[BDavis932]

As some of you know, my boss of 16 years is FINALLY going to WDW in about 3 weeks and he is taking a group of 13 people!! I am typing up a list of "tips" to include for each park that I will have on the back of each day's itinerary. I have one page of tips for each park and one page of "general tips about WDW and the resort. I've included things such as where to look to see Tinkerbell start the fireworks, ordering wake up calls, wearing comfy shoes, along with LOTS of other tips.

This will be the entire groups first trip and although they've watched the video, I still don't think they can grasp how wonderful this place is.

They are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge savannah view for 8 nights and I have never been to this resort before, so any tips or secrets you can give me on AKL would be appreciated, as well.

So what is your favorite tip that I can pass along....something that makes life easier on vacation, or some magical not to be missed tid-bit...:)

[disneyguy]

One thing is give them the Unoffial WDW guide and tell them to follow the tour guide even in February. If it is not busy, then ditch it but sometimes the parks do get busy.

Also, make sure that they get Illuminations spots early. I go every year in February and that can still be a problem.

I was wondering what kind of tips you gave them. Are they all first timers tips?? or are some of them insiders and expirience tips??

[Dana]

Go on the "wet rides" last so you aren't forced to wear wet sneakers for the rest of the day (in AK)

Always bring AT LEAST two pairs of sneakers or comfy walking shoes. Bring double the amount of socks. (5 days = 10 pairs)

Have fun and take time to enjoy the little things (railroad rides, buggy rides etc). Don't try to do everything your first trip, because you will never be able to. Save things for your next trip.

[BDavis932]

Good tips...thanks!!

1/2 of them are buying annual passes....which I know they will use again as long as they have a fantastic time this trip.

My bosses son is a pilot and for him and his family....it's only a four hour flight to Orlando!! If they like it this time...I know they will get good use out of those AP's!!

I gave them tips of things that first timers shouldn't miss and tips that took me 8 trips to figure out....and so hopefully it will make their trip much more enjoyable!! It is a first trip for all of them...so they are "lost" at this point. They range in age from 4 to 85!!!

[jmouse]

Tinkerbell no longer starts the fireworks. She still flies, but it is no longer at the very beginning.

There's an African story teller in the evening out by the firepit at Arusha Rock. The guides at the Rock also have night vision goggles you can use at night.

[Paul S]

WDW is an active vacation. My suggestion is to plan rest into each day. The best (most efficient) way to facilitate it is to:

1) Stay at the World
2) Buy Park Hopper Plus so a day is never "wasted" if you need to take a breather- or even if there's a rain-out or something.

Paul

[keljen]

I would suggest to tell them when they get to the park be there as early as possible.Opening is best
Then to go to the farthest part of the park and work their way out as most visitors when they get in stand in amazement and work towards the back
Also plan meal times at off hours like lunch at 11 not 12-1:00
And as stated before be at the parade at least 1-2 hours early to get the best spot and this also gives a rest time that is always needed.


:) :laugh

[Paul S]

Good suggestion about getting there early- I would also like to point out that if they do stay at the World- call and find out which parks have the one-hour early open for WDW resort guests. Start early at those resorts.

[tinkerbell]

Originally posted by jmouse

There's an African story teller in the evening out by the firepit at Arusha Rock. The guides at the Rock also have night vision goggles you can use at night.

great suggestion jmouse!!

When we were there, just about all The CM's could tell you bits of interesting info about Africa and AKL .. so when they have time, talking to the CM's they see around the resort can be so much fun and info. ooo and taking a bit of time to sit out in the rocking chairs is wonderful!! the AKL has so much to see just in the lobby it is amazing ..not to mention things all around the resort on the walls and in glass cases. If there are children ..they have a cookie decorating too

[Paul S]

Since it's their first trip, you may want to tell them about "Hidden Mickeys" AKL has quite a few itself.

[mickaholic4077]

The most important thing I can think of is to tell them to just enjoy themselves. I mean,they'll be in Disney World,right???????

[Paul S]

Sure, but I think there's so much to do that if you're not careful you can fritter away the experience.

[disneyguy]

Where are there hidden Mcikey's????? I have been to WDW and never noticed them!!!!

[catfish1999]

No matter how many changes of socks, comfy clothes and rain ponchos you bring, there are TWO things that you must pack or your experience will be less than enjoyable, and they are:

1. Patience
2. Flexibility

That's what got me through my last trip on New Years. I had a marvelous time and keep repeating..."I have patience ... and flexibility"...

Remember this when you are eating dinner at 9 instead of 6, grabbing a hot dog because you can't get into a sit down restaurant, and when your sister-in-law remembers that she HAS to have a pastry from the French bakery, but you're already at Spaceship Earth on your way to the bus after being in the park for 14 hours already, so you hobble through the crowd like a salmon swimming UPSTREAM to get that precious neapolitan, just to find that there's a line of about 50 people waiting to get their very own piece of French heaven...
But I digress...:whistle:

[disneyguy]

Jeez with that review you make WDW sounds like ****. It is the most magical place on earth!!!! Maybe if you had planned before you left then you wouldn't have been eating @ 9 instead of 6.