tiki Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 My family and I leave Saturday to fly into Orlando. We'll be at Disney for six days. Any tips on making life easy? We've packed foods for the trip - you know, bread, PB&J, snacks and crap. That should save some $$. I'm worried about all the eating out. We're staying at the resort, so we'll be eating out like MAD. That costs a frickin fortune. I was told to pack some bandanas and when the fam gets hot, soak them and have them wear them on their head or around their neck to cool off. It's supposed to rain the whole time it looks like. Figures. We've got ponchos and lanyards for our passes. We've got "Angel Alerts" for the kids (ages 4 and 6) in case they get more than 30 feet away. I'm going to have them carry identification in case they get lost. And have a meet-up place. You guys have any other recommendations? I'll take anything you can give me. As long as it pertains to Disney. Link to post Share on other sites
westernxer Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Don't let the kids talk you into buying all those supposedly cool souvenirs... buy a few, but don't go overboard. They're a waste of money, plus they're overpriced. Disney's nothing but a corporate juggernaut anyway, and they make their money by squeezing you down to the very last penny. Three days after you get back, the kids won't care about their souvenirs anymore, which will make you wonder why you bought them in the first place. Take note of the lack of drinking fountains, too. It almost forces you to buy their overpriced water. Disney's not the only one that does this, though. Bring plenty of water. Okay, so I'm a little bit cynical. Disney's still a fun place... especially when it's not super crowded. Link to post Share on other sites
Illusion24 Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Tiki, I live here in Fl. and it's HOT!! A CAMERA!! Come in comfortable shoes, shorts and tank top. Bring a fag bag or a minnie small not to big bag to put in some things you might need to keep you going for the day. Put your money in something plastic so it doesn't get wet...water rides are the best but you end up getting drenched....Leave them for last!! That's all I can think about right now if I think of anything else I'll holla back...woo Link to post Share on other sites
Author tiki Posted May 25, 2005 Author Share Posted May 25, 2005 Ah crap, a camera. Mine is digital and I'll crap if it gets wet. Even with all the rain!!! I'll hafta wrap it good. I'm taking a back pack. So I'll be able to bring water and squeeze-it's for the kids. Thanks you guys. NSN, does it ALWAYS rain in the afternoon in Florida? I was kinda thinking it did. Link to post Share on other sites
Illusion24 Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 NSN, does it ALWAYS rain in the afternoon in Florida? I was kinda thinking it did No...it hasn't rained in a couple of days and before that it was months before it rained... It always rains on Memorial Day weekend it's a curse Link to post Share on other sites
soccorsilly Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Go left or go deep! Most people will naturally go to the right when they get in in the mornign--go left, less lines. Or head to the back and work your way front of the parks. Here is a link to a column one of my partners worte on just this subject. http://www.tripso.com/archives/2005/03/12_theme_park_s.html Tiki--have a blast! Link to post Share on other sites
Stone Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 DAmmit I really hope I can meet up with you if not you should come visit me in South Florida and hang out on the beach LOL There is a Shoney's close to where you are staying they have breakfast buffets and kids eat under 3 bucks. Plus your hotel should provide breakfreast Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 don't heckle the people dressed up as mickey mouse and goofy, etc... they are hot, tired and mad as hell. I saw one of them go postal once! Link to post Share on other sites
Meatball Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 When I was there (all 3 times), it rained almost every day. Bring lots of sunblock and bug repellant...there seem to be a lot of mosquitoes there. Also, if you have long hair, bring something to put your hair up...it gets so hot and humid that you sweat and your hair sticks to your back. If you guys have the money and the time, go to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure...your kids will love the Spiderman ride. Have tons of fun! Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Whenever I travel, I find a shop to buy non-perishable snacks at. Last time I even took instant oatmeal packages and hot choc packages (well - the hotel will be air conditioned, right?) - the in-room coffeemaker will heat the water for you. And IMHO, muffins are the perfect portable food. They're filling, tasty, you can make them with loads of healthy stuff in them, and they bear up well in all weather. Have some muffins and yogourt or cheese and fruit and you've had a quick, tasty, healthy meal. Power bars are also a lifesaver. I love the Clif brand but there are lots of nutritional bars that can fill up a hole when you don't want to buy whole meals. When you're there you can buy juice and even milk in tetra paks if you think you'll get tired of water. Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Originally posted by moimeme Whenever I travel, I find a shop to buy non-perishable snacks at. last time I checked, small rodents were still perishable Link to post Share on other sites
HokeyReligions Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Back Pack with WHEELS! Those get heavy after a while I've seen some families pulling their kids & 'stuff' in wagons and renting strollers with room for bags and most (all?) rides have a monitored area where you can park those things until you get off the ride. I woldn't leave anything valuable in them though. There's usually room on the rides for a bag or two. You can also get disposable water-proof cameras to take pictures on the wet rides. Real film, but when you get them developed you can have them put on a disk. We've used some of those underwater in the pool and they work great. Sunscreen & sunglasses too! You might be able to pick up some cute sunglasses at a dollar store before you go that the kids can wear and they'll be cheaper than buying them there and it won't break the bank (or the heart) if they are lost. If you do buy souvineers you can check them in a locker so you don't have to cart them around and just go back to the locker on your way out. You might be able to leave some of your other things there too if you find that you don't need to have them on you all the time. I bought some Disney souvineers at a local store (and a couple garage sales) before we went and then brought them out for the little kids when they started begging for souvineers. They didn't know the stuff didn't come from the park -- they only knew they received them there! I'm jealous! I wanna go too! Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Posted May 26, 2005 Senior Moderators Share Posted May 26, 2005 DisneyWorld is Michael Jackson's favorite place. He's there often, watch for him...or watch out for him...whichever way you see it. Link to post Share on other sites
hurtingandconfused Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Talk to your hotel when you get there. Ask them if there is retail disney discount shop near by. Find out how much it is for transportation to and from the park.(Before you arrive to your hotel) Find out if the hotel sells disney tickets and if so how much cheaper.(If they are not cheaper it's usually better to buy them from the hotel, they save valuable time from those long lines at disney. Find out if the hotel provides transportation from the airport to the hotel. (If not, use shuttle service it's usually cheaper) - From the sounds of it you probably pree-paid for your tickets already....voucher? Disney is having a 50th anniversary. So it might be a little more full this time of the year. Also take your kids to a character breakfast.(it's a bit pricey, but they'll love it.) There to have fun eh? Most restaurants should have a kids eat free menu. Don't forget to ask. Your kids should be fine with only sun block/sun screen. Take waterbottles, Disney will not allow food or drinks other than water in the theme park. Most importantly don't forget to tip for service. You want service, you pay. Don't want service, no need to pay. You get taken care for more if you slip some money in. Link to post Share on other sites
Stone Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Your hotel provides a free shuttle to All Disney parks and Downtown Disney. If you rent a car go to International Drive there are lots of things to do there. Rippleys Believe it or NOt,ChuckY Cheese ( cheap cheap kids will love it) and Old Town is cool with old fashoned ferris wheels and shops Wet & Wild is there. Have the kids wear bathing suite type shorts and your little girl wear bathing suit under her clothes instead of underwear there are lots of rides that can get you wet and if it's hot you'll want to go on them so bring several your hotel has a few pools. ( I've stayed there many times ) If you plan to go to Epcot center plan a short day with the kids, it's really not a place for toddlers there are only a few things that may intrest them with little or no rides it's educational my son is 5 and he HATED IT!!! When I was a kid I hated it to. PLUS you get to visit diffrent countries and eat and drink alchol from diffrent places cool for adults but not so cool for kiddo's plus that gets real expensive. And learn how to do the Speed Pass especially in Disney Magic Kingdom, so you can avoid waiting hours in the hot arse sun. Whinny the Poo ride blows, Micky's Phil Harmonic is awasome, the parades & Castle show is great, and the Haunted HOuse is a Must it's not that scary for little tikes. When you are in your room you will see the orlando travel channel on over and over and over so you will always know what is going on. Try to do all the water parks it is hot here and you'll love them they provide life jackets. BTW there is a bomb arse Lobster Feast on I Drive, it has all you can eat lobster shrimp crab legs and Prime Rib for 30 bucks that is a must Sorry hun but don't bother sneaking food or water in the park by backpack they check you bags and they check them good. Save the embarassment. Just buy the 5 dollar drink and get 2 dollar refils that's the only way to go. I really hope I get to meet you guys. and WTF is an Angel Alert????? Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Disney will not allow food or drinks other than water in the theme park. What a bunch of bastards. Wonder what ol' Walt would have said about that? Link to post Share on other sites
HokeyReligions Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 I forgot -- when we went to Disney, we went via Disney Travel--booked everything through them and it did save us some $$ plus we got into the park 30 minutes before it opened to the public and it included the Character breakfast. You might want to check into that. We didn't have to stay in the resort to do it, we booked a very inexpensive hotel nearby and only had to walk a block or two to get to a bus that left from a Disney hotel and the bus ride did not cost extra, we just showed our Disney travel passes. Maybe they have changed it, but we were able to bring some food and drinks into the park with us, but that may also have been because I'm hypoglycemic and have 'special dietary needs' which included sugarless juice and an energy bar that can only be purchased in health-food stores. They allowed that for us. Link to post Share on other sites
Stone Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 If you state that you need to bring food/ juice in he park for health reasons they will let you Link to post Share on other sites
Illusion24 Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 O O O TIKI... Get the fast pass!! Oh man when you're waiting in line for a ride go first to get a fast pass for one...It will tell you what time you need to return to go on the ride and you don't have to wait on line. You're only aloud a certain amount at a time but do this...You'll save so much time in lines..I went with an old EX of mine and we did the whole park in 3 hours... But we didn't go in the summer, that might be a little harder to do especially with little one's I know!!! IT was awesome and we went on everything. Oh man you're going to have so much fun Link to post Share on other sites
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