The Best Touring Tip Ever. . .

[KAT1811]

What is the best touring tip you have? The majority of us are self proclaimed Disney experts so I assume that we all have some great tricks we've learned along the way. I was wondering what everyone's are?

Some of the best that work for our family are:

• Go straight to Fantasyland and ride all of those attractions first thing in the morning
• Treat Epcot as two parks in order to see everything, trying to squeeze everything in one day usually means we miss something
• Get the kids "passports" for the countries so they do not complain while we are taking in the sights (and hit each and every fun stop along the way)
• Character meals cut the time waiting in line for autographs in half

[PlutoToo]

You won't be able to see and do everything in one trip. Pick the things that are most important and do them..... anything else is extra magic. And take time to see relax and see all the details in the theming. Don't rush so fast that you miss seeing what is in the parks.

[Madame Leona]

Listen to your children. If they are tired, call it a day or take a break. If they are hungry, eat. If your kids aren't happy, nobody will be happy.

[RockinRollerMom]

Stay onsite and use EMH's.

Get up early and hit a park at or near opening. Go back to your resort after lunch for some R&R. Hit another park late afternoon/evening and stay til close. You miss the biggest waits this way and are ale to get more things into your trip

Do not go to a park that has EMH's unless you are planning on utilizing them.

Travel during value season if at possible.

[Marker]

Slow down, relax, enjoy.

Don't stress out over trying to see everything. Slow down, relax, and enjoy the things you are experiencing.

Don't push beyond your limits. Relaxing by the pool or taking a nap can be just as much a part of your vacation as touring the park.

Don't sweat the small stuff. You're on vacation, relax and allow yourself to unwind and enjoy yourself. Even if things don't go "perfect", you're still at Walt Disney World.

[Princess'Mom]

Slow down, relax, enjoy.

Don't stress out over trying to see everything. Slow down, relax, and enjoy the things you are experiencing.

Don't push beyond your limits. Relaxing by the pool or taking a nap can be just as much a part of your vacation as touring the park.

Don't sweat the small stuff. You're on vacation, relax and allow yourself to unwind and enjoy yourself. Even if things don't go "perfect", you're still at Walt Disney World.

I 100% Agree!

[MOJoe]

If shows like Nemo, LMA or Indy are a priority, go to the first of the day. They are much less crowded.

Of course, Fantasmic is the exception to this rule, as it is always better to see the 2nd showing, on nights when there are 2 shows.

[Grim Grinning Marathon Runner]

Stay hydrated when it's hot (pretty much all the time) - drink a LOT more WATER than you think you'll need.

Interact with CastMembers; they are trained to seek out and provide happy moments to guests, and it'll be a fun experience for you and the CM.

[Pipalotta]

-Stay onsite
-Buy park hopper ticket
-Do not go to MK day of Spectro Magic Parade
-Take a break in the afternooon
-When entering a park go to the left as many people will go to the right, this also applies for attractions that have 2 lines
-Go during value season
-Do research into crowd conditions for each park, for each day

[Gator]

Take lots of pictures and video. It seems that no matter how much you capture, it's never enough. So take lots.

[indytraveler]

At MK watch Spectromagic from frontierland. It's less crowded.

Epcot is 2 parks for 2 different days.

[KineGirl]

If shows like Nemo, LMA or Indy are a priority, go to the first of the day. They are much less crowded.

Of course, Fantasmic is the exception to this rule, as it is always better to see the 2nd showing, on nights when there are 2 shows.

The same can be said of Spectro Magic when its scheduled two times that night/time of year. ALOT of ppl leave after Wishes. And I would have to disagree with a PP - Spectro is a must (especially if youve never seen it) plus its not supposed to be around that much longer.

[paragon]

The best tip/trick I ever got was to use the resort monorails when entering and exiting MK. its far less crouded, theres always a seat, it takes about the same time and you get a different view of things. We did this a few years ago and found it works wonders. Last year we traveled with my mother in law, brother in law and wife and thier new baby and of course my DW, and it made a huge difference for them ( and me if you know what I mean! LOL )

I also always use the little side paths just off the circle in front of the castle, they are far less traveled.

Other than that, most of the tricks given here on Intercot have also been very helpful!!

[joonyer]

If you are park commandos and ride junkies, like we are, the number one tip is: Learn how to maximize the Fastpass system. The first time we went to WDW as a family , we waited for up to an hour a couple of times on different attractions (during Memorial day week). We have since learned how to use the Fastpass system to maximum benefit by hitting less crowded attractions during our fast pass wait time, and getting another fast pass as soon as one is available, even if we haven't used our current fast passes yet. Since that first trip, we have never waited more than 15 minutes for any attraction, no matter how crowded the parks are. Thanks to Fastpasses.

[MinnieMommie]

And don't forget to wear comfortable shoes!

[Polynesian Dweller]

Best touring tip I've ever heard comes from Rick Steves: "assume you wil come back" and not try to do everything. He meant it for Europe but it fits WDW just as well.

Try to do the highlights at a relaxed pace and you will see more in them, be able to see the great theming more thoroughly, talk CMs etc and enjoy the attractions more. There's lots of details you can miss if you rush to much. Chances are, you will be back to WDW and get to do everything else.

[pink]

1) Stay onsite.
2) Use EMH's.
3) Don't jampack your days with schedules, actually have fun on your vacation.
4) Take time to lay out by the pool and swim.
5) Don't ever underestimate the amount of walking it takes to get from A to B.
6) Make ADR'S.
7) Don't wear mascara or white t-shirts on Splash Mountain.
8) Use fastpass.
9) Buy and bring your own rain ponchos before you leave home.
10) and the number one tip drum roll please.... Don't go when school is off.

[princessimagineer]

- if its your first time going, try not going during a busy week, it will ruin your experience
- if your there long enough, remember: you dont have to see that parade every time, take advantage of short lines during parade and firework times
- mid day breaks by the pool
- those shoes might be cute, but can you walk 10 miles in them?
- DTD has EVERYTHING you see in any other park, dont feel like you need to buy it the first moment you see it (and then find something better later and wish you never bought the first thing in the first place)
- disney transportation is the best
- but that means you MUST stay on property
- free dining season sounds appealing, but ehh i found the reastaurants to be more crouded and crazy because of it


stop. and remember: your on vacation. if for one moment at the "happiest place on earth" you find youre not happy, then its time to chillback

[Mousemates]

Enjoy the nuances of the parks and make a deliberate effort to notice the little things like:

look for hidden mickeys

read the seemingly meaningless names and wording on decorative items in the lines (they often have a bit of humor imbedded in them).

Do the same things with windows and signs on mainstreet and throughout the parks.

Take a day to stroll around the various resorts and/or schedule a meal in a resort your not staying...especially AKL and WL, their lobby areas are magnificent.

Slow down in Epcot (maybe even turn the kids loose for a few hours..if they are old enough and you can bear to cut the apron strings for a while..) and take the time to really enjoy the music (i.e Off Kilter etc)

Talk to Cast Members...ask them questions like...what's here that alot of families miss out on (We did this once and learned of a slide opening ceremony at the AKL which not only meant my son got to be #1, but he got a cute little (suitable for framing) gift certificate.

Smile at people, give someone a helping hand along the way, willingly let the other person go first, ask someone if they would like you to take a family picture so everyone is in it...doing these things not only brighten the days of other folks...but add to your enjoyment as well.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

My #1 tip is to get up early and be at the park for when it opens, or as close to opening as you can! Before the park opens breakfasts are great for this.

The amount of "stuff" you can see and do in the first couple of hours that the park is open is incredible, compared to later in the day.

Also, this allows you to come back and enjoy the resort and the pool in the afternoon.

We also have a mental list of the things we "must do" in each park, the rest is just bonus to us.