Wednesday, May 2, 2012

We're Going to Disney World! (Tips and Tricks)

It's true. We're going to Disney World! This weekend. And our girls don't know yet! You had better believe that we'll be videoing/photographing the announcement to capture their reaction to the news. I think I'm as excited as they're going to be. T and I have both experienced Disney World before, but never with children. Today's post is a fabulous round-up of Disney tips and tricks that I have been rounding up on my Pinterest page for a few months now.


Here are my Top 20 Tips (sites, posts, reviews, etc.) that I could find. Pictures, dining, resorts, park planning, you name it!

And I'd love to know your best tips too!

*Please be sure to Pin directly from the original source, which is clearly listed below each photo. It's one extra step, but it ensures that each person gets credit for his/her own work.

Great comprehensive list of tips:




Packing List, from Zensible Mama:



Photo Tips for Disney:



Who doesn't want to save some cash at Disney?



More great packing tips (things I hadn't thought of!):



Tips and reviews:



More money saving tips from Travel and Leisure:




Pack the perfect backpack for the parks:



Southern Living's tips from a travel agent:




Park Planning site:



Disney World Bucket List!




Best quick-service meals:



Line-up of Restaurants and Menus:



Packing, packing, packing!




Age Appropriate Rides:




Great planning website!




The mother-ship for all Disney planning:




Disney Passport for Epcot:



Disney Tips from a true SUPERMOM:




FREE things to do at Disney:


For the sake of true procrastination, I have put off making a packing list, doing laundry, and purchasing extras. But rest assured that the girls each have several newly crafted (by me) Disney-themed items for the trip because let's think about the important things here, people.

I did, however, have the foresight to plan ahead here on the blog so that you lovely readers will have interesting things to inspire you here while I am gone. My Weekend Bloggy Reading link party will go on as usual, and I have a simply fabulous line-up of guest posters for the other days. Please be sure to drop in!


If you have a Disney TIP or travel recap-related post, please feel free to leave the link in the comments. I know I'd love to browse, and I'm sure there are other readers who could benefit from your post as well. I am considering doing a party round-up of all things Disney (which would include food and crafts) when we return. So for now, please leave posts with tips or travel recaps only. I will totally delete spammy stuff. Thanks for understanding!

I'm off to pack...Friday morning will be here before we know it!

What's your best Disney tip?

19 comments:

  1. How fun! I'm sure your girls' reaction will be priceless. I have a friend who is on the 2012 Disney Mom's panel. They have a great forum where you can ask the panel any questions that you may have: http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/

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  2. A surprises trip sounds so cool. I hope we are able to take our children to Disney Wprld someday. I loved going as a child. Have fun!

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  3. Oh my goodness! How fun! I can't imagine how hysterical the girls will be when they find out, are you guys driving or flying? Last time I went I was 15 but I've NEVER forgotten it, I hope you get to go to Animal Kingdom, that was my absolute favorite park. Hope you have an amazing, FUN & safe trip!

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  4. Your girls are going to be so excited! I can't wait to see all the fun stuff you've made and hear all about your trip! Thanks for including my tips in your roundup too:)

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  5. Thank you so much for this! We leave the 17th, with our 6 & 4 year olds, who don't know we're going either. So exciting! I can't wait to read all about your trip. Thanks again for all the great tips!

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  6. Are you going to buy the PhotoPass CD? If so, when we went it was $50 cheaper to buy before you left for the trip.

    Here is a link to a post I did on getting your $$ worth from your photopass.
    http://lifeonthebaybush.blogspot.com/2012/02/disney-pictures.html

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  7. Also, we had the girls' silhoettes done in the Magic Kingdom. They are only $8 each and you get two copies. They were MY favorite souvenier from the trip by far!

    There is a person cutting them on the right side of Main Street on your way in and another if you look to your left when standing in front of the castle. It only took about 5 minutes each.

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  8. How fun! I can't wait to see the girls' reaction!! Have a blast!

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  9. So fun! Can't wait to hear all about it! And thanks for sharing all those tips :)

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  10. That is so wonderful for you and your family!! Have a great time! I love Disney. Can't wait to go again.

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  11. HAVE FUN!! I am so excited for you. We've done Disney a few times. My advice to you is sneak in wine, beer or any libation of your choice. It will make the long lines, smelly people and screaming kids much more bearable.
    JK....well, maybe not.

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  12. I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU! Like, I'm squealing over here. This is such fun and your family is going to have a ball! My cousins took their sons to Disney as a surprise last year and the video of them finding out was a RIOT!

    Have tons of fun and give Mickey a hug for me.

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  13. Have a fabulous trip! It looks like you've spent a lot of time planning out your trip and learning tricks to make navigating Disney easy. Your girls are the perfect age for this and I can only imagine how excited they are going to be when they find out where they are going.

    Have fun and be safe!

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  14. Oh, Amanda!! Good for you!!! I knew you were going to be out of town for a few days, but I never imagined you were going to Disney World! I hope the trip goes without a hitch and that you all four have a wonderful time. Great round-up of tips you've provided here!

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  15. I LOVE Disneyworld. It never, ever gets old for me and I have been there many times. Get there early. It's worth setting the alarm. Definitely work the Fast Pass system--don't wait in long lines. Take advantage of their baby swap if one of the girls doesn't want to go on a ride--your other daughter can ride twice, once with you and once with your husband! If you're going out to eat, book the latest lunch time available--it will be cheaper than the dinner prices but still close enough to dinnertime. And stay for the fireworks at each park! Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios is our personal favorite.

    Most importantly: enjoy spending this time with your family!!! :)

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  16. How exciting!!! Visiting Cinderalla's castle at Disney World is on my bucket list! ;) Have so much fun!!!

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  17. So excited for you! we went to Disneyland last summer and it was amazing.

    Jessica
    stayathomeista.com

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  18. Good for you!

    We are Disneyland pros.....so I've compiled a list of Land options....but if you have the time to peruse thru (it's one page, just one on the website), you might find something that could adapt.

    www.disneylandcrush.blogspot.com

    Most of my tips are for saving sanity and saving money. You could adapt my ideas to your trip if you wish. Hope I can help! Take a look at the parades, specifically, with what to bring and what to dress as.

    And, if you have a girl, I can't say enough about the Bippidi Boppidi Boutique. Even boys can particpate. In my opinion, it's the best value at the park. Seriously. $50 for a full makeover into princess stardom with little touches which will bring tears to your eyes. And, if you have a boy, they can participate, too. I thought this would be totally ridiculous cost wise, and I was pleasantly surprised. Go for it!

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  19. Thank you for this great list! We are going to disney world in January and this is very helpful in our planning process!

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