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Category Archives: Tips and Tricks
Disney World Quick Tips…Someone You Can Always Count On
When you are far from home and you are having a problem or you have an issue that requires some assistance, trying to find help can be difficult at best. Fortunately, at Walt Disney World, that is absolutely not the case. There is always someone that you, a lost child, a confused senior (as I occasionally get) , or anybody in need can count on. That person is and always has been the closest Walt Disney World Cast Member. They are there for you and always ready to help no matter the problem.
One of the most frightening things a parent can face is to become separated from a child, a senior, or anyone else while in a place with which one or both of you may be unfamiliar. Another situation that can pop up is a medical issue that requires assistance. Cast Members are trained and equipped to get the appropriate help or provide it themselves depending on the issue. They can help, they want to help, and most important of all they will help.
The things that you as a visitor can do to make sure you can get the help you need is to make sure that everyone in your party knows that if they get lost, become separated, or need help with anything while at Walt Disney World seek out a Cast Member. Also make sure that everyone has each others contact information (cell# etc.) on their person. This is particularly important for children and my fellow seniors, particularly on a first visit. There is also another thing you can do which may or may not seem silly – make sure everyone knows what Cast Members look like, especially while in the parks where issues are most likely to occur. As you enter each park, ask your children to point out one or two Cast Members so you are confident in their ability to recognize them. Just one more, have a meeting place set up that everyone is aware of and can relate to a Cast Member. That will just make it easier on everyone.
Remember, at Walt Disney World, the Cast Members are the best group of friends you could ever have. You can rely on them. Enjoy your Walt Disney World visit and remember those Cast Members!!!
Ken
Disney World Quick Tips…Avoid Schlepping Souvenirs
Disney World Quick Tip…Avoid Schlepping Souvenirs
One thing I love to do at Walt Disney World is shop for souvenirs. Something I hate as much as I love shopping is carrying those things around all day long. There is an alternative, the “package delivery service” available at all Disney merchandise stores. Unfortunately, if you are staying off site, the service is not available to you. It is just one more of the perks for staying in a Disney resort. As you prepare to pay for your purchases just let the cashier know before he/she begins to ring up your items that you would like the items delivered to your resort. You give them the information they need i.e. name, resort, and anything else they require and you walk away from the cash register carrying only the receipt they give you. As if by Magic (yup – it’s Disney) the items will arrive at your resort approximately 24 hours later.
We use this service every visit and have never had an issue. There is one word of caution, you want to avoid using package delivery on the day before you check out because there are no guaranteed delivery times and since check out time at most resorts is 11:00 AM it’s very likely your packages will not arrive at your resort before you check out. You probably wouldn’t have time to pack them even if they got there in the morning because of the check out time. Based on our past experiences you can use the system with confidence. Enjoy your Walt Disney World visit (and the shopping too).
Ken
Planning an Affordable Disneyworld Vacation
Many times people ask us how to plan an Affordable Disneyworld Vacation. While we try to post tips and tricks as much as we can, but we have yet to put all those various things we have learned over the years into one location.
Not anymore…
Nancy one of our writers and founder of “The Affordable Mouse” a website and blog dedicated to helping folks plan affordable Disney vacations. Has come up up a full 50 Page planning guide to help assist you will all facets of your Disney World vacation.
To receive yours…
Click the tab at the top of the page that says Planning to sign up and receive your FREE copy today.
Disney World Quick Tips – Taking A Break While On The Run
A visit to Walt Disney World can be exhausting. Most experienced visitors will encourage you to take a break each day by going back to your resort for a dip in the pool and a short nap. Many of you know that is not always possible because of short visit time constraints, off site lodging, or any one of countless other reasons. We always try to take a break but are many times not successful. Cheer up, there are ways to take a break while still technically touring. My three favorites are listed here in reverse order of preference.
3. Sitting in the Grand Floridian Lobby – This is a very pleasant way to spend an hour or so refreshing yourself for the rest of your day. There is often a piano player or even a full dance band playing very pleasant music depending on the time of day. Stop by the Sandy Cove store in the left rear portion of the lobby, get yourself a cool drink, and sit on one of the comfortable chairs/couches for a pleasant rest.
2. Taking the Boat Ride from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney (or reverse) – This is a great way to take a cool comfortable rest from an otherwise hectic day. The boat goes from Port Orleans Riverside to Port Orleans French Quarter to Downtown Disney and also goes in the opposite direction. We have found this to be a great way to end your day if you are staying at the Port Orleans resorts. We have taken a bus from the “park of the day” to Downtown Disney just so we could take the boat for a chance to unwind before retiring for the day.
1. Sitting on the Back Porch at the Boardwalk Inn – If you look at the photo above you can see why this is a great way to take a break. If you exit the Boardwalk Lobby headed for the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake, this is what you will see as you come out the door. There are lots of chairs and there is rarely a lot of foot traffic on the porch. The porch itself is raised and very shady. It offers lovely views of the Boardwalk itself and the resorts surrounding Crescent Lake and you will find that the view is just as lovely after dark although the traffic on the Boardwalk itself is quite a bit heavier. Fear not though because the porch is set far enough back so that you won’t be bothered by crowd noise.
It’s almost always better to head back to your resort for a dip and a nap but if that is not possible, try one of the above retreats. Enjoy your visit!!
Ken
Disney Simple Things
We all love to hear about the newest E-ticket attraction. We visit numerous Internet sites dedicated to covering every step of the creation process that brings us the latest thrill ride. We share with each other thousands of pictures and ride-thru videos. Yes, we love the big Theme Park experiences!
But in our mad dash to be first in line for the next Expedition Everest, are we stampeding past, and thus forgetting and missing out on, the simple things?
When I first returned to Walt Disney World in 2006 (after a 34 year absence!) I spent 15 days running from Park to Park. I wanted to cram everything in that I possibly could. See everything. Ride everything. Experience everything. But I failed in this obsessive mission!
Upon arriving home, I started to look through the photographs and video that I had taken. And what did I find? The big things: Main attractions; Characters; Landmarks; Parades. Only the big things.
It wasn’t until the next visit in 2007 that I started to notice the simple things: Landscaping; Signage; Architectural details; Atmospheric music; the smiles on the Cast Members faces. The simple things.<
How did I miss these things the first time around?
What got me thinking of this was a recent article on one of the Internet sites that I frequent. They had the usual pictures of the big things. But in amongst it all was a picture of a simple thing that most of us probably walk right past during every visit to the Parks. It is in Adventureland. There are four or five Tiki Totems on a base, and when you step on the base, drums play. Simple.
When I first visited Walt Disney World, I was about 5 or 6 years old. My parents took me all over the Magic Kingdom. We did all of the big things. Saw the parades. I don’t remember much of it! But I remember these Tiki Totems. I remember how I felt when I stepped onto them and was surprised by the music. I remember that I spent some time jumping on and off of them. Simple.
So as parents, do we feel that we have to maximize every moment for our young children by dragging them (oft times kicking and screaming) to the big things? Do we push them into the waiting arms of a huge Donald Duck costumed character, when all they want to do is chase the real duck who is waddling through the Park?
The Point: Big things are often expensive. But simple things are always priceless!
