My little list of Disney A-Z tips
Autographs
Kids love getting them and the Disney character experience is unmatched. You can use autograph books (bought or made), pillow cases, picture mattings, t-shirts (cannot be worn at the time), etc. for the characters to sign. Fat, retractable markers are best for the characters big hands.
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| Xander's autograph book that we made with a friends Cricut. |
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| We found Disney scrapbook paper to have the characters sign on. |
Backpacks
EVERYONE carries a backpack. This helps avoid "mom will carry this for me." I started this at about age 10. The kids carry the lightweight kind that have strings as the straps (ours are Nike and Adidas).
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| Oh, no, it's that "other place" but you can see them both wearing their backpacks. |
Character Meals
Worth every dime, especially when you get free dining :) This helps get character autographs without waiting in long lines at the parks. We have waited 2 hours before to see Minnie Mouse, the next year we had breakfast with her (Cape May Cafe), had all of her attention, and didn't wait in line.
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| Xander at a character meal in 2005. |
Disney Dining Plan
Worth the money if you book table service meals 180 days in advance. I saved my receipts one trip (in 2011) and added up everything we used the dining plan for (meals and snacks). We saved about 30% by booking the meal plan.
Epcot
Make it an all day park. Between Future World and World Showcase, there is lots to do and lots to learn. My kids can't get enough of this park, even when they were little. It's not as boring as you or your kids think it is, just ask Figment!!
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| I think I take this picture every year, it's so beautiful. |
Order groceries from Garden Grocer. We order things like chips, pretzels, and peanuts to make snack baggies. We also like buying Pop Tarts, juice, and Nutrigrain Bars for breakfast. The company is great, they deliver right to your Disney resort. They even sell beer and diapers (which shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence).
Gum
Bring your own, its not sold in the parks. Not kidding!! I usually pack 2-3 packs per person in my suitcase.
Hidden Mickeys
We love looking for Hidden Mickeys. There are books you can buy that tells you where to look but what fun is that? We like to use our imagination and search for them without instructions. If you want a book, we recommend this one.
Internet
My favorite sites for Disney vacation planning: AllEars, TheMouseForLess, PassPorter And speaking of internet, there's free Wi-Fi at Walt Disney world!
July-September
IT IS SOOOO FREAKIN' HOT! If you absolutely must go during these months, be prepared. Take lots of sunscreen, drink lots of water, take swimming breaks, relax in shows with air conditioning, and wear good, protective clothing. The last thing you want on a Disney vacation is to be dehydrated and/or have a sunburn.
Kiss Goodnight
Late at night, starting about 30 minutes after the Magic Kingdom closes, there is a goodnight message played at the castle. Cinderella castle twinkles with lights, "When you Wish Upon a Star" plays over the speakers, and then a narrator greets you by saying thank you for being a guest at WDW and to have safe travels. This can play very late but is something beautiful to see.
Lines
You are going to wait in line for rides and food, get over it. It will be all worth it in the end. If you are not in a line that has lots of entertainment (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh line is excellent), then you can make waiting for kids fun by letting them bring their ipod or play with your phone. FastPass+ helps with this as well, use it wisely.
Moderate resort
A lot more amenities than "Value" without paying twice the price for "Deluxe." Our favorite is Caribbean Beach Resort but I hear people love Port Orleans French Quarter.
Norway
This country in Epcot has the BEST princess meal at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. There are lots of princesses, It is beautiful inside, the food is excellent (not cheeseburgers), you get a picture with Belle when you enter, and they announce your daughters name when your table is ready (when we went they said "announcing Princess Eve").
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| Eve with Belle in 2008. |
Options
Explore your options. There is so much to do, go in informed. Go to as many websites as possible, read as many Disney books as you can, and get the Disney app for smartphones. You can also hire a Disney certified travel planner!
Planning, planning, planning
Plan ahead!! Know when you are going to go to which park. This helps plan for park tickets and dining reservations. You don't have to go all crazy and plan when you will ride certain rides, this will only create disappointment, but at least know what days you will be at each park! (Bonus tip: it has been said that Thursday is the least busy day for MK)
Quit stressing
and have fun with the planning and the doing!!
Reservations
Make dining reservations 180 days in advance. It sounds crazy now to plan where you want to eat 6 months in advance but it saves disappointment later. I always research menus at allears.net to narrow down my choices. A good Disney travel planner will book these for you.
Shoes
YOU MUST WEAR GOOD, COMFY SHOES!! (hope you see the importance by me writing in shouty caps) My friend wore flip flops from Old Navy, she walked holes in them and had to buy new shoes while in the park.
Transportation
Utilize as much Disney transportation as possible, it's free. These range from, Magical Express to monorails to buses to boats. We like to hop on boats to use as free entertainment and/or to find different and interesting ways to get from one place to another. Do not visit Walt Disney World without at least 1 ride on the monorail.
Umbrella/ponchos
IT WILL RAIN IN FLORIDA AT LEAST ONCE DAILY!! We buy ponchos at Dollar Tree and bring them with us to avoid paying for the expensive Disney ones but I have seen people carry umbrellas.
Vegetarian, allergies, dietary restrictions
Make these known right away. Ask a lot of questions about what is in the meals you are considering. Sometimes the chef will come out and talk to you personally. Some restaurants prefer advance notice with dietary restrictions, you can notate these when booking online or over the phone. Disney is extremely accommodating!
Water
Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT buy bottled water at WDW. If you go to any counter service restaurant they will give you a FREE cup of ice water. Yes, you can't take it on the rides or keep it in your backpack but it's free to you, you might as well use it.
eXtra magic hours
We love the morning ones. The park isn't that busy from 8-9am. Nothing like being allowed in a park an hour before anyone else. (you must be a resort guest to take advantage of these)
You
Remember this vacation is all about you and your family, don't let other guests get you down.
Zebras, Zyrtec, and zinnias
"Z" words are awfully hard to come up with. Zebras: ride the safari at Animal Kingdom first thing in the morning, the animals are usually out and the lines are shorter. Zyrtec: Make sure you remember to pack ALL of your medications. You don't want to arrive at Disney and need a medication you hardly every use but you left it at home. And pack it in your carry-on, if your airline sends your bag to Oklahoma instead of Orlando, you want to make sure you at least have your medications. Zinnias: Stop and smell the roses, enjoy what you are doing, don't rush through everything. Disney has so much detail, take time to look around.
Have a Magical day :)
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