What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[Yardbird]

Discount Codes! When I joined Dis last year, I had no idea that discount codes existed. Last June we were able to use a McDonald's code and paid $79.00 a night for POFQ. Then in October we used a room only code and got WL for $139.00 a night. This June we will be returning for our first DVC trip (another tip)!

There are so many useful tips that I learned from these boards, that I can't even begin to mention them all!

 

[briarberry]

We found getting to the parks at opening was a lifesaver. We did all the rides we wanted to do in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland by 10:30 one day. It was an EMH. It got crowded shortly after and we just left and hung out at the pool and returned around 3:00.
Good shoes are a must! I love my Birkenstocks!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

My best tip would be to always choose the left line for rides. My kids would see who we would be behind if we went to the right. Every ride we always beat that person on by going to the left. Try it!

 

[I Dream of Disney]

Wear the rain ponchos on Kali River Rapids.....

First trip we were soaked and walked around with wet clothes and sneakers all day.

Next few trips, we wore the ponchos and rode the ride three or four times in a row, first thing in the morning.

We gave the ponchos to another family waiting in line.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I glad I listened to the few people that had good things to say about Mears. I've had quick, polite,friendly, and cheap service both times that I have used them.

I'm looking forward to using them again next month.

 

[DizzKneeLand]

Body Glide for your feet to reduce (and for me elimiate) the blisters. Couple that with Cool Max socks - and you are good for hours and hours of walking!!!

DizzKnee

 

[KAG Mom]

I glad I listened to the few people that had good things to say about Mears. I've had quick, polite,friendly, and cheap service both times that I have used them.

I'm looking forward to using them again next month.

I'm new here. What is Mears?

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Codes! Otherwise, I'd never have known there was an alternative to rack rates!

Using a Town Car rather than Mears - Mears gets people there OK, but the Town Car added a nice magical touch for Grandma and Dkids. However, since renting a car last year, I now enjoy the independence and will most likely continue renting.

The Unofficial Guide's and the DIS's strategies for getting that elusive CRT PS. It worked for me back in 2002, though I haven't tried to push my luck since!

The simple importance of planning - PS's, having at least a general plan for what we want to accomplish each day and knowing which of those things to do first and avoid bottlenecks. It's so practical, maximizing our time, which also helps the vacation be more magical!

 

[momm2four]

Mears is a company that sends vehicles to shuttle people between airport and WDW.

Lori P.

Never used them, so other people can probably go into more detail.

 

[Bluenoser]

The best advice I ever got, and listned to, was to make copies of the back of my park tickets incase they were ever lost. I did this last trip, and let me tell you...thank god I did. I lost my pass BUT with the copy I made, I was able to have the old one voided and a new pass issued in minutes.

How far did you have to go to get copies made? are there copiers on the resort?

Thanks.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Mears is sort of the default transportation service from the airport to WDW. If you have a travel agent book your trip, chances are good you will get Mears as part of the package. Usually they have vans or buses at the airport, where they wait to fill up with Disney-bound guests and then take them to their various resorts on WDW property. I used Mears in 1993 after arriving on an evening flight. I remember being packed into a large van with many other people and going to several resorts before being dropped off at POR almost two hours after leaving MCO. It wasn't painful, but then again I was already fuzzy with fatigue and didn't feel rushed to get to WDW and start my day. I knew this arrangement would not work well with my mother in 2002, so I arranged for a town car - and like I said above, it really injected a dose of magic into the vacation, as my mom and the Dkids felt special (none had ever used a livery service before).

 

[allforpooh]

There is nothing wrong with Mears its more of a what you are looking for, Mears will stop at multiple hotels to drop off guests where a town car will take you directly to your resort and even do a quick grocery stop on the way. For a family of 4 a towncar can be cheaper. I have to agree with MickeyMonstersMom, it just adds a special touch to the beginning of your vacation....

 

[mommytutu]

How far did you have to go to get copies made? are there copiers on the resort?

Thanks.

If you have recieved your park tickets already, then make the copies before you go. The public library, post office, and some grocery stores have copiers. If you are getting your tickets when you are there then guest services might be able to make copies for you.

 

[BamaTigger]

Change your socks once a day to prevent PARK FEET!

Use ziploc bags when you pack for your socks, underclothes, tshirts, etc.

Put a Snuggle or Downy dryer sheet in your suitcase to make clothes smell fresh!

Use old film containers (little black plastic thingys) for your pennies and quarters when you are a PRESSED PENNY hunter!

To take long deep breath when you enter the MK and just look at the castle and smile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Anastasia]

The Unofficial Guide - It is my Bible! Although I would like to try a Passporter next time.

The Unofficial Guide's recommendations for CRT ressies. I had no problem getting ressies on either of our last two trips. Although it was very funny watching my husband and I watching atomictime.net, and dialing on our home phone line, his business line and both of our cell phones until we got through at exactly 7:00 A.M., and then silently high fiving each other when we got the reservations because our kids didn't know about the trip yet.

Eating breakfast in the room. Saves money and more importantly TIME!

Asking to ride in the front of the monorail. On our last trip we only got it once, but the trip before we did it a bunch of times. The kids love it.

 

[barbaraann]

Lots of really good ideas. The people who frequent the DIS boards are very knowledgeable on how to save time and money on their trips. They are also very saavy on ways to make traveling around the world easier.

 

[kyra's mommy]

Hi Guys-

New to this board (which is so wonderful). I was wondering why no one else mentioned renting a car. We're going 4/23- 4/30 staying at the PO Riverside and we decided to rent a car this time. The car is only $100 for the entire 7 days which isn't that much more then Mears. I thought that it would make it easier to stop for groceries to stock in the now free fridge Disney gives you. Plus, it would make it alot quicker when we go to the other resorts for dinner ( I read in the Unofficial Guide that it can take up to 1 1/2 hours to travel from one resort to the other on Disney transp.) and should we decide to eat outside of Disney it would allow us to. Lastly, there are all the cheap offsite shopping sites for Disney souveniers. To me it just seemed worth it. Anyone else in agreement?

Erica

 

[kkana]

need more time than I have right now to read this thread, but don't want to lose it.

 

[Soupermom]

We received our passes/tickets when we checked into the resort; I just asked the CM to make a copy of the ticket backs for me and she did it right away from her computer!

 

[Bluenoser]

Thanks I was wondering how we would get copies.