DisneyWorld -- What you wish you had known (not rides, etc., but parenting tips)

[Anonymous]

Heading to DisneyWorld soon and would love to hear any "I wish I had known..." tips from those who have been there. We're taking 2 elem. age kids so no strollers to deal with. I can find all the Disney-related tips on other websites, but am looking for more tips about how to make it enjoyable for all. For example, it just occurred to me that I need to buy a small backpack rather than bring a purse for water, etc. we'll need to carry throughout the day. Thanks for any other ideas!

[Anonymous]

You cannot see everything in a week. It's not possible. Pick your "must sees" and kick back and relax and enjoy the trip. People go crazy with expectations and rushing around and it's not fun. If you slow down, and enjoy the smaller stuff as well as the "must sees", it's awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You cannot see everything in a week. It's not possible. Pick your "must sees" and kick back and relax and enjoy the trip. People go crazy with expectations and rushing around and it's not fun. If you slow down, and enjoy the smaller stuff as well as the "must sees", it's awesome.

Oh, and some of the best moments were when we let the kids decide what to do. "Child led touring" is the way to go. They loved everything about the place, but they loved some stuff more than others and it wasn't the stuff I expected. They loved Animal Kingdom and Epcot much more than Magic Kingdom. The Disney Live! show was a particular hit and we did that on a whim.

[Anonymous]

My two cents - if you can, get your meals in a sit-down place rather than at a fast food place. It's not that much more expensive, has better choices, and is a nice respite from the hubbub. Even if they're not small children, it's still nice to have a bit of a break in the day.

[Anonymous]

Bring snacks. Bananas are good. I would get apples, cut them in the morning into eighths, hold them together (in apple form) with a rubberband, and when the kids got hungry, could pass out apple slices. Do not pack oranges - too sticky/messy.

Wear your most comfortable and supportive shoes. Reapply sunscreen every two hours. Hydrate.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for this - I am headed there in exactly three weeks. Just hopped on Amazon and ordered a little backpack.

Any feedback on renting the strollers there? We are staying at a Disney Resort and will need something - don't know if I should rent one at WDW or bring an umbrella.

[Anonymous]

Just say yes. Just for one week take a break from discipline, good eating habits and practice saying yes to everything within reason. Cotton candy? Why not? Overpriced mouse ears? Sure! Although we gave each kid a discretionary budget, the only limitation was that they could not exceed it. Within that, if they chose to spend it on junk, oh well. Honestly, it was the happiest week ever - zero complaints.

[Anonymous]

Get to the park early, do a lot, but then after lunch go back to your hotel and relax at the swimming pool or rest for a few hours, then head out again for evening activities.

[Anonymous]

Bring pbj to eat while in line or waiting for shows. Get up early!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You cannot see everything in a week. It's not possible. Pick your "must sees" and kick back and relax and enjoy the trip. People go crazy with expectations and rushing around and it's not fun. If you slow down, and enjoy the smaller stuff as well as the "must sees", it's awesome.

This, we just went for a week and we didn't do many fast passes and just were very relaxed about it. You can always go back. Its impossible to see everything and you can't enjoy stressing over seeing everything.

Take days off. Relax for a day at the pool or water parks. Or, there are outlets and lots of other stuff.

Consider not staying on property if you are. We stayed for easy food access. The hotel was run down and food was horrible. Bring your pepto.

If your kids are not swimmers and you plan to go to the water park, have them get comfortable with the water first (we did this and it was a help). Know they have life vests that are nice ones but most were worn or torn.

Rent a car and eat off property - the noodles and co, taco bell and other places were sadly cheaper than our cafeteria food at the hotel. The McDonalds was great for breakfast if you don't normally eat.

Take a break during the day and go back at night.

Skip the hopper passes. They sound great, we did them without kids but park hopping with tired kids was not worth it.

(For younger kids, bring a stroller - our 5 year old has been out of one for two years but used it then)

Take a trip to Target or Walmart when you arrive for bottled water, sunscreen, souvenirs, etc. - even basics like that water spray bottle were 1/2 price. Bring lots of water.

In less you are going in the Summer or spending many days at the park, skip the photo deal. In years past, they had photographers everywhere. This year there were only a handful at the parks and none at the water parks.

If you go to the watermark, consider getting a waterproof camera. That was fun to take pictures with.

Don't expect the cool towels daily - when we asked management they said they don't do them more than once a visit in less you ask as it is a waste of towels (but we used them).

Skip complaining, the managers do not care (well, most, not all - there were some great and helpful staff).

Loved the magic bands to open the doors and pay for things. Skip the decorations as they are expensive and get lost easily.

Try the fishing place - it was fun for us when we don't usually fish.

Bring poncho's as they have flash rains. Plan to make a quick run for it - we tried to get into a food area if we were hungry before the lines got too long.

If you want souvenirs, there are two Disney outlets at both of the outlet malls. Go there. Everything was much more affordable. Their prices at the park were outrageous. (back to rent a car).

Bring two bathing suits as things don't dry quickly to reuse them daily (if you are swimming).

Pack enough for two outfits a day. The hotels have laundry but who wants to do laundry daily.

Download the apps (just the free ones) that have the wait times and maps. Those were helpful as well as my disney experience.

If you wait till 10+, it is easier to get into the parks and avoid the mad rush.

If you did not buy and activate your tickets in advance (or need to activate them because they are military or other ones), do it at night if you arrive the night before rather than waiting till the morning (though if you go off peak, the parks are not very crowded). (that was a helpful tip someone gave us).

Don't worry about forgetting anything as you can buy anything and everything there (if you have a car, if not you are trapped on property).

[Anonymous]

Even elementary aged kids need rests. Do not go from sun up to sun down.

Dress your kisd in GREEN or RED - you can pick them out of a crowd easily.

Take a picture of the kids in the morning - so you remember what they are wearing in case you turn around and can't find them.

[Anonymous]

Even elementary kids could use a stroller - i'm serious! It's a long day at disney. A rest, a nap and things will be better for all!

[Anonymous]

There is absolutely nothing at Disney that's a must-do. If you miss the ride with the most buzz or the sentimental classic ride, all is not lost. Don't buy into the hype that you MUST do X,Y,Z in order for the trip to be meaningful/magical. Pace yourself. When people start getting tired and snapping with each other, leave the park. You may think your'e not getting your money's worth by leaving, but trust me, you are because once everyone starts breaking down, there is no more magic to be had. If your husband starts complaining about the heat or crowds, send him back to the hotel and let him watch TV for a few hours. If one kid is melting down, divide and conquer and have one parent stay in the park while the other parent takes the melting down kid somewhere to unwind.

It may sound like I'm anti-Disney. I LOVE Disney; I'm a registered Disney nut. Park hoppers are absolutely worth it if you're staying on property; not sure if you're staying off-site. If you can swing it, Club Level (concierge) is worth it to us. It gives the family another place to hang out in the hotel so we aren't all on top of each other, and the snacks there mean you can avoid going you for a long of heavy meals.

[Anonymous]

Being water bottles with filters do you can refill at the park.
If your kids don't know your cell number well, write it in duck tape and tape to the inside of a hem , or get dog tags with the number on it. If they get separated, tell them to ask a park employee or a mom with kids to call your cell.

[Anonymous]

The double strollers you can rent there are worth it! I think its $20 a day. We had 2 6 year olds with us and they were in it all of the time. Make sit down dinner reservations. Places get filled fast and the character reservations are great and very over priced. We have Disney shirts and light up toys that we brought with us so the kids didn't want to buy the toys and Disney clothes there. Get there early and do the rides that get crowded first while there are no lines or use your fast pass for these rides.

Next time we go back we are getting the 4 day hopper, but taking a day off at the pool between each day at the park. Last time we were extremely exhausted at the end of the days. It's good to hear we weren't the only ones!