Tips for Disney Veterans

Sit down. Seriously. We sat outside of Innoventions for an hour one afternoon and just watched kids react to a real rabbit that was on the lawn. Sometimes just sitting and taking in how lucky you are to know the Mouse so well is a lot of fun.

Unless you have heard the remix, here is a tip I bet you didn't know that can help add some fun to an at times stale classic. Next time you are in the Tiki Room and the main theme hits, give it your best Macarena. Yes, you can do the Macarena to the Tiki Room theme song. I bet those who know the theme song have already tried it before reading this far.

Yes, Adidas has Disney themed shoes, the newest shoes feature the Muppets. I really wanted the white Kermit's but they only come in kid sizes. There are several pairs of Mickey shoes for adults and kids.
Dee

I agree, but I know not everyone does.

Arrive early
Make dinning reservations well before you go
Take a break when tired
It's as simple as that :

The neatest people sighting from my last trip was 40-something identical twins with Mickey ears doing the theme park stroll through Frontierland, not a kid in sight, and quite obviously having a great time. I really envied those guys their ability to be little boys again and not give a hoot about who was watching. Kudos, big fellas.

Emelee I wear these ears on every Disney trip. You've paid your money. No one can tell you how to enjoy the magic. It's the best and most accepted time to be a kid again...
Dee

GOLDBOND Powder often!

I know this thread is not about stoopid shoes, but I saw a pair of RUBBER GALOSHES during 4th of July week, paired with a mini skirt. Just sayin'.

Oh so true! Also rkl.

you guys like to poke fun at the silly shoes but I couldnt go without my z-coils. I have nerve and tendon damage in my feet and no cartilage in my knees but with my silly shoes I can walk the park almost all day!

Guh, I can't imagine galoshes, especially in the middle of summer. Combat boots in March were bad enough

Z-coils are not the types of shoes anyone would consider or put into the "stupid shoe" category. We are talking about the 9" stiletto, or the knee high rubber galoshes in 98 degree weather, or the knee high black lace ups with a 5 " lift kit ( oh yes I have seen those!).

I think honestly, do something different every trip. I mean, don't throw out your routine and don't do the things you want to do. That's not what I mean! What I mean is, try something different and new at least once during your trp. Dine at a different restaurant, do an activity you've never done before outside the parks and shopping. Visit and photograph all the Disney resorts or something. And if the tours like Keys to the Kingdom interest you, go for it.

a couple of tips for yea

1 don't let other people ruin your day...some people are just rude

2 make sure you stop and check out everything your little eyes can take in.. not sure when you will be back

3 enjoy every second there it goes by so FAST

Don't be afraid of summit plummit @ Blizzard Beach! I know 60 mph on your bare back sounds ridiculous, but you'll be surprised how smooth of a ride it is, even at the end. And to top it off, while in the queue for SP, It's the only place I've found where a person can see all 4 of the major parks & many resorts from 1 elevated view point. The view is very impressive, and it really gives you a sense of how massive WDW really is. Ladies, wear a one piece or hold onto your top!

Well if you are a Veteran, then you know how the parks look and how it feels. So give yourself a challenge, something you normally wouldn't do because you are too busy planning to experience everything. For example, my current scavenger hunt/challenge is to collect all the Disney Conservation Hero Pins on property (and those off property as well, but those will take me a bit more time XD). I have 7 (though one is from the Orlando Premium Outlets).

Walt Disney believed in pixie dust and magic, but he did not believe in benches or shade. And I HATE the heat. So, I plan for some rest inside attractions. I don't absolutely love seeing Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, or Impressions de France for the 100th time, but I duck in each one like clockwork for some dark, air-conditioned, eyes-closed rest.

*****

My "Line Defying WDW Warrior" routine is ALWAYS ...

1 Rope drop
2 book it to your land to grab a fast pass next door to ...
3 hop on a major ride ... twice!
4 ride multiple times during thin morning crowds
5 leave at noon for a nap and the pool
6 back in a different park at 5pm while people are getting tired and ready to eat
7 always use late EMH, but ...
8 NEVER stay 'till the mad rush of park closing

I do a "hemisphere" per morning. That is, I don't run all over the parks. For instance, I might do Adventureland/Frontierland on Monday morning. On the way to ride Splash Mountain twice with no wait, I picked up my FP for Thunder Mountain. Then I stay on that side for the morning. Tuesday, I would do Fantasyland/Tomorrowland.

*****

And finally, don't be a hero. I'm in my 40s, and look to be in my 30s. I had an ongoing spine/nerve thing. Before one visit, I had hurt myself. I was all, "I can do it. I'll tough it out." I lasted half a day, and the pain was awful. I sucked up my pride, rented a scooter for thirty bucks, and proceeded to have a great trip the rest of the week. Yeah, I had to listen to jerks making comments, and I had to repeatedly explain that no, I don't get to skip the lines.

One on my little tricks is to put a pair of light weight flip flops in my day bag. Then, just about the time you think you feet are going to fall off, change into them! You cannot not imagine the feeling!! Your feet are immediately cooler and it feels like you just got your feet massaged! Even if i where sandals that day, I still change into my flip flops for the afternoon or evening.

I have been to Disney way too many times to count. Living in South Florida has allowed my family to escape to WDW on weekends and also save up for awhile to stay in some posh spaces. Now that I'm married and have a kid I'm excited to introduce my wife to all the intricacies & "easy to miss" things. One thing I have enjoyed doing at the end of every trip is making it a point to eat at the "Trail's End" restaurant. It's located in the Fort Wilderness Campground and is right next to the boat docks. It's a great way to cap off your vacation and the atmosphere is second to none. There is one waitress that has been there since I was a child and she still remembers my family. The food is amazing. You can taste the homemade difference. The biscuits are the best I've ever tasted. As you can tell I love this place!!! What is awesome is that in planning our next trip my wife reminded me that we had to eat there before we left. The tradition continues

Well, considering WDW in January was quite chilly, I found that my civilian, knee-high combat boots were the perfect footwear for me Whenever I eventually save some of my photos to my laptop, I'll see about adding a picture to my profile so y'all can see how, um, "special" I am. I have a special penchant for my Sith photo, as I am a cosplayer

One thing I've loved doing, ever since my first visit back in the 80s...is taking pictures for people, with their own cameras. It's an interactive people-watching experience...and I feel a touch of 'paying it forward' at the same time. It makes people smile...so it makes me happy too.

I like doing that too, I ask people all the time if they would like me to take a picture for them, and some people are shocked that a perfect stranger would do that.

Now about it being chilly in January, it is not alway. We have gone in January every year for 9 years at least and this past January was the first time it was ever chilly and rainy while we where there. As a matter of fact it was the first time we every had two rainy days back to back since we have been going to Disney since I first took scrappy back in the 80's. We have had some of our loveliest weather during our January trips.

I love this. The people watching is a lot of fun. And so is a break! It's so easy to get caught up in running around like mad. I love finding a bench and taking a break - and when you find a seat, take it! Walt Disney believed in magic and fun, but he did not believe in benches and shade.

To those who were asking about the Disney themed shoes.... New Balance has a series that are themed around RunDisney2014. They are available in both kids and Adults. http://www.newbalance.com/

Glad I'm not the only one going solo in a couple of Months. I'm doing everything I want this time. Spa day, dolphins, food and wine, concert, circus, tour! I can't wait!

Here's one I'm surprised no one has mentioned..

In some instances I have a hankering for riding a ride in the front seat, whether it be for a more thrilling experience (in my own mind, anyway!) or whether to take some unobstructed photos, I simply ask the CM that is boarding us if I can take the front seat of the ride. They are always accommodating, and if it's already taken, they will ask you to step to the side, and when the next set of cars arrive, they allow us front row seating. I especially enjoy this for: Living with the land; Big Thunder Mountain, Maelstrom; Pirates of the Caribbean, and lastly "Soarin'"(Ask to be placed in row one it takes you highest with no dangley feet to obstruct your view)

Another for me is: At rope drop (MK only) board the train to get to the land you're heading to first. I find I beat the walkers to my first ride, Big Thunder Mountain, and I'm not winded, trying to break a four minute mile getting there on foot . It's also very relaxing and calming for me to ride the train. The train for me is my stress relief on a hot crowded day at MK.

Lastly, Go left, young man (or young woman)!!! I live by this rule in the parks and it truly works. We live in a right handed world..
I'm a lefty, so I have the tendency to steer left naturally..