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ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..
Member since 5/12 7482 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Disney tips
I see there are a bunch of us planning on going to Disney soon. So I figured we make a post on some tips based on prior Disney trips and keep it in one post. I've been to Disney twice so far but my experience has been to:
-try to head to the park at Rope Drop
-try to make breakfast ADRs at the parks so you have early start there
-if you don't get a reservation or fast pass you were hoping , KEEP TRYING! I got last minute Anna & Elsa FP so def keep trying!
-bring a misting fan...bc it can get hot!
I am sure there are tons of others so please share! Thanks!! 
Message edited 6/30/2015 9:44:03 AM.
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Posted 6/30/15 9:41 AM  |
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Blubtrflygrl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/15 609 total posts
Name:
allison
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Re: Disney tips
This is great.
So far my experience is that if a hotel seems very cheap, it probably is for a reason (I.e. Timeshare).
Also after talking to several people, it made sense to just spend a little more to stay at a Disney resort to avoid aggravation, wasting time and more hidden costs later.
My ILs also told me they let Disney resort guests in an hour earlier to WDW.
Message edited 6/30/2015 7:56:45 PM.
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| Posted 6/30/15 7:56 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney tips
Posted by Blubtrflygrl
Also after talking to several people, it made sense to just spend a little more to stay at a Disney resort to avoid aggravation, wasting time and more hidden costs later.
My ILs also told me they let Disney resort guests in an hour earlier to WDW.
Absolutely take advantage of the extra magic hours. Especially during peak travel times, it's a nice prrk of staying onsite.
Make sure you book your fastpasses for your must-do attractions at the 60 day mark (if onsite) if you are going during peak season.
If staying onsite you can have your park purchases shipped to your resort so you don't have to carry them all day.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Spend some time at your resort or see what the ither resorts have to offer. There are lots of hidden gems. Like the petting zoo and stable at fort wilderness or the entertainment on the boardwalk at night.
Try to relax. Disney is huge and has so much to offer. You won't be able to do it all in a week. We own DVC and go at least 10 days every year. I also grew up going to Disney every year and we still have many things we haven't done and find new things every trip.
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| Posted 6/30/15 9:07 PM |
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Blubtrflygrl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/15 609 total posts
Name:
allison
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Re: Disney tips
Mama needs a new pair of shoes.
What is something comfy you ladies recommend?
Also I signed up for the Disney credit card....6 months interest free!!
Message edited 7/1/2015 5:35:43 AM.
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| Posted 7/1/15 5:26 AM |
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katie629
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/08 465 total posts
Name:
Kate
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Re: Disney tips
Posted by Blubtrflygrl
This is great.
So far my experience is that if a hotel seems very cheap, it probably is for a reason (I.e. Timeshare).
Also after talking to several people, it made sense to just spend a little more to stay at a Disney resort to avoid aggravation, wasting time and more hidden costs later.
My ILs also told me they let Disney resort guests in an hour earlier to WDW.
Are there set days for each park that opens early so you can plan your FPs and dining around that?
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| Posted 7/1/15 7:52 AM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney tips
Posted by katie629
Are there set days for each park that opens early so you can plan your FPs and dining around that?
Yes, there are set days. Each day one park will open early or stay open later for resort guests. You can get a list of the park hours when you check in or see the online calendar
disney park hours
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| Posted 7/1/15 9:26 AM |
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MrsP23
LIF Infant
Member since 9/14 232 total posts
Name:
K
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Disney tips
Comfortable shoes are a must. I hate sneakers because when it rains you are miserable in wet shoes. I have sandals with a memory foam bottom that I always wear in Disney and are great.
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| Posted 7/1/15 11:52 AM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney tips
I alternate between my croc flip flops, my nike memory foam flip flops and my skecher go walk.
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| Posted 7/1/15 12:34 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney tips
If you have the Disney credit card, make sure you check for discounts on the chase disney website. It's usually 10% off of merchandise and select dining locations and 15% off of tours.
Also, if you have the disney credit card, there's a character meet & greet and you get a free 5x7 photo.
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| Posted 7/1/15 12:39 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Disney tips
Posted by Blubtrflygrl
Mama needs a new pair of shoes.
What is something comfy you ladies recommend?
Also I signed up for the Disney credit card....6 months interest free!!
I have 2 pairs of Ecco sports sandals. They are the only ones that fit my wide feet! I buy on shoebuy.com when they have a 30% off sale. I have bad ankles so I need the amount of support these have built in.
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| Posted 7/1/15 10:07 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Disney tips
-we put an order in through Garden Grocers for some breakfast foods, water bottles, and snacks to bring to the park. We are staying in a dvc unit with kitchen w/ my family's points. Will save tons of money and time cutting out breakfast most days and limiting snack purchases in the park.
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| Posted 7/1/15 10:10 PM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9537 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Disney tips
The single biggest tip I can give you is that ALL quick service restaurants in the parks will give you a cup of ice water for FREE. There is no need to spend $$ to buy water. I use Brita filtered water bottles in Florida. I get the water, and then dump it into the bottle.
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| Posted 7/1/15 11:41 PM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Disney tips
I disagree with the earlier mention of timeshares being cheap. I'm sure there are some yucky ones, but many of them are super nice and we, personally, prefer to stay off site.
Book your fast passes to be done earlier in the day. After you use your three, you can continue to book additional ones one at a time. It saved us a ton of time waiting on lines. We were able to book an additional 3 fast passes. Probably could have snuck in another one or two, but the kids were beat.
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| Posted 7/2/15 12:00 AM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Disney tips
For a deluxe at moderate (or even lower) prices, rent a DVC owner's points. The savings are incredible.
Get there early, especially if it's a short trip. Book your FPs for approximately 11-2, or 11-3 to make time for lunch. You don't need them in the early mornings and if you run late you'll miss the window anyway. Try to get your last one in by mid afternoon so you can go get more.
Check out easywdw for things like crowd calendars. His site is terrific.
Got this from Lillykat - use youtube to check out rides if you're not sure if your DC will like one.
Before you book your resort (if you are staying on site) google "disney world closures." Sometimes they'll shut down the pool or whatever for a few months (not during summer but still) and if you research that stuff you can avoid surprises.
If they advertise "free dining" it is really NOT free because you have to pay full price for the hotel. Do the math and make sure it makes sense to do so.
Check out the Coca Cola store in Epcot. They have free samples of different sodas from around the world. Just something different to do and one of the few freebies they give out.
If you don't feel like doing the planning go through a travel agent. They will do it for your for free. Even if you don't book through them they will still do it as a paid service and I don't think it's expensive.
Sign up for the Mousesavers newsletter. Then buy your tickets on the Undercover Tourist website through the link in her newsletter. It's a reliable site and a cheap way to go.
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| Posted 7/2/15 9:20 AM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney tips
I actually disagree about booking fast passes for early in the day. We tend to get to the parks relatively early (although we're not rope drop people). The parks tend to get more crowded as the day goes on. In the mornings, you can find relatively short waits for some rides that you would never find in the afternoon.
When we were there this May, at 10:30 in the morning the Mine Train had a posted 40 minute wait. So we waited even though we had a FP scheduled for later that afternoon. The actual wait was less than 30 minutes. When we went back for our scheduled FP time which was around 2 pm, the posted wait time was 75 minutes.
We will wait on line in the mornings and start our FP in early afternoon going into the evenings.
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| Posted 7/2/15 9:24 AM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Disney tips
Posted by Mill188
I actually disagree about booking fast passes for early in the day. We tend to get to the parks relatively early (although we're not rope drop people). The parks tend to get more crowded as the day goes on. In the mornings, you can find relatively short waits for some rides that you would never find in the afternoon.
When we were there this May, at 10:30 in the morning the Mine Train had a posted 40 minute wait. So we waited even though we had a FP scheduled for later that afternoon. The actual wait was less than 30 minutes. When we went back for our scheduled FP time which was around 2 pm, the posted wait time was 75 minutes.
We will wait on line in the mornings and start our FP in early afternoon going into the evenings.
I do agree that the lines are shorter in the morning, but if you use your fast passes early, you can get another...that's usually the draw to using them early so you can get more.
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| Posted 7/2/15 9:58 AM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney tips
Posted by Lauren82
I do agree that the lines are shorter in the morning, but if you use your fast passes early, you can get another...that's usually the draw to using them early so you can get more.
We used to do it that way, but we've noticed that it is becoming more difficult to get additional FPs after our original 3 are used. This is true especially at peak times. We were there last summer and the line at the kiosks to get additional FPs was 15 minutes long. Don't forget you are competing with offsite guests who are just there for the day (and didn't plan FPs in advance AND all the comp ticket holders (cast members, relatives of cm's, etc.)
We go to Disney at least 2 times a year (own DVC) and never even bother trying to get another FP after using our original 3 any more.
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| Posted 7/2/15 10:25 AM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Disney tips
Posted by Mill188
Posted by Lauren82
I do agree that the lines are shorter in the morning, but if you use your fast passes early, you can get another...that's usually the draw to using them early so you can get more.
We used to do it that way, but we've noticed that it is becoming more difficult to get additional FPs after our original 3 are used. This is true especially at peak times. We were there last summer and the line at the kiosks to get additional FPs was 15 minutes long. Don't forget you are competing with offsite guests who are just there for the day (and didn't plan FPs in advance AND all the comp ticket holders (cast members, relatives of cm's, etc.)
We go to Disney at least 2 times a year (own DVC) and never even bother trying to get another FP after using our original 3 any more.
OP...lots of views on fast passes...we've done a lot of research on various websites to find what worked best for us and get strategies for the best use based on our needs. I would look around and see how it works best for you. We always use one for Peter pan because it's a must do for us and the line is crazy long all the time. Some people probably say it's not worth it though.
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| Posted 7/2/15 10:54 AM |
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Blubtrflygrl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/15 609 total posts
Name:
allison
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Re: Disney tips
Question:
So I booked Sun-Wed night at hotel, check out Thurs AM.
Planning to go to WDW 2 days, hang at pool another. On the fence about Universal.
We have the option of adding one more day at hotel though or just leaving Thurs AM and taking our time driving home, maybe stopping in another city along the way.
My gut says to just book extra day and enjoy the time in Orlando.
What say you?
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| Posted 7/2/15 1:50 PM |
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ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..
Member since 5/12 7482 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: Disney tips
Posted by Blubtrflygrl
Question:
So I booked Sun-Wed night at hotel, check out Thurs AM.
Planning to go to WDW 2 days, hang at pool another. On the fence about Universal.
We have the option of adding one more day at hotel though or just leaving Thurs AM and taking our time driving home, maybe stopping in another city along the way.
My gut says to just book extra day and enjoy the time in Orlando.
What say you?
Me personally I would def stay another day, if I could.
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| Posted 7/2/15 2:08 PM |
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Blubtrflygrl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/15 609 total posts
Name:
allison
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Re: Disney tips
Spoke to DH and he said to just book the extra day.
Now I have another ?:
saw on someones FB feed that you can't use EZPASS on this trip? Just lots of coins.....
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| Posted 7/2/15 8:45 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney tips
Posted by Blubtrflygrl
Spoke to DH and he said to just book the extra day.
Now I have another ?:
saw on someones FB feed that you can't use EZPASS on this trip? Just lots of coins.....
For driving? I know the tolls from the airport to the WDW all take Sunpass or coins. Sunpass is not the same as EZ Pass. I think we spent $1.50 in tolls though. Not sure about the other states.
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| Posted 7/2/15 9:38 PM |
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Blubtrflygrl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/15 609 total posts
Name:
allison
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Re: Disney tips
We're driving from LI.
I remember a few years ago we went to DE and got a few tickets because "our tag didn't read".
I'm wondering if this is because certain areas don't accept?
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| Posted 7/3/15 6:37 AM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney tips
Lol.
My tips are opposite:
Have a big breakfast before you go. Food is terrible in the parks & overpriced.
Pace yourself: not a morning person? Go later, you will likely stay later & not be exhausted.
Stay at an off site hotel. Best value for your $.
Nothing wrong with cheap hotels there. Have stayed many times & found them much nicer than Disney ones that cost over twice as much.
Don't stress your schedule too much: this is a vacation, not a sporting event.
Don't overpack! Bring a bottle you can refill with water (they have water fountains).
If you can... Wait to plan your days at the park til last minute. It is less pleasant in the rain (even with ponchos).
Go to the electric light parade.
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| Posted 7/3/15 1:37 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Disney tips
#1 Tip - Make sure that you get to the parks at rope drop.
- Plan the parks according to crowd predictors. I usually check multiple websites (touringplans, easywdw.com, undercovertourist). If at all possible, do not go during school breaks.
- Eat breakfast on the go so that you can get to the parks early and take advantage of early magic hours if you are staying on Disney property. We usually do more in the first 2 hours than the rest of the day combined. Recently we have been making the latest breakfast reservation possible. That way, we enjoy 2-3 hrs at the parks and need a break and hungry. We beat the lunch rush.
- Book FP 60 days in advance so that you can get optimal times for the most popular rides with long waits.
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| Posted 7/3/15 4:32 PM |
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