Update: I thought this post was worth reposting.
Things I learned on the anniversary trip:
1. Photopass photographers are on Main Street before the park opens. So if you have dining reservations, make sure you get there early enough to allow time for photographs on Main Street.
2. They have a rope drop in Fantasyland for those that had early dining reservations and finished their meal early. This rope drops at the same time as the rope on Main Street.
3. Fastpasses at some attractions are available for Evening Magic Hours. So if Peter Pan’s Flight ran out of Fastpasses during regular hours, they will have a new set of Fastpasses for Extra Magic Hours available as soon as the Extra Magic Hours begins.
4. Magical Express has set times that it leaves. Be sure to allow an hour or two from the time you land at the airport to the time you arrive at your resort. Magical Express also makes multiple stops.
5. Test Track stops running if there is inclement weather in the area. If it looks like rain lightning is in the area don’t get in the Test Track line. Our line went from 10 minutes to 35 minutes due to the weather.
(I know it doesn’t run in the rain, but they stopped the ride without it raining or thundering where we were located.)
6. If you want to ride in a certain seat, just ask the Cast Member. You might have to wait on the next ride cycle but they will usually accommodate you.
7. Big Thunder Mountain is a different experience in the dark.
8. Do not ride It’s A Small World with a full bladder. The loading and unloading zones are bumpy.
9. Get a snack before you get in line for Fantasmic to pass the time.
10. The second showing of Main Street Electrical Parade is going to be less busy.
11. Be sure to ask a Cast Member if the spot you are staking out for the parade or fireworks is a good spot. You don’t want to wait on a spot only to find out you won’t be allowed to sit there!
12. If you want to get across the street after a parade, just follow the parade down the street. We walked behind the last Cast Members in the Electrical Parade until we got to where we wanted to be on Main Street.
13. They are going to make you slide down when you are waiting on shows to start. Even if you have been sitting in that perfect middle spot for 20 minutes, they will make you slide.
14. If it’s raining, they will cancel the parade. Don’t plan on seeing it if the weather is nasty.
15. Always ask for water with your meals too. That way if your waiter is scarce, you still have something to drink on when your soda runs out.
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
Kristin, these are awesome tips. I didn’t know most of them. Early Crystal Palace reservations are starting to seem like a must!
One other thing I learned the hard way–the boat that runs b/w the Wilderness Lodge and the Contemporary stops running in rain or lightning, and it’s pretty much the only direct route between the two resorts. So if you’re at one for dinner, and you’re staying at the other, there’s no easy way to get back. You have to first go to MK via bus or monorail (which was crazy packed with people trying to get out), and stand in line in the rain at the bus stop to get back. So if it’s bad weather and you’ve got tiny kids or are pregnant, it might be easier to just grab a super-quick cab ride back!
I just want to let everyone know because I saw Test Track on this post that it will be closed for a while. It reopens in late fall. They are changing it a little bit because Chevrolet sponsors it now.
How early do the photographers get there? We’re hoping to do breakfast at Crystal Palace and I really want to get some nice pictures of my kiddos and the castle!
They were there at 8:10 am when we were rushing to our breakfast reservation.
Good tips! And do you know how much a photopass CD is?
Pre-buy is $119ish, regular price is $160ish, and the new photopass+ is $200ish. The photopass+ is the same as photopass but includes digital images of some of the rides. photo packages at some of the character meals, and pirates league.
It is $119 if you pre-order it.
Wish I would have known #15 on my last trip. My waiter at Ohana disappeared for the longest time, and I was soooooo thirsty! After a long day at MK, and all the salty food…I was DYING! I swear I was eyeing my daughter’s sippy cup! Next time…yes…a round of waters for everyone!
That is exactly where I learned that tip! I will never eat at ‘Ohanas after 9 pm again. That was miserable. The food was delicious though.
We looooooove BTM at night!!