More tips - hope they help!

Here are some more tips to help you plan. I can't guarantee that all of these tips will work as described - some we've tried, some I've only read about. But having followed many tips on previous trips, they are usually pretty reliable. We've even come up with a few of our own!

1. Pack outfits together (even in gallon-sized zip-lock bags). This is especially helpful for children. When you get ready each day, each person's outfit is all together (socks, undies, hairbows, etc.) and you don't have to rummage through an entire suitcase to find a pair of socks! This also helps assure you haven't forgotten anything BEFORE you leave home.

2. At the end of each day, put dirty clothes back into your empty suitcase (we always put our clothes in the drawers and closet when we travel). This saves a lot of time when you are ready to load up.

3. A great place to view the Wishes fireworks display at the Magic Kingdom is the area between Mickey's Philharmagic and the Carousel. The view is apparently terrific if you like fireworks exploding almost directly over your head.

4. If you watch the Spectromagic parade from near its starting point (near Town Hall), you can then easily get to Adventureland and Frontierland when the parade finishes. That way, you can see the parade and still catch some rides while most people are still watching along the parade route!

5. When you are leaving the Magic Kingdom after the fireworks, instead of taking the monorail directly to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC), try taking the monorail to the Resorts. The first stop is the Contemporary Resort and the second stop is the TTC! The line is usually much shorter and you can often get there faster than people standing in the other line. (Note: My experience has been that, even though the crowds and the lines are intimidating, the monorails come by frequently and the lines move pretty quickly. You just have to have a little patience and a good attitude - everyone is tired and anxious to get back to their resort.)

6. Also, regarding park closings, most people assume that the park closes ater the fireworks are over. This isn't always the case. There are nights when the park stays open a little later. It you want to avoid the biggest crowds, if the park isn't closing yet, head back to the attractions while most people are making the big push to the exit!

7. There is a "hidden" exit near the Plaza Restaurant - they open a portion of fencing that goes behind Main Street USA and let crowds exit after the fireworks. It is MUCH less crowded and, I think, a few steps closer to the front. We have done this more than once and highly recommend this exit.

8. Take advantage of the baby care centers. There is one located in each of the four parks. They are air-conditioned areas for parents with infants and toddlers. There are rocking chairs, changing stations and toddler-sized potty chairs. You can also get diapers and other necessities you may have run out of or forgotten. It sounds like a great place to take a break with a little one (or big one) who has hit the wall. Sometimes just a short break away from the stimulation can recharge everybody!

9. Don't forget to go to Guest Services at the front of any park and get your FREE button if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary during the trip, or if it is your first trip to Disney World. Wearing one of these buttons gets you a little extra attention from cast members!

10. Monday is historically a TERRIBLE day to visit the Magic Kingdom. It is one of the busiest days there, regardless of the season. I have also read to consider saving the Magic Kingdom as the last park to visit. After seeing the MK, nothing else seems quite as "magical".

I hope you are enjoying the anticipation of our big trip. It's so much fun planning, and trying to get things "just right" so we all have a wonderful time. I've got a couple of special things I'm working on - hopefully I can pull them off!!!

Hot Tips

Thanks, Amanda, for sending your Attraction Priorities list and your dining list. I will soon get started sorting through schedules! A lot of detailed scheduling will have to wait until we have access to park hours. These come out 6 months in advance. This is also the time we can begin making Advance Dining Reservations (ADR's). We can make the first one on May 29th!

Here are some tips - maybe some you haven't run across yet....

1. Save money at counter service restaurants by ordering entrees without the sides. By ordering a sandwich without the fries, you can often save over $2.00!

2. Get a Fastpass for Toy Story Midway Mania as soon as you arrive at DHS. This attraction is very popular and can run out of Fastpasses by 12pm.

3. Unlike other counter service locations, drink refills are free at the Backlot Express Restaurant at DHS.

4. All WDW purchases can be sent to the resort gift shop for free. Just go to the gift shop and pack it up!

5. While staying at a WDW resort, be sure to request a wake-up call. You will receive a special start to your day from a very special WDW dignitary! Just be sure to let your little one answer the phone!!

6. Everyone talks about how expensive the food is at WDW, but the servings are HUGE! Two people can easily share one meal.

7. Another dining tip, a good time for your dinner reservation is actually a late lunch. Menus are similar, but prices are generally less.

8. A good way to save time is to start your day at the back of the park and work your way forward. It can also help to start your day by going to the left - most people are naturally drawn to the right (plus Space Mountain is to the right).

9. You may find it better to avoid any Extra Magic Hours park (even when staying at a WDW resort) to miss the big crowds.

10. Lines to many rides get shorter about an hour before a parade as people start lining up for the parade. If you've already seen the parade (or don't really care), this is good time to ride the more popular rides.

11. Shops at the Magic Kingdom and DHS stay open one hour after the last attraction has closed, so you can save your last minute shopping until the very last minute and not miss any late night rides!

Hope some of these are helpful. I'll post more later. Let me know if you come across any tips that you really like and want to share with everyone. Hope you are all having fun planning your trip!!!!

Duh....

Okay, so I've been fighting with my blog for weeks trying to figure out why I can't get my posts to publish. I just figured out that my font had switched to white for some reason.... I will get an update out soon. Sorry about my technical deficiencies....!