Here a Tip, There a Tip
Everywhere There's
Tips and Tips!!

Seems like everyone who has visited Walt Disney World has advice or a a tip to share.

Here are Deb's Key Tips to having a great WDW vacation

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  • Read one of the Unofficial WDW Guide Books. I highly recommend: Passporter Walt Disney World by Jennifer and Dave Marx or Bob Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide. Order your favorite books at the All Ears.net Amazon Store.
  • Bring at least 2 comfortable broken-in pairs of walking shoes and extra socks! Take good care of your feet - I average 5-7 miles of walking each DAY at WDW. Also try to bring a poncho....Florida is notorious for spontaneous rain showers and ponchos are much cheaper in your local Walmart or Target.
  • Make Advance Dining Reservations for Character Meals 60-90 days ahead of time (some as far out as 120 days in advance) ; Call 1-407-WDW-DINE.  The hardest Priority Seating reservation to obtain is breakfast at Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom.
  • PIN TRADING is the craze at Walt Disney World. Read all about it and go prepared to have fun!
  • Have a tentative plan of where you want to go and what to see each day. Schedule pool/rest time during the day. Be sure to include a late-start morning after a late night out. Most importantly, be flexible and willing to deviate from the plan when things change. Regroup each evening during dinner to determine your next day's itinerary.
  • Travel Light-- Take the essentials out of your wallet or purse -- Cash, travelers' checks, checkbook, ATM card, credit card(s) -- put them in your fanny pack or somewhere safe, and leave the rest behind. Most of the other stuff in your wallet only applies at home (library cards, student ID, video store cards, etc.) or can be retrieved from your room if you need it (insurance card, etc.). It won't be lost or stolen if you don't have it with you, and you won't have to worry about it. Not sure what to pack - Here's What Others Recommend
  • Extra Magic Hours- if you are staying in a Disney Resort, this program enables you to enter a selected park one hour early each day or up to three hours later each evening!
  • Use FastPass!- especially during peak seasons. FastPass gives you a specific timeframe within which to ride the attraction and keeping your wait time low.
  • Take advantage of package delivery to your Disney hotel's gift shop -- even for Photos at Splash Mountain and Rock N Roller Coaster! Just make sure you aren't leaving the next day because you won't get your package in time.

  • Bring Water Bottles with you into the Parks especially during the hot months!  Purchasing water inside the parks will cost you $2.00 per bottle.  Here are the items you may not bring into the parks with you -- Glass bottles, alcohol, large coolers, wagons, and inappropriate clothing.

  • Soda and Coffee drinkers staying at a WDW hotel should seriously consider Refillable Mugs!

  • Be sure to put your name and address in your character autograph book (and while you're at it, on your camera too) -- if it's lost and turned into Disney you just might get it back. (Purchase an autograph book and thick pen for your kids before you go to save some money.) You may even want to attach the pen to a rope or chain so your child won't loose it. You can find many tips in the Character Meet and Greet FAQ!
  • Remember Florida Sales and Resort Taxes -As you work out your budget, keep in mind Sales tax in Florida is 6.5%. There is also a resort/hotel tax that varies from 11 to 12% depending on where the hotel is geographically located.

  • Utilize the Attraction Boards - Each Park has an Attraction Board which lists the wait times for individual attractions and show times. A CM is stationed at the board and can provide you with directions as well. In Disney-MGM Studios the board is located at the right corner of Hollywood and Sunset Blvds. In MK the board is located at the far (castle) end of Main Street on the left just before the hub as you head toward the castle. At Epcot the electronic board is just outside Innoventions West.

  • Utilize Disney hotel baggage handling. Drop them off if your room isn't ready and head for the parks! Likewise, on your last day, check out and leave the bags for later. Be sure to pack a small bag with clothes to change to upon arrival (include your bathing suits) so that you don't need to open all the suitcases.

Above all -- BE FLEXIBLE and Remember -- this is a VACATION!

Bring back home a little of the MAGIC!