Some tips I have learned. . .

[DadTriton]

Most important:
GOOD SHOES
SUNBLOCK
SUNGLASSES

Florida sun will fry you in less than an hour.
Do not bring new shoes - bring shoes you have been wearing a month or more.
Flip-flops are bad not enough support for 7 miles a day and will fly off on faster rides.
A birkenstock type shoe or a breathable running shoe is best.

[homeschool mom]

When my kids were little, I always introduced them to a CM on our first day and pointed out the special CM nametags. I always told them to look for someone with that special nametag in case they got lost.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

Bring a pain reliever, not just for your legs and feet but for "heat" headaches.

[HoosierDisneyFan]

1) Get to parks right when they open
2) Use Fastpass
3) Make ADRs early
4) Eat early (11am lunch / 5pm dinner)
5) Take afternoon break from park
6) Eat Mickey Ice Cream

[MushuGrl]

Take a digital picture of your child each morning in their park outfit before you leave for the parks. This way if they wonder away from you, you can show the CM's a current picture of your child. We did this when our DD was very young and didn't know our cell numbers, etc.

I don't have kids, but on our last trip, I noticed a lady at the bus stop with us did this. What a brilliant idea!

1) I bring a small bottle of dishwashing liquid with me and "did the dishes" the night before so everything (mainly resort mugs and/or coffee mugs) were fresh and ready to go the next morning. One year I forgot to do this. Ever had a Nescafe' flavored frozen Coke? I don't recommend it.

2) If you're not a big eater, or don't like to feel stuffed while you're walking around the parks, SHARE SHARE SHARE! My big sis and I did this on our last trip - we split our pizzas, nuggets, desserts, etc. Large cokes are not much more expensive than regular ones - get two straws and share. You save money and room in your tummy for yumminess like Mickey Ice Cream and Minnie strawberry bars. Lines are drawn, however, on Dole Whips. Get your own.

3) Do not be afraid of the single rider line. The single rider line is your friend.

[Fastpasssteve]

I cannot emphasize the importance of a disco nap. If you have plans of staying up until all hours with your friends (midnight or later some nights at the Magic Kingdom), you will need an afternoon nap. Even the college-aged Disney visitor will benefit from this. Keep this sacred nap time in mind when making Advance Dining Reservations. Leave time getting to the resort and back afterwords...it may mean the difference between a lovely vacation and tears before bedtime.

...Oh, and hydrate. While the pictures of you being treated by Dr. Mickey in the infirmary may be cute in the photo album years from now, it won't be so comical at the time.

[princessjojo]

We tend to do a lot of the same things on our Disney vacations that we do on others to convenience ourselves. For instance:

carry a small collapsable laundry basket to keep dirty clothes up and out of the way.

though it's a hassle initially, we would get our kids, when they were smaller, their own gift cards for each day. they would know they had $10-25/day and wouldn't be tempted to spend it all at once. They could carry over any unused funds to the next day...

always have at least 1 extra pair of shoes incase of rainy weather.

We always schedule our return flight late in the day so we can savour our last day in the parks. It's not a run, run, run day, but more like a "the one thing you would most like to do again/place to eat again" day.

We try to be real about what can be done in our allotted vacation time and not exhaust ourselves early in the vacation.

The kids plan the vacation, where we eat, what day we visit each park and, before DVC, where we would stay (kinda). Then we, those who pay for the trip, would tweak. But they would work together to plan a day, or would plan days individually for the family, but they felt they were in control.

The biggest tip is research your vacation time. Don't get upset if in June you have to wait 60 minutes in 88° heat for ToT. Be prepared for what you're walking in to...

Always have fun and enjoy...

[PETE FROM NYC]

Too many rental cars look alike.
Put a bright colored bandana on the mirror and rear dash to help you find your car.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

If you drive to the parks, take a picture of what row you parked in on your digital camera. That way you don't risk forgetting where you left the rental car like we did once at AK with a HUGE thunderstorm heading our way as we were wandering around looking for it!

[MickeyChick]

I have compiled a huge document of tips that I've collected over the years and whenever any of my friends start planning a trip, they ask for it.

If you're traveling with recently potty-trained little ones, stick a pad of post-it notes in your pocket to cover the magic eye on the toilets in the park. Little ones sometimes aren't big enough to block it and can freak out if there's a flush while they're sitting there.

Dark rides can be scary for little ones. Mine guys liked having a small flashlight to carry with them.

I make "If found, please call XXX-XXX-XXXX" labels before the trip and put them on everything, including my kids each morning!

Similarly, a CM told me that something like 60 cameras are turned into lost and found every day with no way to identify them. So at the beginning of every card, I take a photo of a piece of paper with my name, cell number, resort and travel dates so that if I lose my camera, it's easy to figure out who it belongs to!

[Joannelet]

I have compiled a huge document of tips that I've collected over the years and whenever any of my friends start planning a trip, they ask for it.

If you're traveling with recently potty-trained little ones, stick a pad of post-it notes in your pocket to cover the magic eye on the toilets in the park. Little ones sometimes aren't big enough to block it and can freak out if there's a flush while they're sitting there.

Dark rides can be scary for little ones. Mine guys liked having a small flashlight to carry with them.

I make "If found, please call XXX-XXX-XXXX" labels before the trip and put them on everything, including my kids each morning!

Similarly, a CM told me that something like 60 cameras are turned into lost and found every day with no way to identify them. So at the beginning of every card, I take a photo of a piece of paper with my name, cell number, resort and travel dates so that if I lose my camera, it's easy to figure out who it belongs to!

These are great!! I love the post it idea and the flashlight!!!!!
Can you send me some more in a pm from what you have collected?

I also lost my phone there on one of the rides. So make sure you remember what your screen saver is etc. Cause they ask you specifics since so many are turned in during the day as well.

[kemps@wdw]

1. get to the park EARLY!
2. Mid-day breaks-especially w/kids
3. ADR's...make them.
4. Power strips-lord knows we have enough electronic chargers.
5. "Travel Light"-to the parks. Avoid longer than necessary security checks.
6. Send all parks purchases to your room.
7. Fast Pass...use it.
8. Extra Batteries
9. Get to the parks EARLY!
10. Take time to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

[Urbss]

I have compiled a huge document of tips that I've collected over the years and whenever any of my friends start planning a trip, they ask for it.

If you're traveling with recently potty-trained little ones, stick a pad of post-it notes in your pocket to cover the magic eye on the toilets in the park. Little ones sometimes aren't big enough to block it and can freak out if there's a flush while they're sitting there.

Dark rides can be scary for little ones. Mine guys liked having a small flashlight to carry with them.

I make "If found, please call XXX-XXX-XXXX" labels before the trip and put them on everything, including my kids each morning!

Similarly, a CM told me that something like 60 cameras are turned into lost and found every day with no way to identify them. So at the beginning of every card, I take a photo of a piece of paper with my name, cell number, resort and travel dates so that if I lose my camera, it's easy to figure out who it belongs to!

Would you be willing to share your "Tips document"?

[Going2HeavenRU]

The last time I went, I took 2 pairs of shoes. I changed shoes each day and it made a HUGE difference. Next trip, I am taking 3 pairs of well worn shoes.

Conditioning before you go is crucial as others have said. Just think, most of us sit at a desk 8 or so hours a day and at Disney, you are walking 12 to 13 hours a day. It really hits you when you are standing at the American EPCOT exhibit at closing time, you are exhausted and you realize you have a couple of MILES to go to get to the buses.

I love to hit all 4 parks on our last full day. We start with the park with Morning EMH and end with the park with the Evening EMH. Our last day we check our luggage, get our boarding pass and take a relaxing stroll down Main St USA. We always end with the Magic Kingdom.

[SandmanGStefani24]

1. Dont overplan! I have made this mistake and it kills me to see people do the same. Remember, you're on vacation. Go with the flow and follow where WDW takes you. Make a very light, loose list in your head of what you would like to do, and leave plenty of room for changes or issues. If you don't, one minor change or problem will derail your entire sched.

2. Take a second look at things. My 2nd trip I blew right by all the World Showcase shops and attractions. Now, I can't imagine NOT stopping at each shop, show, or attraction. You may not think you will like something, but at least try it once. Where else better to do this? You'll probably be surprised...I was!~