Tag Archives: Disney Travel Tips

Walt Disney World’s Park Hopper – Yes or No?

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RM-Liberty-Belle-Frontierland-VeiwI love the Friday Five and today is no exception.  I’m providing five reasons to choose (and pay extra for) Disney World’s park-hopper ticket add-on.  Don’t fret though, next Friday I’ll give you five reasons NOT to purchase that option.  Why must I be so contrary?  Well, because I totally understand there are three factors that strongly influence park ticket selection:  The life stage you’re in (for lack of a better way to describe that), your touring style, and where/how you like to enjoy meals.  At Disney World, extra expense often equates to more options and the park-hopper ticket option is the perfect example.

Walt Disney World’s Park Hopper – Five reasons to say YES!

1.  You want to start early and stay late!  Yeah!  You’re speaking my language.  Here’s what we do:  Rope-drop (arrive before the park opens) for EMH (Extra Magic Hour), if possible.  Hit the headliners early then slow it down, wander around taking in the sights, sounds, and smells.  Eat a leisurely lunch and the HOP to the park where we’ve booked FastPasses for the afternoon and evening.  The post lunch hop means you can catch a cat nap on the bus or monorail during the hop – seriously, this is a solid plan!RM-WDW-Entrance

2. You want to book ADRs (Advance Dining Reservations) 180 days in advance and not have those choices dictate the park you’ll visit on any given day.  I may want to eat in Epcot’s Le Cellier and I’m okay with scheduling that meal 6 months before I’m going to eat it, but I do NOT want said dinner to completely control my activities for that particular day.  I should be able to spend my time anywhere I want to and then HOP to Epcot for my steak supper!RM-Epcot-Waterway

3. You want choices!  Not an obsessive planner?  Free-styling more your idea of fun?  Book those FastPasses first thing in the morning and then boom, baby!  The rest of the day is your oyster.  Start one day at Animal Kingdom to ride Kilimanjaro Safari early while it’s still relatively cool.  Then check out the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek before hitting Expedition Everest and Dinosaur.  Now you’re free to leave and visit a different park.  You can hop BACK to Animal Kingdom on the afternoon of a different day to see shows like Flights of Wonder, Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo-The Musical, and It’s Tough to be a Bug (3D Movie).  Animal Kingdom is absolutely a full-day park, but you can split it into two half-days easily with the park-hopper option.RM-Asia-Sign-Animal-Kingdom

4.  You don’t want to spend all your time in the parks, but when you’re there you want what you want.  Ah, the luxury of time and the ability to enjoy Walt Disney World at your leisure.  If you have a week or longer or are (or planning to be) a frequent visitor, you don’t necessarily have to feel rushed, pressured, and meticulously planned.  You can start the day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Eat lunch in Epcot’s World Showcase.  Spend the afternoon napping or swimming at your resort pool.  Grab a bite to eat in the Magic Kingdom and enjoy Wishes before calling it a day.RM-Cinderella-Castle

5. You love a challenge!  Four parks in one day?  We’ve done it and with a park-hopper ticket, you can too!  We decided on our last day of vacation a few years back that we would each pick an attraction we HAD to visit one last time before we went home.  To do that, we had to visit each park – it was challenging, super fun, and created some really great memories of our last vacation day.  We were too busy to be sad.

Are you pro-park-hopping?  What’s your favorite reason for adding this option?

 

The Perfect Age For Disney World

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RM-Stroller-Jockeys-DisneyLots of people ask and bunches of folks have opinions about it – What is the right age to take children to Walt Disney World for the first time?  When I’m asked, my answer is always in the form of another question – How much do YOU like Disney?  That, my friends, is the most important aspect in determining what age is the right age for that all-important first trip.

SO many schools of thought!  One is: If we go when they’re too young, they won’t remember it!  That’s true!  Your kids won’t remember their first trip to Walt Disney World, but YOU will.  If you love Disney vacations, then there’s probably not a “too young” for Disney World.  You probably intend to take your children there more than once during their childhood, so the first trip is not the only visit.  That was us!  We knew when we took our children for the first time that it was only the first of many future visits.  RM-Joseph-Meets-Minnie RM-Meg-Meets-MinnieMegan was 5 and Joseph just 13 months when we took them for their first visit – neither remember that vacation, but both love to look at the pictures of our trip and listen to Raymond and I talk about our happy memories from that time so long ago. RM-Joe-Meets-Tiki

Next philosophy – we’re only going one time.  This category is for the parents who feel that a Walt Disney World vacation is a mandatory part of child rearing, but are faced with challenges that make repeat visits unlikely.  Not Disney haters, but perhaps not passionate Disney fans either – these parents initially plan on doing it only once, so it had better be memorable for the offspring!  RM-Fam-in-StudiosIf you’re in this category, you will indeed find it best to wait until your children are old enough to remember this once-in-a-childhood-opportunity.  Ages 7 or 8 and up will probably do it.  Old enough for retaining those happy moments and young enough to embrace (and still believe in) all the magic.

Finally, there are the parents who never intended to go at all, but now find themselves pressured into considering it.  Gasping at the cost (we feel your pain!) and researching Walt Disney World for the first time, parents in this category may be looking at the sad, beseeching faces of their children who have heard the recounting of countless thrilling tales from classmates who visit Walt Disney World regularly.RM-Lilo-and-StitchDo it!  Take your children to Walt Disney World – even if they’re tweens or teens (or young adults) who don’t care about meeting characters or dressing up as a princess or pirate.  It’s not too late!  That’s the beauty of this – Every age is the perfect age for Disney World.

Which category are you in?  What age do you think is the perfect age for Disney World?

 

Five Ways You Must Not Be at Disney World

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RM-Fantasyland-CrowdYou know I love a good list.  Most of the time I’m preaching to the choir when I make lists like this.  You’re probably here because you love a Disney vacation as much as I do.  Many of you could teach me a thing or two about Disney travel.  Just in case you’ve stumbled upon this post today and you’ve not yet enjoyed that first trip to Walt Disney World or if your friends and family accuse you of being a grumpy jerk, this post may be for you.

Five Ways You Must Not Be at Disney World

1. Don’t Be In a Hurry – This one’s my biggest downfall. I was born in a hurry. I want to get from points A to B in as little time as possible. Always. Allowing yourself to be rushed is a big problem at Walt Disney World. Crowds will not part for you, lines will not shorten, and running after rope-drop has been banned. There are actually Cast Members in Magic Kingdom who escort the first park guests to rides and attractions after park opening. There is no walking quickly as these Cast Members, by their own admission, specialize in “mosey”. If you’re using Disney transportation, busses seemingly go slower if you’re trying to get somewhere quickly. Over-planning is the biggest cause of this first item on today’s list. Underestimating how long it takes to get somewhere is also common.  Attempting to squeeze just one more ride into the plan often results in being tardy for an important event – I’m guilty!RM-Russell-Animal-Kingdom

2. Don’t Be Unprepared – We all need to make like a good Boy Scout and be prepared for the Florida sun and heat, sudden rain showers, hunger and thirst, and coping with allergies. But we also need to be prepared for unanticipated vacation-happiness-killers like high prices, long waits, major crowds, closed or broken rides, and changes in plans. Flexibility is a virtue anytime, but on a Disney vacation, it’s an invaluable skill! One last thought before I move on – ALL kinds of people vacation at Walt Disney World, including not-so-nice and dishonest ones. There’s no magic bubble of protectiveness around your stuff. Do not leave valuables unattended in a stroller and watch your bags, backpacks, and purses. Being the victim of a crime will never be a fun or happy vacation memory. Oh, and use that in-room safe at your resort when leaving anything important behind in your room.Walt Disney World Summer Crowd

3. Don’t Be Uncomfortable – There might not be a way to avoid being at least a little uncomfortable some of the time, but there are things you can do before and during your trip that will make a huge difference! Low hanging fruit here: Wear sunscreen, comfortable clothing and shoes, bring pain-relievers and snacks, and drink plenty of water. Food for thought – if you are not used to walking long distances, you might consider using the weeks/months leading up to your vacation to get ready for the major amount of walking required to see and do all the great activities Walt Disney World has to offer. In October, we took it easy during our Disney vacation and still averaged over 8 miles of walking each day. I’ll confess I wore really cute sandals on our first day there. I’ve always subscribed to the old adage “it’s far better to look good than feel good”. Well, I’m an idiot. Don’t do as I do, do as I say. Please – protect your feet with sensible and comfortable shoes!Nighttime in the Magic Kingdome at WDW

4. Don’t Be Distracted – Sounds silly to mention this one, doesn’t it? There are a million awesome sights and sounds in the World! Distractions are part of the fun, right? I’m actually talking about being so distracted by your cell phone that you miss the amazing Disney details. So distracted working out the logistics of making that next FastPass on time that you don’t realize your child has wandered off (or is touching the bottom of the person in front of them in line. Repeatedly). The kind of distracted that allows you ram people in the backs of their legs with your stroller. For best Disney vacation results – pay attention to your travel party as well as what’s going on around you.Entrance to DHS

5. Don’t Be THAT Guy (or THOSE people) – If you insist on doing any of the following, expect to be reviled by your fellow Disney guests:

  • Hold your iPad up over your head to film parades and shows so the people behind you cannot see.
  • Use flash photography in dark rides like Pirates of the Caribbean or Spaceship Earth.
  • Walk three or four side-by-side and block anyone who may need to pass you.
  • Leave your trash behind on tables at counter service restaurants.
  • Stop or hang out in the middle of busy, crowded walkways.
  • Cut in line.
  • Stand by and pretend not to notice while your children misbehave.
  • Yell, scream, chant, cheer, or act in any other unnecessarily loud and disruptive manner.
  • Change your baby’s diaper in any dining area – especially on the table.

If there’s a time to be a friendly, patient, polite, prepared, glass-half-full kind of person, it’s at Walt Disney World. The point of going, after all, is to soak up that Disney magic and have some pure, old-fashioned fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney Vacation Mental Preparation

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RM-WDW-EntranceThere’s a lot of discussion on Disney blogs and websites about ideal Disney vacation packing lists.  Packing for the average family can present quite a challenge!  Most of the packing lists I’ve seen are somewhat incomplete though.  There are a few items you must not leave at home if you want your vacation to be as fun, as happy, and as successful as it can possibly be.  We all want our Disney vacations to create lifelong memories, right?  Let’s make sure they’re happy ones, shall we?

Today’s Friday Five:  Five critical packing items for optimum Disney Vacation Mental Preparation.…

1. Patience – I cannot stress how important this is!  I don’t know about your kids, but mine march to the beat of a different drum…with a much slower cadence than the one I follow.  In other words, I could easily become frustrated each and every morning of vacation just trying to get out of our resort!  Then there’s the standby lines, the RM-Walkers-Walt-Disney-Worldcounter service restaurant lines, the waiting for a show to start, the waiting for a rain shower to pass, the time between FastPasses – I could go on and on.  Pack extra patience!  You will probably use every bit you have.  Seriously, knowing before you ever leave home that there will most likely be many things on a Disney (or any) vacation that may try your patience and preparing for that eventuality in advance will help you be so much happier!

2. Rose Colored Glasses:  If you pack these, you’ll have a better vacation.  Here’s the deal – negativity is popular.  Whining, complaining, grousing, general discontent – it’s all in vogue!  This is the stuff rotten vacations are made of.  Put on your positive attitude, look for positives and do NOT focus on negatives.  I’m not delusional.  I know that things break, people are rude, beds are uncomfortable, and accidents happen.  It’s how we choose to deal with life’s obstacles that makes the difference, I believe, in being happy or unhappy – in general and on vacation.  Stop and put on those rose DSCN2961colored glasses!  I hear they come in contact lenses now too.

3. Flexibility:  There’s that oft quoted saying – “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”.  Yeah, it’s popular for a reason.  So’s Murphy’s Law.  I’m a huge advocate of planning!  I love to plan vacations almost as much as I like to take them – the key to really great planning though, is to allow for changes to the plans.  If you have to get your heart set on anything – try to set it on creating a successful and fun overall experience.  Make those ADRs (Advance Dining Reservations) and FastPass+ Having fun at Old Key Westselections, but be prepared to change course when and if the need arises.  Sometimes blisters, exhaustion, sweating, a stomach ache, a meltdown, a thunderstorm…well, one or all of those can strike at any time!  Great things are out there to be seen and experienced on a Disney vacation.  Some are in unexpected places – be flexible enough to make new discoveries when the chance arises.  Also, know when to call it a day.

4. Sense of Humor:  You can either let a good soaking on Kali River Rapids ruin your day or you PeopleMovercan find humor in the situation.  It’s easy to become cranky, grumpy, grouchy – whatever you favor – when things aren’t the way we want them to be.  If there’s ever a time to look for the silver lining or make lemonade (insert favorite metaphor here) it’s when our children are watching (no matter how old they are) – when our demonstration of how to deal with life’s curve balls shows others how it should be done – with grace and kindness, with as happy a face as we are able to muster.

On our last Disney vacation, Raymond and I caught a bus from Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the late morning and happened to sit near a beautiful family.  The mother, father, and all four young daughters were just an incredibly good-looking bunch.  No one was happy – there was no excited chatter, no smiling, no conversation at all.  As the bus traveled along towards our stop at the Magic Kingdom, the dad said, “First one who catches mom smiling gets a dollar” – I could tell he was just trying to lighten the mood.  The mom spun in her seat and loudly whispered (you know how that sounds), “StopWalt Disney World Summer Crowd IT!” then proceeded in a lower tone to chew him out.  When she was finished, she turned back around (with a lot of drama) and proceeded to cry for the entire rest of the trip.  I would never presume to guess what might have been wrong, but I did think about what kind of example was being set for those four beautiful girls.  Please, if you’re a parent – remember to be the grown-up.

5. A little love for your fellow humans:  People visit Disney parks from all over the world and all fifty of the United States.  There are rude people and sweaty ones, people with frowns, people who cry on busses, people who stop Kali River Rapids / Disney's Animal Kingdomin the middle of the sidewalk, people who ram into you with strollers, ones who film Wishes with an iPad over their heads, Cubs fans, wearers of very large beards, all kinds of people!  People who are completely different from us.  I choose to try to be friendly and embrace the variety of Disney vacationers – I’ve made more friends this way and preserved my sanity at the same time.  Of course, there must be a certain level of safety and mindfulness of “stranger danger”, but looking for the goodness and referring to numbers 1 and 4 on this list helps a lot.  Oh, and some folks?  You just need to move away from.

What about you?  What do you pack to help you mentally prepare for your Disney vacation?