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Disney tricks and tips

Zac495

Zac495

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
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Location
Philadelphia, PA
I read on line - there are tricks like which line - left/right to stand in - things like that. Is there a singles line?
What food/beverages are allowed in?

Share your tips and tricks! THANKS
 
I've been to Disneyworld several times in the last few years - my kids are just that age:) I think we are done for a while though...

Anyway, using the fast pass system is a great way to minimize your time in lines once you get a system. Get a pass for the most new or popular attraction you want to see as early as possible and then work from there. When you are allowed another fast pass, make sure you know which one you are getting next and it is fairly easy to see and do the less "popular at the moment" things and shops in between. We have had very positive experiences and I don't feel like we stand in line all day. I know this sounds dorky, but sometimes I even have a book or something with me if the line is long and my family has been together all day;)

I have brought all manner of food and drink into the park and have never had a problem. They search (really a cursory glance) into your bag but have never mentioned it. I'm not sure if there is an actual policy or not.

You're going to have a great time. Have fun and happy planning:banana:
 
One tip with FP's; Disney won't let you on early but they will let you on late. We ended up going to see Nemo which conflicted with our FP return time. We were an hour or so past the time on the ticket and they had no problem with it and admitted us. I have since found out that Disney, as of now, doesn't enforce that part. They understand that you may be in line for something else or in another part of the park. Just don't go trying to show up at 7pm for an 11 am fastpass or you might not get in. That means you could technically have more than one fastpass at a time - you can get another when the window for the first one expires. Many times, we got a FP for the ride we were about to ride so we could ride that favorite twice. Even when you get one first thing in the am, the return time is like 45 minutes later.

We took a couple of water bottles that we refilled in the drinking fountains. We also took those portable drink mixes to put in them after we refilled them; Fla water has a funny taste to me and the drink mix covered it. We also took trail mix, granola bars and pb crackers. We wanted protein type snacks and not sugary ones that would mess with our blood sugar and give us highs and lows in energy. It worked really well. We were also at the gate when they opened so we could head back to the resort for an afternoon nap in order to return in the evening.

We also bought the Unofficial Guide to Disney and utilized their touring plans. They give you an order in which to ride in order to minimize your wait time. We have used it three times and never waited in line more than 20 minutes. The down side of this is that you walk on so many rides that you miss the queing that Disney does so well.

Disney asks how many are in each party just before you get on the ride and will put two groups together if needed. There is a seperate standby line, which we didn't use, that may be the single rider line. I am not sure.
 
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Here's a tip - If you're going to EPCOT and have a particular restaurant in mind, make your reservation ASAP, even if it's a month or more before you go. Some of those places book up 6 months in advance, and you may not get in if you wait 'til you get there.
 
I think I would consider doing that for any sit down restaurant on property! We tried Flying Fish at the Boardwalk and it was excellent! My DS even felt it was better than Madame Jeannettes in Aruba!!
 
Go to www.disboards.com and you'll find more tips than you can read about every aspect of your visit.

Sheila
 
A tip I usually give to friends is this. If you arrive at DW in the afternoon of your 1st day, consider not "burning a full day's ticket and instead ride the monorail and visit the 3 resorts there. We usually get off the monorail and "boat" over the the Wilderness lodge for some sightseeing. It is a very good way to get accustomed to the area and see how things are done before you officially enter the gates!
 
Depends on when you want to go with the ADR's. I call a little after the 180 day mark for Thanksgiving and get everything we want(disclaimer not going to character meals).

MLK weekend I don't think I called until right before Thanksgiving and got all my first choices.


I've played around with the T-Day trip ADR's already, changed Boma to Jiko's for Tuesday and have the Flying Fish for Thanksgiving Day dinner(I'll be ordering off of the regular menu).

Will agree with Laxmom on Flying Fish. Had the best meal and service there over MLK weekend. See if Bob from Ohio is working and ask to be sat in his area. Didn't rush us, great suggestions on the food and wine.
 
I hate to push this on people because some folks just can't do this, but...

Plan your day in advance down to what rides you want to ride, shows you want to see, parades, and fireworks. Then plan a route around the park and use the fast passes every time you can.

Also, some general hints:
1) get there so that you are one of the first few hundred in the park. You will get on 5-10 rides in the first 90 minutes which is before most people even show up. By then you will already have two sets of fast passes.
2) eat lunch later in the day than you normally would. You will be eating when most people are riding and in shows. You may also want to eat just before the parade so that you can relax after eating. Same with dinner.
3) If you are park hopping, know that most popular fast passes are gone earlier in the day so you probably won't get any in the second park. Regarding park hopping: Epcot and Magic Kingdom take 1-2 full days each to see and do everything. Animal Kingdom can be done in less than a day, especially if the kids are older. Disney Studios is about a day. Hop from either Studios or Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom or Epcot and do some of the things you missed the first time.
4) You must see Fantasmic and the fireworks at Epcot. The ones at MK are good, but not as good as the others. The nighttime parade at MK is great though.


There are single rider lines on some of the attractions, but fast pass is the way to go.
 
Big Matt said:
I hate to push this on people because some folks just can't do this, but...

Plan your day in advance down to what rides you want to ride, shows you want to see, parades, and fireworks. Then plan a route around the park and use the fast passes every time you can.

Also, some general hints:
1) get there so that you are one of the first few hundred in the park. You will get on 5-10 rides in the first 90 minutes which is before most people even show up. By then you will already have two sets of fast passes.
2) eat lunch later in the day than you normally would. You will be eating when most people are riding and in shows. You may also want to eat just before the parade so that you can relax after eating. Same with dinner.
3) If you are park hopping, know that most popular fast passes are gone earlier in the day so you probably won't get any in the second park. Regarding park hopping: Epcot and Magic Kingdom take 1-2 full days each to see and do everything. Animal Kingdom can be done in less than a day, especially if the kids are older. Disney Studios is about a day. Hop from either Studios or Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom or Epcot and do some of the things you missed the first time.
4) You must see Fantasmic and the fireworks at Epcot. The ones at MK are good, but not as good as the others. The nighttime parade at MK is great though.


There are single rider lines on some of the attractions, but fast pass is the way to go.
Click to expand...
Can you please tell me what is MK. THANKS
 
Zac,

A rule of thumb that works for us is, if the wait is longer than 20 minutes in the standby line, get a fast pass or come back later. However, there are exceptions -- just before an afternoon parade, or before the fireworks are scheduled to begin in the evening is a good time to go to Splash or Thunder Mountain. Even if the posted wait time is 40-50 minutes, we've rarely waited more than 10-15 minutes at these times. They seem to want to get everyone through so they can get to the big event!
 
laxmom said:
I think I would consider doing that for any sit down restaurant on property! We tried Flying Fish at the Boardwalk and it was excellent! My DS even felt it was better than Madame Jeannettes in Aruba!!
Click to expand...

Whatever a DS is, I agree Flying Fish is better.
 
Text messaging on a forum again??
 
Can my daughter (19) and I share a ticket during the day - I use it in the am with the little ones - and then I take them back to the resort and she goes back with them in the pm?
 
Zac495 said:
Can my daughter (19) and I share a ticket during the day - I use it in the am with the little ones - and then I take them back to the resort and she goes back with them in the pm?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, no. They do a finger scan when you use your ticket.
 
I keep all the tickets with me and randomly hand them out as we pass through the turnstiles. We've never had an issue with the finger scan, so I am of the opinion, based on our experience, that it is entirely possible to do what you suggest.:)
 
Another tip -- if you work for a company that sponsors one of the rides / attractions, check to see if you are eligible for any special privileges.

For example, Mission Space at Epcot is sponsored by Hewlett Packard and employees can use the fast pass line anytime by showing their employee ID. They also have access to a "secret" entrance where there is an employee lounge to relax, have a free drink, access to internet / email, etc. :banana: I believe GM employees have similar benefits for the Test Track ride at Epcot.

Kurt
 
1st Class said:
I keep all the tickets with me and randomly hand them out as we pass through the turnstiles. We've never had an issue with the finger scan, so I am of the opinion, based on our experience, that it is entirely possible to do what you suggest.:)
Click to expand...

It has been suggested in the past on Disboards that Disney keeps track of tickets purchased together and then usually lets these pass through if at least one of the fingers from one of the tickets match. I don't know if what Zac wants to do will work.
 
Another tip would be to order your tickets before the prices go up on Sunday!!
 
MK Tips

I am usually able to get us on most of the rides at MK in one day without much stress. It is our favorite park because it is so action-packed. By utilizing the fastpasses and rides with fewer lines, you can have fun all day.

One trick I do is to have someone run to Space Mountain when we arrive in the morning (after walking down Main St., run to the right before the castle and enter Tomorrow Land fast). Then, we trek to the left to Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain (20 minute wait in the summer AM). After we ride those on stand by, we usually get a fastpass for the one we want to return to for a second ride later on (the Space Mountain fastpass is usually just about ready by then or at least the fastpass time allows for another).

We then get on the train by Splash Mountain and get off in Toon Town. We go on several rides in the area that are minimal waits (Buzz, Transit Authority, Small World, Laugh Factory) and then do Space Mountain. We then go to lunch at Pinocchio's or Cosmic Ray's Starlite Cafe. By this time, we get fastpasses for another ride that has long lines (Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, etc.). The key is to know when you can get fastpasses again and plan your route that way.

If we want to see the afternoon parade, we jump on the train and get off at Main St. There are usually very few people by the entrance there and you can get up front as it is about to pass (no waiting for an hour before).

We try to avoid the night time parade and fireworks as we've seen it and it is a nightmare getting around or out of the park after. If we are staying on Disney property, we go on rides during and after these events and stay for the "after hours". Those magical after hours are my sons' favorite times in the park. They go on Big Thunder Mtn four times :whoopie: and get to do rides we wouldn't normally wait for (Dumbo, Tomorrowland Indy Speedway, Haunted Mansion).

Epcot isn't my favorite park because the fastpasses don't work as well (it is too spread out and not as many rides so the wait times are very long in between). However, MK is perfect for filling your day with action no matter the time!
 
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