Twitterpated Dad
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2007
Smart!!! Will try that next time[/quote]
If I can take another day off, I'll be spending it at WDW! 
Our last trip was 16 days and we still didn't do it all. 
Any MISTAKES made on past trips?
- Thread starter psiprez
- Start date
Smart!!! Will try that next time[/quote]
If I can take another day off, I'll be spending it at WDW! Our last trip was 16 days and we still didn't do it all. Enjoyed reading this thread.
Regarding going with friends... We have gone on two vacations with another family - both to CA. Disneyland and a week at the beach. The trips went well because we all made it clear to one another PRIOR to the trip that we wanted to do our own things - and no feelings hurt. We stayed in different rooms and each had our own cars. The best thing was that we had cell phones. We would call one another every now and then to find out who was where and sometimes could meet up. Rides, restaurants, beach, etc. It was nice to occasionally have adult conversation with other adults while the kids hung out at their end of the table. Since there are no expectations, I would travel with them again.
I also ditto the snack thing - I always take too much. I've gotten better over the years on the clothes. Always casual, comfortable and two pairs of tennis shoes per person and who cares if you aren't dressed in the newest styles. Nobody knows us! For a family of 4, we check 2 large suitcases and two small backpack carryons for the plane. We have taken 3 week vacations before and just do laundry. Less stress for us (well, really for me - I do all the packing).
For those who shared their dh packing experiences. Mine is the opposite. We've planned 3 week trips before and he grabs a couple of pair of underwear, a pair of shorts and maybe 3 shirts. I always have to talk him into bringing more.
Regarding going with friends... We have gone on two vacations with another family - both to CA. Disneyland and a week at the beach. The trips went well because we all made it clear to one another PRIOR to the trip that we wanted to do our own things - and no feelings hurt. We stayed in different rooms and each had our own cars. The best thing was that we had cell phones. We would call one another every now and then to find out who was where and sometimes could meet up. Rides, restaurants, beach, etc. It was nice to occasionally have adult conversation with other adults while the kids hung out at their end of the table. Since there are no expectations, I would travel with them again.
I also ditto the snack thing - I always take too much. I've gotten better over the years on the clothes. Always casual, comfortable and two pairs of tennis shoes per person and who cares if you aren't dressed in the newest styles. Nobody knows us! For a family of 4, we check 2 large suitcases and two small backpack carryons for the plane. We have taken 3 week vacations before and just do laundry. Less stress for us (well, really for me - I do all the packing).
For those who shared their dh packing experiences. Mine is the opposite. We've planned 3 week trips before and he grabs a couple of pair of underwear, a pair of shorts and maybe 3 shirts. I always have to talk him into bringing more.
mjh8955
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2001
This is more funny than a mistake. When our daughter was young, about 4 or so, she was at the World of Disney store picking out a souvenir. She was going through pink plastic princess glasses on a big display, checking out each one of them. Which we thought was strange at the time, because they were all identical. These cups played a song when you tipped them over. A little pricey, but cute. She selected "THE ONE", we paid for it and left. When we got home after the trip I was unpacking everything and noticed that her plastic glass did not play music when I tipped it. I thought it had been damaged in the suitcase. "Oh no Mommy", she said, "I went through all of them until I found one that didn't play music because I didn't want it to". So we paid a premium price for a broken cup when we could have just directed her to the "silent" type for a fraction of the price. We have checked our kids' souvenir choices a little more carefully ever since.
1. I regret not sticking to my guns and seeing the entertainment at the various lands in Epcot during our last trip. I'm still pouting...2 years later! 
When we go back to WDW next fall, I have informed all those who are traveling with me, that this is MOM's vacation too! The 2 sons who are going with us are grown so they can just hop the monorail over to MK or take the boat to MGM if they don't want to do what MOM wants to do this time. "There is such a thing as cell phones to keep in contact"...I told them.
2. I regret trying to do way too much in one day....EPCOT, Osbourne Lights at MGM, and HM at the Magic Kingdom. The only attractions I saw in Future World were Soarin' and Test Track. I learned that just because you have Park Hoppers, doesn't mean you actually have to "hop". WDW isn't like DL where the 2 parks are within 5 mins. walk of each other.
3. Buying way too much food for the villa. We probably left a good $50 worth in the fridge when we left for home.
4. Not being prepared (mentally) for the humidity in Florida. We were gasping for air like a fish out of water the first few hours after landing at MCO.
5. Not renting an EVC the very first day in the parks. I have an inherited disorder on the soles of my feet that causes areas of hardening of the skin that makes it feel like I'm walking on sharp rocks...not to mention that I inherited flat feet from my grandfather as well. (thank you Grandpa
)
6. And the biggest mistake we made last time was not arranging for GPS in our car rental. What a nightmare it was driving around the Orlando area without one.
Never again!
When we go back to WDW next fall, I have informed all those who are traveling with me, that this is MOM's vacation too! The 2 sons who are going with us are grown so they can just hop the monorail over to MK or take the boat to MGM if they don't want to do what MOM wants to do this time. "There is such a thing as cell phones to keep in contact"...I told them.
2. I regret trying to do way too much in one day....EPCOT, Osbourne Lights at MGM, and HM at the Magic Kingdom.
The only attractions I saw in Future World were Soarin' and Test Track. I learned that just because you have Park Hoppers, doesn't mean you actually have to "hop". WDW isn't like DL where the 2 parks are within 5 mins. walk of each other. 3. Buying way too much food for the villa. We probably left a good $50 worth in the fridge when we left for home.
4. Not being prepared (mentally) for the humidity in Florida. We were gasping for air like a fish out of water the first few hours after landing at MCO.
5. Not renting an EVC the very first day in the parks. I have an inherited disorder on the soles of my feet that causes areas of hardening of the skin that makes it feel like I'm walking on sharp rocks...not to mention that I inherited flat feet from my grandfather as well. (thank you Grandpa
)6. And the biggest mistake we made last time was not arranging for GPS in our car rental. What a nightmare it was driving around the Orlando area without one.
Never again!
SGMCO
Vintage Style is Sweet--Rumbleseat Fashions
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2007
I lost my wallet in DTD when I was trying to contact
Disney Visa Card Company to cancel card,
I realized that I had NO Phone Number anywhere.
Had to call our Disney Resort and lucky
they had Disney Visa Customer Service #.
The Disney Visa booth in DTD never did open
(we waited for anyone to show up, but no one came)
So, never go anywhere without having an extra copy of important
phone #s in a different location than in your Wallet.
Disney Visa Card Company to cancel card,
I realized that I had NO Phone Number anywhere.
Had to call our Disney Resort and lucky
they had Disney Visa Customer Service #.
The Disney Visa booth in DTD never did open
(we waited for anyone to show up, but no one came)
So, never go anywhere without having an extra copy of important
phone #s in a different location than in your Wallet.
Overpacking, the dates we chose, and planning all of our days according to the EEH schedule!
Next time I am cutting way down on clothes and we are using (for the most part) a reverse strategy... we are going to the parks without EEH (I bet they are a lot less crowded).
We are also going later (went August 30-Sept 10)... by checking in on the 14th (through the 27th) we will not only avoid the big "Labor Day crowd" but we should be there for the fall/Halloween decorations!
Next time I am cutting way down on clothes and we are using (for the most part) a reverse strategy... we are going to the parks without EEH (I bet they are a lot less crowded).
We are also going later (went August 30-Sept 10)... by checking in on the 14th (through the 27th) we will not only avoid the big "Labor Day crowd" but we should be there for the fall/Halloween decorations!
1. I regret not sticking to my guns and seeing the entertainment at the various lands in Epcot during our last trip. I'm still pouting...2 years later!
When we go back to WDW next fall, I have informed all those who are traveling with me, that this is MOM's vacation too! The 2 sons who are going with us are grown so they can just hop the monorail over to MK or take the boat to MGM if they don't want to do what MOM wants to do this time. "There is such a thing as cell phones to keep in contact"...I told them.
2. I regret trying to do way too much in one day....EPCOT, Osbourne Lights at MGM, and HM at the Magic Kingdom.
3. Buying way too much food for the villa. We probably left a good $50 worth in the fridge when we left for home.
4. Not being prepared (mentally) for the humidity in Florida. We were gasping for air like a fish out of water the first few hours after landing at MCO.
5. Not renting an EVC the very first day in the parks. I have an inherited disorder on the soles of my feet that causes areas of hardening of the skin that makes it feel like I'm walking on sharp rocks...not to mention that I inherited flat feet from my grandfather as well. (thank you Grandpa
6. And the biggest mistake we made last time was not arranging for GPS in our car rental. What a nightmare it was driving around the Orlando area without one.
I agree totally! The first 1/2 of our trip was spent with me on the first few benches inside MGM & Epcot. I have bad knees, need a knee replacement in one ASAP and the other soon, and use a cane. I refused to let my hubby and teenage son push me in a w/c and held out on the EVC's. I truly wasted 4+ days! I finally relented our first day at MK... I saw that castle and knew I was not going to spend that day (or the 5 after it) on a bench until closing!
I rented an EVC and actually did things! 
Good for you...
do what you want to do as well! 1,3, & 5 are mistakes we made as well, as have many others I am sure! This thread will help many others (open their eyes a bit or make others aware of things they did not know)! I have taken many a notes and put them in my WDW packet! ENJOY your upcoming trip!
planetcaravan19f
Wish I could be...part of that "WORLD"!!
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
bump
SpartanMouse
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2007
Planning too much... done that, big mistake. Enjoy the thrills as they come, there are TONS of them.
(Oh, and I learned that a lunch time nap is better than a late afternoon nap. If you get there early enough, noon-ish is a good time to skip out and relax.)
(Oh, and I learned that a lunch time nap is better than a late afternoon nap. If you get there early enough, noon-ish is a good time to skip out and relax.)
SpartanMouse
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2007
Wait wait, I thought of another one. Waiting too long to get in the stadium for Fantasmic... oh my goodness!
It's just not the same all the way in the top, back corner.
It's just not the same all the way in the top, back corner.
alysnwndrlnd
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2007
--Mistakes--...Learning experiences:
#1. Letting DH pack...(he wound up with 2 shirts, besides the one he was wearing at the time... i wound up doing laundry... which turned into kind of a good thing.. i got to "escape" after DS (5) and he had crashed.. walked to the laundry building, started them up, and did some shopping in the gift shop (blessedly alone), then put them in the dryer and spent some time pool side, on a warm november night.
#2. Having to buy $14.00 batteries because I left my replacements IN THE HOTEL ROOM! DOH!
#3. Thinking that higher price equals better food. It seemed the more expensive the food, the less appetizing it was. Our best meal: Burgers/Fries/Chicken at Starlight Cafe. Our best buffet: BOMA Our least favorites: Portabella Yacht Club, Rose & Crown.
#4. Taking a 5 year old to Epcot.
#5. Not a mistake, but something I will do in the future, is buy one (or two) more smart discs for my digital camera. I had to purchase two kodak picture CDs so that I could save my photos I'd taken the first three days. (and I have the largest memory size smart discs).
Things we did right:
#1. Not taking our huge fold up stroller. Cant tell you how many dads and moms we saw wrestling with their stroller getting it on and off the buses, trams, trains, etc...
#2. Using the buses. Even though we stood up for about half the trips we took, the relief of not having to navigate, use gas, find parking, etc. was soooo worth it. It was nice to get on the bus after a long day, and just relax too.
#3. Bottomless mugs as the Resort. DH is a major "coke head"...
#4. Not buying any souvenirs until the last few days.
#5. Using our Disney Reward Dollars for the bulk of the trip (our resort/ticket package, and about half our food).
#6. Stopping at Ormond beach on the way down for a few hours. As anxious as we were to get to WDW, it was a nice relaxing retreat before hitting the crowds. I think next time we'll do this on the way down, AND on the way back.
#7. Finding a good deal on a dorm refrigerator and borrowing a friends mini-microwave, for our week long stay at AllStar Music. Packing breakfast, snack, and lunch foods saved a good bit of money, and kept us from being too hungry and snacking too much in the parks.
#8. Not trying to do "everything" everyday. In fact, our first evening there we decided not to do a park, and instead went to DTD. We ended up not using two days worth of park tickets because we didnt want to PUSH all the time.
#9. Letting our son (who turned five while we were there) set the pace, and destination more often than not for "his day" in the MK. We only vetoed his choices when safety was an issue or when we knew something he didn't understand. We wound up having a very special moment with him and Mickey at the end of the evening in MK one night. This is the kid who refused to have anything to do with the characters.. wouldn't talk to them, get photos taken with them, or associate with them... so after trying to get him to "meet" several of them the first half day, we gave up... when picking the "next place" to go, he wanted the Judges Tent. We tried to tell him what it was, but he insisted... so off we went. He was tentative at first, but wound up shaking Mickey's hand, getting pictures with him and talking to him. Amazing!
#10. READING THE DIS BOARDS and listening to the DIS PODCAST!!
#1. Letting DH pack...(he wound up with 2 shirts, besides the one he was wearing at the time... i wound up doing laundry... which turned into kind of a good thing.. i got to "escape" after DS (5) and he had crashed.. walked to the laundry building, started them up, and did some shopping in the gift shop (blessedly alone), then put them in the dryer and spent some time pool side, on a warm november night.
#2. Having to buy $14.00 batteries because I left my replacements IN THE HOTEL ROOM! DOH!
#3. Thinking that higher price equals better food. It seemed the more expensive the food, the less appetizing it was. Our best meal: Burgers/Fries/Chicken at Starlight Cafe. Our best buffet: BOMA Our least favorites: Portabella Yacht Club, Rose & Crown.
#4. Taking a 5 year old to Epcot.
#5. Not a mistake, but something I will do in the future, is buy one (or two) more smart discs for my digital camera. I had to purchase two kodak picture CDs so that I could save my photos I'd taken the first three days. (and I have the largest memory size smart discs).
Things we did right:
#1. Not taking our huge fold up stroller. Cant tell you how many dads and moms we saw wrestling with their stroller getting it on and off the buses, trams, trains, etc...
#2. Using the buses. Even though we stood up for about half the trips we took, the relief of not having to navigate, use gas, find parking, etc. was soooo worth it. It was nice to get on the bus after a long day, and just relax too.
#3. Bottomless mugs as the Resort. DH is a major "coke head"...
#4. Not buying any souvenirs until the last few days.
#5. Using our Disney Reward Dollars for the bulk of the trip (our resort/ticket package, and about half our food).
#6. Stopping at Ormond beach on the way down for a few hours. As anxious as we were to get to WDW, it was a nice relaxing retreat before hitting the crowds. I think next time we'll do this on the way down, AND on the way back.
#7. Finding a good deal on a dorm refrigerator and borrowing a friends mini-microwave, for our week long stay at AllStar Music. Packing breakfast, snack, and lunch foods saved a good bit of money, and kept us from being too hungry and snacking too much in the parks.
#8. Not trying to do "everything" everyday. In fact, our first evening there we decided not to do a park, and instead went to DTD. We ended up not using two days worth of park tickets because we didnt want to PUSH all the time.
#9. Letting our son (who turned five while we were there) set the pace, and destination more often than not for "his day" in the MK. We only vetoed his choices when safety was an issue or when we knew something he didn't understand. We wound up having a very special moment with him and Mickey at the end of the evening in MK one night. This is the kid who refused to have anything to do with the characters.. wouldn't talk to them, get photos taken with them, or associate with them... so after trying to get him to "meet" several of them the first half day, we gave up... when picking the "next place" to go, he wanted the Judges Tent. We tried to tell him what it was, but he insisted... so off we went. He was tentative at first, but wound up shaking Mickey's hand, getting pictures with him and talking to him. Amazing!
#10. READING THE DIS BOARDS and listening to the DIS PODCAST!!
Flower Power
Been there, done that, but can't wait to go again!
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2007
I don't know if you are aware but there are fridge swaps on the disboard that will enable you to have a fridge for nearly and in some cases entirely free! And you don't have to lug it there yourself. Some of the swaps include microwaves and coffee pots also. Check out any of the Budget Board threads that refer to "fridge swaps"
DisneyShannon
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2007
not getting a hotel room on the first floor. Took way to many snacks.
took all our family to Dis 12/2-12/7, and ended making all arrangements for everyone, then getting to the parks everyone wanted to follow us since we have been there many times. I was so busy making their dreams come true that I missed so much. Herding a group of 11 was a full time job making sure they were where they were to be to eat seat down meals, attending parades and shows.
Think I will plan on going back next year solo same time to just catch the stuff I missed and relax. But saying all that I did so enjoy seeing Disney in the eyes of all those that had not been before even the adults eyes were a true gift to experience.
So to answer your questions making more time for myself.
Think I will plan on going back next year solo same time to just catch the stuff I missed and relax. But saying all that I did so enjoy seeing Disney in the eyes of all those that had not been before even the adults eyes were a true gift to experience.
So to answer your questions making more time for myself.
Jaymie
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2006
Our first trip in 1997, I had my husband pack a whole case of beer in his carry on. And it wasn't the kind with wheels, so he had to carry it all through the airports. I was worried that he wouldn't be able to have a few beers in the room. Who knew that they sold beer in each resort.
He didn't really want to go to WDW and I was afraid he would hate it and never go back. Turns out he loved it, except the carrying a case of beer around the airports part.
Who knew that they sold beer in each resort.He didn't really want to go to WDW and I was afraid he would hate it and never go back. Turns out he loved it, except the carrying a case of beer around the airports part.
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