Pittsburgh West - Robinson
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Published on
January 29, 2013
January 29, 2013
Pittsburgh West - Robinson
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Doin' Disney-- Tips From A Rookie
Why you should take notes when someone tells you about their "trip" to Disney.
Disney 101.
What I learned on my trip to Disney.
Our initial plans to hoof it down to Disney were laden with the words, "non stress."
I was truly looking forward to a stress free vacation and tired to separate myself from the Disney Crazies that I was surely not going to LISTEN TOO. They were after all, Disney Crazy and to ME, that was stressful.
They had crazy ideas about timing, dinners, where to go, what to do, when to be there and how to do it RIGHT. The mere mention of Disney sent them into a tizzy of advice.
- I was not going to listen to them.
- I was going to have a STRESS FREE Disney trip.
- I tuned out about .5 seconds into their "suggestion paragraphs."
I was wrong. Here are some tips from me.
1. RESPECT THE CRAZIES.
They know how to work these parks. LISTEN TO THEM.
Take notes like you're in philosophy class.
You will understand NONE of it until you're there.
2. MAP THIS STUFF OUT.
YOU WILL NEED to map out every. single. moment of EACH DAY.
NOT BECAUSE you're a meticulous time freak but because you'll never
see anything without doing so.
Disney is about TIMING. You will watch your hard earned money float away on the Disney Breeze if you don't do some research and planning. (there goes a dollar!)
Disney is about TIMING. You will watch your hard earned money float away on the Disney Breeze if you don't do some research and planning. (there goes a dollar!)
IF YOU REFUSE…you'll just wander aimlessly about lost in the crowd.
I have pictures of us doing so as proof.
Grab a planner for your "map."
Each hour start writing in where you need to be and FOLLOW IT.
include the following:
EATING TIMES
SHUTTLE TIMES ( some stop running at certain times)
MAGIC HOUR times
SHOW TIMES
FAST PASS TIMES
CHARACTER MEET TIMES
PARADE TIMES
FAST PASS TIMES
CHARACTER MEET TIMES
PARADE TIMES
3. WAIT.
YOU WILL HURRY ALL DAY, ONLY TO WAIT.
Most of the day.
Everywhere.
FOR ANYTHING.
AND EVERYONE.
There's no way around it.
4. APP SAVVY
Download the APPS that are helpful for keeping track of where the characters are and how long wait lines are currently for rides/ meet n greets.
Download the APPS that are helpful for keeping track of where the characters are and how long wait lines are currently for rides/ meet n greets.
We used
Disney World Magic Guide and liked it best out of ALL of the apps out there.
iPhone
Android
It gave you a list of maps, dining info, hours and events as well as wait times and more!
Disney World Magic Guide and liked it best out of ALL of the apps out there.
iPhone
Android
It gave you a list of maps, dining info, hours and events as well as wait times and more!
We loved the "near me" feature that was part of the app letting you know how far away places etc in the park were.
Here are some additional Disney apps you might want to check out.
iPhone
Here are some additional Disney apps you might want to check out.
iPhone
5. FOOD
Take food into the park. Save money.
Take food into the park. Save money.
Disney Parks allow you to bring anything into the park. It's so nice!
Bring snacks! Bring lunch.
We didn't check out any character experiences but they are available and it's important to register early.
We didn't check out any character experiences but they are available and it's important to register early.
6. SHOPPING
There are more stores than rides.
As Scar says, "BE PREPARED!"
If anyone tells you you'll find stuff cheaper off site, no you won't.
- the item won't be there
- the trip there and the time spent chasing it down isn't worth it
- the item is a DISNEY PARK EXCLUSIVE ... OH YES THEY DID. THE $20 Exclusive Tangled Doll that you slightly balked at-- is $50-$60 dollars on line if you HAPPEN TO FORGET IT AT YOUR HOTEL
7. SHUTTLES / BUS
Disney provides buses/shuttles daily to all Walt Disney World on site resorts.
They run about every 20 minutes to a half an hour to select parks.
They run about every 20 minutes to a half an hour to select parks.
They fill up fast but are FREE.
They END at certain times though dependent on park closings.
Be aware of it and plan to either be there early in line to nab one or grab a cab.
It's really not that expensive and a more direct approach!
YOUR RESORT might also offer it's OWN direct shuttle service.
Be aware of it and plan to either be there early in line to nab one or grab a cab.
It's really not that expensive and a more direct approach!
YOUR RESORT might also offer it's OWN direct shuttle service.
8. FAST PASSES
These are magic passes distributed at rides and SOME character meet n greets.
You 'll have to go to the "distribution spot" near to each ride. Stick in your all day ticket and it spits out a ticket that tells you a TIME FRAME to come back at.
You'll need to write this in your MAP PLANNER.
Be back at that time to get onto the ride faster and bypass the line.
* catch/fine print
YOU CAN ONLY GET THESE SO MANY TIMES A DAY
Once you print out ONE set of Fast Passes-- it will have a TIME that says when you can PRINT another set out.
PUT THIS INFO IN YOUR MAP/ PLANNER.
* notes
If you have 7 people in your group and not ALL want to ride something. Only get as many fast passes as you need! Use your other tickets for ANOTHER ride to get a fast pass.
9. SPLIT UP
You MIGHT have to do this to actually see the majority of the parks. If you have huge age gaps, it's necessary! My little ones were not interested remotely in rides and we focused on meet n greets.
10. PARADES
Don't miss them. Plan them into your MAP/ PLANNER.
They're really worth it if you CAN'T manage to meet every. single. character.
Most will appear in the parade!
11. CHARACTERS
Do not freak out if you don't meet all characters at Magic Kingdom!
They'll be at other parks and it might not be as long of a wait!
At the front of each park get a list of the characters for the day, where they'll be and what time!
a. Hollywood Studios had all the basic characters!
b. Epcot had all the princesses + more!
c. Animal Kingdom even had some characters milling about!
c. Animal Kingdom even had some characters milling about!
12. HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Run don't walk to get a fast pass for TOY STORY MANIA. This is a crazy popular ride.
RUN DON'T WALK if you have a JEDI fan to the radio tower past American Idol.
You'll need to SIGN UP EARLY IN THE MORNING for a "Jedi Training Session" that will occur later in the day. They'll get to battle Darth Vader and it's super cool, but LIMITED IN SPACE.
You'll need to SIGN UP EARLY IN THE MORNING for a "Jedi Training Session" that will occur later in the day. They'll get to battle Darth Vader and it's super cool, but LIMITED IN SPACE.
SEND ONE CHAPERONE AND THE CHILD TO THE PARK EARLY IF NEEDED to register your kid!
Catch up with them later!
Catch up with them later!
13. Ticket Discounts
Check your hotel. Sometimes they have better deals than anywhere!
Check your hotel. Sometimes they have better deals than anywhere!
AAA had some good discounts too.
14. HOW LONG
We did 4 Disney Parks and Sea World in 5 Days.
It was NUTS. It CAN be done but it's exhausting and there's no down time.
If you can plan at least a week, do so. Take breaks as needed. There are TONS more parks to see other than the basics!
15. PIN TRADING
Disney Employees and many park goers wear "Disney Pins."
They are specifically for trading.
It was a HIGHLIGHT of our trip. My girls ages 9- 3. LOVED THIS.
You can get starter packs for about 30$ in the park but be smarter and do as I was told.
BUY a SET on EBAY.
You'll get random pins but they're PERFECT for trading. Buy some cheap lanyards and pin them on to get started!
BUY a SET on EBAY.
You'll get random pins but they're PERFECT for trading. Buy some cheap lanyards and pin them on to get started!
Stop every and any employee with pins! They're happy to do so in fact it's THEIR JOB to trade with kids and it was SO MUCH FUN having the girls do so and we met so many people! 2 pins per person are allowed per employee!
16. PASSPORTS
Epcot had all the "countries" available to explore. The princesses hang out there at certain times. There are of course STORES. Sigh.
16. PASSPORTS
Epcot had all the "countries" available to explore. The princesses hang out there at certain times. There are of course STORES. Sigh.
You can buy a passport and each country had a "kid stop" (mostly in a gift $hop) where they get their passport stamped and meet a native of the country. My kids REALLY enjoyed this part and felt like they traveled.
17. SHOES
The parks, each of them, span miles. You will either be walking, or waiting in line. Your feet will hurt in even the BEST SHOES so make sure you have good ones. Unlike my husband, who did not. This was DAY 1.
17. SHOES
The parks, each of them, span miles. You will either be walking, or waiting in line. Your feet will hurt in even the BEST SHOES so make sure you have good ones. Unlike my husband, who did not. This was DAY 1.
I am a novice at best and there are much more seasoned veterans out there that can guide you in your experience. One of my fellow publishers actually does this on the side now and can help you out, free. Pixie and Pirate Destinations, LLC.
If you have a tip or trick you've tried yourself for any of the Disney areas in Orlando please feel free to leave a comment below. We did not go to many of the other theme parks and did not experience the character dining.
Last:
If you have a tip or trick you've tried yourself for any of the Disney areas in Orlando please feel free to leave a comment below. We did not go to many of the other theme parks and did not experience the character dining.
Last:
Listen to the crazies.
Disney is WORK and you need to plan for it!
Comments
1) Susan S said:
Love your post! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! Did you call your hotel to check the lost and found for the forgotten toy? We had the same thing happen and our hotel mailed us our toy home. We told our son that Woody wanted to stay longer and preferred UPS to the airlines.
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