to get there first thing for rope drop and stay for as long as you can aiming for closure time.
Pace yourself, plan to get to as many rides before the park packs out.
Go for fastpasses to get some afternoon rides in.
Plan ahead what you intend to do/go on for the day, knowing you're not going to do everything unless you plan a second day (at least).
Check weather forecasts, as park empties when it pours and use this to get ahead of lines.
Buy a cheap poncho for showers, not forgetting a plastic bag for cameras etc.
Check to see which park has the best rides/attractions and go to these first before the lines get big.
Plan time for a meal/drink to allow for prime spots for parades.
Carry water and small snacks to eat on the move.
Keep spare camera batteries (charge every night), lens cleaners, film/memory cards.
Buy souvenirs on the last day when you have seen what you want.
Get a locker for the day to keep heavy/large items safely to hand (e.g. camera tripods).
Keep count of your money, you can find you have spent more than you anticipate.
Keep small snacks in your room.
Have a breakfast in your room before setting out each day (cheaper).
Keep up sunblock, bug spray & deodorant.

 

[coachwnh]

Great ideas all, but my most important 2 are be at the park well before rope drop and remember you can't do everything in one trip.

Was going to say the same. You can't do everything in one trip! Take your time. Your vacation is not the Amazing Race!!!!!!

 

[DisneyDelirious]

Most of the biggies have already been covered. If you are not a really active person as far as physical fitness/ cardio type stuff then don't wait until your trip to get in Disney shape. You will be on your feet a lot and potentialy cover some significant real estate at WDW. Or if you dont' wish to, or can't find time to get in shape, adjust fire and be realistic about what your park touring will look like. If you are a park commando and someone with you isn't, you can really break them off physically and adversely affect their experience or they can affect yours. Know what everyone in your party is capable of, when they need breaks, and how to pace yourself. It will help keep everyone in a magical mood, keep you from being one of the mulititude of people I see screaming at their kids, and make all that money you spent go a bit farther. Witht he financial cost of a trip, many folks try to do everything, end up getting tired and frustrated, and accomplish less then they could have.

 

[Figgy1]

Most of the biggies have already been covered. If you are not a really active person as far as physical fitness/ cardio type stuff then don't wait until your trip to get in Disney shape. You will be on your feet a lot and potentialy cover some significant real estate at WDW. Or if you dont' wish to, or can't find time to get in shape, adjust fire and be realistic about what your park touring will look like. If you are a park commando and someone with you isn't, you can really break them off physically and adversely affect their experience or they can affect yours. Know what everyone in your party is capable of, when they need breaks, and how to pace yourself. It will help keep everyone in a magical mood, keep you from being one of the mulititude of people I see screaming at their kids, and make all that money you spent go a bit farther. Witht he financial cost of a trip, many folks try to do everything, end up getting tired and frustrated, and accomplish less then they could have.

I couldn't have said it better. I change up my workouts 6 months in advance to make sure I can walk a minimum of 10 miles a day. That way after touring for 2 weeks with my crazy commando family I come home well rested.

 

[real mad hatter]

I couldn't have said it better. I change up my workouts 6 months in advance to make sure I can walk a minimum of 10 miles a day. That way after touring for 2 weeks with my crazy commando family I come home well rested.

Are you in training for Expendables 3.......I'am taking our pedometers with us on our next trip..I reckon we walk about 5 or 6 mile per day...That's just a guess...The reason your clocking up 10 miles is because your going back and fro for the Grey Goose medication....

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Are you in training for Expendables 3.......I'am taking our pedometers with us on our next trip..I reckon we walk about 5 or 6 mile per day...That's just a guess...The reason your clocking up 10 miles is because your going back and fro for the Grey Goose medication....

Chuck Norris is scared of @figmentfan423 's exercise program

 

[real mad hatter]

Chuck Norris is scared of @figmentfan423 's exercise program

Chuck is her Mentor..

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Chuck is her Mentor..

He wishes

 

[real mad hatter]

He wishes

Eh!..Maybe not...The Lone Wolf may have bitten off too much for the Joisey Leprechaun ....

 

[PaulaT]

I might have missed in the original post, but it depends who you are traveling with also. My kids have been blessed to have gone 15 times(11 & 9 yrs old girls) but each time we go, every morning they know where we are going and the "plan" for the day, we ask them what ride/attraction is there "must do" for the day, this way they are not upset. It's their vacation too. We see so many families fighting in the middle of the parks and it is so sad, everyone wants to do something different and NOW and then it becomes yelling and there goes the fun. I also agree with the snacks. In my family, we each carry a "camelbak" with water and a snack or two for the day. This helps alot while standing in lines. Don't let the rain stop you, in all our trips its prob rained on each one, we bring our ponchos and keep going!!! Have fun

 

[real mad hatter]

I might have missed in the original post, but it depends who you are traveling with also. My kids have been blessed to have gone 15 times(11 & 9 yrs old girls) but each time we go, every morning they know where we are going and the "plan" for the day, we ask them what ride/attraction is there "must do" for the day, this way they are not upset. It's their vacation too. We see so many families fighting in the middle of the parks and it is so sad, everyone wants to do something different and NOW and then it becomes yelling and there goes the fun. I also agree with the snacks. In my family, we each carry a "camelbak" with water and a snack or two for the day. This helps alot while standing in lines. Don't let the rain stop you, in all our trips its prob rained on each one, we bring our ponchos and keep going!!! Have fun

Well said..Oh by the way....I gave you your first like..A fairy gets her wings tonight..

 

[Figgy1]

I might have missed in the original post, but it depends who you are traveling with also. My kids have been blessed to have gone 15 times(11 & 9 yrs old girls) but each time we go, every morning they know where we are going and the "plan" for the day, we ask them what ride/attraction is there "must do" for the day, this way they are not upset. It's their vacation too. We see so many families fighting in the middle of the parks and it is so sad, everyone wants to do something different and NOW and then it becomes yelling and there goes the fun. I also agree with the snacks. In my family, we each carry a "camelbak" with water and a snack or two for the day. This helps alot while standing in lines. Don't let the rain stop you, in all our trips its prob rained on each one, we bring our ponchos and keep going!!! Have fun

What @real mad hatter said and a most magical welcome to you!

 

[Hot Lava]

Xanax

 

[Hot Lava]

1 - Don't be disappionted because you left something important at home. Make a packing list well ahead of time, check it twice, and follow it as you're packing. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this case. Yet keep in mind that unless you've forgotten prescription medication or the like, there is little that you can't buy at WDW if you've forgotten it.

And, alternatively, realize there is very little you cannot get down there if you do forget something. Especially if you drive there. Outside of prescriptions and very specialty stuff, you can probably get it at WDW. And if not, nowadays you can ship to yourself fairly quickly from online retailers.

Unfortunately this does not hold as well for international visitors. You will really have to be on top of your list!