[MerlinMatt]

OK. I've been inspired.

Alma had the GREAT idea of calling the reservation center 5 days before you'd like to go to try and get rooms because 5-days is the no penalty cut off for cancelling.

I had the tip about using MGM and the boat launch as the intermediary to get to BW.

So, I ask everyone for ONE post.

What's your favorite tip or trick for planning a trip or something that you do once you're onsite??

[DisneyDad]

We always park at the Beach Club Resort and walk to Epcot for the shows. This way when the entire park has to exit we can exit out the back way. This is really handy even if you are using the bus system. The walk is short and a easy way to beat the massive exiting crowds.

[jodilt]

My favorite tip is to use the Single rider line on Test Track when the line is long. I travel with my father and we have riden it several times, so we don't care if we have to separate. Beats standing in line for an hour!

[Dana]

My Dd and I use a trick of sorts or stradegy for getting a great parade spot. We find the ideal spot over an hour or more before the parade starts. One sits while the other looks in the shops. We take turns every so often, so neither one of us is sitting there doing nothing for an extended period of time. We get great parade spots and shopping done before the crowds even think to sit..lol We always save our shopping for the end of the day for this purpose. We look in and out of the shops all day, but never buy until parade time..lol

[mickaholic4077]

When you exit MK at the end of the night,take the RESORT monorail to the TTC. It is by far the lesser traveled monorail. You will be on it much faster than the express monorail and will get to the TTC faster than if you take the express in spite of the 2 stops vs. one.

[MerlinMatt]

I *knew* this would be a good idea.

Another one: At the All-Stars, unless you absolutely need one, don't ask for a refrigerator ahead of time. Two years in a row, there was one in one of the rooms already (we get adjoining rooms). Since we didn't ask for one, we didn't have to pay for it. It's $10 more/day to spend in the parks. But, if you still want one and there isn't one in the room, just call the desk after you check in. If you call before 4pm, they'll usually have one within a couple of hours. Otherwise, they'll have one for you when they clean the rooms the next day.

[skwak]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

I *knew* this would be a good idea.

Another one: At the All-Stars, unless you absolutely need one, don't ask for a refrigerator ahead of time. Two years in a row, there was one in one of the rooms already (we get adjoining rooms). Since we didn't ask for one, we didn't have to pay for it. It's $10 more/day to spend in the parks. But, if you still want one and there isn't one in the room, just call the desk after you check in. If you call before 4pm, they'll usually have one within a couple of hours. Otherwise, they'll have one for you when they clean the rooms the next day.

That happened to us at POR also.

One tip, hmmm... Always, always, always take advantage of the early entry hour to get a jump on the parks and be there at least 15 minutes earlier than that. Sleep when you get home, not at WDW!

[wendy darling]

When you have kids interested in meeting characters, alway do a Charachter meal. This way you don't spend time waiting in lines for autographs in the parks!

We also scope out great spots for parades very early. For the Share a Dream Come True, we buy lunch at 2:00 and sit in our spot eating until 3:00 when the parade starts.

[tinkermommy]

Hey guys, I like this post! They should make an entire thread about this.
ANYONE LISTENING!!!!!!!

[MissDisney]

We always fill a drawer at the hotel with candy bars, packs of gum, juice boxes, little water bottles, cookies, etc... Every morning, each of the kids loads up their own fanny pack with the goodies, and they never ask for expensive park food! They can also serve themselves from their fanny pack between attractions. They love to choose their treats, and it gives them the feeling of being in charge of their day. And when they do get that bit of WDW park food (Mickey bars, usually!!!), it is a HUGE treat. Plus, we save so much money!

[MagicalMom]

This might be an old one, but I've never seen anyone but myself actually do it... I pack those miniature bottles of bubbles and take them everywhere. When standing in a long line (esp those that are NOT moving) I pull them out to entertain the kids. You'll end up with a whole group of happy kids and relieved parents. It only works two or three times a day, then you'll have to come up with a new trick (name that character trivia for example) to keep the little ones occupied.

[EmpressJenny]

My personal favorite is to make a large announcement several times a day that it's your honeymoon (of course, this time it will be "Ooooooooo It's our anniversary!") in order to get the best possible seats/spots in line/souvenirs, etc.

Plus, one of Pete's favorite things is when we first get to the MK on the first day, to walk slowly down Main St. (which makes this Commando absolutely crazy....we've got Fantasyland to do in the first 40 minutes for goodness sake!) and enjoy it. I can only stand walking slowly if we have a PS for CRT before the park opens and we don't have to run anywhere, just get there about 10 minutes early.

[karliebug]

Plan your character breakfast before the park actually opens. That way you will be well-fed and already inside the park when the rope drops!

[got2lovedisney]

We each start the day with a bottle of gatorade. When that's empty, we fill the bottles with water. Saves $$ and we stay hydrated.

[disneyguy]

I know, I know!!! I have posted this a MILLION times, BUT it is my favorite trick. OK let's get the setting down: "Lights Please!!" *Bright lights turn on simulating the harsh FL sun* OK it is 90 degrees out, it is very crouded, and it is comming up on 1 o'clock and you have not had lunch yet. What are you going to do!!?? You don't even have an early dinner PS!! You pop in a counter-service, and WOW the place is beyond capacity!! What are you going to do!!! Head for the Resort Monorail!!!! Take that to your favorite MK Monorail resort, and have lunch in its food court or Cafe. We did this, and it worked very well, we had a nice, quiet, and delicious meal at Kona Cafe at the Poly. It was one of the best meals we had at Disney, plus it gets you out of the heat!!

And Matt, what is BW???