What did you do on/for your last trip that you will never do again?

[MickeyandTink]

We will not take as big a backpack into the parks this year. Between big old still camera, video camera, heavy duty ponchos, sunscreen, cell phones, resort mugs, snack bars, water bottles, autograph books, pal Mickey, etc., My shoulders were killing me by the end of the day.

We are still taking a pack, but a much smaller (and lighter) one. I'm going to break down and get a small digital camera to carry around in the cargo shorts pocket. Going with small, disposable ponchos (will bring several in the suitcase and just bring one for everyone each day. Not take the resort mugs in the morning, just transfer over to disposable cups that will be thrown away by the time we get to the park. Just take one disposable water bottle for the kids. If we need more, we'll buy it.

[luvdiznee]

Another overpacker here. But I am getting better. And even for this trip I plan to take even a few less shirts only because I ALWAYS buy shirts at WDW. Whether it is a resort shirt, especially since this will be our first stay at WL. And come to think of it, I do owe myself one from our last visit at the Poly. But I will also not carry a ton of stuff to the parks. Or at least try to. And lastly try not to spend the entire day in the park. Need to learn to try to get back to the resort and relax before conquering the night life.

[chicade88]

We will never plan an 8:10 breakfast reservation again! We're just not morning people and while the breakfast was AMAZING (Crystal Palace), we died mid-day and had to go back to the resort for a very long nap. Live and learn right?

[Kathy F.]

Decided last minute to attend the P&P party on our resort day. We did enjoy it but we really needed a complete day off with young children on a 12 day trip.

[tmosier]

Will NEVER do again: take the bus from Wilderness Lodge to AK, power walk a park in boots (but it's only for a few hours....), watch Wishes from in front of Space Mountain, wait 40 min. for Test Track, miss a Fast Pass opportunity, not take a day just to wander and enjoy MK atmosphere, not take a day just to walk around and take photos in different lighting conditions

Will do again: take the boat transportation as much as possible, have a cinnamon roll at Main St. Bakery, have afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian, let my daughters swim as much as they want, let my daughters go on whatever they want as many times as they want, go on ToT with my family, bring $1 ponchos, make ADR for Crystal Palace before MK opens

[Ropachs]

I'm not going to (will TRY not to) stress out about things I cannot control! A long bus wait, overpriced bottled water, not seeing EVERY attraction. I WILL ENJOY EVERY POSSIBLE MOMENT!!!!

[SandmanGStefani24]

i'll never skimp on the hotel again! and only onsite the rest of my days!

i'll also never forget to bring basic toiletries in my carry-on in case of a long delay or layover!

[mom2morgan]

Don't take mother in law. Other than that, can pretty much go with the flow.

LOL!! Aw. comeon - give us the details. I LOVE MIL stories ;-)

[mom2morgan]

- We should have had park hopper. My kids are older, and it would have been much better to be able to do one park in the morning and a different one in the afternoon - and it wouldn't have forced me to stay all day at Epcot with kids who were NOT having fun.
-won't try to take a boat from MK to anywhere! We waited in line more than an hour, missed our dinner reservations for Trail's End....
- will build in more downtime. I wanted to see everything and do everything - it would have been better to miss a few attractions and have happy, relaxed and refreshed kids (and ME!). Actually, I would have also let my son stay at the resort one day. He was way overtired, very, VERY cranky to the point of obnoxious and generally miserable. I didn't want him to MISS anything, but a day by himself to watch TV and swim would have saved us all (he was 16).
-mixed feelings about the dinner reservations - I did find there was "pressure" to be in a certain place at a certain time, but a sit-down meal IS a nice way to relax (although I wouldn't try it with SMALL kids).
-Stress Less. I was too worried that we might miss something ESSENTIAL and it would ruin our whole lives because this was a once in a lifetime trip. LOL - it is two years later and we are going back ;-) I get so wrapped up in worrying about everyone else having fun that I don't have much myself.

[WinnipegDisneyFanatic]

Bring a video camera to the park every single day. I think I'd only bring it a few days instead. I like not having anything with me at the parks except a camera in my pocket, a fastpass in my hand, and an imagination in my head

Chris

[playdead88]

Don't take mother in law. Other than that, can pretty much go with the flow.

my mother in law is evil so i think her body would reject the happiest place on earth

the things i would do are walk a little slower, take time to just enjoy being there instead of trying to get as much in as possible i mean its not like we don't go every year - i planned a pool day at our hotel last year and it was wonderful! we are going to do that again for sure

[scootch713]

I will never go to MVMCP again. We went on a thursday night, mid november and it was like summer crowds. What a waste of money!

[WeLuvBuzz]

do:
I have learned to bring two collapsible hampers. They lay flat in the suitcase when we fly and I can carry stuff in them when we drive. Dirty clothes (one white and one dark) go in at the end of the day. Clothes are sorted if I do laundry and makes it easier to pack them if I don't, and things are not lost.

do not bring a pack to the park. Our kids are now all teenagers. Camera goes in DH pocket in a zip top plastic bag and his cell phone in another pocket in a plastic bag.. He keeps the passes and cc in his wallet. In my pocket I keep lip balm and some money. I have learned that if we don't have it we just deal wtih it. I do carry in a bottle of water that we refill throughout the day. Not having to go through bag security, priceless.

don't
not have ADRs on a crowded day

not take time to visit other resorts

[tmosier]

I will never go to MVMCP again. We went on a thursday night, mid november and it was like summer crowds. What a waste of money!

I'm sorry to hear that! My family and I went last year, the Sunday after Thanksgiving and had a great time. The crowds were moderate and we were able to walk on to most rides without a wait. If we go again, perhaps we ought to stick with MVMCP on a Sunday night?

[RaRaRoundTheWorld]

Best thing: Bring extra storage or garbage bags to sequester items.

Worst things: 1) Ordered much too much groceries for our room on our first trip. By the end of the trip, our room was starting to smell (mousekeeping was dismal) 2) Not having extra snacks for the plane rides. I was so worried about food & beverage restrictions, I underpacked. 3) Didn't really take any video (only photos) of our trips. That would have been perfect for moments like right now.....

Have a wonderful trip!!!!!!!!

[mouse-logic]

Never ride "It's a Small World" 3 times in an afternoon, no matter how much my DD and DS plead "go again".

[BethieTink]

Not doing MNSSHP the night after staying at MK till 2 am. We had a ball at MK late at night, and even though we rested at the pool all day, we were way too drained to enjoy the party. Started walking out backwards during the fireworks (we had seen them before), we were so tired.

[laward32]

go home.
next time i swear i'm not going home!

I was going to say the same thing.