It’s hard to believe another year has already come and gone. I feel like I was just writing my Disney resolutions! As 2014 comes to a close, I’d love to share five favorite tips I’ve shared with the Park Wise crew, as well as a few I picked up from your comments!

Dress for Success

In the dead of summer this year, we chatted about how to beat the heat at the parks, and while this tip certainly makes sense in the summer, dressing for comfort can absolutely be applied all year round.

JessicaMailoImages003-610x404

“First and foremost, dress for comfort!  In the summer, this means loose-fitting, light, breathable clothing.  Cotton, moisture-wicking and linen are great choices for either coast.  I highly recommend avoiding denim at all costs!  I can’t tell you how many people I saw the last couple weeks sweltering in jeans or walking around dripping waiting for their jorts to dry after Splash Mountain.  Not fun! “

Breeze Through Bag Check

Just before summer vacations started, I offered my tips for getting your excited self into the park faster, and having just returned from a week at Walt Disney World, I wish more people were prepared for bag check. Do your fellow sack-weilders a favor and take heed.

pic_HOR42

“Before you can even get to the turnstiles, you’ve gotta get frisked. Well, not you personally, but security is going to rifle through your bags. The key is for you to make it easy for them. Before you get to the bag check point, start unzipping, unsnapping, unlocking your bags. This includes purses, backpacks, diaper bags, camera cases, lunch boxes, shopping bags – anything that security can see (i.e., your Mickey Mouse wallet doesn’t have to be checked if it fits in your pocket) has to be checked. If you wait until you get to the table to start opening your bags, security will keep checking bags while you wait, but those behind you will start to get annoyed. Not nice. You’ll also have to remove your bag from your body. I’m a crossbody bag gal, and although they can see the entire contents of my bag while it’s still slung across my shoulder, you still have to plunk it down on the table. Don’t forget to look under your stroller. Whatever’s under there has to be checked, too.”

Get Park Wise: After bag check, walk a ways before putting yourself back together. Stopping just after the check (or, worse, hanging out at the check station) to adjust, re-zip, button, etc. is just annoying to the guests behind you. Don’t do it!

Don’t Forget Your Phone Charger

In the spring, I shared seven things we slip in our bags to feel fully prepared for the parks. One of the most important (because, sadly, it’s rare that we can truly unplug, even on vaca) is your charger!

pic_HOR4

“With all of the apps geared toward aiding you in your park touring, texting your group while trying to find each other, checking in on Facebook so all your friends at home know exactly what you’re doing at that very second, smart phone batteries can drain by mid-day.  Invest in a portable charger (I got a great one on a local deal site for under $30), or even bring your wall charger along.  While Disney queues and common places always seem to have an outlet somewhere, dedicated charging stations are available, too!  At the moment, the only permanent station is found at Magic Kingdom near the Tangled restrooms, but my guess is that more are on the way.”

Get Park Wise: DobbysCloset added, among other things, that one should remember a hard case for their sunglasses. Any coaster rider knows the struggle of holding onto those babies or risking scratches by stuffing them in a bag or the little cargo pocket on the ride.

Walt Disney World Dining Reservations

We took a look at the life and times of advanced dining reservations at Walt Disney World this year, too. I can hear the groans. Yes, planning where you want to eat six months before you eat it can be daunting, but there are a few choice restaurants that demand it.

“By all means, if you know where you want to eat during your entire trip, make all your reservations as soon as possible.  Otherwise, (ahem…important info for new planners I referenced earlier) I highly recommend guests book these restaurants as soon as they’re able.  If you have your heart set on breakfast with a princess or dinner with Donald, your best bet is to be on the phone as soon as your reservation window is open.  While not all character meals are sold out at 180 days, they are among the first to lose availability.  Cinderella’s Royal Table in Cinderella Castle and Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort are quick to book, so if those are on your list, make them a priority when you call or check online.  While not a traditional character meal, Be Our Guest is also #1 on many travelers’ wish lists, so if it’s on yours, make it your first request.”

Get Park Wise: BradynBradleysMom prefers to avoid the drama of dining reservations and plans to leave it all to a travel agent next time. CoughHi,I’mJessica,anAuthorizedDisneyVacationPlannerAgentCough

Don’t Overplan

A few months back, we looked at a some ways you can ruin your hard-earned vacation. I’m most definitely a champion for planning, but there’s a point when it can get ridiculous, so remember to take some time to stop and smell the roses.

pic_HOR21

“Obviously we know you can’t go in blind, but I can promise you if you tell your family they only have three minutes and 28 seconds for a bathroom break at 11:42 A.M. before being allowed a two minute and 54 second walk to Dumbo, you’re in for it.  Seriously, no one likes the clipboard-o-fun (bonus points if you know the reference!!) except the OCD planner who made it.  And even that OCD planner has a conniption when no one heeds the wisdom of the clipboard, so do everyone a favor and leave it at home.  It is a vacation, after all, relax.”

What are your favorite tips to help your fellow theme park goers get Park Wise?

fgt

[email protected]

Jessica Ma'ilo
Jessica is a special education teacher by day and blogger and Fairy Godmother Travel agent by evening. When not supervising play dates or sleepovers, she can be found creating, sewing or singing. She loves hitting the Disney Parks, and she and her family escape to the World and Land as often as they can. She can be contacted at [email protected], and you can also check out her family blog, Magic, Memories, Mayhem.