Duty Free: My Advise to Future Disney Travelers

Thanks in a very large part to my In-laws; I have just returned from a great trip to Walt’s World.  Or rather Worlds, as there are 4, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios.  The trip was our families first and included my sons’ first flight, first upside down roller coaster, and the first TV in the bedroom experience for the kids (which strangely I think will be what they remember most).  Prior to leaving we did our homework, bought a planning book, reviewed the web and took advice from those who have ventured before us.  In fact advice is so common and forthcoming, I feel obligated to pass on my experiences, as if it was a final atonement prior to being allowed to return. So lest I piss of the Mouse god who started it all, the following are my thoughts and experiences.

But first some back ground.  We stayed 7 days in a rented house just outside of the parks in a community called Windsor Hills.  House had 4 bedrooms a screen enclosed pool, patio, and a kitchen…..everything we needed.  (excepting dishwasher soap, hand soap, or sharp knives).  We were able to leave the house and navigate to any of the parks in less than 15 minutes, door to gate.  Parking was 15 per day, and the Disney people know how to run a parking lot…trams were quick and painless.  We would typically hit the parks in the AM and stay as long as the kids had energy, then go home cook a dinner while the kids hit the pool.  On a few days we left the park prior to lunch chilled at home then returned for the evening. We hit every major ride and attraction in the 4 parks, Dumbo through Tower of Terror, Stitch through Energy.

Everyone in Disney is helpful.  When they say “how can I help you?” they mean it.  Not like us New Jersey types who use the phrase to mean, get out of my face.  Ask for help and you will be surprised.  We got free stuff, made it to the front of the line and generally were happy….the vat of Kool-aid must be huge because everyone drinks it.

Disney Fast Pass is worth it!  We waited a maximum of 15 minutes the entire time we were there.  The fast pass gives you a ticket with an hour bracket to return where you get to skip the line….this is a must.  When combined with the I-Phone app that shows you real time waits and maps, we were able to get a fast pass, head to a ride or two without a line, then return for the fast pass.  No down time.  It was great, but we criss-crossed the parks several times, lots of walking.

Take good shoes.  We walked 4 miles a day, on hot pavement.  If your shoes are stylish, they are the wrong shoe for the parks.  We used Keen sandals for adults and kids alike and were able to get through just fine.  You want something that dries quickly but has good cushioning.  Also since you are already carrying a backpack add a few band aids and mole skin to get on anything your kid complains about before it becomes a blister.  Sore feet = pissy kid= pissy parental unit.

Take a backpack: Bottled water is $3.78 per pint, we went through 10 pints a visit.  Do the math, even if you have to buy the backpack it’s worth it. They search the bags for evil doers, sharp stuff, and glass, but it was quick.  Freeze some the night before and drink them as they melt.  Refill from the others to keep cold water in the kids.  Also in almost every ride the bag fit nicely in the car with me or my wife.  Bag is also good for snacks…Duh!

At no time where the rides too small for me, I fit everywhere.  This surprised me as I’m over 6’6” and on skinny days exceed 300 pounds.  Space Mountain was the tightest fit, but worth being jammed in the car.

Disney does not sell gum.  Ok I get it, they don’t want it on the ground in the parks.  However the airport doesn’t sell it either.  So on the return trip if you like gum to help relieve the pressure in your ears, buy it on the way to the airport.

The parks are worth seeing at night, everything lights up, fireworks, a cool parade with lights, and nifty light saber like LED toys for the kids to play ninja with. Epcot especially is cool at night.  Really, the counties in Epcot were “lame” for the kids during the day, but at night became cool, plus Epcot serves some good booze, which you may be more interested in after 5 than before 11.  The Magic kingdom does an excellent show with fireworks at night.  We were most impressed with the light show on the castle.  Somehow they made it look like it was on fire….very cool.  The “Fantasmic” show at Hollywood studios is also worth seeing, the story is disjointed but the light show is amazing..

Some of the rides are loud, really loud, scare the kids loud.  Get disposable soft in the ear plugs for young kids at CVS.  It’s a 5 dollar fix that will help them brave the loudest rides and keep them from fearing the next ride.  The Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom was the worst offender.

The monorail is neat, but it breaks down and can be crowded.  I think at times we made it home faster than those in our party who stayed on Disney property and used the Disney transit….so consider all your options before staying on Disney property.  Besides the pool attached to the living room was excellent at the rental house.

Disney restaurants are a mixed bag.  We heard great things, but frankly I was disappointed.  We ate at the Aquarium place in Epcot, Morocco in Epcot and did the Luau in the Polynesian, and my reviews in order are….Dismal, OK food, good service, Good show, OK food.  The dismal in the Aquarium place was due to horrible service (really the only sub excellent customer service of the entire trip) uninspired food, tiny portions, and a bad view.  In this place you look out into a large aquarium, however we were 50 feet from it, and it is so poorly lit you can barely see the fish.  If you want good food and a view of fish hit the Rainforest Café….that was great.

Lastly, Take Pictures.  All over the parks are Disney types with cameras who will take your picture, and then give you a card.  The card lets you collect the pictures from the pros for later perusal and purchase.  Be advised, the purchase at home for a digital copy is like 14 bucks each. However those same pros will also use your camera to take the same shot.  This is key.  They know how to take pictures and were very happy to use every camera handed to them, and are conveniently stationed in prime locations.  On our return we found no need to purchase any of the Disney shots because the pro took the same shot on our personal camera….cha ching!

Ok, I’m spent.  Hope this helps, I have done my duty. I now return this blog to its original slightly skewed, and highly opinionated programming.