January Tips & Tricks -
1. Review the Disney website prior to booking
2. Review dining menus to see if you are interested in any
3. Children ages 3 and up need a Park ticket and Park Reservation
4. Children of any age need to be included on your dining reservation
5. Children of any age need to be included in your Resort reservation
6. Regardless if your child eats a full meal or a roll, you will be charged the full amount at a pre-fixed price meal (e.g., character dining, etc) for ages 3 and up. Check the website for those that are pre-fixed pricing.
7. You need to be 18+ to rent the ECV's at the Parks. ECV's are 1st come, 1st served at the Parks.
8. Check the Park operational times. They may change from your original booking
9. MDE is a great asset for finding out what time shows start, where meet and greets are, ride line times
10. Penny machines (except for @2) no longer accept change
11. The Parks will not send your purchases back to your Resort
12. There are lockers in each Park
13. Strollers rental in the Parks are first come, first serve. You can not pre-reserve them
14. Purchase something when you see it. It may not be there later.
15. Yes there are various Events thru out the year at Disney - dance, gymnastic, cheer, parties, private events, etc. No need to panic
16. Check weather apps to see how to pack. Weather changes. It rains. There's hurricanes. It's hot. It can get cold.
17. Get travel insurance
18. Check your health insurance for travel coverage
19. Your best answer on canceling, refunding, etc is directly from Disney
20. 1971 Disney is not 2023 Disney
21. Disney is not your local amusement Park
22. You can bring food & drinks (non-alcoholic) into the Parks (no glass containers). Ice must be in "bags" and not loose in a cooler.
23. Wagons are not allowed. If you see one, there's a reason it was allowed and leave it at that.
24. There are no "best snacks" to bring in the Parks for your kids. Bring what they like
25. So much info can be found by directly searching the website
26. Ticket prices vary depending on date
27. Don't make promises you don't have - BBB, character dining, droid building, etc
28. Every budget differs. There is no set price to bring daily into the Parks
29. Treat going to Disney like any other vacation you plan - research, research.
30. Enjoy your trip !!
31. Checking the TSA website will tell you what you can carry
32. Your airline will give you the best info on canceling, bag allowance, etc
33. Bring or rent a stroller if you feel your child needs it. You know best
34. Every foot & body is different. No "best shoes" to wear
35. You can't trade dining reservations
36. Dining reservations can be booked at 6am EST (yes, maybe 5:45 occasionally) 60 days prior. If staying on property you can book 60 days prior and for the length of your trip up to 10 days. Split stays restart your 60 day date.
37. Enchanting Extra's can be booked at midnight EST 60 days prior. If staying on property you can book 60 days prior and for the length of your trip up to 10 days. Split stays restart your 60 day date.
38. Carseats - follow the Florida State rules for the safest way.
38. Refillable mugs - only refillable at Resorts; not at the Parks. Currently $21.99 plua tax. You may be able to reuse them but will be charged current price to reactivate the chip.
39. There are Baby Care Centers in each Park
40. There is no 100% way to know what the crowds will be like. You can expect higher crowds on holidays, school vacations, etc.
41. Return of dining plans has not been announced
42. Return of AP's has not been announced (besides the ones for FL residents)
43. Just because your cousins neighbors friends aunt was able to do something, doesn't mean you will be able to
44. Take screen shots of your reservations. There are occasional blips in the computer system
45. Price of Uber/Lyft varies. Use their website for a quote.
46. Florida has hurricane season. Prepare accordingly.
47. Review the Group Rules prior to posting. Might save you a bit of a hastle.
48. Parks close early for certain events. Yes you need an ticket specific to these events (MVMCP, MNSSHP, After Hours, etc) to stay past the regular admission hours.
49. The airports are busy. Certain times of the year. Give yourself enough time. Give yourself even more time than you think you need.
50. CM's are human too. They are working while you are on vacation. If you wouldn't speak to your boss, grandparent, etc in a certain way - don't speak to CM's in that way.
51. Remember to cancel dining 2+ hours to reservation to avoid charges.
52. Breathe. The Magic is still there. 99% of it depends on you.
53. Don't forget to tip - car service, dining, Mousekeeping, Valet, Bell Service, Concierge, etc
54. Acronyms -
MDE- My Disney Experience (app you need on your phone)
EVC- Electric scooters
MK- Magic Kingdom
AK- Animal Kingdom
HS- Hollywood Studios
GF- Grand Floridian
AOA- Art of Animation
CBR- Caribbean Beach Resort
POR- Port Orleans Riverside
POFQ- Port Orleans French Quarter
SOG- Shades of Green Resort
AS_-All Star (Movies/Music/Sports)
YC/BC- Yacht Club/Beach Club
BWI- Boardwalk Inn
AKL- Animal Kingdom Lodge
ROR- Rise of the Resistance
GOTG- Guardians of the Galaxy
VQ- Virtual queue
LL- Lightning lane for Genie+
ILL- Individual Lightning Lane ($)
DAS- Disability Access Service
TTC- Ticket and Transportation Center (parking for MK)
MVMCP- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
MNSSHP- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
DS - Disney Springs
WoD - World of Disney
55. Strollers need to be folded on certain transportation (Trams, buses, etc).
56. You no longer pay to park at your Resort if staying on property.
57. Resort activities are posted in each Lobby of the Resort.
58. Pools are open all year round. They are heated. Personal preference if it's warm enough to swim.
59. In the Featured section in this Group are links to 3rd party things - Travel Agents, stroller rentals, scooter rentals, grocery delivery, nanny service, etc.
