I know we get a lot of posts here. We are headed out in a little less that two weeks. I have made some dining reservations, everything is very very full. So there are several places that just aren't available . We will take some snacks and water. Any other must take with us things? Any great ideas that I need? I am usually very planned on our trips, but not so much this time!

By Bellajoe on Monday, March 3, 2008 - 07:34 pm:

We all wore visors or hats to protect our faces from the sun. It helped a lot. I'll think more about it and get back to you.

By Karen~admin on Monday, March 3, 2008 - 07:40 pm:

backpacks
sunscreen
digital camera & extra battery &/or memory cards
purell hand wipes, or wet cloth in a ziplock bag
extra ziplock bag(s) for camera or wallet (in case of rain)

By Debbie on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 08:34 am:

Kaye,

Here are somethings I always pack when we go to Disney:

Lots of sunscreen, hats, camera, hand sanitizer, zip lock baggies(for some reason, I always need these, small flashlight for reading the park map after dark, small backpack(since the kids are older, I now use a small, over the shoulder messenger type bag), band-aides, hand wipes, chapstick, sunglasses. We also stop at a grocery store and get water, snacks, and breakfast food.

I usually just have a plan on what park we will go to each day. Then, we pick the rides that we "must do". If you want to do the big headliner rides: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Rock and Roll Roller Coaster etc, then do those first, or get fastpasses. Know how fastpast works. If you are staying on property, I would take advantage of early entry, if not I would avoid the park with early entry. You are going at a very busy time, so just be prepared for it, and have a good time!!!

By Kaye on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 11:39 am:

On the other thread someone mention them closing the parks...if I am staying on site do I have to worry about that? Our plans were to head in for lunch and stay till it closes, because they are open later during that week.

By Kate on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 11:50 am:

Oh Kaye...I have to say heading in at lunch and staying 'til closing sounds like a very bad idea. I know no one likes to get up early, but when in Disney that's really the way to go about it...most people on vacation like to do as you plan...sleep in, maybe take a swim, have a nice breakfast, and THEN hit the parks. By lunch time it will be gridlock.

If you're staying on property the only 'perk' you get as far as the parks closing early, is that ONE park per night will be open three hours extra and only on site guests can stay for it. Those are called evening extra magic hours AND THEY ARE TOTALLY CROWDED AND NOT WORTH IT!!! My family ALWAYS takes advantage of the MORNING extra magic hours (ONE park will open up one hour early for on site guests) and it is always very empty and manageable. You get SO MUCH done in that one hour, then when the parks open to the general public you STILL have the advantage because you're deep in the park already and have knocked out the big rides, and the park will fill up slowly the first 'real' hour or two, and then BOOM, by eleven or so it'll become an absolute mob scene. THAT is when you should leave and head to your hotel for lunch and a swim or rest, and then head back to the parks in the evening when the people who fought the crowds at lunch time have absolutely had it and are leaving, swearing to never return to Disney!!!

So my best advice is do early entry morning extra magic hours, AVOID the extra magic evening hours, and no matter what, always get to the park you're going to right for the opening.

By Debbie on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 12:16 pm:

Ditto Kate. When it is really crowded, we always get up early, go to extra magic hours, then go back to the hotel at lunch, swim, and take a nap, and then go back after dinner. You can do the big headline rides in the morning, and then do other things in the evenings.

Also, you might want to look at this, it shows the best parks to go to on certain days, and which ones to avoid.
http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14

By Debbie on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 08:19 am:

Hey Kaye, I saw on one of the Disney websites that on a few nights during your trip the Magic Kingdom will be open until midnight, and then extended hours will run to 3am. I am sure the crowds will be really light that late. How fun to be there that late at night. You would definitley have to sleep in the next morning!

By Kaye on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 08:49 am:

Debbie that is what I am hoping for. It is hard to tell via websites the actual hours. For example on the disney site it says the mk is open 8-1., but there are early entry hours every day, so does that mean they really open at 7?. And hten two nights they have extra magic hours, open for "up to 3" hours late, so does that mean they are really going to be open maybe as late as 4am. I really just couldn't decide!

If they are open till 2 or so, we will be there. My children are very much night owls and we will take advantage of that!

By Jackie on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 08:53 am:

We have never stayed on property. With that being said, we have gone during busy times, and not busy times. What works for us is to be there when the parks open. It seems you get a lot more done that way. We would stay until after lunch time, head back to the hotel for a swim and a rest for the kids, and head back after dinner.Personally, I rather go in the early morning, when crowds are lower, and it is not so hot out.

By Debbie on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 09:52 am:

Yes, Kaye, extra magic hours are in addition to the hours posted. So, if the opening time is 8am, resort guests get in at 7am when there is extra magic hours. Or if they close at midnight, with extra evening hours, they will be open to 3am.

If your kids are night owls, I would definitley take a nap or sleep in, and hit the magic kingdom late on some days. Usually, after the last parade, the park starts to clear out. It looks like it is going to be really busy with such late park hours. Be prepared for that, know what rides in each park that everyone really wants to do, and have a great time! Now, if you plan to do Animal Kingdom and Disney Studios, I would do those early. You can hit the main rides before the parks fill up.

With the high crowds they are expecting, I would at least find out which parks have early/evening entry and decide where you are going to go each day. Sleep late some days, maybe have an early evening some, and get up early to hit certain parks. Decide which rides are really important for each park, and do those first. With big crowds if you don't have some type of plan, you will not have a good time.