Your least known Disney tips

Hm - I don't think I know any - or at least none that are coming to me, but I can't wait to hear some more!

A cast member posted this on another board....when going to buy ice cream in one of the shops watch both the servers before choosing a line and choose the one who gives the biggest scoops. )

That's a great one!

This one is probably well known but I love it..when there are two queues in a ride (like POC) always go to the left. People generally go to the right..and people generally follow people blindly. There have been several times when the line for POC has been out of the door on one side and the left side is a walk on.

Here is a great one for Disney's California Adventure. This is intentionally kept secret by Disney for whatever reason, but it's true, and it works; I've done it.

The FastPass system for Grizzly River Run is not connected to the FastPass system in the rest of the park. In other words you can obtain a FP for GRR even if you are holding a FP for another attraction in the park. Conversely, you can obtain a FP for any other FP attraction in the park even while holding a FP for GRR.

In April of 08, on an unseasonably hot day for So Cal, we were able to go on Soarin' and GRR back to back, using the FP return line both times.

Sticking with the FP theme, here is another. Many people know this already, but it may be worth repeating. When you receive a FP and it gives you the window of time to return, the end time is rarely, if ever enforced. For example, if you obtain a FP for Kilimanjaro Safari which says return between 12:06PM and 2:06PM you don't need to return by 2:06PM. As long as you return after 12:06PM and before the park closes for the day, you'll be allowed in the FP return queue.

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Upcoming Trips

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

Here is one regarding rest rooms. If you find yourself needing to use the facilities while anywhere near Frontierland or Liberty Square at MK, here is a tip. Instead of heading to the one in Fantasyland just pass the walkway between LS and FL, or the one in the walk through plaza between FL and Adventureland (which would seem the two closest) here is another that is much cleaner and usually less crowded.

Head into Columbia Harbour House. Go upstairs and use the restrooms which are for the use of patrons. Of course nowhere does it say that their use is strictly designated for restaurant patrons only. You'll find these restrooms to be among the cleanest and best on property.

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Upcoming Trips

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

A Disney Transportation tip. The obvious route isn't always the quickest.

While staying at Pop Century, we were headed out to Magic Kingdon one morning and the bus queue was huge (at least two bus loads). An empty Epcot bus pulled in with no queue so we jumped on that and then took a monorail up to MK. The Epcot to MK monorail rarely has a queue in the morning.

Whether it was actually quicker or not is probably debateable, but it was certainly better than waiting in the sun with loads of bawling kids.

There must be loads of other alternative routes to get around.

These are awesome. I walk around thinking I know all the best tips and tricks and I'm getting an education!

One that I particularly like is when you're talking to a Disney CM on the phone or in the parks and they give you an answer to a question that you think might be incorrect, always ask someone else. This is especially true with the reservations CMs -- they seem to get all the updated information about discounts and new events last!

These are from another board. Some are from cast members and others are from frequent visitors to Disney.

1.Never assume a line is "too long" until you ask the greeter CM or look at the ride board. Many rides/shows hold a bajillion people at once. I used to have a lot of people walk away from my attraction because the line was "too long" even though I knew it was only 15 minutes. (Which reminds me--the estimate the CM will give you is almost always high.)

2. They often have free samples of fudge in the Confectionary.

3. There is a marker on the ground at Epcot that represents the very center of WDW.

4. @Pecos Bill's - As you walk in the front doors you see the CMs at registers and they take two lines and order right, then left. To YOUR RIGHT of THEM is an island of four you do it quick order machines. Slide your ATM/Credit/Room Chrage Card/ or Meal Plan card, select the meals you want and hit Order. You take your receipt and walk up the the counter and pick up your food. Simple and FAST !

ChipnDaleFan's last tip about Pecos Bill's made me think of another good tip.

This one comes in handy especially on those hot FL days. If you're thirsty and in need of water (and we all should be drinking water on those hot days), go into any counter service restaurant, go to the counter and ask for a cup of water. They will give you a cup of ice water free of charge. No need to waste money or snack credits on water bottles!

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Upcoming Trips

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

How do you guys feel about parking at a resort if you have an ADR and then popping into a park for a little bit. We've been known to get lunch at Beaches and Cream and then pop into Epcot for a bit, parking at the Beach Club. Some think that's naughty.

I have mentioned it before but...If you like to plan your days in the World ahead of time, take care to look into the crowd levels during your stay. Each park is busier some days of the week than others (and I don't mean weekends versus weekdays). You can have a lot more time doing what you want and less time waiting in line with some advanced planning.

That reminds me of this one: Park levels are NOT consistent. Magic Kingdom can be utterly horrible while no one is at AK. If the park you're in is packed, consider going somewhere else.

Speaking of crowded parks....Don't to to a park on a day it has EMH....go the day after! People flock to parks for that extra hour or two but the lines are longer. Go the day after a park has EMH and you will find smaller crowds!

Loving all these tips!!

Where is the marker in Epcot? I'd love to find it!! I've never even heard of it!

I never knew about the free water either..I'd much rather have water with ice than stupid Dasani.

What ???

I am SO IN! Where do I get these? How do I ask without sounding like a lunatic?!?

Two classic 'secrets' are finding Tom Sawyer's paint brush on the island and waking up Tinkerbell first thing in the morning. Both require you to get to MK early and make either of these (maybe both if the park's empty and you're real lucky) your mission. For the first, you need to take the first raft to the island and find a hidden paintbrush. Take it to the nearest CM and claim your prize. For Tinkerbell, you'll need to head to Tink's Treasures as soon as the park opens then ask the CM there if you can wake Tink. If you're the first one there, you'll get a special treat (waking the real, actual, flying, pixie-dust-powered Tink).

I think the Tinkerbell thing has been discontinued due to the Fantasyland expansion. Can anyone confirm?

I hadn't heard, but that's a good point. Need to look into that before making plans to seek her out.

I did not know about being the first one and waking her up. We did know that you could stop in there and call for her and she would appear. However, when we stopped in in June she was not there.

I've heard that, too -- something about Tink's Treasures being razed to be something else (bibbidi bobbidi boutique-related? dunno....)

I love that paintbrush tip. I still haven't ever gotten over there to try it!

Yes! I plan my park days and ADR's around this!

I think we've been able to do this once in all our years of visiting. We just don't have the late-night gene, I guess

Haha - it's almost 2 in the morning already right now and I have at least another hour in me!

I don't know if it's least know but last time I was at Disney (7 years ago mind you) The wait lines were always shorter than expected thanks to a lot of people getting fastpass. I don't think I waited more than 30 mins(and that could be an exaggeration) for any ride.

I've actually seen the Space Mtn fastpass line be LONGER than the stand-by line. It's hard to see, because the lines are both inside and you have to choose yours before you go in. We ended up skipping it altogether and holding on to our fastpasses for later, but I'm sure there was a lot of railing hopping going on.