Rookie mistakes

[KayDee]

1. Staying off site.
2. Not making ADRs.
3. Buying Universal, SeaWorld and Disney tickets for a 7 day vacation.
4. Wearing poor shoes.
5. Not going in with a flexible game-plan.

[bruin1344]

Some stupid mistakes ive made:

-Drinking too much alcohol, hangovers dont feel good when walking around the parks or on those thrilling rides
-Wearing sandals in the park, your feet will kill
-Eating before going on Mission Space
-Not bringing water
-Eating turkey legs while walking around
-Overplanning or underplanning the days
-Putting packaged food in your pockets, it will be crushed on the rides
-Walking to the parks from resorts except Beach Club
-Not bringing a rain coat, even during a non-rainy seasons

[WelshieLover]

As others have said comfortable shoes. I also bring moleskin for blisters. You will need it. I laugh when I see people walking around in flip flops (my son's girlfriend did and she paid for it quickly). The Unofficial Guidebook is great. Use the Fastpasses. Stop and just look around every so often, the landscaping is just fabulous. Check out all the nooks and crannies in World Showcase the attention to detail is amazing. Enjoy! You will be planning your next trip back before you leave!

[onjbj]

Funny, all I wear at the parks are flip-flops and I've never had a problem. Guess it depends on your feet!

I second the reccomendations for lots of water, midafternoon rest, ADR's, and not to overplan. Have fun!!!!

[pink]

Some of these things were already said but I'm just adding my own 2 cents to it!

- By rain ponchos at home no matter what season you're going. Also, if it starts raining when you're in any park just go into an indoor ride and wait it out. Most people leave and when the rains stops (which is usually does fairly quickly) then the park is emptier!

- Staying offsite works out great for some but I just think it isn't worth it! The Disney buses and Magical Express are so helpful. The last thing I want to do after walking around the park all day is drive around and it is great having someone to always do it for you.

- Don't forget to bring asprin, bandaids (for blisters from walking) and gum (none is also on Disney property.)

-At least 4 days is needed to spend time in each park and any other activities you want to accomplish on your trip.


You also asked what is a good guide book and I think that Birnbaums (I never spell it right!) is a great guide book.

[ryca1dreams]

These are the worst mistakes you can make (in my opinion):
- wear some uncomfortable shoes
- talk on your cell phone a lot
- get mad
- don't plan or have a clue what you're getting into
- don't make any ADRs for restaurants
- let little things get to you and make you have a bad time
- don't stop every so often, breath, look around, and think, "where is reality again?"

[TikiGoddess]

My number one tip to add to all the other great advice you've gotten:

Get to the parks early! Many rookies don't know how wonderfully empty the parks can be early in the morning. The first two hours are the 'golden hours' -- you can do so many rides before the crowds hit. Then you can slow down and relax for the rest of the day feeling like you've accomplished everything you wanted to.

Now I know for some people getting up at 7:30 (or 6:30 for EMH mornings) on vacation isn't a vacation... but if you happen to be a morning person (or not a morning person but maybe too excited to sleep because you're at Disney) then go to the parks!

Also -- if you do an EMH morning, park hop over to another park around 11am when it gets crowded.

Neat thread!
TikiG

[comicguy]

Mistakes to avoid:

Not getting to the park for opening.

Not making ADR's

Staying off site

Not buying park hoppers.

Not getting a Dole Whip Float

Renting a car(Disney Transportations is awesome)

If there are 2 parades in a day always catch the second one

Trying to do it all. We have been 10 times and have yet to see everything WDW has to offer

[azdisneymom]

Such great advice. I would add forgetting sunscreen as a mistake. Another mistake is the do it all attitude and ignoring what your body is telling you (or your kid's cues)

1) Headache could mean dehydration
2) Whining and complaining kids could mean tired or hungry.

Take a break, go back to the hotel, have a snack. You and your kids will get more out of less time at the park if they feel good then they ever will trying to go commando style for an entire day.

[pwdebbie]

Many people have mentioned shoes. My problem was my socks. I bought new socks for our trip and ended up with blisters because my new socks worked down into the shoes. So, make sure your socks and shoes are comfortable. I wore sandals for the rest of the trip and had no problems at all. But I live in sandals all summer, so that is what is normal for me any way.

Deb
POFQ, Oct. 2007
praying / hoping / wishing / dreaming for April 2009 or 2010

[WhiteRose1]

I did not see this one listed...

Go on rides during the parades....less lines.

Don't mope around the resort if the weather looks overcast, the rides will be just as fun, and less crowds to deal with too! (I went to Disney while a tropical depression sat over Orlando - it rained nonstop, but I got to ride Space mountain 5 times in a row with no wait!! (I was 12...!)

[irish1967]

Remember this - if you have anything on your must-do list that is on your travel companion's absolutely-not list it is still ok to go on it - just make sure you have clear plans for meeting up and that both cell phones are fully charged!

[Belle619]

I recommend making an itinerary - nothing complicated - just a document listing your reservation times and confirmation numbers.

This really comes in handy because you don't have to fish around your bag for whatever little piece of paper you happened to write it down on.

And, I had two occasions on our last trip where we were asked for these #'s because they couldn't find our reservations (name spelled wrong) - thankfully our itinerary saved the day!

[pwdebbie]

Good idea about the itinerary. I had a small notebook that I wrote down all our reservations in (time, location, res. #). But also, I included in this small notebook our Key to the World number. That way, if you lose your Key, you will have less trouble getting it replaced.

Deb
POFQ, Oct. 2007
praying / hoping / wishing / dreaming for April 2009 or 2010

[Cinderelley]

This one seems pretty obvious, but I've screwed it up, and several people that I know have screwed it up.

If you're using Magical Express, don't pack your ticket in your checked luggage. Put it in your carry-on.

[prttynpnk]

-We always have a small excel spreadsheet downloaded onto my husbands palmpilot with the park opening/closing/parade times for for everyday so we know if MK is closing early or something.It also has allo of our ADR #'s just in case.
- Always bring a small survival kit/pharmacy with you! Sinus stuff is seriously expensive at the parks!

[Goofy Texan]

My suggestions are:

Get in shape before you go. Disney is a "doing" vacation - like going skiing or hiking. It will be hard to sit in a hotel room with so much fun just outside the door. If you're in shape you can do more before needing to rest, and you'll recover faster. Along those lines is my Disney Feet Mantra: Don't stand if you can lean, don't lean if you can sit, don't just sit if you can sit with your feet up... you get the idea.

Have water with you at all times. You don't need a lot, but if it's hot out having a few swallows with you when you need it is important. I was surprised at how often I wanted a drink and couldn't get one for some reason.

Make your first visit to each park in the afternoon/evening. You'll need park hoppers to do this. By going first in the afternoon, you'll have time to take in the sights, stroll slowly down Main Street, enjoy anything with a short line (or late fast pass) and just soak up the magic. You'll learn where things are and how long the lines can really get so when you go back in the morning, you'll be able to hit the headliner rides like a seasoned pro.

Don't expect Disney to provide all the fun. Attractions and shows are great, and they'll make you laugh (and ooh and aah) plenty. But, there are lots of times when you'll be waiting - for the bus, for a meal, for the park to open, for the show to start, etc. Be willing to find fun in these situations. Play with the kids around you, make up silly games, tease each other, whatever. Just don't stand around and wait - boring!

That's it. Have fun!

[Sharon1026]

Get to your park of choice right when it opens. You will be able to do more during the first three hours than the following 5.

Bring water and refill at the park.

Bring advil, bandaids, aloe vera and sunscreen.

Try mix up park time and nonpark time - doing parks 3 days in a row is very taxing on ones body. Have a lazy day in the pool in there somewhere - you'll be glad that you did.

You won't be able to see everything. Don't sweat it! Pick a few major things and if you get to see more/do more than that, be happy. It's a busy place!

Lastly.... have a sense of humor!

[KineGirl]

ALL great recommendations! Wow!! I would like to also add to bring a small backpack to the parks to carry your water, sun screen, itineraries etc... We buy the new cute Disney ones every year and use those. Of course my DH always makes me carry those .. hehe

ALSO bring some large ziplock bag & put in backpack to keep cameras & such safe while riding water rides

[mrsgaribaldi]

In addition to good comfortable shoes, make sure your socks are good with no holes.
Make sure you rest, it's impossible to do it all.
Research, even just alittle. The first time we went we had no idea there were attractions in the countries at Epcot.