A little planning goes a long way!
by Jefie
My sister pretty much left me in charge of planning the entire trip, and I would say that the few hours I spent looking up different websites and digging through my Birnbaum pocket guide really made a difference. Even though everything is so well organized at Walt Disney World that you could easily get by without having done any research beforehand, having an idea of what you want to do and knowing when's the best time to do it definitely allows you to make the most of your time at the theme parks. Reading a description of all the different rides can be quite useful if you don't want to spend too much time waiting to go on a ride that either proves to be too wild or too mellow for your group, and knowing which rides you should get a fastpass for also really helps. There was a nice feeling every evening when we left a theme park knowing we'd seen and done everything we'd put on our list!
Stay onsite at one of the...
by pelitelepath
Stay onsite at one of the large resort complexes - nearby isn't nearly as fun! Visit the theme parks early in the day, take a midday swim or rest at your wonderful hotel, then get out for the night life. Talk with people - locals, other guests. Don't just stand in line looking at the back of someone's head! When I'm away, I miss that bright, bright yellow thing that moves across the Florida sky each day.
Visit the Comedy Warehouse at...
by MiniRtist2
Visit the Comedy Warehouse at Disney's Pleasure Island (Downtown Disney). It's a great place! The shows are improv, much like 'Who's Line is it Anyway' but I think the Warehouse is much better. It's a live experience, and they have been doing this for ten years. Every show is different, so you never see the same one twice. If you travel to Orlando a lot, an annual pass for Pleasure Island is relatively inexpensive, and in my mind, worth every penny.
Avoiding the crowds: Fastpass
by goingsolo
The Disney Fastpass system is a way to avoid crowds at the most popular rides. Rather than spend an hour or more waiting in line for Space Mountain or any other popular attractions, visit the Fastpass booth outside the entrance. Insert your park admission ticket and you'll receive a printed slip which tells you the time to report back to the ride.
When you return at the designated time, you can go straight to the Fastpass line and will be on the ride within minutes.
There's a limit to the number of times you can use the Fastpass system on any given day. Any of the numerous friendly Disney employees can give you that exact number.
Prepare for wet, warm and cold
by jessicadf
For a weekend trip, the two of us could easily stuff our needs in to my one roll-aboard TravelPro suitcase. That didn't leave room for any purchases, of course. Shorts, t-shirts, something nice to wear to dinner, sandals and DEFINITELY bring a rain coat, poncho or umbrella, unless you like getting wet. Expect rain in Florida most of the year 'round. Mosquito repellent isn't a bad thing, though on this trip, it was Winter and we weren't bothered. Sunscreen is a good idea in the Summer, but not necessary in December. My trusty Nikon Coolpix was just dandy.
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The museum
Kathy, Patty, Elvis, Shelley and Ann
My sister and I on our room's balcony
Mickey Mouse ears get everywhere
